Farnsworth Discussion
- Thread starter Gordon Gekko
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- warehouse 13
DARTH SABER
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Screw that noise, man.
I still don't see why these things are so expensive (and they doesn't even come with electronics!.)
Hell, an Apple Itouch is less expensive!
All of the parts are readily obtained off the internet (no manufacturing needed), plus they said they were getting the boxes from the Wheatly supplier, which will most likely be cheaper than the prices at the Wheatly site.
Someone mentioned the cost for R&D....Research and development?
Really?
All they have to do is ask the prop guys from Warehouse 13...Or they could just come to this thread.
Then there's labor costs...Once you have the parts, it take about 10 minutes to put this thing together (if it's being done by hand...probably faster if it's done by machine).
Even engraving cost doesn't justify the price.
Screw that noise, man.
I still don't see why these things are so expensive (and they doesn't even come with electronics!.)
Hell, an Apple Itouch is less expensive!
All of the parts are readily obtained off the internet (no manufacturing needed), plus they said they were getting the boxes from the Wheatly supplier, which will most likely be cheaper than the prices at the Wheatly site.
Someone mentioned the cost for R&D....Research and development?
Really?
All they have to do is ask the prop guys from Warehouse 13...Or they could just come to this thread.
Then there's labor costs...Once you have the parts, it take about 10 minutes to put this thing together (if it's being done by hand...probably faster if it's done by machine).
Even engraving cost doesn't justify the price.
NakedMoleRat
Legendary Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
It's called..."You want it. I have it!"
It's called..."You want it. I have it!"
PeterLC
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
We decided the right box is the Wheatly 9601GD (gold) and faceplates were made to fit them. These boxes measure about 154mm x 90mm on the outside and 150mm x 86mm on the inside (within a mm or two) This equates to about 3.54" on the outside.
It's possible the one's on ebay have others in the range which are different sizes or they made them purposely different so as not to be COPYING the Wheatley ones.
If you're making your own faceplate it won't matter too much I guess which one you choose.
We decided the right box is the Wheatly 9601GD (gold) and faceplates were made to fit them. These boxes measure about 154mm x 90mm on the outside and 150mm x 86mm on the inside (within a mm or two) This equates to about 3.54" on the outside.
It's possible the one's on ebay have others in the range which are different sizes or they made them purposely different so as not to be COPYING the Wheatley ones.
If you're making your own faceplate it won't matter too much I guess which one you choose.
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PeterLC
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Not even that much to say to the prop guy(s).
1. "Can I see the original ones please?"
Measure and take photos for comparison.
2. "Can you give me the CAD files for the faceplate?"
Make a bunch of faceplates or get them made.
3. "Can I have a list of where you got your parts?"
Put in a bunch of bulk orders for bits and pieces.
4. "Are the screens an off-the-shelf item or one we'll have to make ourselves?"
Pull a mold off the original prop's screen and vac-form them if need be.
5. "What colour paints did you use for the box and did you use any effects?"
Get some paint and do that.
"What method did you use to age/weather the faceplate?"
Do that and really go overboard and a bit too far.
6. "Wow all that research and development was really hard work."
Sit down and have a beer.
Of course if there is going a "working" hero version there will have to be some development.
It might be that if QMx is indeed providing the props for season 3, they'll supply "working" ones. This has been hinted during the cast commentaries during the recap episodes. Someone said that next season's Farnsworths will be making sounds and having flashing lights. Then of course QMx will be the only one to have truly screen accurate props and the only truly accurate sounds and lights in their hero.
Not even that much to say to the prop guy(s).
1. "Can I see the original ones please?"
Measure and take photos for comparison.
2. "Can you give me the CAD files for the faceplate?"
Make a bunch of faceplates or get them made.
3. "Can I have a list of where you got your parts?"
Put in a bunch of bulk orders for bits and pieces.
4. "Are the screens an off-the-shelf item or one we'll have to make ourselves?"
Pull a mold off the original prop's screen and vac-form them if need be.
5. "What colour paints did you use for the box and did you use any effects?"
Get some paint and do that.
"What method did you use to age/weather the faceplate?"
Do that and really go overboard and a bit too far.
6. "Wow all that research and development was really hard work."
Sit down and have a beer.
Of course if there is going a "working" hero version there will have to be some development.
It might be that if QMx is indeed providing the props for season 3, they'll supply "working" ones. This has been hinted during the cast commentaries during the recap episodes. Someone said that next season's Farnsworths will be making sounds and having flashing lights. Then of course QMx will be the only one to have truly screen accurate props and the only truly accurate sounds and lights in their hero.
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Riceball
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Quick question here, how/where is everyone getting their faceplates engraved? I'm thinking of maybe making one for my wife (who loves the show) for Christmas but I have no idea where/how to get the faceplate engraved. For that matter, is there a link to where people are getting their faceplates from and also, how are they getting the recessed part with the numbers done?
Quick question here, how/where is everyone getting their faceplates engraved? I'm thinking of maybe making one for my wife (who loves the show) for Christmas but I have no idea where/how to get the faceplate engraved. For that matter, is there a link to where people are getting their faceplates from and also, how are they getting the recessed part with the numbers done?
