Doctor Sleep - Steam Canisters - Research Thread

[Hylo133]

Doctor Sleep seemed to have passed under a lot of people's radars when it came out, including mine! I only recently caught it and was very surprised at how much I liked it and how well made it was.

When it comes to props, the ones that stand out most are definitely the 'Steam Canisters'.

I browsed around to find more info on them, but couldn't find much beyond one (what looks to be non-metal) version on Yourprops:

https://www.yourprops.com/-Steam-Canister-original-movie-prop-Doctor-Sleep-2019-YP820563.html

The props in the movie seem to vary, the more plain ones look to have a more uniform finish (perhaps resin casts), whereas the more 'special' ones seem to be a combination of a brushed metal and chrome elements near the top and bottom. Of interest are also the circular elements on the bottom of the canister and the hinges on the opening at the top.

Almost certain these were made for production, but would love to hear your thoughts! Could they have been based on some existing parts?

In any case, would love to see if I can somehow build one of these!

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

Doctor Sleep seemed to have passed under a lot of people's radars when it came out, including mine! I only recently caught it and was very surprised at how much I liked it and how well made it was.

When it comes to props, the ones that stand out most are definitely the 'Steam Canisters'.

View attachment 1456642

I browsed around to find more info on them, but couldn't find much beyond one (what looks to be non-metal) version on Yourprops:

https://www.yourprops.com/-Steam-Canister-original-movie-prop-Doctor-Sleep-2019-YP820563.html

The props in the movie seem to vary, the more plain ones look to have a more uniform finish (perhaps resin casts), whereas the more 'special' ones seem to be a combination of a brushed metal and chrome elements near the top and bottom. Of interest are also the circular elements on the bottom of the canister and the hinges on the opening at the top.

View attachment 1456643View attachment 1456644

View attachment 1456645

Almost certain these were made for production, but would love to hear your thoughts! Could they have been based on some existing parts?

In any case, would love to see if I can somehow build one of these!

Over a year since this was posted, but I'm working on modeling this in Fusion 360. I found a listing tied to the original auction which included better pictures of the stunt version and one halfway decent measurement, which helped backup my measurement guesstimates.

Prop Store Auction: Lot # 850 : DOCTOR SLEEP (2019) - True Knot Steam Canister and Tags

Sadly, I don't think anything about these are found items, from all my digging everything is custom designed / machined.

It looks like there are two or three versions of these used for the production, however I think they're all supposed to be the same type of container. The adornments on the outside are what the True Knot members use to identify them as "special". There are a number of 3D printed or resin stunts which largely occupy the lower row of the canister cabinet and are "empty". From what the auction listing said these are fixed open (not sure if that's because the one being auctioned off was broken or if it was never designed to move). Then there are the hero versions which appear to be machined aluminum. The machined versions have tiny rivets or button head screws securing the outer cylinder in place towards the top of main cylinder body, however I'm not entirely sure if they are just being used to hold the shell in place or they work as a set screw for the internal mechanics as well. At least one of the machined versions does open like in the film as it can be seen in the Vanity Fair event on display in that state next to another closed hero.

Ideally I'd like to have a worm-screw design internally that would quickly move the mechanism that actuates the doors when the bottom is rotated. I'm not sure how that bottom section spins freely to turn a center spindle while staying attached to the bottom. It would also be nice to have one of those mini fog machines activated by a button recessed in the bottom of the container.

I really need help with the internal mechanics, I just can't visualize it for some reason. A spark of inspiration from machinist or ME (both of which I am not) would be really helpful.

 

[Leinads]

I loved the book and movie! These are awesome and I look forward to seeing your progress! Funny, but at first glance they look like the vintage thermos I take camping. lol

 

[Hylo133]

Over a year since this was posted, but I'm working on modeling this in Fusion 360. I found a listing tied to the original auction which included better pictures of the stunt version and one halfway decent measurement, which helped backup my measurement guesstimates.

Prop Store Auction: Lot # 850 : DOCTOR SLEEP (2019) - True Knot Steam Canister and Tags

Oh man, this is awesome! Really looking forward to your progress.

