Fringe shape changing box

[PeterLC]

I thought about making the box that the alternate Earthers use to copy the shape of people from our side.

Does anyone recognise the box with the little window used in this prop?

It looks like the window is original and it might have writing of some kind behind it. Also the "lid" looks to be glued on. The box on the left seems a bit newer and cleaner - no glue. Or maybe the one on the right was painted and the paint is coming off its edges as it appears darker.

The switch cover is available easily enough and the cable might be a retractable USB cable or similar. It was months ago that I made this capture and can't recall what the switch underneath was like. Normally these covers are used to protect keyed camlocks and keyswitches from the effects of weather.

I'll have to try to get some more screen captures if I can remember which episode it was.

 

[nickytea]

Very cool, very memorable prop.
Hopefully it's a found item.

 

[Mr Webber]

Great project, will watch with interest.:cool
If you were thinking of making a second one, i would be very interested.

 

[Darth Lakota]

nice idea

 

[Serenity]

I'm not sure if the screen cap posted is from the same episode, but I know the device was used and shown in S02E01. In particular, right at the beginning of the episode...

 

[PeterLC]

The retractable cable is one of these computer lan cables I think.

 

[PeterLC]

I did more screencaps while I was in the hospital that showed some details then somehow lost them all while transferring to my PC at home. SOmehow Win7 just ate them.

Anyway I will have to do them again.

I noticed the last episode (Over There Part 1) set in the alternate universe, had a whole bunch of nice little props with flashy lights that would be nice to do. Hoping to recognise some parts so one doesn't have to fabricate it all.

 

[PeterLC]

Still having no luck at all identifying the box. I really can't imagine that they went to the trouble to make it so it has to be an available item of some kind. Of course it might well be from something that is no longer available to buy.

 

[renaissance_man]

It looks very basic, it's just a box, given a few hours and some sheets of 2/3mm styrene I reckon it would be relatively easy, the top silvery piece, could be made up from layers of 1mm styrene.

You could be right and it is a found item, but based on its dimensions I don't think it would be a particularly difficult prop to knock up.
Good spot on the rectractable cable front there PeterLC.

I enjoy Fringe but not enough to start replicating their props.
But I think I could make some plans in Corel Draw if anyone is desperate to have a go at this?

 

[PeterLC]

It looks very basic, it's just a box, given a few hours and some sheets of 2/3mm styrene I reckon it would be relatively easy, the top silvery piece, could be made up from layers of 1mm styrene.

Making a box is always an option but better to find a proper one if possible. The small elongated clear window I assume is so that one can see the original contents of the box without opening, such as with a lighter or watch presetation box. This liitle window glows blue when the switch is thrown.

If I have to resort to making a box I will.

The one picked up by Peter and handed to Agent/Col Broyles at the end of the episode looked blacker and much shinier and newer than in other shots I've seen. So I think I'm going with a new one rather than a used/weathered one.

 

[Mechamaniac]

Well, here's the switch cover....

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/986241-cover-metal-ko-series-switch-kom4.html

That box has GOT to be a project box. Problem is that there are tons of them out there. Any idea as to the dimensions?

 

[PeterLC]

Well, here's the switch cover....

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/986241-cover-metal-ko-series-switch-kom4.html

That box has GOT to be a project box. Problem is that there are tons of them out there. Any idea as to the dimensions?

Given that the switch covers are a pretty fixed size the dimensions shouldn't be hard to work out. Get the real box and no working out necessary. I don't think it's a "project" box because it has the window and the lid and body of the box meet at an angle as if it is hinged on one side like a presentation box. You can see the line where they meet and it is not level.

update:

I'm thinking I might have to resort to scratch building the box from styrene sheet now. No project boxes I have ever seen look like these boxes as there are no screwholes for the lid. (I have screencaps of it from every angle now)

The lid is hinged or pushed on. One needs to be able to open the box to replace batteries or repair the cable mechanism if it jams. Hopefully I can make a neat window using the Dremel router table and shape the clear bit from acrylic sheet (my manual cutting skills often leave a bit to be desired). The spiked part is basically just nails pushed through a piece of shaped metal. Also in the last photo it looks as if the box was originally a light colour (seen through window) and has been painted (it's chipping off).

 

[jason1976]

Any updates on this?

 

[PeterLC]

Any updates on this?

I have persisted in my attempts to find "the box" online somwhere so have not progressed any further with construction. I know it's just a box but making it from styrene is not going to provide a very rigid structure.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Im pretty certain its a "project enclosure" , also called "project Box"....The kind people use for hobby electronics projects.
Usually found in electronics stores (radio shack, etc)

You just need to find the right one.

 

[Capt MarVell]

Any chance the box was originally clear and the window is just an area left unpainted? Of course, that wouldn't explain the light color seen on the inside in one of the pics, but it might make it easier to build anyway.

Take a look at some of these - some of them are available in Transparent colors on the drop-down for color.
Hand Held Enclosures

Jim

 

[jason1976]

It looks like some kind of meter, or something like a thermostat to me. Or, even a old radio. If it is something old, they could have molded, and casted it to make the extras.

 

[silverskyes402]

I'm guessing a old small wind up radio

 

[jason1976]

I'm guessing a old small wind up radio

Yeah, I get that feeling too. I just look at in, and I can image some kind of markings, in that window. probably white background, black numbers, and a "needle", that would move across the numbers. (either to the different channels , on the radio, or if it was some kind of meter, to the diferent readings.)

What every it is, if feels like something I've seen before, or might even have berried around here somewhere.

 

[KitSmasher]

Still having no luck at all identifying the box. I really can't imagine that they went to the trouble to make it so it has to be an available item of some kind. Of course it might well be from something that is no longer available to buy.

You would be surprised. We make things like that all the time. Much easier and faster to just make something to specifications than it is to find something ready-made.