Unlimited Run Doctor Who 12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver, Confession Dial & Sonic Stand

Hey everyone. Awhile back I started an interest thread for 3d printed kits to build a 12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver, as well as his Confession Dial and a display stand add-on for the dial based on the TARDIS console port in which the sonic first appeared. Well, they're ready!

Below I've outlined the options and linked to the specific files on Shapeways that you'll need to get for each of them. It's a bit confusing if you try to navigate on Shapeways to get all the right models to go with each other so this will (hopefully) simplify things.


12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver


(Solidworks render of prototype in exploded form)

There are no particular options for this kit aside from ordering the electronics kit from 13doctorwho if you want them so there is only one file you'll need from Shapeways, which can be found here:

12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver

Here's a video showing the thing assembled (paint job currently incomplete) with 13doctorwho's electronics implemented.


The 3d printed kit comes in 20 pieces as seen below and has everything you will need to build the sonic with the exception of the 5mm (3/16") acrylic rods. These can be purchased separately from any number of suppliers and you don't need much. You'll need one cut down to 69mm in length for the middle and four more cut to 56mm for the corners of the emitter shaft so a foot long to start will suffice (although you may want to get more as backup). Disregard the extra housing piece shown on the upper left side in the first photo - that part has been omitted from this kit since it will be included with 13doctorwho's electronics kit, should you decide to purchase one.



Please note that since I ordered this print, I've made changes to the model to make it more accurate. I moved and resized the depth of various screws, thinned out the back end portion below the 'cage', fixed the detail on the slider switch that didn't show up well in this print, and I corrected some other inaccuracies that new material brought to light after ordering this version - so your model will be even better than mine!

Once I complete my personal build of the sonic, I'll create a finishing thread where I'll walk you through what I did for mine and also for people to post their own builds, get help and give tips - I'll add the link here and post to inform you when that happens.


12th Doctor's Confession Dial


(Solidworks render showing potential paint application)

There are four options for this one, as laid out below.

1) Confession Dial (Simple Version) - this is a basic kit to build a closed version of the dial. It has no inside details and comes in two pieces, top and bottom. This version is NOT compatible with the port stand add-on.

2) Confession Dial (Complete Version) - this version has all of the pieces needed for the full dial build. It has four pieces total - bottom, inside details, lid and orb. Everything is included in this one file and all printed in white plastic. This version is compatible with the port stand add-on.

3) Confession Dial (Complete, No Orb) - this version has three of the pieces that the Complete Version has - it does not include the orb, which is meant to be printed in Frosted Ultra Detail or Frosted Extreme Detail. This is because the details on the orb are very fine and print much better in the more detailed material. If you purchase this version, be sure to also pick up the Confession Dial Orb. This version is compatible with the port stand add-on.

This is the version I printed for myself, which you can see below in it's parts from both files:



4) Confession Dial (Complete, No Orb or Lid) - this version is for anyone that only wants to use their confession dial in conjunction with the Stand Add-on as it does not contain the lid or the orb, only the two parts to make up the bottom section of the dial. This version is, of course, compatible with the port stand add-on.


Port Stand Add-on for Confession Dial

The port stand is to be used in conjunction with any of the Confession Dials above except for the Simple Version, which does not contain the inside details needed to work with this stand. The stand is designed to hold your completed 12 Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver upright.


(Solidworks render illustrating potential paint job and lighting)

There are two options listed below, both of which require the ordering of one additional file for the two Clear Rings around the top and side of the stand. Those will need to be printed in Frosted Ultra Detail or Frosted Extreme Detail since they need to be translucent.

1) Stand Add-on for Confession Dial - this version is for anyone that does NOT intend to implement electronics into their stand. It has seven of the nine parts you'll need to complete the stand - you'll need to also get the Clear Rings to complete the build.

2) Stand Add-on for Confession Dial (DX) - this version has housing for a tactile push button switch, six LED's and three standard LR-44 button cell batteries so that you can more easily implement light into the stand. The battery housing is a separate part that clips into the bottom of the stand and the LED housing is in the form of six clips that encircle the inner circumference at a 45 degree angle so they light up both the top and side rings at once. The housing for the switch is positioned in such a way that when the sonic is inserted, a tab on the inside is pushed into the switch, activating your custom circuit. I'll highlight these details more thoroughly in the finishing thread once my own build is complete, along with links to the exact battery contacts I used so the batteries could easily be changed out. Remember, you'll also need to pick up the Clear Rings to complete the build.

