Any one try to "fix" the 11th Doctor's Sonic?

DoctorWho

DoctorWho

Well-Known Member
I got the Character Options 11th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver for Christmas and being the tinkerer I am, I looked at it pretty closely. I noticed that there are two micro switches that are suppose to active the sounds. One when it closed and one when it is fully extended, but here is the rub. It doesn't go up far enough for the second switch to make contact with the activator button on the outside of the sonic. If you take it apart like you would to replace the batteries, and put it back together but leave it maybe 1/4 of an inch out, it makes contact want works extended.
I have read on the net that it is a design fault. That means to me that is can be fixed. I was going to take it apart and have a close up look but the thing is put together with triangle head screws. I have tried to look in between things and I think I know why it won't extend all the way but can't get it apart to have a look to see if my theory is correct.
Any one ever tried to fix the problem or have any knowledge where triangle screwdrivers can be bought?

By the way, the secret sounds work perfectly on mine!
 
I actually used a flathead screwdriver to get at the triangle screws. Find one that's the right size to get in on one side of the triangle and you shouldn't have a problem.

I'm planning on taking mine completely apart and wiring up a switch to the bottom and an accurate switch on the side. I've already taken the spring out for more accuracy.
 
If you look inside and see where the button comes down you can see it is a ring that comes down to push on the button inside. If that ring inside was wider at the top going toward the back it would hit the second button on the inside (push both the rear red button and the front black one inside at the same time and you can see how close this is.) I plan to get a second one to pull apart and try to make a new piece that is wider at the top so that it will hit the second button when the Front of the screwdriver is open.
 
Krisk said:
If you look inside and see where the button comes down you can see it is a ring that comes down to push on the button inside. If that ring inside was wider at the top going toward the back it would hit the second button on the inside (push both the rear red button and the front black one inside at the same time and you can see how close this is.) I plan to get a second one to pull apart and try to make a new piece that is wider at the top so that it will hit the second button when the Front of the screwdriver is open.
Click to expand...

I think you are right. I think that the diameter of the green shaft changes and the ring inside hits it stopping it from going any further. I think all you would need to do it take the screws out and pull the center part out that screws into the handle. Then increase the diameter of the center plastic brass looking piece so that the green part goes up further. I can't prove it because I can't take it apart because of the triangle screws.
 
I finally got around to doing this mod. I got a triangle screwdriver and took the sonic apart. If you increase the diameter of the opening of the copper part where the green shaft comes up, then the larger part of the shaft will come up far enough for the second micro switch to be pushed by the button. It was pretty easy.

20140829_144625.jpg
 
The Twelfth Doctor's Screwdriver (Single Button Version) allows activation in both closed and extended positions. It's available now from retailers.
 
I'd just like to know how to get it to FLICK without taking it apart. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone know if the touch version being released in October will flick?
 
I just removed the spring by prying off the upper ring above the release switch and the to halves of the body separate. This does mean that the upper cage has a more difficult time staying up when flicked, but it works for the most part. I left the release catch in there so the claws click back down and stay closed until released with the button.
 
I would recommend checking out my upgrade of the 11th Doctor sonic screwdriver. It might be a bit more intrusive than what you are looking for, but it might help. I installed a separate momentary switch to activate the sonic in both the opened and closed positions. The switch is on the black leather grip section like it is on the original prop. I also keep the sonic closed with a magnet. (same way it works on the show)

http://www.therpf.com/f9/upgraded-eleventh-doctor-co-sonic-screwdriver-pic-heavy-204603/
 
VortexRunner said:
The Twelfth Doctor's Screwdriver (Single Button Version) allows activation in both closed and extended positions. It's available now from retailers.
Click to expand...
Why do that? Why spend money if I don't need to? Besides, I thought the RPF was all about modding and building things.
 
****, what a typical RPF response.

I didn't say you had to buy it, I was merely pointing out that there is a version you can buy without having to mod it. $30 too steep for a children's toy?
 
Buying the new one would fix the OP's problem. Best mods I've seen are those where people have wired a single tactile switch like the prop...
 
It appears that in the new series, the prop guys took a CO 11th Doctor sonic, glued the cap down. sanded off the hinge on the cap, glued the claws closed and then afixed the slider in a half open position.
 
Last edited:
GeekSummit said:
So are you saying that in the show the prop guys are using CO toys and not the real deal models? I find that a little hard to take.
Click to expand...

Hard to believe or not, it's a fact
View attachment 374817View attachment 374818View attachment 374820View attachment 374822

They're using both the props that NIck made as well as the CO toy. Probably because they didn't want the hero props to be stepped on and tossed around, and Capaldi most likely didn't want the copper and aluminum prop to be tossed at his junk.
 
They used the 10th Doctor for in the show, as well. TV in particular isn't a budget-free media, they save money where possible.
 
I think that on the CO stunt props, they may have drilled a hole and added a button to activate the bottom tac switch on the green battery core. Otherwise, I'm not sure why they affixed the sonic in the strange half open position they chose.

Dan
 
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