Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
My personal position is accuracy over ease.
My personal position is accuracy over ease.
Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
- Thread starter Doctor Octoroc
- Start date
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
I was originally thinking of printing up measured stencils for those design patterns first but thought I'd throw feelers out for a potential alternate model that had raised portions. Anyone else want to weigh in?
Edgar Goldore
New Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
I love what you're doing. Your sonics look great!! I've been a visitor on The RPF for a couple of years and registered just now in order to buy these when they are ready. I would definitely be interested in a 9th, 10th, and River Song sonic.
I love what you're doing. Your sonics look great!! I've been a visitor on The RPF for a couple of years and registered just now in order to buy these when they are ready. I would definitely be interested in a 9th, 10th, and River Song sonic.
dbalschi
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Agreed
Agreed
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Alright, here's a variation of the 10th Doctor's sonic that extends using a length of 1/2" acrylic rod for the neck. It will also require two strands of yellow wire and a drill to make a hole down the center for the proper look. With a variation of the button and red/black wires instead of yellow, I can also offer a 9th/10th shared sonic with or without extending capabilities, in addition to the static 9th "Aztec" sonic.
This will add $6-$8 to the overall price for the extending capabilities since it uses extra materials, but for those that want the option, it's not a bad deal. Fair warning however, there may be some sanding involved to get the slider to move up and down just right (not too loose, not too tight).
Alright, here's a variation of the 10th Doctor's sonic that extends using a length of 1/2" acrylic rod for the neck. It will also require two strands of yellow wire and a drill to make a hole down the center for the proper look. With a variation of the button and red/black wires instead of yellow, I can also offer a 9th/10th shared sonic with or without extending capabilities, in addition to the static 9th "Aztec" sonic.
This will add $6-$8 to the overall price for the extending capabilities since it uses extra materials, but for those that want the option, it's not a bad deal. Fair warning however, there may be some sanding involved to get the slider to move up and down just right (not too loose, not too tight).
Edgar Goldore
New Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
I'm into this one as well. Love the options. One question, what it the approximate length of the 9th/10th sonic? I couldn't really tell from the pics.
I'm into this one as well. Love the options. One question, what it the approximate length of the 9th/10th sonic? I couldn't really tell from the pics.
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
On a side note, I also made a 3rd Doctor's variation, which will include stencils to make it easier to paint the body.
They're all as accurate to the screen props as I could get them with the reference material I gathered and the limitations of the material. The length of the extendable Tenth when closed (as well as the static 9th and 10th models) is 146.5mm without the lens, extended would be 177.5mm without the lens. Since the lens will be a found object cabochon, I don't know yet the exact length, but it should be between 149 and 151mm closed. Supposedly, the real prop differed depending on how far in or out the lens was positioned, but the average length of the real prop was 150mm so that is the aim for these models.
On a side note, I also made a 3rd Doctor's variation, which will include stencils to make it easier to paint the body.
Edgar Goldore
New Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
That's great, thanks!!
That's great, thanks!!
greatwazoo42
Master Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
I just stumbled across this thread. Good work so far!
I just stumbled across this thread. Good work so far!
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Thanks! I've put together this chart for general "Whodriver" reference as well as a comparison shot of all of the props I'm making. I didn't bother doing all the 9th/10th variations since they're essentially the same and the measurements of one could be determined from that of the other.
I would however like to finalize the measurements of the parts here so if anyone has knowledge that pertains to these screwdrivers and can correct any of my measurements, that would be great! I've linked the image below to the PDF file so anyone can download, print and measure these. Units are in millimeters.
Thanks! I've put together this chart for general "Whodriver" reference as well as a comparison shot of all of the props I'm making. I didn't bother doing all the 9th/10th variations since they're essentially the same and the measurements of one could be determined from that of the other.
I would however like to finalize the measurements of the parts here so if anyone has knowledge that pertains to these screwdrivers and can correct any of my measurements, that would be great! I've linked the image below to the PDF file so anyone can download, print and measure these. Units are in millimeters.
greatwazoo42
Master Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Lovely!
Lovely!
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
I had an idea for the emitter lens on the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver...
Shapeways has a number of options for semi-transparent plastics. If the emitter was made out of one of those, it could theoretically be dyed the right shade of green to achieve the same look as the actual prop. This could be an alternative option to the solid white piece that the rest is made of and while it wouldn't be transparent enough to let light through, it could be a better look. It would probably add $3 or $4 extra to the total cost, however, unless a lot of people were in on the idea.