This is the version I printed for myself. I should note that Shapeways goofed up on the order of my stand and left out the main base portion of the stand. I'll be receiving this soon so I can finish my own stand but I wanted to point it out since you'll have one more piece in your stand kit than is shown in the pictures below. The second photo shows the batteries in the housing along with the push button switch and one LED in place.



Edits have also been made to this model since I printed it, to accommodate the changes made to the 12th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver.



So those are all of the options!

If you have any questions whatsoever about which one you should get, feel free to chime in below and let me know what you're looking to do with your kit and I'll direct you to the right ones. I'll be posting my progress and other info in this thread over the next week or so so be sure to subscribe and check back in to be up to speed with everything going on with the kit. This is an unlimited run so there's no need to sign up or contact me in order to get anything, just grab it right from Shapeways and they'll print and send it to you!


While I'm not offering completed sonics at the moment, I'm starting an interest list here for those that don't want to build their own. Feel free to chime in and I'll add you to the list below. If you want electronics, you can order them directly from 13doctorwho - chime in on his interest list here. Preliminary cost for each completed sonic is $200 - if we get to ten members then I can do $175.

Interest List for Completed Sonics

1) macman27
2) pauledaking
3) Shank25
4) enterprise0216
5) bendingoak
6) myersfarms
7)
8)
9)
10)

Here are some progress shots of my process to show how it's coming along.

Two coats of varnish and one coat of flat black on all the pieces, plus an extra coat of metallic blue on some of them.



Aluminum coats on the metal parts.



Two coats of varnish and one coat of metallic black on the dial as a base layer, plus gold bottom coat and metallic blue top coat on the orb.



Additional coat of bronze on the dial and another coat of blue on the raised portions on the orb.



Detailed shot of the orb with a third coat of blue on the raised portions.



All the pieces of the sonic with final coats of 'brass' and touch up on the details like screws and brass rods among the mechanical bits.



I'm giving them all a few days to dry before I assembly it and hit the parts with a top coat of lacquer that should smooth out the surface a bit and add a nice shine to everything. I also applied the final coat of gold to the confession dial as dry brushing so the bronze would show in the recessed details to accent them - I'll post pictures of this along with photos of the assembled sonic. Also, Shapeways sent the replacement model for the base of the stand so I should have that in a few days to finish and can show everything all together.

Are you still planning completed versions by any chance?

macman27 said:

Are you still planning completed versions by any chance?

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I'm still feeling it out. The process for my own was very labor intensive and as these kits were designed to be DIY projects and not semi-mass-produced completed props, the price I come up with may be cost prohibitive. If I do offer completed sonics it may be awhile, I have a lot on my plate right now trying to secure a full time position at my current contract job and other animation projects in between to pay the bills so the amount of time I'd be spending on these would detract from that. Once I'm in a better position to offer them I'll revisit the possibility but as of now I can only offer the kits on their own.

I will however be outlining my entire process so anyone who may not be as confident in their own abilities will have plenty of support from me along the way and I'm happy to answer any questions about the best way to work with the kits for a good result.

I may be able to offer a few one-offs so anyone interested can contact me directly and we can discuss options - I just don't want to start a run of a half-dozen or more of these and leave people hanging because I can't dedicate the time to spend on that many at once right now - but one or two I may be able to swing.

For the record, anyone who is interested in a completed version, feel free to chime in and I'll add you to an interest list at the top. If we get enough interested members I may consider it but it will likely be a few at a time over the next few months. I just can't take on a bunch at once right now but if I get a number of committed members then I can have a better sense of what I'll have on my plate and plan to do a few at a time, but still be able to offer a better price with enough people interested. For those that want electronics as part of the deal, it makes the most sense for those members to order them from 13doctorwho directly rather than me having him ship a bunch of kits to me just to ship them along with mine.

Update on my build - sonic and confession dial are done, just waiting on the base piece of the stand before I can finish that up. Should arrive Monday.

Here's the sonic, second picture lit up with 13doctorwho's electronics kit. If I do completed sonics, I'll be using a better brass and metal spray paint instead of brushed on - the blue will be more accurate as well, I just liked the dark blue metallic paint and gold for mine.



Confession dial with the lid on, removed and a close up of the orb.

I am interested in a completed sonic

Okay, four people on the interest list for completed sonics. It's looking more like a reality now. If we can just get to ten then I can do $175 for each sonic. I'll give it until the end of the first week in February (7th) and then we'll see where we stand.

Okay, the Sales thread for the electronics kits has just been posted by 13doctorwho so time to head over there and order one!