And thank you for the auction link, some great reference shots in there.

I also tried to wrap my head around the twisting mechanism, but couldn't figure it out. Perhaps the Disney Camtono cases could offer some insight, mechanism looks somewhat similar.

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

I've made a little more progress. Now I just need to organize my files and start printing to find out where I messed up.

 

[Hylo133]

I've made a little more progress. Now I just need to organize my files and start printing to find out where I messed up.

View attachment 1643394
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Incredible! I'll be first in line if you decide to do a run of these

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

The first draft didn’t come out too bad. The mechanical lift system works, however I need to tune the arms and the top a little bit. Also, I’m still waiting on tiny grub screws to discreetly attach the doors. I’m going to start thinking about mini-fog machines and if there’s a way to squeeze one in.

 

[Leinads]

This looks great and incorporating a fog machine into it would be awesome. The door assembly is coming along beautifully!

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

New top, doors, and arms. I feel like I’m getting close.

Fog machine parts are on the way, I’m probably going to hold off on finishing until I’ve gotten through trying to cram all the electronics in.

 

[13doctorwho]

The mechanism works GREAT! Very, very impressive. I read the book and I liked the movie. Cool to see a prop from it.

 

[Leinads]

The mechanism works GREAT! Very, very impressive. I read the book and I liked the movie. Cool to see a prop from

New top, doors, and arms. I feel like I’m getting close.

Fog machine parts are on the way, I’m probably going to hold off on finishing until I’ve gotten through trying to cram all the electronics in.

View attachment 1646160

 

[Leinads]

Woah that’s some impressive engineering! You’ve done an amazing job. This is one of my favorite parts from the story - nailed it!

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

Small update on this guy. After many iterations of chassis systems and learning more than I ever wanted to know about vaping, I’ve got a solid electronics kit working.

Only kinda looks like a bomb…

One of the lines was not in place here, but normally all vents would be producing “steam”

 

[Leinads]

This looks incredible!

 

[Hylo133]

MachinaExUmbra

Incredible work, love the practical work on the steam.

Please tell me you'll make these available in some form!

 

[Hylo133]

MachinaExUmbra

Any further updates on this build?

Also, would you consider a potential run of these?

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

I’m alive and so is the build. I’m working on understanding how to use an airbrush and metallic paints for this. I need a nice extruded aluminum for the majority of the body and a polished (nearly chrome) finish for the doors. I still have some tweaking to do on the vape pen fog machine as well.

As for a run I’m not set up to do anything in mass, but I do intent to publish the finalized parts with a walkthrough on how to put it together.

I’ve got most of the pieces filled and sanded smooth right now and I’m waiting on some chrome friendly clear coat to finish drying on a test piece. If my paint tests come out looking good and are durable, my hope is to have everything in a drying state next weekend.

Learning all kinds of new skill sets for this build…

 

[Hylo133]

I’m alive and so is the build. I’m working on understanding how to use an airbrush and metallic paints for this. I need a nice extruded aluminum for the majority of the body and a polished (nearly chrome) finish for the doors. I still have some tweaking to do on the vape pen fog machine as well.

As for a run I’m not set up to do anything in mass, but I do intent to publish the finalized parts with a walkthrough on how to put it together.

I’ve got most of the pieces filled and sanded smooth right now and I’m waiting on some chrome friendly clear coat to finish drying on a test piece. If my paint tests come out looking good and are durable, my hope is to have everything in a drying state next weekend.

Learning all kinds of new skill sets for this build…

Awesome! Thanks for the update.

 

[RoseTheHat]

Well, hi there! I would love to get one of these for a Rose cosplay. Would I be able to buy one? Serious inquiry.

 

[MachinaExUmbra]

Okay, so this is more than a long time coming but here's a sneak peak at the finished canister. It's gone through re-designs and repairs but I feel this is 90% there. I'll have a nice photo gallery up sometime after this weekend, and I'll sort out the mess of CAD files and get them posted somewhere.