PeterLC
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
A couple of members did a couple of runs of faceplates but since then I think people have had to pretty much find something on their own. If you can cut and drill one, you might be able to get the engraving done at a trophy place or similar.
I'm not really much help in that regard as I bought a couple of the faceplates that were up for sale as I just couldn't find anyone local willing to do it. I might have had more clout if I'd been wanting to order 1000 of them.
I need to make friends with someone who has a machine shop for these little jobs.
A couple of members did a couple of runs of faceplates but since then I think people have had to pretty much find something on their own. If you can cut and drill one, you might be able to get the engraving done at a trophy place or similar.
I'm not really much help in that regard as I bought a couple of the faceplates that were up for sale as I just couldn't find anyone local willing to do it. I might have had more clout if I'd been wanting to order 1000 of them.
I need to make friends with someone who has a machine shop for these little jobs.
Interceptor6
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
I'd considered doing an acid etch for the lettering/numbers. I used to mark knife blades this way, in, "the day". Pretty simple technique, though I had a stencil kit specifically for knifes.
I was lucky enough to get one of the last faceplates around here, and wish I'd bought two!:cry
I'd considered doing an acid etch for the lettering/numbers. I used to mark knife blades this way, in, "the day". Pretty simple technique, though I had a stencil kit specifically for knifes.
I was lucky enough to get one of the last faceplates around here, and wish I'd bought two!:cry
division 6
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
I finished painting the boxes yesterday and have begun assembly.
knobs are not attached yet so they look a bit off.
Mk 1 face plate
Mk 2 face plate
E...
I finished painting the boxes yesterday and have begun assembly.
knobs are not attached yet so they look a bit off.
Mk 1 face plate
Mk 2 face plate
E...
Interceptor6
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Did everyone see the Farnsworth auction on Flea-bay? $610!!! "Zounds!!"
They look great! I left mine with a clear screen, so I can swap pics behind it. I was planning on a sepia shot of the wife and I, shopped in front of the warehouse!:love
Did everyone see the Farnsworth auction on Flea-bay? $610!!! "Zounds!!"
division 6
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
I tried casting some slow cure resin into a lens to try and have a removable insert for later possible upgrades, unfortunately I forgot a mold release and now the resin won't pop out.:unsure
Tried hot water and even freezing, nothing worked.
That one will get painted grey and I will have to decide on what to do with the other one.
E...
I tried casting some slow cure resin into a lens to try and have a removable insert for later possible upgrades, unfortunately I forgot a mold release and now the resin won't pop out.:unsure
Tried hot water and even freezing, nothing worked.
That one will get painted grey and I will have to decide on what to do with the other one.
E...
MacGyverSG10
Active Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Very nice job E, looks like you're well on your way!! The patina gel stuff really does a great job aging the faceplates.
All you need now are your IRS credencials and some purple gloves and you can start tracking down artifacts.
-Mac
Very nice job E, looks like you're well on your way!! The patina gel stuff really does a great job aging the faceplates.
All you need now are your IRS credencials and some purple gloves and you can start tracking down artifacts.
-Mac
PeterLC
Sr Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Yeah. US$610 (plus shipping) is just nuts. We decided that the US$299 that QMx was asking was bad enough but that is just ludricrous. Maybe the buyer thinks it's a screen used one or something daft or that it's a one-off. He'll be really pissed when they start turning up for sale at US$299-$350.
Yeah. US$610 (plus shipping) is just nuts. We decided that the US$299 that QMx was asking was bad enough but that is just ludricrous. Maybe the buyer thinks it's a screen used one or something daft or that it's a one-off. He'll be really pissed when they start turning up for sale at US$299-$350.
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
That is really a nice patina. Any tips using the gel?
That is really a nice patina. Any tips using the gel?
division 6
Master Member
Re: Warehouse 13 Prop Research - The Farnsworth
Thanks.
Are you referring to the face plates or the boxes?
The face plates where trial and error with the liver of sulfur gel that mainly turned the brass a copper color, only one of the 3 plates I was working with had the right look but not enough oxidation.
I ended up just air brushing Testors Model Master Burnt Siena and flat black then used some steel wool then a rag for final buffing.
For the really grungy spots before air brushing I dabbed on the 2 colors with a q-tip then used acetone on a rag to remove most of it leaving the thick blotches that some tools seam to get with lot's of handling, after that is when I airbrushed over everything.
The box was espresso paint (3-4 layers) then used a sea sponge to apply the antiquing metallic brown gel, the metallic brown looked far to gold so I over sprayed it with the espresso again then used steel wool then buffed with a rag.
Thanks.
Are you referring to the face plates or the boxes?
The face plates where trial and error with the liver of sulfur gel that mainly turned the brass a copper color, only one of the 3 plates I was working with had the right look but not enough oxidation.
I ended up just air brushing Testors Model Master Burnt Siena and flat black then used some steel wool then a rag for final buffing.
For the really grungy spots before air brushing I dabbed on the 2 colors with a q-tip then used acetone on a rag to remove most of it leaving the thick blotches that some tools seam to get with lot's of handling, after that is when I airbrushed over everything.
The box was espresso paint (3-4 layers) then used a sea sponge to apply the antiquing metallic brown gel, the metallic brown looked far to gold so I over sprayed it with the espresso again then used steel wool then buffed with a rag.
