Ha! My toy conversion is here. Not really relevant to a true replica, but it does show the metal components cost you would need off of eBay.
Alleged Screen Used Hero TOS Phaser up for auction (now the aftermath)
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Ha! My toy conversion is here. Not really relevant to a true replica, but it does show the metal components cost you would need off of eBay.
I think it is more the skill of the person making it than the cost. The parts them selves would not be too costly since most of them would be made from scratch. The main cost would be in the time it takes to do this. There are a number of people here and at other boards who have the skill to do this, and no, I'm not accusing anyone, I just saying there are a number of people with the skill to do this.
The materials cost would be pretty cheap - just a few hundred dollars. The skill of the builder is more important to making a duplicate that would pass scrutiny.
If you were building it yourself, then it only costs you time. If you are paying a professional model maker to do the work, it'd probably cost a few thousand bucks. However, you'd likely have to pay a bit extra for his/her silence if you want to pass it off as real without them spilling the beans.
Or cut them in on the profit...
WinstonWolf359
Master Member
I also think it is more about skill than raw materials. It depends a bit on what supplies and equipment you have on hand to begin with, assuming one already had the necessary tools and supplies to mold and cast and fabricate the various metal bits you're probably looking at cost in the hundreds of dollars. So even considering the time and effort or labor we're still looking at a return on investment of possibly 100 times the cost.
Why settle for selling a good replica on eBay for a couple grand when all that's standing in your way of making a $100,000+ is a vaguely plausible story and a couple of letters of authenticity?
That's also why items like this phaser need to be tested and vetted as fully as possible. Because if this phaser is a fake and if it does sell, even for the opening bid, it won't be long before another "authentic" prop will be discovered and a new chapter will begin.
JESmith
New Member
I was also thinking more along the lines of making the materials appear era-appropriate. When forging a painting, you have to find aged wood and old canvas, mix your colors from base elements like the old masters did. For this piece, is there a way to determine the age of the fiberglass elements, for example? Was fiberglass manufactured differently in the '60s than it is today? Again, being a relative noob to this, these are just things I'm curious about. 
The resins, paints and metals can be artificially aged with heat or chemical processes.I was also thinking more along the lines of making the materials appear era-appropriate. When forging a painting, you have to find aged wood and old canvas, mix your colors from base elements like the old masters did. For this piece, is there a way to determine the age of the fiberglass elements, for example? Was fiberglass manufactured differently in the '60s than it is today? Again, being a relative noob to this, these are just things I'm curious about.
feek61
Sr Member
Here is the fake "hero" from about 10 years ago that looks convincing at first glance. If memory serves correctly, it was passed off initially as an original hero.
image uploading site
Axlotl
Master Member
Really? You'd pay 4k for something that looks like it was painted in a craft class for the blind?
Well, I wouldn't spend the money myself. Let's say that's more what I'd expect an asking price to be for the work involved. If I was commissioning it I'd go for a much less weathered look. Not quite new, but very lightly worn
USS Endeav
Sr Member
Chuck that, I want off the replicator new.
I feel the same way. When we had an influx of P1 and Communicator kits starting with John Longs P1 & Communicator kits along with the Alpha kit it seemed like everyone was making them to look the way they look now while I wanted to look like it had just been created or delivered to the armory.
JESmith
New Member
Agreed, I'm the same way. Do you know that guitar manufacturers sell brand-new guitars (for THOUSANDS of dollars) that have been "distressed" to look as if they're beat-to-**** "road dogs"? Baffling to me, but they keep doing them, so they must be selling to somebody. Give me a brand-new-looking Strat (or Phaser) and I'll do my own distressing, thank you.
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USS Endeav
Sr Member
I think it started with jeans. Paying $200 for Lucky jeans that were put through a stone tumbler to fast track 50% or more of its life away. All of a sudden, your older siblings hand me downs became the new rage. Baffling.Agreed, I'm the same way. Do you know that guitar manufacturers sell brand-new guitars (for THOUSANDS of dollars) that have been "distressed" to look as if they're beat-to-**** "road dogs"? Baffling to me, but they keep doing them, so they must be selling to somebody. Give me a brand-new-looking Strat (or Phaser) and I'll do my own distressing, thank you.
Feek, was this the Ron S. fiasco?
Irken Tech
Well-Known Member
Searching for "Ron S Phaser", as I was unfamiliar, revealed this:
mightymega.com
Fan-Made "Working" Replica Star Trek Phaser - MightyMega
The Starfleet Standard Issue Weapon Phaser 2 is the ultimate phaser to own. Get your own exact replica in extremely limited numbers from model maker Forest Lake Models....
Searching for "Ron S Phaser", as I was unfamiliar, revealed this:
Fan-Made "Working" Replica Star Trek Phaser - MightyMega
The Starfleet Standard Issue Weapon Phaser 2 is the ultimate phaser to own. Get your own exact replica in extremely limited numbers from model maker Forest Lake Models....
Ah, Ron Shanko. I only found out after the fact that I'd ordered my midgrade kit directly from him, and was relieved that I'd received it without a problem.
Question is, do those Shanko shells bear a resemblance to the auction piece?
Elements of those shells do bear a resemblance to the auction piece, such as the sloping P2 forehead tower.
There is a Shanko P2 unassembled kit on eBay right now, in bare fiberglass.
ranallace
Well-Known Member
Isn’t there a test to verify it’s age ? Like they do with rocks ?
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