Star Trek 2009 McCoy Hand Scanner Defined Thread

[prototype7]

Hey all...
Thought I would start this up since I have access to the Pepper Mill that was used for the front of this prop. I'm picking one up tomorrow and desperately would like to figure out what the rest of this prop is made of.
This should be a pretty easy build as it looks like a cut and paste of alot of stuff.

I've been under the thought that the bottom half is one of the shake and charge flashlights and I think alot of people agree... I still can't find the exact one though.
And as for the black plastic bits top and bottom... you can tell the bottom has writing on it but there hasn't been a clear enough pic to read. IF ANYONE STILL HAS ACCESS TO THIS EXHIBIT, A CLEAR PHOTO OF THE WORDING ON THE BOTTOM WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED!
And the thing on the top... looks to me like either a key ring, or one of those wine bottle toppers maybe?
Electronics help would be great too! I can't remember but I'm pretty sure the bit on the end didn't just spin at a constant speed. I think it would rotate then stop, then again... but I could be wrong.

Anyhow... I'm too tired to dig up pics tonight but pics and discussion is welcome! I bet we can crack this thing in no time!
Thanks to anyone who contributes!

[jason1976]

I can't add much ,as I just found out about this in the other thread, but I would also really like to do this prop now.

[ruze789]

I picked up one of the pepper grinders this weekend, found it sold individually in a kitchen specialty store for $17.99. The salt grinder was $19.99.

I can take measurements/ pictures if anyone needs them.
I also spent a lot of time yesterday searching online for shake flashlights and wine stoppers as the other thread mentioned those parts, but had no luck finding anything close.

[Jaruemalak]

I grabbed several of the peppermills from a local Meijer store late last year - not because it was used in Trek... I didn't KNOW that yet! But because it was a cool shape that I figured I could use and they were clearing them out for 2 bucks each! Being the prop building scrounger that i am, I grabbed the 5 they had left!

[jason1976]

I grabbed several of the peppermills from a local Meijer store late last year - not because it was used in Trek... I didn't KNOW that yet! But because it was a cool shape that I figured I could use and they were clearing them out for 2 bucks each! Being the prop building scrounger that i am, I grabbed the 5 they had left!

Oh, man, you are so lucky. I live next door to a Meijer, so after I read your post, I literally ran over there. I looked threw the whole store and found........Nothing. They didn't even have any thing close, even at full price. Have some fancy pants, sopes around here I can look at, but I was really hoping not to pay $20. a piece for them.

There is a person selling them on ebay for around $20. as well, (at least I think it's the same one, the pic they have up, isn't very good.)

[The Dude]

I picked up one of the pepper grinders this weekend, found it sold individually in a kitchen specialty store for $17.99. The salt grinder was $19.99.

I can take measurements/ pictures if anyone needs them.
I also spent a lot of time yesterday searching online for shake flashlights and wine stoppers as the other thread mentioned those parts, but had no luck finding anything close.

What thread? I tried searching but could not find it.

[bobamatt]

Yes, please! More info on the salt and pepper shakers as there is a Meijer right near me and I'd be willing to pick up any extras if anyone wanted one! (If they have them, that is!)



*EDIT* I found the info (Vic Firth salt and pepper mill) I'll check my local Meijer tonight.

*EDIT AGAIN!* Drat! Nothing at Meijer!

[ruze789]

What thread? I tried searching but could not find it.

This thread:
http://therpf.com/showthread.php?t=55447

A couple people mentioned they thought the other parts looked like a wine stopper and shake flashlight, but nothing more was figured out. Seemed like a good lead, but so far I've got nothing.

[nickytea]

Is this a smaller pepper mill? The prop looks really small in his hands in the movie.

[jason1976]

Is this a smaller pepper mill? The prop looks really small in his hands in the movie.

I just saw another person selling them on ebay, for around $10. (plus shipping.)

They have a good pic of the packaging, and there's a picture on the box that shows a hand holding one of these mils. The upper section (able the clear part) fits in the hand, and the pump part is being used, by the thumb. So the bottom part that we would be using isn't all hat big. (IMO) Witch fits, to what I recall seeing on screen, in the film.

[ruze789]

Here's some pictures:

[nickytea]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing those. I'll have to hunt one down locally.

[electric jay]

Wow. Vic Firth makes pepper mills. i thought they only made drum sticks.
http://www.vicfirth.com/

But then, there is Vic Firth Gourmet, same logo.
http://www.vicfirthgourmet.com/

Odd...

[jason1976]

Yeah, great pics, thanks for posting them.

Does anyone else think it they may have used a pepper mil/shaker on purpose?

I've seen a few different interviews with DeForest Kelley, where he said how silly he felt "Waving salt, and pepper, shakers over people." followed by "That's what they where, you know, just salt, and pepper shakers." I don't know if those were actually salt, and pepper shakes, he may have just thought they were, but he did say that.

