Farnsworth Discussion
- Thread starter Gordon Gekko
- Start date
-
- Tags
- warehouse 13
division 6
Master Member
SciFi Bear
New Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
The info in this thread is amazing. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at building a Farnsworth.
Has anyone considered using emachineshop.com or frontpanelexpress.com to make the front panel? They both have PC based design software that can be downloaded. This is not an option for me - Mac user with no design skill or talent.
Both sites list a variety of materials - frontpanelexpress.com has a medium bronze anodized aluminum available in thicknesses of 2.0 mm / 2.5 mm / 3.0 mm.
Have no experience with either company and a search of RPF only turned up a few hits for emachineshop. No idea what the cost per panel would be - just thought it might be an option worth considering.
The info in this thread is amazing. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at building a Farnsworth.
Has anyone considered using emachineshop.com or frontpanelexpress.com to make the front panel? They both have PC based design software that can be downloaded. This is not an option for me - Mac user with no design skill or talent.
Both sites list a variety of materials - frontpanelexpress.com has a medium bronze anodized aluminum available in thicknesses of 2.0 mm / 2.5 mm / 3.0 mm.
Have no experience with either company and a search of RPF only turned up a few hits for emachineshop. No idea what the cost per panel would be - just thought it might be an option worth considering.
DARTH SABER
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Hey Kylash, what is that warpy sound recorder?
Surely it's not called a "Warpy voice recorder thingy" at Walmart.
Also, I think ive figure out how Im going to do the speaker vents for the panel.
I think im going to pick up the smallest engraving bit for a dremmel (I believe it's 1/32") and do a repetitive deep engraving until it breaks through the brash. Then ill use my micro files to smooth out the edges.
Im going to do a test on a scrap piece of brass.
DS
Hey Kylash, what is that warpy sound recorder?
Surely it's not called a "Warpy voice recorder thingy" at Walmart.
Also, I think ive figure out how Im going to do the speaker vents for the panel.
I think im going to pick up the smallest engraving bit for a dremmel (I believe it's 1/32") and do a repetitive deep engraving until it breaks through the brash. Then ill use my micro files to smooth out the edges.
Im going to do a test on a scrap piece of brass.
DS
airhead
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Kylash,
Looks great, so far. I see what you mean about the through-cuts - maybe the foil causes too much heat for the styrene. And the dial numbers look great, but the "milled" recess shows the effect of the heat. As you say, non foil-coated styrene and paint may be best for this technique. I was originally thinking that the speaker grill and other through-cuts could be done fairly easily the old-fashioned way with a jeweller's saw and files. Plus, that's what I have available.
By the way, those screen caps did come from the SyFy website. I paused the feed and printed the image as a .pdf, then P'shopped it to crop and convert it, since you get a lot of other stuff on the screen print file besides the image. Flintstone technique, but it works.
airhead
Kylash,
Looks great, so far. I see what you mean about the through-cuts - maybe the foil causes too much heat for the styrene. And the dial numbers look great, but the "milled" recess shows the effect of the heat. As you say, non foil-coated styrene and paint may be best for this technique. I was originally thinking that the speaker grill and other through-cuts could be done fairly easily the old-fashioned way with a jeweller's saw and files. Plus, that's what I have available.
By the way, those screen caps did come from the SyFy website. I paused the feed and printed the image as a .pdf, then P'shopped it to crop and convert it, since you get a lot of other stuff on the screen print file besides the image. Flintstone technique, but it works.
airhead
CaptCBoard
Well-Known Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Whew... I just read this entire thread. You guys are really on the ball!
The only thing I have to offer is to say I'm convinced the panel is photo-etched. I've come to this conclusion because if it were laser etched, there would be a pattern in the circular field with the numbers, around the center knob. Also, laser etching means the panel has to be something other than brass. From a prop-making standpoint, that complicates things. Brass is easy to solder to, or braze. Also, no one has to source out the metal stock. Most places will have the brass in stock. I've used a place in Los Angeles area called Vaga Industries in the past. Just email the design in Illustrator or CAD and they handle the rest. They can work with 12" x 24" and you can put a lot of panels into that space. My guess is each panel would cost about $35. The great thing about PE is you can do both the surface etch, including the slight recess of the number circle, and the speaker grill can go all the way through. The holes for the rivets, knobs and screen can be included as well-- anything that needs to pierce the panel can be done so when the panels are done, the parts just fit right in.
