DBZ Scouter Build

[MenacingTurtle]

First time posting, but have been looking at these boards for over a year. I signed up because I wanted to purchase a DBZ scouter from Diegator, and this is the record of my build.

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This is the base I'm working with.

COMPLETED! Thanks to Diegator for all his help and this cool prop!

 

[MenacingTurtle]

Using a Dremel rotary tool, I sanded the edges down and also created a groove where the acrylic lens will go.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

Although the groove was deep enough to accommodate the lens, there was gap between the lens and housing.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

Masking everything but the vents to spray it gray.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

Overall, it came out well, especially considering it was my first time using a spray can. There were still minor imperfections. I have disgraced my family.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

I did a better job masking this time, so the edges came out very nice.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

No guts, no glory! Battery component was already soldered to a LED that illuminates the acrylic and the glyph on it, courtesy of Diegator. Now, how to mount it? I planned on using a hot glue gun at first, which gave way to E6000 (some industrial strength adhesive), to krazy glue, and finally to apoxie. Here you can see the apoxie stuffed between the acrylic and housing.
I let it cure for a bit.
Reinforced it with a little more apoxie. I hope this doesn't add too much weight in front.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

View attachment IMG_20140513_004107.jpgThis is the button that will light up the scouter. I mounted it on the inside so I can press the scouter gently towards my face and my cheekbone will press it. I had to solder it myself, which was OK for my first time. I didn't run into any problems, but it wasn't enjoyable.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

The button is affixed with apoxie that cured overnight. View attachment 324742

I glued some black fabric (handkerchief) to the housing using E6000.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

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I attached 12 gauge wire to the inside of the housing with apoxie that I'm hoping will support it on my ear correctly to accurately represent the anime. If this fails, I'm buying a headband. Wish me luck! For now, watching glue dry and apoxie cure.

 

[MenacingTurtle]

View attachment IMG_20140513_192036.jpg I glued foam padding to the inside of the housing to comfort the ear. View attachment IMG_20140513_192042.jpg

 

[MenacingTurtle]

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My attempt to use a wire around my ear failed, as it was too heavy in the front and wouldn't hold position. It was 12 gauge wire epoxied to the housing. I'll try to do that later, as Blind Squirrel Props was able to accomplish which you can view here:
Blind Squirrel Props | Dragon Ball Z: Scouter

 

[MenacingTurtle]

View attachment IMG_20140516_112957.jpg
I decided to use a headband to support the prop. I glued the black cloth over the foam so it's black on the inside. The foam comes past the housing a bit so I cut a slit in it with an xacto knife and fished the headband through it. Using diagonal pliars, I snipped off the part of the headband coming into the ear-piece. I glued both ends of the foam intersecting the headband and let cure for a day.View attachment IMG_20140516_112957.jpgView attachment IMG_20140516_113002.jpg

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Held up well and the button worked. Here's a shot of me wearing it with it lit so you can see the glyph on the lens.View attachment IMG_20140516_113433.jpg

 

[MenacingTurtle]

Held up well at the con, although I got a headache after a while of one eye seeing everything in a shade of red. It went well with my armor. Here's some shots of me in costume.
View attachment IMG_20140516_162446.jpgView attachment IMG_20140516_162923.jpgView attachment IMG_20140516_162933.jpg

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Here are two shots of our group, the Saiyan Squad