ALCATRAZ (YV show with Sam Neill) replica pewter key

[LeMarchand]

last week i had my first experience with 3D printing through shapeways to make a prop replica i wanted to do for some time: the pewter keys from the TV show "Alcatraz".

In the show the keys are needed to open the mysterious door in the prison. A group of prisoners was able to steal the Warden's key and make a pewter copy of it.

To make this replica, i first drew a 3D model of it based on screencaptures and measurements of original alcatraz prison keys. The 3D model was 3D printed in a high-res material. After cleaning up the 3D printed masterkey and making a mold, i was able to cast copies in pewter. Cleaned it up with files and sanding paper then used kitchen abbrasive and a tootbrush on it. Final step was chemically age the pewter with ferric chloride and clean it up a bit with a scouring pad.

It has a nice weight to it and looks really close to the originals, very happy with it

 

[Mike J.]

That turned out really nice! Shame the show didn't get renewed.

 

[TLaser]

Nice, but why not just buy yourself a cell key? Those are cell keys used in most prisons and holding cells. Have a few of those myself.

 

[LeMarchand]

Because they made a custom one for the show. It is based on the Folger Adams keys that were used in the prison when it was still open, but not the same:

 

[Mike J.]

The man's done his homework!

 

[Rylo]

Nice work, buddy!

-Rylo