I'm definitely offering completed sonics (you've convinced me) so if you are interested in one and haven't already, chime in here before Sunday. Also be sure to let 13doctorwho know if he should send your electronics package to me so I can install them into the finished, painted sonic for you. Really, there's no reason not to if you're ordering both.

At the end of this week (midnight EST on Sunday) I'll see how many members we have for completed sonics but at this point, I'm committed to doing however may come in by then. I can't say for sure if I'll be able to offer any more after that so if you want one, get in now so you don't miss out! If we get to ten kits, I'll drop the price to $175 each but as it stands now, they'll be $200. That includes all of the 3d printed parts, acrylic rods, cleaning, painting, assembling, installation of the electronics (if you order them) and shipping within the States. If you live outside of the US, I'll add the difference to the total cost.

I also finished the port stand painting and assembly, still haven't gotten around to doing the electronics yet but will post that picture eventually (it's on the back burner). Here it is with the confession dial.



I'll post a photo of everything all together once the paint on everything is thoroughly dry. I've also decided to hit my sonic with another type of metallic paint that looks way better so that will be in the next photo update along with everything else.

I've got one ordered!

Has anybody figured out which paints should be used? Particularly the Metallic Tardis blue. I think it may be some sort of automotive paint.

Bluebox303 said:

I've got one ordered!

Has anybody figured out which paints should be used? Particularly the Metallic Tardis blue. I think it may be some sort of automotive paint.

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For my build I used Testor's - their paints work very well with the 3d printed parts. Unfortunately, they don't provide the best assortment of different colors. Their metals are off from the actual materials they're supposed to represent and their other metallic paints are limited to very dark tones, hence my build is super dark blue. I've been looking into a few different lighter metallic blue paints for the completed sonics I'm offering so I'll let you know what I end up finding.

I also noticed that you ordered a port stand but didn't get a confessional dial as well which the stand is supposed to work along with - not to worry though, just know that the insert portion where the sonic goes inside is lower than the base around the outside, so you'll need to implement some sort of additional piece to lift the base off of the surface a few mm so the insert portion isn't supporting the whole thing. I'll provide a printable template for the bottom profile of that base so you can use it as a guide to cut out of wood, cardboard, etc.

Four more days to chime in for anyone who wants a completed sonic! I'll send messages to anyone on the interest list Monday morning to confirm who wants one.

Keep in mind, I may not do another run of those, these are limited (unlike the 3d printed kits which will themselves be up indefinitely) so if you're on the fence, don't delay!

I'm definitely interested in a full screwdriver. I'd also like to order the full 13DoctorWho kit for you to install. Can you PM me the total for this? Obviously I don't mind waiting. Thank you.

myersfarms said:

I'm definitely interested in a full screwdriver. I'd also like to order the full 13DoctorWho kit for you to install. Can you PM me the total for this? Obviously I don't mind waiting. Thank you.

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Cool, I've added you to the interest list up top and I'll send you a PM in a few.

Six spots are filled, only need 4 more to get to the $175 price!

Last day to chime in to get on the run of completed sonics!

Alright, the initial run has concluded. I'll be messaging everyone on the interest list to determine how many I'll be making then get in touch with 13doctorwho to let him know how many housing units he'll need. Don't forget to contact him about your electronics kit!

I messaged anyone that expressed interest in the complete sonic so I didn't miss anyone - I realize some of you have already ordered the kits from Shapeways so apologies if I missed that and sent one to you anyway!

Also, if you're just catching this thread and want in, message me and arrange payment by midnight EST tonight (2-8-2016) and I can probably squeeze you in to the first set order. If not then you can get in on the next one by letting me know you want one and sending payment by the end of this week.

Here are all the parts painted and assembled! Still haven't gotten around to acquiring electronics to install into the base but I'll post pictures when I do.



Also, haven't heard back from anyone yet. I'll give it some more time but I'm concerned that everyone has changed their mind. Is anyone still interested in a completed sonic?

I'm giving people until Friday to chime in for a completed sonic. Surely one of you is still interested?

I think you lost people on this with too many threads! I'm in for a completed sonic if that's still on offer. I'll PM you as well.

osric said:

I think you lost people on this with too many threads! I'm in for a completed sonic if that's still on offer. I'll PM you as well.

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That could be - I tried my best to follow the RPF guidelines for interest and sales/run threads while linking each one to the next and keeping people in the loop. I also sent out PM's to everyone who showed interest so unless people have just been away from the RPF for a week then they should have gotten the notice. Well, we have two completed sonics confirmed now.

Based on how things have progressed, this will probably be the only run of the completed sonics I do and the only run of electronics that 13doctorwho does so this is officially the last call!