2010 Custom Sonic Screwdriver Winners

[jwm96]

I forgot to add, had I been able to vote, I'd have gone for #2.. as much as I like mine, I LOVE that one.

thank you

 

[aoifrost]

My sonic was #21

It didn't have many details on it... pretty straightforward and simple. I used an aluminum rod as the base and used copper tubing, brass barbed tube-connectors, and compression fittings for the greeblies.

If I were to re-do it, I would definitely add more details onto the design. I was hesitant to do so because the piece was not as mechanically solid as I would have liked as I didn't have the time to make things fit together perfectly.

Also not shown in the photos is that I have it wired to a 5mm Blue LED... it is very bright and is fun to play with!

Next time... more detail!

 

[elvisgump]

Yeah, I don't really know anything about soldering and stuff electrical, so I had to cannibalize for that. Fortunately there are a lot of little gadgets out there to choose from. I saw this really neat light at the automotive store. It was a strip of little blue LEDs about 6" long for putting around your radio or something in your vehicle?? I wish I could have figured out a way to have used it. --Yeah, I get kinda giddy over little light-up things!

The pic in front of the TARDIS is great. That lens flare is stellar.

I think I know exactly the blue LED strip you are talking about because they are sold in those auto parts stores and Wallymart. They have a little red push switch in the packaging that you can push to make them light up in the store, but they are 12 volts so I passed on buying one even on the discount rack. I think they are made for pimping ones dash. They also look like the adhesive backing would dry out pretty fast in our Southern toasty car interiors in the summer time and fall off and then you'd spend days with Goo remover and never get the residue off of the dash.

I did find these little mini 12 volt batteries one day that are shorter than an AA but a little bigger around. I have these dash add-on lights from Radio Shack I'd like to use them with to make a really bright emitter, but if I cannibalize a CO Tennant era sonic for it's sound chip I think that has to stay 4.5 volts with three button batteries so that's a poser.

As to the flare, well I just had to do something goofy. Think of it as the ultimate gone-wrong regeneration!

 

[sebmodio]

Mine was number 6. Also, has Jason1976 explained how his was made? Had I not been in the contest, that would have garnered my vote.

EDIT - just saw his explanation...

 

[Shylaah]

I think I know exactly the blue LED strip you are talking about because they are sold in those auto parts stores and Wallymart. They have a little red push switch in the packaging that you can push to make them light up in the store, but they are 12 volts so I passed on buying one even on the discount rack. I think they are made for pimping ones dash. They also look like the adhesive backing would dry out pretty fast in our Southern toasty car interiors in the summer time and fall off and then you'd spend days with Goo remover and never get the residue off of the dash.

I did find these little mini 12 volt batteries one day that are shorter than an AA but a little bigger around. I have these dash add-on lights from Radio Shack I'd like to use them with to make a really bright emitter, but if I cannibalize a CO Tennant era sonic for it's sound chip I think that has to stay 4.5 volts with three button batteries so that's a poser.

As to the flare, well I just had to do something goofy. Think of it as the ultimate gone-wrong regeneration!

I sure had visions (aka delusions) of grandeur over the little light strip. I was thinking if I could make it run marque and have sound fx like ST red alert sort of....Yeah, that's gonna happen.....

Yeah, I agree Gulf Coast summers not the time nor place for adhesives in a vehicle!!

I just don't understand volts and amps and ramps and vamps......wish I did, but can't even bring myself to go into Radio Shack cause I don't even know enough to ask questions.

Shylaah

My-Custom-Sonic-Screwdriver

 

[Risu]

That's ok, the people st Radioshack probably know less about that stuff than you do.

 

[Tallest Jawa]

Inspired by Tomorrowist's "tuning fork" type design, I was compelled to "find" this concept art in the BBC's archives.

 

[elvisgump]

Inspired by Tomorrowist's "tuning fork" type design, I was compelled to "find" this concept art in the BBC's archives.

Tuning fork is what I was going for in my entry though not that explicit.

I guess one can't have an original idea. Unless it's weepy angels...

 

[Tallest Jawa]

Tuning fork is what I was going for in my entry though not that explicit.

I guess one can't have an original idea. Unless it's weepy angels...

Now that you say it, I can see it in your design. When I first saw your driver I thought of cybermen. It is not really cybermen-like, more of a Grievous (from Star Wars), but I already had the Dalek scewdriver on my mind, so I guess my mind jumped to who else might make a sonic.

It is a very cool design. Also nice pics.

BTW, you are right about the Angles. I would have never thought of that!

 

[TimeRender]

I'm especially curious about #10 and #35. I like the red emitters.

#10 was mine. It was made out of an old welding torch handle, an adjustment knob from an antique plane, a few grease fittings, and some scrap copper. I carved the trigger out of cherry.

 

[protokev DMD]

Going to try to get a write up done for my soon, didnt take alot of pictures but still have the extra parts i bought just incase

 

[elvisgump]

Inspired by Tomorrowist's "tuning fork" type design, I was compelled to "find" this concept art in the BBC's archives.

