9/10 Sonic Screwdrivers NEW(to me) INFO!

[phez]

You can achieve that same effect on the groves, by placing the carbide tool tip on an angle relative to the material been machined, I’m not in the work shop right now, to take some photo’s of how to do this, but if you like I can do so, at a latter date if you like.

That is the way I was originally doing it on mine (using an angled indexing bit) and the bottom of the grooves were flat. I did a test part with the finish on it and the paint does round off the sharp cut angles. Maybe they are cut on the lathe and not milled out round. It is really hard to tell what is paint and what the actual shape of the metal is under it.

 

[Organic Mechanic]

That is the way I was originally doing it on mine (using an angled indexing bit) and the bottom of the grooves were flat. I did a test part with the finish on it and the paint does round off the sharp cut angles. Maybe they are cut on the lathe.

That's the only way I would even try to do it. I've always found a mill to be lacking in terms of arcing and concentricity.

 

[phez]

That's the only way I would even try to do it. I've always found a mill to be lacking in terms of arcing and concentricity.

That is the way I did it first (lathe) but that did not work for the rounded grooves from the Season 1-2. Maybe the newer one is done on the lathe (different people made them a might have different techniques).

You just put the handle on a rotary table and use the side of the milling bit. You cut in and then rotate the table. It is a nice clean even grove all the way around the handle with rounded bottom.
Dont think moving the mill head, think rotating the work against the stationary bit.

The handles did eventually make it to the mill (the slots, slide and side, must have been done on the mill) but it is possible they just did the grooves on the lathe on the newer ones (the Season 1-2 was definitely milled grooves so I just used that on the 3-4 version also).

 

[Rassilon]

How I did the grooves on the Rassilon Flash Drive sonic, were machined in using the lathe.

Used a 3mm 1/8” parting off tool to initiate the grooves depth of 1.5mm, then placed the machining carbide tool onto an angle to get the desired tapered angle effect, then used a single cut small file, to round the edges of.

And the Custom Tennant, well I used the CNC lathe so I cheated there.

 

[Asp9mm]

Nice spotting OM, some credible BBC person could write a book on the evolution of the Dr Who’s sonic screwdriver, like they sort off did with the Tardis, I thing there would be enough info on the sonic, to do an evolution of the sonic in a book.

Unfortunately that TARDIS book was innaccurate and missed out details too. The sonic evolustion is well documented on this site and the errr 'other' blog. If you look at Rivers Future sonic you can actually see the shape of the Robatto ridges quite clearly. Not at all symmetrical, but sloped on one side.

Here's a picture of the ultimate edition prototype released some months back from our Asian friend showing exactly that detail...

 

[Organic Mechanic]

Very nice pic Asp9mm. Though a bit more extreme than my personal interpretation (likely due to the nature of lens distortion and paint.) it definitely reinforces the geometry I was seeing. What ever else folks may say about him, one cannot deny CT's eye for detail, and it's a shame he is no longer able, and dare I say willing, to share his findings with the group.

That said, I'm still hoping to see the images jedibugs mentioned. Here's hoping his photographer friend sees clear to allow him to share because any bit of detail on these beautiful pieces is a godsend.

 

[Rassilon]

Anyhow, that is some real nice work on getting some clear photo’s from Nick of the grip OM, as well as the other versions, and posting them, all in one place, for us all to have a look at.

Do you think you would have a go at this sonic, Now that you have set of fully functioning set of limbs.

 

[Organic Mechanic]

Anyhow, that is some real nice work on getting some clear photo’s from Nick of the grip OM, as well as the other versions, and posting them, all in one place, for us all to have a look at.

Do you think you would have a go at this sonic, Now that you have set of fully functioning set of limbs.

Thanks for that bud.

As for having a go at these...I'll not make any promises at this time, but the SSs are my single favorite prop, and I am a machinist...:love

 

[Rassilon]

EXCELLENT......:love :thumbsup

 

[phez]

Asp9mm

It looks a bit exaggerated there (maybe with the paint over it it fills out) but I can see that shape on the River Sonic. It looks a bit less defined than on the regular Sonics. Hmmmm, good eye. I got know how that was done :lol.

