Farnsworth Discussion

[CYBORG65]

I like the glass but to me its just harder to work with. I dont want to have to attach it to the faceplate, I think it is more realistic when mounted to a panel or circuitboard behind the faceplace. It also adds more weight than an acrylic screen, but it is more scratch resistant. I guess there are pro and cons to both and personal preference. The pic below shows a good comparison and I prefer the lens with the lip on it. Again its personal preference, and finding the vacuum formed acrylic lens will probably be more expensive but its what I want for my build. No right or wrong way to go as long as you have fun with the build.

 

[jedibugs]

I like the glass but to me its just harder to work with. I dont want to have to attach it to the faceplate, I think it is more realistic when mounted to a panel or circuitboard behind the faceplace. It also adds more weight than an acrylic screen, but it is more scratch resistant. I guess there are pro and cons to both and personal preference. The pic below shows a good comparison and I prefer the lens with the lip on it. Again its personal preference, and finding the vacuum formed acrylic lens will probably be more expensive but its what I want for my build. No right or wrong way to go as long as you have fun with the build.

For my next build, I'm sticking with glass, but I'm going to fabricate a sort of stepped ring that the glass will sit on inside the Farnsworth at the correct height. It'll hold it still and I can keep the batteries concealed in the ring, under the Dome.


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[DARTH SABER]

So, any info on the Winnie the poo tap light?
How well does it fit in the faceplate hole?
Any gaps around the edges?

 

[Gareee]

For my next build, I'm sticking with glass, but I'm going to fabricate a sort of stepped ring that the glass will sit on inside the Farnsworth at the correct height. It'll hold it still and I can keep the batteries concealed in the ring, under the Dome.


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Glass just looks more "real" to me. Plastic always looks like plastic, and can yellow over time.

 

[CYBORG65]

So, any info on the Winnie the poo tap light?
How well does it fit in the faceplate hole?
Any gaps around the edges?

I think one of the problems with the pooh light is that the dome is more rounded than the glass or vacuum formed screens so it sticks up higher. I have seen a few pics in completed a farnsworth and they look good but not as good IMO as the other 2 choices. I think its back on page 62 of this thread where the pics above are from and the poster shows all 3 side by side to show the differences. Another thing wth the pooh light is they are extremely hard to find. It is a discontinued item so you are left with ebay or second hand stores as your best options. I saw a few on ebay and they can be found with different characters like cars, disney, spiderman, and I even saw a betty boop one. If you go that route you are looking at about $5-10 plus shipping.

I went out today and bought some materials to make a vacuum forming unit, I been wanting to build one for a while now and this seemed like as good a time as any. When I get it finished and get a chance to make a few dome screens I will post some pics.

 

[shereekachu]

Speaking of the Pooh taplights - has anyone found other tap lights that might work? There are hundreds at Home Depot and Lowes.

 

[DARTH SABER]

I think one of the problems with the pooh light is that the dome is more rounded than the glass or vacuum formed screens so it sticks up higher.

Do we know how high or rounded the one on the original prop is ??

 

[shereekachu]

I cut corners and got a knock off fly box. The demensions are spot on (even the corners) with the wheatley. The only drawback - it has the songey padding. Any ideas on how to get that bugger out cleanly?

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Just pull it out, literally, just rip it away. Then use fingernail polish remover to clean off the glue residue.

 

[CYBORG65]

I cut corners and got a knock off fly box. The demensions are spot on (even the corners) with the wheatley. The only drawback - it has the songey padding. Any ideas on how to get that bugger out cleanly?

I tried to pull the padding out in as big of pieces as I could. There was some of the glue residue left so I used some paint thinner (sparingly) and a q-tip. Let the thinner sit on the glue for a couple minutes and then lightly rub with the q-tip and it comes right off. Nail polish remover may work as well but I didnt have any in the house.

 

[shereekachu]

Thanks! When in doubt man handle the beast until it does what you want - I can do that!