I've seen it in other interviews, but the one that comes to mind, was aired on the sci-fi channel, back in the late 90's when they aired all the episodes, with the stars talking about the episodes as they came back from commercial brakes. )

I've heard other trek props were made from salt, and peper shakers, but I don't know what ones.

Sorry, I'm not trying to derail the thread, I just thought it was interesting.

[Lord Boron]

Wow...I've been using one of these for a few years for food. I always thought it would make a cool grenade. I knew I was on to something......

[micdavis]

Yep a couple were salt and pepper shakers.

From the Making of Star Trek.

[nickytea]

The thumb-pump at the unused end might make for a good start on a McCoy Hypospray.

[Jaruemalak]

<snip>

I've seen a few different interviews with DeForest Kelley, where he said how silly he felt "Waving salt, and pepper, shakers over people." followed by "That's what they where, you know, just salt, and pepper shakers." I don't know if those were actually salt, and pepper shakes, he may have just thought they were, but he did say that. <snip>

The story goes that the script for "Man Trap" (salt vampire episode) called for a salt shaker to feature prominently, and they started wondering what a 23 century salt shaker would look like. So someone went out and bought some very sleek and exotic looking salt and pepper shakers and brought them to the studio. The prop master (I believe) said that they were so cool and strange looking that no one in the home audience would recognize them as salt shakers! "But," he said, "those will become Dr. McCoy's medical devices."

The book "Making of Star Trek" calls them scalpels, but they've shown up as several different instruments.

His SCANNER, however, was built from scratch, so I've always been told.

[DrMcoy]

Scanner was built from scratch but I believe the rubber grip material was taken from a screwdriver or similar hand tool grip...I am referring to the scanner McCoy most often used that had the twirly thingamajig inside the clear tube....the fluted/ribbed/grooved grip on that scanner.

[Jet Beetle]

When we were married my wife was sent a box of stuff from her grandmother in Sweden - just sweet little things for her to start her new life - pot holders, pancake mix, and a pair of old salt and pepper shakers - the same ones bones uses - silver cone top and wood bottom (I believe they are painted red and green). She keeps them away from me knowing I want to paint them - but they are here.. and one day... one day....

[prototype7]

The thumb-pump at the unused end might make for a good start on a McCoy Hypospray.

I was thinking the exact same thing Nicky!~
Just got back from vacation... cool to see this thread take off in my absence. I'm still holding onto the idea that the bottom end came from a shake flashlight... just gotta find which one. I might have some pics somewhere... I'll see what I can dig up.

I really want to crack this one but there are more parts that need sourcing other than the bottom.
The top end has a flat black peice of plastic, and I'm thinking this ENTIRE prop was made of found items (which makes me smile, for those of you who know me)... also, the little "spinny thing" at the top... looks like maybe a wine topper or maybe a pull chain, or maybe something that goes with some sort of bar/alcohol dispenser or something. It's chromed and looks very "production" to me.


*** FOR ANYONE SERIOUS ABOUT WANTING ONE OF THESE PEPPER MILLS AND CANNOT FIND THEM... I'm pretty friendly with the manager at the kitchen store near me that has these. I might be able to orchestrate a mass purchase... maybe. I'll have to talk to her and see about price and how many she could get but if you guys think it's worth it I might start an interest thread in the JY.

And can somebody get some refference pics up in here?! I'm still catching up from my vacation but it would be nice to have something to look at and muse over.

[thegreatgalling]

Hey guys, I posted a few pics of what I believe the bottom of this thing is in the other thread.

[prototype7]

you could post them here too if you like... not a bad idea.

[thegreatgalling]

you could post them here too if you like... not a bad idea.

This is the post:

"I have given a lot of thought about McCoy's scanner and to me, the bottom looks very similar to a click on, or clicky tail cap to a small flashlight. I havn't been able to identify the exact one, but they normally boast the company name in a similar configuration around the button.















In this photo you can clearly see threads and the part of the flashlight bottom that would press against the battery.



Compare to:



I am still trying to ID the exact flashlight but googling "tail cap" yielded all these pics. I also found some pretty cheap caps on Ebay."

[prototype7]

Okay... I've been going over and over this one the last few days and I have a few more possible items that the top "spinny thing" could be. Maybe you guys can help me search.

1. Top on my list right now is a lamp topper. You know the thing that screws into the top of the lamp shade. The size seems about right and I'm trying to do some internet searching to find something close.
2. A drawer pull. Already checked home depot and came up bust though.
3. A wine saver... maybe
4. could it maybe be the top of a stamp to make a wax seal... you know, like on letters and such?

As far as the black button on the back. Looks to me like the lettering starts with an E and ends in "ony"... anybody else see it?

And please... anyone with ties to people involved in the movie... check with your buddies and see what you can find out!