 

[Organic Mechanic]

It looks a bit exaggerated there (maybe with the paint over it it fills out) but I can see that shape on the River Sonic. It looks a bit less defined than on the regular Sonics. Hmmmm, good eye. I got know how that was done :lol.

I'm sure it was done on a CNC lathe. Likely with a standard 80* turning tool.

For you to do it on a manual would require the simultaneous manipulation of both axis. Or a custom ground tool.

 

[phez]

I'm sure it was done on a CNC lathe. Likely with a standard 80* turning tool.

For you to do it on a manual would require the simultaneous manipulation of both axis. Or a custom ground tool.

That is exactly what I was thinking. We know the original hero's were turned on a hand lathe and mill, if that detail is machined in how in the hell did Nick do that :lol?

 

[Organic Mechanic]

That is exactly what I was thinking. We know the original hero's were turned on a hand lathe and mill, if that detail is machined in how in the hell did Nick do that :lol?

One word.

Skill :cool :lol

 

[jedibugs]

That is exactly what I was thinking. We know the original hero's were turned on a hand lathe and mill, if that detail is machined in how in the hell did Nick do that :lol?

There's one way to find out... <---(Click)

 

[phez]

One word.

Skill :cool :lol

Exactly!!! :lol

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

These pics are amazing. Ive known about this version for a while. It is most prominently seen in runnaway bride, but then turns us a bunch of times in season 3. In particular theres a good shot of it in Utopia when the Doctor locks the tardis controls. But this is the first time Ive gotten to see such great head on shots of the slider channel and slider button. Very nice! Thanks so much. If thereare anymore where tgese came from please keep them coming.

 

[phez]

Hey that is this one :confused

 

[mooneye63]

I've just caught up with this. Personally I don't know why you just don't read 'youknowhos' blogs before posting 'new' Sonic stuff. He has become the expert on all things sonic & it would save all this mass debating!

 

[Rassilon]

Or, you could just ask Nick, hey.

 

[Organic Mechanic]

These pics are amazing. Ive known about this version for a while. It is most prominently seen in runnaway bride, but then turns us a bunch of times in season 3. In particular theres a good shot of it in Utopia when the Doctor locks the tardis controls. But this is the first time Ive gotten to see such great head on shots of the slider channel and slider button. Very nice! Thanks so much. If thereare anymore where tgese came from please keep them coming.

In truth I have been vaguely aware of it for some time. Aware in the fact that there have been those instances where the sonic just didn't look right, but I paid little mind until now.

Alas, these are all of the pics made available to me. Uploaded at the highes res allowed by the forum.

Hey that is this one :confused

Indeed it is, and were it not for their rather liberal photoshopping of it, we would not be having this conversation now. Not to mention certain color based discussions of the past. :lol

I've just caught up with this. Personally I don't know why you just don't read 'youknowhos' blogs before posting 'new' Sonic stuff. He has become the expert on all things sonic & it would save all this mass debating!

Well, no offense to the man, but he's never really been on my radar as a sonic data source. And now that I have spent some time reading it, I must say that that is not likely to change. While clearly very knowledgeable (seriously, the man has one hell of an eye for detail :thumbsup), I find most of his rantings so distasteful as to make it not worth my time. Something akin to digging through the bin for a ggld coin. Sure, you'll get the gold, but you still got covered in funk in the process.

Again, no disrespect to the man, but there's just too much ugly in the blog for my tastes.

Besides, I think the info source I did utilize is somewhat more than good, yeah?

Also...where is this 'Mass Debating' you speak of? This thread is going remarkable well I think, with everyone appreciating the new details these images provide. I may not have 'found a sonic', but I sure got some purdy pics.

Or, you could just ask Nick, hey.

S'what I'm sayin'! thumbsup