Tuning fork is what I was going for in my entry though not that explicit.

I guess one can't have an original idea. Unless it's weepy angels...

EDIT: crap, posted this morning and the page didn't reload showing the post so now that I just came in I tried to post not realizing... blimey. Sorry. Wibbly wonkey posty incompetent...

 

[elvisgump]

I sure had visions (aka delusions) of grandeur over the little light strip. I was thinking if I could make it run marque and have sound fx like ST red alert sort of....Yeah, that's gonna happen.....

Yeah, I agree Gulf Coast summers not the time nor place for adhesives in a vehicle!!

I just don't understand volts and amps and ramps and vamps......wish I did, but can't even bring myself to go into Radio Shack cause I don't even know enough to ask questions.

Shylaah

My-Custom-Sonic-Screwdriver

Somewhere I have a book I bought at Radio Shack 15 years ago that told how to do all sorts of things with LEDs and such and it was really handy because I had a a chance to make like $200 to build a prop bow-tie that had polka dots that blinked. "Can you make something like that?" "Absolutely!", dash to Radio Shack to look for a book on how to. That little book I got that day had a ton of info none of which I retain along with the $200 prop a fellow photographer stiffed me for. Dunno where the book is now either.

 

[Shylaah]

Thanks Straker. Yeah, I was kinda torn between sleek and weathered. Guess I missed it on both counts
Oh no! I think you nailed sleek pretty darn well! I would even attempt making that sonic myself!I just wouldn't have done the weathered part of it is all XD I actually was surprised at how diverse your materials were. The section of flashlight was actually well hidden. A bit of rework here and there and i think it can really be something very special.

Well point the way Straker as to what more exactly and I might attempt it when I get back from vacation.....

That's ok, the people st Radioshack probably know less about that stuff than you do.

Probably!! I know that was true of computers back in the day!!

Somewhere I have a book I bought at Radio Shack 15 years ago that told how to do all sorts of things with LEDs and such and it was really handy because I had a a chance to make like $200 to build a prop bow-tie that had polka dots that blinked. "Can you make something like that?" "Absolutely!", dash to Radio Shack to look for a book on how to. That little book I got that day had a ton of info none of which I retain along with the $200 prop a fellow photographer stiffed me for. Dunno where the book is now either.

....a what?? a book??? Oh. Oh yeah, those things we had before Google!! But people and times don't really change--"Can you make something like that?" "Sure, no prob"-- Dear Google I need some hi res images of the crown jewels? And Google will show me! Nothing worse than a thief! Your book is probably on eBay!

#10 was mine. It was made out of an old welding torch handle, an adjustment knob from an antique plane, a few grease fittings, and some scrap copper. I carved the trigger out of cherry.

Thanks TimeRender for chalking another one off the list. I liked your build, the River Song influence and also that it looks like a tool AND a weapon!!!

Shylaah

My-Custom-Sonic-Screwdriver

 

[TomGLFan]

As a noob here I didn't think it was appropriate to vote -- not even sure I could! But I thoroughly enjoyed following the contest, and am so very impressed with the skills and creativity of all of the entrants. I am also glad to see so many of you sharing your plans with the rest of us. Congratulations to all the entrants -- you folks rock!!!

 

[elvisgump]

....a what?? a book??? Oh. Oh yeah, those things we had before Google!! But people and times don't really change--"Can you make something like that?" "Sure, no prob"-- Dear Google I need some hi res images of the crown jewels? And Google will show me! Nothing worse than a thief! Your book is probably on eBay!

My-Custom-Sonic-Screwdriver

Try to Google some info on how to wire LEDs and it's not as simple as the book was. Plus everything in it had where to find the stuff in Radio Shack with the part numbers and so forth.

I have to admit I didn't look to hard for a copy this time though because my sonic was made between bouts of exhaustion from my crummy job. I think when I get the right combo of elements I like I'm just going to gut the led and sound chip from a Sonic era driver and use that.

 

[Mercury]

For all who aren't sure of wiring LEDs, here is a vary basic instructable that should be able to get you started.

Radio Shack has drawers that will have everything you need including LEDs, battery holders, solder & irons. There are a whole lot more components that can vary the voltage that can also change the color of certain special LEDs.

On the LED, typically the longer leg will be the positive. If they both get cut, easy way to tell is just hook it up, if it doesn't work, swap polarities. LEDs are pretty durable so unless you provide more than the rated voltage, they should be fine. The card the LED is on will give you the rating on max voltage.

 

[Steampunk]

Hey guys and gals. My entry was #35. Didn't do everything I wanted on it before the deadline, so I've been working on it a bit. Will post progress pics soon.

 

[jwm96]

Hey guys and gals. My entry was #35. Didn't do everything I wanted on it before the deadline, so I've been working on it a bit. Will post progress pics soon.

Steampunk have you ever played Myst?

 

[Contec]

I was #30
handle part was a old flashlight body and the head part was taken from a old (70s?)microphone and i added O rings so that the mic part would stay put then i added a LED inside the flashlight body and a blueish clear marble fit perfectly inside the mic part.