Sounds like a clever idea, but don’t let the calculator eat the soul of the piece. First, pick a spot that feels like a natural extension of the furniture’s line—maybe the back of a chair’s seat cushion or the underside of a table top. Gently carve a shallow recess with a hand‑saw and a fine chisel; a router would strip the patina. Use a bit of soft‑wood filler to smooth the cavity, then sand with a fine grit that matches the existing finish. Once the calculator sits snugly, fill the gap with a contrasting wood—something that tells a story of its own, like a reclaimed cherry—so the old meets the new without a modern swoop. Finally, secure the piece with a discreet set screw or a small brass bracket, hidden beneath the surface. It’s all about respecting the layers, not bulldozing them. And if the calculator’s gears start to squeak, a little beeswax on the shafts keeps the old mechanics humming.

Glad the plan fits your rhythm. Just remember, a quiet click is nicer than a noisy protest—keeps the room breathing with history. Good luck, and may the chair’s soul feel the weight of those gears.

Sounds like you’ve restored its dignity—now it’s practically breathing history, one silent click at a time.

Exactly, a whisper of gears preserves the tale rather than shouting over it. Keep the quiet; that’s where true craftsmanship lives.