I had an idea for the emitter lens on the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver...
Shapeways has a number of options for semi-transparent plastics. If the emitter was made out of one of those, it could theoretically be dyed the right shade of green to achieve the same look as the actual prop. This could be an alternative option to the solid white piece that the rest is made of and while it wouldn't be transparent enough to let light through, it could be a better look. It would probably add $3 or $4 extra to the total cost, however, unless a lot of people were in on the idea.
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
*EDIT: There are a few more differences between the 9th extendable and the newest version of the 10th extendable. The ridges are less rounded on the 10th, the slider groove goes further back, and the "copper" internals are redesigned for both to accommodate electronics!
The only difference is the button slider. On the Tenth, you can see how the slider is flat and more discreet, whereas the slider on the Ninth is square and bulky. Here's a comparison shot for quick reference:
*EDIT: There are a few more differences between the 9th extendable and the newest version of the 10th extendable. The ridges are less rounded on the 10th, the slider groove goes further back, and the "copper" internals are redesigned for both to accommodate electronics!
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TickTockMan
Active Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Have you found if there's any particular finishing technique that gives a good "crackle" finish to the 9th/10th sonics? As you pointed out, your first attempt ended up more bumpy than crackly...or are you still weighing the option of having the finish etched right into the material, a la the CO toy?
Have you found if there's any particular finishing technique that gives a good "crackle" finish to the 9th/10th sonics? As you pointed out, your first attempt ended up more bumpy than crackly...or are you still weighing the option of having the finish etched right into the material, a la the CO toy?
Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
The main reason I botched the crackle finish on the first prototype is I wasn't familiar with the paint. I read a few tutorials but didn't practice enough with it. I didn't lay it on thick enough and it resulted in such a small crackle size as to be unrecognizable as crackle, hence the bumpy look. I'm going to get myself better acquainted before attempting the 9th/10th and River sonics again.
My 3d modelling skills are limited when it comes to organic forms. My background is in architecture and engineering, so that natural crackle finish is hard to model with my techniques, while angled hatching, like the claw extender posts on the 11th or the Maser's laser screwdriver body are easier. Plus, the actual prop didn't have it carved in like the CO toy and since more people seem to want accuracy first and foremost, I've resigned myself to my limitations.
The main reason I botched the crackle finish on the first prototype is I wasn't familiar with the paint. I read a few tutorials but didn't practice enough with it. I didn't lay it on thick enough and it resulted in such a small crackle size as to be unrecognizable as crackle, hence the bumpy look. I'm going to get myself better acquainted before attempting the 9th/10th and River sonics again.
TickTockMan
Active Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Fair enough...I'll have to do some reading up on crackle finishes myself, considering my main interest is in the RTD-era sonics...
Fair enough...I'll have to do some reading up on crackle finishes myself, considering my main interest is in the RTD-era sonics...
Cap Fitzgerald
Active Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
Are we going to be able to disassemble these or would you send them completely built and glued and such so it can't come apart?
Because looking at the diagram I'm seeing potential for gutting my CO driver and putting the mechanics down the acrylic rod and copper tube then maybe getting a slit into the slider to put the wires through so they touch a real push button to complete the circuit. If not that exactly I think someone could still get the innards of a CO in there to get a brilliant replica of the 9 and 10 shared driver because the wires are red and black in the toy anyways.
By the way I'd be interested in an extending 9th/10th sonic if you wouldn't mind me being new and all
Are we going to be able to disassemble these or would you send them completely built and glued and such so it can't come apart?
Because looking at the diagram I'm seeing potential for gutting my CO driver and putting the mechanics down the acrylic rod and copper tube then maybe getting a slit into the slider to put the wires through so they touch a real push button to complete the circuit. If not that exactly I think someone could still get the innards of a CO in there to get a brilliant replica of the 9 and 10 shared driver because the wires are red and black in the toy anyways.
By the way I'd be interested in an extending 9th/10th sonic if you wouldn't mind me being new and all
Edgar Goldore
New Member
Re: Affordable Doctor Who Stunt Props (Sonic Screwdrivers, TARDIS Keys, etc.)
I plan on using this stuff. Looks very promising.Faux Painting with Crackle effect
