Blade Runner 2049 - Binoculars Build

[PAULH]

Inspired by Adam Savage's one-day build, I was keen to add the 2049 binoculars to my previous Blade Runner prop builds. I was lucky enough to buy a slightly-started kit from a fellow RPF member, and even luckier that it was the improved version modelled by Empiricus (on instructables.com), and it came complete with single lens binoculars for some real functionality. Here's what I started with:

While not screen accurate, I decided to drill out the dimples on this top panel so that I could add some M2 screws that I had on hand. For me, it just added a little more realism that this was a removable panel.

While in the mood for adding screws here and there, I also added them to this small panel:

My attention then turned to the main casing which was glued together from two halves. With CA glue I added some copper strips for added strength:

Copper is relatively heavy and would contribute to giving this prop a weight that matches its appearance. More of that later in the build.

That's it for now - more later as the build progresses.

Thanks for looking!

 

[PAULH]

I decided to use my own ideas for the underside. I filled and sanded out the camera adaptor detail and decided on a tripod adaptor found on eBay along with a random socket I found at work (as a power connector).

 

[joberg]

Eager to see your next update!

 

[Empiricus]

I have the feeling it will be great fun watching you put this together. There is so much space and volume to ad things.

 

[PAULH]

Empiricus, Couldn't agree more (thanks to you of course!). I'll certainly be adding some lights.

 

[Kokanee]

Oh wow another build of this fine model! Awesome.

I did one as well and added tiny screws everywhere I could as well for the realism factor. A lot of that kit looks like it's printed in resin, must have cost someone a lot of money.

 

[PAULH]

Kokanee - yes they are very nice parts and I'm lucky to have found it.

 

[Helix6187]

It will be a fun build for sure !

 

[Tuckanator]

Nice build, im hoping to make one of these later this year aswell. I shall be following with interest!

 

[PAULH]

Ok, so I started thinking about lights and whilst the aim of the build is to end up with these binoculars being screen accurate, I decided to explore an idea regarding a small control panel just beneath the eye visor; small and discrete was the `project brief'! Oh, and that's not the finished colour of the back plate - it's high-build primer.

The LED's came from ebay (they're called lighthouse bulbs) and the toggle switch (which has a rubber boot over the toggle came from Amazon. Ignore the battery holder, it'll take more than one button cell drive those bulbs. In fact, the plan is just to have the VIS and PWR lights come on, and two of the button cells are enough for that. And, of course, the implication of this panel is that you can switch between different viewing modes.

Here's the little panel made from 1mm aluminium:

And here we have it with the holes drilled for the switch, bulbs, and corner screws (slightly out of focus - sorry):

And then a test fit of the parts - I managed to find a drill size to allow a snug push fit of the bulbs in from behind. In the end, I'll swap the middle bulb to an orange one so that the functioning lights are different from each other; orange (VIS) and green (PWR):

Then it was time to think about graphics. I took a photo of the panel, imported it into Corel Draw, scaled it to actual size, and then overlaid what I had in mind.

- In the Blade Runner universe it made sense for this to be a Sony product (Clarendon is a very close font to the one used by Sony);
- That's `Blade Runner' in Japanese (at least according to Google translator it is);
- 9402 is a significant number backwards;
- the serial number is a date you might recall

So many Easter eggs on such a small part!

I made a test print onto paper to make sure I'd got the sizing right and that there was no distortion in the photo I'd imported. Luckily all was well so I then printed my graphics onto Avery "Heavy Duty Silver Labels". These have a matt aluminium finish which was the main reason for using them.

And here's the finished panel.

Apologies to the purists, but I think this feature will add to the overall look and feel of the finished prop. And, importantly, it really is rewarding making something from scratch!

Thanks for looking - more updates soon.

 

[joberg]

Love the transformations you've added to that prop

 

[PAULH]

Thanks Joberg !

 

[funboy1013xx]

those silver label's look awesome! nice job

 

[PAULH]

Thanks Funboy.

 

[PAULH]

A last minute adjustment to my little panel was to flip the colours - silver graphics on a black background, with a few little scratches added for weathering it:

There is also a small plate that holds the wrist strap onto the side of the binoculars; I remade that in 3mm aluminium:

And talking of the wrist strap, I turned to eBay to gather the materials to make this:

The strap is a 1" wide x 2mm thick "belt blank"; essentially just a length of leather for those that make their own belts (£6). I decided to have the rougher side on the outside. Then the rectangular ring (30mm x 1/4") was also from eBay, again used by leather crafters (£2.69 for 5) - I roughed up the chrome finish and shot it with some matt black. A pair of 6.5mm chicago screws (£2.73 for 10), along with some contact adhesive held the whole thing together. So very cheap and easy to make!

 

[Topgun1984]

Nice progress love your attention to small details

 

[PAULH]

Thank you Topgun1984. My approach is to always build my props as best as I can and allow enough time to think through options for everything. I don't want to look at them when they are finished and think "I wish I'd done this or wish I'd done that"!

 

[thegnome]

The progression of the build is very nice! Good work on the details as well

 

[joberg]

Details, details, details...and it adds sooooo much hoompf to the prop

 

[PAULH]

This is the paint I used on the main body:

And here we have the main body painted along with some weathering completed;

I used various ways to achieve the finish in these photos:

- some liquid mask was applied before shooting the green paint.
- metal polish and 1500 grit paper to smooth out the overall surface finish and then I went a bit harder on edges to bring out the black base layer
- a dremel fitted with a polishing pad to add deeper scuffs here and there
- silver enamel paint to add some chips to corners
- some random scratches added with my front door key!

In the last photo that's at 1/4" camera adaptor (eBay - £2) so I could display this thing on a tripod. And I'd added a couple of M2 screws on the little bracket thingy.

Thanks for looking.