**Update**
Hi Everyone. It’s been an eventful week, with a number of discussions here on the RPF and behind the scenes, as well as a few revelations of my own. I’ve updated the models in a number of subtle but important ways. I guess the most important change (and the one that is the reason for the delay in posting this) is one that you won’t necessarily be able to see on the overlays. It’s probably the most important thing to get right though! I found that the whole thing was too small by a very small amount.
I noticed this when I came to combine the models for the body and the Michell cone knob in to the same file. The cone knob appeared to be too big, which forced me to check on all of my scaling. The actual cone knob is correct. I had no doubts there, on account of the references I used, which had a very deliberate and obvious reference scale. So I double checked my scaling on the reference for the body, and it was a fraction of a mm out on the Graflex clamp. This of course throws the whole thing out, so It’s great that I had these two points of reference to check against each other. It kind of helps to triangulate an accurate scale for everything.
Having scaled the reference plane up by 1% so that the clamp was the correct real world length and diameter in my 3D file, I then had to scale my models to match the new scale. This then threw all my cameras out of course so I’ve spent a bit of time just getting everything lined up again and all my various files and cameras back in sync. Hence the delay in posting this update!
I now have 100% confidence that my overall scale is spot on, so I can concentrate on getting the finer details ironed out.
On a slightly related note, It was bothering me that the gap around the nipple in my emitter was ever so slightly too wide still when modelled to fit the closest bearing size. This was actually because everything else was a fraction too small. Now that I’ve scaled everything up based on the accurate graflex clamp and cone knob, whilst keeping the bearing size the same, it’s closed that gap up a little.
GRAFLEX/LEVER
I’ve now modelled the graflex clamp too, to include in my renderings. The clamp on the V2 is slightly misshapen, so this, like everything else, was an interesting challenge. It’s great to have the whole prop represented in 3D though, even if I don’t end up producing these parts myself. The models for these parts are very basic and not final by any means, but for the purposes of including in the renders, I think they’re close enough.
RINGS
The rings on the model, as well as the grooves, have now been softened and fine tuned. They were previously a very approximate representation of the rings. Now that I’m refining the model, I’m ensuring that every groove is cut to the correct depth (all slightly different) and that any sharp edges and corners are chamfered by the correct amount.
EMITTER
There was a discussion earlier in the week where we discussed the emitter and its grub screws. I was previously of the view that if there were grub screws on the main part of the emitter, that they were likely added for RotJ. With the kind help of
PoopaPapaPalps and
Gerard2567 , I’ve now seen evidence that they were there on the original prop. I’m still certain that they were loosened off during filming to allow the emitter to spin freely, but they were certainly there the whole time. Possibly just to lock everything up if needed.
This actually makes my life a lot easier. I was thinking I might need to have two different emitter options as part of my kit, but since the set screws were there the whole time, I can include them in the model. Then I just need to add the accurate buckling to the emitter face for the RotJ version. I’ll be doing this myself with a purpose made vice jig for those who want them.
I still need to do further investigations in to these grub screws to determine their exact positions in relation to the damage on the emitter lip.
POMMEL
So after some discussions behind the scenes and investigating further in to the mystery pommel mark, I have abandoned the idea that it is a filled hole. It turns out, after trawling the internet, and looking in to the milling process more closely, that a raised circular mark like the one we see here is not uncommon under specific circumstances.
The real mystery is why it was left that way? It would have been easy enough to get rid of. An even bigger mystery is how to recreate it! This is something that I need to discuss with my machinist.
The fact that it appears NOT to be the remnants of a hole, have ramifications for the internals too. I’m actually quite pleased that I can now leave the pommel almost entirely solid. This will add a little weight to balance the grenade and harks back to that Hamill quote: “It’s heavy isn’t it”.
CUTAWAY
The whole point of this thread is to discuss this prop and to dig in to its inner workings, so that I can produce the best possible replica that I can. If the RPF isn’t the place to do this, nowhere is. I am aware though, that there are some amongst us who see fit to take the hard work of others and copy it. Even going so far as to take part in runs, and purchase people’s work for the purposes of taking measurements. This is recasting, and it is not acceptable! Unfortunately, there is really very little that can be done about this sort of thing. Going forward, I’ll continue to discuss the various features of the prop and my design for the internals. I WONT be divulging any measurements or references to part numbers, etc. I’ll also be avoiding posting any 2D drawings, instead opting for 3D cutaways to show the internal structure:
I really do need to discuss these things openly though, if I'm going to get things right. The current design for the internals is still a rough approximation and there are a number of areas that can, and probably will, get shifted around and changed. It's important that any decisions I make going forward are based on the evidence and on the advice/suggestions of the community.
With that in mind, I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to the discussion so far! I really appreciate everyone's involvement.
Thanks for looking and MTFBWY,
Dave