 

[CYBORG65]

I guess I been driving my girlfriend nuts whenever we go into a store looking for things I can use to make parts for props. Today she brings me home this makeup compact and asks if I can use it. I think she has been paying attention and I need to pay a little more (to her). I still want to try my hand at vacuum forming or I may go with glass , but if I get a few faceplates made up I may order a couple extra boxes and make my own verson of a farnsworth and use this.Seeing this case also made me think of something jedibugs said about mounting the batteries under the screen. This case should easily hold a "AAA" 2 battery holder and is pictured with a single "N" battery holder. The case is 2.980" diameter so its about a perfect fit for the faceplate. Not saying this is the best option out there but just throwing it in the pot as a possible alternative to the furniture sliders as it would give a curved screen instead of flat, or just another way to make a screen from what you have around the house. This was bought at dollar general for $2.

BTW-in the pics there looks to be cutouts around the edge but those are the hinge and latch underneath. If you were to paint this it would be a smooth curved perfectly round disc.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Damn Cyborg, you say it's 2.98"??
That's virtually spot on.

Might have to try that.

Btw, where did you buy it?

Thanks

 

[CYBORG65]

Damn Cyborg, you say it's 2.98"??
That's virtually spot on.

Might have to try that.

Thanks

I forgot to mention that the clear part has the name painted on it. I took some mothers alum polish and a soft cloth and gently polished the letters off. It took maybe a minute. Just dont press hard and they should buff right off. I took the pics after so you can see theres no scratches, if you choose to go this route.

She found this at Dollar General for $2 its called L.A. colors

 

[elfstacy]

My husband is really interested in making one of these. We can get the Wheatley and hope to get a faceplate if one is available on the junkyard, but has anyone ordered bulk pieces of the knobs, cabochons, lenses, red lights, and recording modules? I would be very grateful to purchase 1 or 2 of each from you if so. Please message me. Thanks!

Edit: I now only need the: Center Knob Davies Molding - 1910CS - Dials and Knobs - Knobs - Allied Electronics

If anybody bought in bulk from Davies Molding, and still has some leftovers, please PM me.

 

[PeterLC]

Hey Darth

Sorry I'm not quite sure where I've put it but from memory it is just a "tad" bigger than the vac-formed screen and as such would not fit through the hole without making the hole a fraction wider. Since the "real" screen sits behind the hole anyway it mght not be an issue. Also the dome is higher as per my photos earlier.

The radio glass, drying plate and large glass magnifier are all go options as they would sit behind the hole with just some of the dome showing proud of the hole as per the "real" one. I will likely use the rado glass if I ever get to making a Claudia Farnsworth.

Peter

So, any info on the Winnie the poo tap light?
How well does it fit in the faceplate hole?
Any gaps around the edges?

 

[shereekachu]

Great find Cyborg!
What is "mothers alum polish"?

You can find these eyeshadows on Amazon - not as cheap as the Dollar General (but still under $5) but you're guaranteed to find it instead of driving around town.

I forgot to mention that the clear part has the name painted on it. I took some mothers alum polish and a soft cloth and gently polished the letters off. It took maybe a minute. Just dont press hard and they should buff right off. I took the pics after so you can see theres no scratches, if you choose to go this route.

She found this at Dollar General for $2 its called L.A. colors

 

[Deadmike]

What a brilliant thread! I got on the brass plate list just at the last min, I have a box on order and the glass dome as well,

This is what I'm struggling with! I need help getting hold of the knobs and the red indicator cover, the push button I can live with a different one......

I have tried to have them sent to the uk, but the red cover they want $45 just to post that to me

Please please help me get hold of the two knobs and red cover, pls pm me if you can help

Mike

 

[CYBORG65]

Great find Cyborg!
What is "mothers alum polish"?

You can find these eyeshadows on Amazon - not as cheap as the Dollar General (but still under $5) but you're guaranteed to find it instead of driving around town.

You dont have to use mothers, any gritless gentle polish will do. I had the alum mag wheel polish handy so thats what I tried and it worked, you just need something that will help remove the paint without scratching the plastic. The painted letters came off very easy with little effort.

 

[shereekachu]

Well my Farnsworth has begun. I got the box painted. If you notice I'm using a Wheatly knockoff so there are double rivets on the sides and 6 indentations in the lining where the mini door frame used to hook in. It was silver aluminum so I painted it all gold then kissed it with a bit of brown. I sealed it all with a matte finish. So far I'm diggin it for my first real prop build. The foam took a bit of pulling and cleaning to get out and the mini doors were a serious gggrrr to get out (although cute as hell). I'll be using a cardboard cutout (with lights and such punched through) until the brass plate arrives.