The only drawback to the brass is that it will tarnish. My guess is that is not a problem on the show as the propman can disassemble the thing and clean it up. On the other hand, weathering it so it has some patina would easily be handled by using Rub-N-Buff or some other wax-based treatment. Or let the brass tarnish a bit and then seal it with a flat clear coat.
Scott
Whew... I just read this entire thread. You guys are really on the ball!
The only thing I have to offer is to say I'm convinced the panel is photo-etched. I've come to this conclusion because if it were laser etched, there would be a pattern in the circular field with the numbers, around the center knob. Also, laser etching means the panel has to be something other than brass. From a prop-making standpoint, that complicates things. Brass is easy to solder to, or braze. Also, no one has to source out the metal stock. Most places will have the brass in stock. I've used a place in Los Angeles area called Vaga Industries in the past. Just email the design in Illustrator or CAD and they handle the rest. They can work with 12" x 24" and you can put a lot of panels into that space. My guess is each panel would cost about $35. The great thing about PE is you can do both the surface etch, including the slight recess of the number circle, and the speaker grill can go all the way through. The holes for the rivets, knobs and screen can be included as well-- anything that needs to pierce the panel can be done so when the panels are done, the parts just fit right in.
The only drawback to the brass is that it will tarnish. My guess is that is not a problem on the show as the propman can disassemble the thing and clean it up. On the other hand, weathering it so it has some patina would easily be handled by using Rub-N-Buff or some other wax-based treatment. Or let the brass tarnish a bit and then seal it with a flat clear coat.
Scott
DARTH SABER
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Hey Cap, thanks for the info!
I just looked up photo etching for brass and it's pretty simple (And the results are sharp as hell too!)
I think Im going to go with this method.
I think Im also going to go with a super deep etch for the speaker vents...Hopefully it will etch all the way through the brass.
Hey Cap, thanks for the info!
I just looked up photo etching for brass and it's pretty simple (And the results are sharp as hell too!)
I think Im going to go with this method.
I think Im also going to go with a super deep etch for the speaker vents...Hopefully it will etch all the way through the brass.
darth_myeek
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Thanks Scott!! That is great news about a PE resource.
-DM
Thanks Scott!! That is great news about a PE resource.
-DM
Last edited:
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Its back by the el cheapo toys, called "Yadda Yadda Yadda" ... no kidding.
Its back by the el cheapo toys, called "Yadda Yadda Yadda" ... no kidding.
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Very cool results for the first time Kylash, the faceplate looks good with the first weathering paint job, but I do see what ya mean by the melting of the plating, darth saber, I cant wait to see what you turn out with a brass plate, if they turn out are you considering offering these? I'm going to order every part at the begining of next week and cant wait to start puting one together.
And yea, brass does tarnish really easy and fast, but shouldent be a problem with the look of the piece, its easily polished and I think the tarnishing would give the unit a more screen accurate look anyway. Keep up the incredible work guys, I cant wait to get my parts and set up some custom electronics for it!
Very cool results for the first time Kylash, the faceplate looks good with the first weathering paint job, but I do see what ya mean by the melting of the plating, darth saber, I cant wait to see what you turn out with a brass plate, if they turn out are you considering offering these? I'm going to order every part at the begining of next week and cant wait to start puting one together.
And yea, brass does tarnish really easy and fast, but shouldent be a problem with the look of the piece, its easily polished and I think the tarnishing would give the unit a more screen accurate look anyway. Keep up the incredible work guys, I cant wait to get my parts and set up some custom electronics for it!
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
Sweet! Just what I wanted to hear!!!
Sweet! Just what I wanted to hear!!!
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Just jumpin' in here, but 2mm thick
Just jumpin' in here, but 2mm thick
darth_myeek
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Props Research Thread - Farnsworth
+1
If I were to guess .050" or 1.28mm.
Just a guess.
Also wondering if there would be enough material for us to tap/thread for items like the red cover?
-DM
+1
If I were to guess .050" or 1.28mm.
Just a guess.
Also wondering if there would be enough material for us to tap/thread for items like the red cover?
-DM
