Farnsworth Discussion

[DARTH SABER]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

The size of the Ebay buttons sounds about right.

THe Ebay auction only states 10mm cut...What does that mean?
Is that the diamter of the button, the depth, etc???

As for the other characteristics of the button, it looks very similar to the one used on the Farnsworth, however the stem that the button sits on should be black, not silver. And the top of the button should be slightly concave, not flat.

I can tell you one thing...That button is extremely hard to find. I managed to find ONE, a few months back, and it was the last one they had in stock.

 

[SurferGeek]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

The link on the first page for the center knob brings up a skirted black knob. But the one from the caps shows no skirt and brown... am I missing something?

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

The link on the first page for the center knob brings up a skirted black knob. But the one from the caps shows no skirt and brown... am I missing something?

So far I have only posted the links as they were in the original thread. I'm not sure if people have been buying that knob and grinding the skirt off or what. When I have the link for the correct knob, I will update it accordingly.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

So far I have only posted the links as they were in the original thread. I'm not sure if people have been buying that knob and grinding the skirt off or what. When I have the link for the correct knob, I will update it accordingly.

THat's what I did...I removed the skirt from the knob.

Just take out the metal housing inside, and then cut the skirt off with a dremmel. Sand the bottom smooth, and then paint it brown.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

THat's what I did...I removed the skirt from the knob.

Just take out the metal housing inside, and then cut the skirt off with a dremmel. Sand the bottom smooth, and then paint it brown.

Thanks for that nifty bit of info!

 

[Braz]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

Does anyone have specifics for the potentiometers that hold the knobs?

 

[marop]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

I bought this lot on Ebay, but I have to see if they're the right ones when I receive them:
16 pcs Mini Push Button SPST Momentary O/F Switch - eBay (item 220629608978 end time Jul-07-10 04:07:47 PDT)

If they're a match, I'll have extras to help others with their own projects.


I also bought this one at Radio Shack, but I'll have to wait for my fly box to arrive and see if they're the right size:
Mini SPST 1.5-Amp Momentary Pushbutton Switch (2-Pack) - RadioShack.com

The above switches are too small. The Gardner Bender #GSW-22 switch is VERY close to the one on the prop...I just need to find a washer like the one used on the prop. Anyway the GSW-22 is similar style and size. Plus it is shallow which means it should fit in the box, as long as you bend the prongs. Plus this button is a momentary on switch which would work great for activating electronics. Mark

 

[marop]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

I would recomend going to artbeads.com for the Cabochons . They are .80 cents each and shipping for totals under $10 is only 1.99...plus I think they are on sale now for 15% off!

 

[Braz]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

The above switches are too small. The Gardner Bender #GSW-22 switch is VERY close to the one on the prop...I just need to find a washer like the one used on the prop. Anyway the GSW-22 is similar style and size. Plus it is shallow which means it should fit in the box, as long as you bend the prongs. Plus this button is a momentary on switch which would work great for activating electronics. Mark

It looks like a pretty good match, although the part right below the button seems a bit tall.

 

[knightone]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

It looks like a pretty good match, although the part right below the button seems a bit tall.

Maybe, but since the button on the actual prop is slightly recessed, it might be right. The only way to know is for someone to get one.

marop, do you have a good source for it?

 

[Braz]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

I just ordered a few on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Gardner Bender GSW-22 Push Button Switch: Home Improvement

 

[Dakarn]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

I just ordered a few on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Gardner Bender GSW-22 Push Button Switch: Home Improvement

Thanks for the lead on the button switch, just ordered one myself.

 

[marop]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

Maybe, but since the button on the actual prop is slightly recessed, it might be right. The only way to know is for someone to get one.

marop, do you have a good source for it?

NO I don't...I bought mine on eBay but I believe others found it for less on other sources. Just do a search for the switch name and model and you should do better than the $12 I paid.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

OK, stupid question but - what do you call those stems that the dials attach to ?

I thought it was a dial stem, but google results brings up a bunch of crazy stuff.

 

[Braz]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

OK, stupid question but - what do you call those stems that the dials attach to ?

I thought it was a dial stem, but google results brings up a bunch of crazy stuff.

It's called a potentiometer.
I hope someone can shed some light on the right one to buy. I've bought a few on Ebay, but I'm still waiting to see if they fit inside the fly box.

 

[Zombie Killer]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

On the potentiometers, the knobs are made for a 1/4" shaft pots. Most 1/4" shaft pots have big nuts and i am not sure they fit under the knob. I had to use little 1/8 shaft pots with spacer for the knobs. I still had to finesse the bottom of the knob so the nut would go into it enough so the knob would sit real close to the plate. See pg 1

Why are you guys still debating switches? Go to ebay, buy a BK tester for $30 shipped and get 2 of the correct switchcraft switches. I'd rather pay $15 for the right switch then pay $7 for the worng one.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

Why are you guys still debating switches? Go to ebay, buy a BK tester for $30 shipped and get 2 of the correct switchcraft switches. I'd rather pay $15 for the right switch then pay $7 for the worng one.

Wouldn't hurt to have another good source of switches.

 

[Kylash]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

noticed new sound in tonights episode, when Pete was calling Artie..

 

[propologist]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

On the potentiometers, the knobs are made for a 1/4" shaft pots. Most 1/4" shaft pots have big nuts and i am not sure they fit under the knob. I had to use little 1/8 shaft pots with spacer for the knobs. I still had to finesse the bottom of the knob so the nut would go into it enough so the knob would sit real close to the plate. See pg 1

Why are you guys still debating switches? Go to ebay, buy a BK tester for $30 shipped and get 2 of the correct switchcraft switches. I'd rather pay $15 for the right switch then pay $7 for the worng one.

well that would be too easy now

 

[CB2001]

Re: Warehouse 13 Farnsworth Research Thread

Slightly off topic, but related to the topic, I was listening to the audio commentary track for the first episode of the season ("Time Will Tell"). The producer of the show is talking about the props made for the show, and he said, and I quote, "It costs $4,000 to make one Farnsworth."

$4,000 for just one? That means that they spent at least $12,000 for the three primaries seen throughout the show, and possibly more than that for backups and stunt versions. The producer should hire you, Jmtwo, since you not only made a screen accurate Farnsworth, but for a lot less than the ones the prop department makes for the show.