Felgacarb
Sr Member
Here's a tricorder you don't see all that often- however I've convinced myself I need at least one for costuming purposes.
Since it's primary function is to complement a costume, the requirements of this build will be a bit different, I think.
First, it has to look good with the costume. (This is actually easier than if it had to look good all by itself on a display shelf.)
Next, it has to survive being dragged around all day for a couple of days in a row.
Third, since most Star Trek costumes are severely limited in respect to pockets (field jackets not withstanding!) I want it to be able to serve as a purse. If I can have it hinge open and hold a camera or phone, cash and a couple of cards, it will be perfect.
Lastly, it would be fun it it would still open and light up the way it should. Since it only requires a few LED blinking, that may be doable even with the other requirements.
So, the first step is to get some drawings or sketches to work with. The approach I took was to make a CAD model (SolidWorks) based on whatever photographs I could find. This is what I have so far:
Most of the details are there. My next step will be to print it up and make a paper mock-up, to see if I nailed the scale or not.
My current plan is to make wooden bucks, then press custom shells out of thin thermoform plastic (kydex) for the outside, with aluminum rails for a frame inside. We'll see if that plan survives the initial testing...
Since it's primary function is to complement a costume, the requirements of this build will be a bit different, I think.
First, it has to look good with the costume. (This is actually easier than if it had to look good all by itself on a display shelf.)
Next, it has to survive being dragged around all day for a couple of days in a row.
Third, since most Star Trek costumes are severely limited in respect to pockets (field jackets not withstanding!) I want it to be able to serve as a purse. If I can have it hinge open and hold a camera or phone, cash and a couple of cards, it will be perfect.
Lastly, it would be fun it it would still open and light up the way it should. Since it only requires a few LED blinking, that may be doable even with the other requirements.
So, the first step is to get some drawings or sketches to work with. The approach I took was to make a CAD model (SolidWorks) based on whatever photographs I could find. This is what I have so far:
Most of the details are there. My next step will be to print it up and make a paper mock-up, to see if I nailed the scale or not.
My current plan is to make wooden bucks, then press custom shells out of thin thermoform plastic (kydex) for the outside, with aluminum rails for a frame inside. We'll see if that plan survives the initial testing...
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