I see a lot of minor detailings that turns with the top. But how can you be sure that those detailings are not on the middle tube? Or even inside of the tube (swimming in the water, bubbles etc.).
BTTF Plutonium Canister Replica
- Thread starter formula388
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I see a lot of minor detailings that turns with the top. But how can you be sure that those detailings are not on the middle tube? Or even inside of the tube (swimming in the water, bubbles etc.).
I think I know now what you mean. It really looks like a damage of the upper edge of the outer tube. But it can be an optical illusion. Remember: the tube material is thin and the walls of both tubes are directly next to each other. This damage can be on the middle tube.
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As you said: it's just an idea. But I'm pretty sure, the prop designers had the same idea.
If anyone didn't understand the concept of the Plutonium capsule, here's a short summary:
The capsule consists of three units:
Unit 1 is the outer tube, which has the shape of a simple drinking glass with side walls and a permanently welded thin bottom, but an opened top. The bottom has a hole.
Unit 2 is the slightly smaller middle tube with a thick bottom of the same diameter and a thick top which has the diameter of unit 1. Both, the top and the bottom have a hole (same diameter as the hole in unit 1) and an inner tube connects those two holes. All parts are permanently welded, so that unit 2 is completely closed and watertight. It can hold a fluid inside.
If you put unit 2 into unit 1, you get the size of 3 inches (diameter) x 6 inches (height). Maybe there's a thread which connects the two units and let unit 2 still be turnable.
Unit 3 is the red "Plutonium core", 3/4 inch (diameter) x 7 inches (height).
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formula388
Well-Known Member
It is so hard to determine what is true and correct.
Not sure where I am going to go with this build. I might correct the top plate and continue with a static build...
Not sure where I am going to go with this build. I might correct the top plate and continue with a static build...
formula388
Well-Known Member
Wow, great picture that I haven't seen before. Have any others?
Is it possible that there is just a snug fit disc at the bottom that rotates when it is held and turned, as opposed to your theory of tube inside tube? I have researched to find correct diameter tubes that will fit inside each other and I cannot see that working.
The disc at the bottom would make perfect sense. It also looks in that picture as though that bottom disc is "cone" shaped near the hole.
Also, being that ALL other pictures of this prop are missing this bottom part, it would seem to me that it would be easily lost. If it were attached to another tube, it would not be as easily lost.
What do you guys think?
Is it possible that there is just a snug fit disc at the bottom that rotates when it is held and turned, as opposed to your theory of tube inside tube? I have researched to find correct diameter tubes that will fit inside each other and I cannot see that working.
The disc at the bottom would make perfect sense. It also looks in that picture as though that bottom disc is "cone" shaped near the hole.
Also, being that ALL other pictures of this prop are missing this bottom part, it would seem to me that it would be easily lost. If it were attached to another tube, it would not be as easily lost.
What do you guys think?
Your theory of the disc at the bottom could also work. In that case the outer wall of the middle tube (which you can clearly see on some photos) is probably just the inner wall of the outer tube. If that's true, the tube is exactly 1/4 inch thick. My question is: How did Doc attach the capsule in the Plutonium chamber, so that the tube can be turned and the bottom disc doesn't turn?
formula388
Well-Known Member
Roland, my guess from the start was that the wall is 1/4" thick. I also figured that the flat plates are 1/4" also, though now some might be thinner, I will play around and CNC mill a few different thickness of plates to see what looks best after distortion through the tubes. (by the way,thanks for working with inches... it makes my life easier, haha).
I have a feeling that Doc attached the lower disc to the drop point of the plutonium and rotated the bottle till it all lined up. It could explain why the lower plate is cone shaped, since the cone would make aligning it all up easier.
I have a feeling that Doc attached the lower disc to the drop point of the plutonium and rotated the bottle till it all lined up. It could explain why the lower plate is cone shaped, since the cone would make aligning it all up easier.
formula388
Well-Known Member
I have been working on the drawings, plan on CNC milling some more parts on Friday.... Look for an update then for those that are interested.
matt black
Well-Known Member
Definitely interested here. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
formula388
Well-Known Member
Got a chance to machine the top plate yesterday.
This means I need to shorten the inner tube a decent amount.
The thickness of the parts are 3/16" (4.7625mm) thick. I think 1/4" (6.35mm) is just too thick.
More accurate top:
Picture to show thickness of parts. I think any thicker would look like too much.
Bottom pictures to come after I cut the inner tube.
This means I need to shorten the inner tube a decent amount.
The thickness of the parts are 3/16" (4.7625mm) thick. I think 1/4" (6.35mm) is just too thick.
More accurate top:
Picture to show thickness of parts. I think any thicker would look like too much.
Bottom pictures to come after I cut the inner tube.
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matt black
Well-Known Member
Nice work!
You're absolutely right. 1/4" is too much. And I'm really an idiot. :lol I made the mistake of trying to detect the thickness by counting pixels in the middle of the prop. The tube is a perfect circle and in its middle it acts like a magnifying glass in spherical shape - it doubles the thickness. Now I did the same again on top of the tube. And you can see: it's just 1/8" (2000 pixels = 3"; 83 pixels = 1/8"). I did the same again with your picture and it works: your thickness is 3/16".
(click to enlarge)
formula388
Well-Known Member
Roland, what do you think of the thickness of my top plate? Depending on the angle of the camera changes how it looks in the picture.
formula388
Well-Known Member
Does this one look correct? :cool
The thickness of your top plate seems to be perfect. It's 3/16", right? The thickness of the top plate of the screen used prop is 125 pixels on the picture. That's exactly 3/16", too.
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1/8"? Perfect!
Resurrecting a old post but ... the original is for sale ($10,000) and there are GOOD photos with a ruler for dimensions at: http://www.propstore.com/product/back-to-the-future-part-i/original-plutonium-fuel-cell/
I recommend getting screen shots before the posting is pulled
Also... check out the preproduction drawings at: http://www.offto55.com/History_Design.html
I recommend getting screen shots before the posting is pulled
Also... check out the preproduction drawings at: http://www.offto55.com/History_Design.html
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