ICBM Launch keys - replica project

[dst]

I would like to have a go at making a replica of the Russian ICBM launch key that were featured on Pawn Stars next time I get access to a lathe/vertical mill. But until than there's time for some planning and research. Here's the info I've collected so far, maybe it can be of help to someone else if they want to make their own.


by gettingsoldonebay, on Flickr

Pawn Star episode “Big Guns”:
Pawn Stars-Big Guns Season 2 (Episode 24) - YouTube

A pair was also sold on eBay and the seller posted this video with some info.

Interview with the guy that got the keys and the pawn star guy
ICBM Launch Keys To The End of The World Found on Ebay - ENDING March 29th at 10:30 PM EST - YouTube


by gettingsoldonebay, on Flickr

The original eBay listing pictured above is no longer available, but the seller’s (Norb Novocin) images can all be found via this flickr.com search: Cold War Doomsday Soviet ICBM Launch Keys yqz - Flickr: Search

In a video from Tested.com Adam Savage shows his replica key:
Tour of Adam Savage's Home Office - YouTube

If the keys does not have "arbitrary" dimensions I would guess it’s metric and not imperial. But judging from the photo the length of the key seems to be nearer 2 5/8 inches long than a round % 10 mm number

Edit: here's a photo with "schematic" overlay so I can refer to letters and numbers since I have NO idea what the correct English nomenclature is for key parts

Here are some quick, non quality checked measurements. Basically I "counted" the number of pixels for each part and calculated their relation. Note that the photo I posted is not the one I used to measure since the key is photographed at a slight angle. I will update these before I actually start the project, or if someone else has some input.

1. Length of key ~ 2 5/8"
2. 1 - 3
3. 0.37x of 1
4. 0.186x of 1
5. 0.133x of 1
6. The same as 5
7. 0.07x of 1
8. The same as 7
9. The same as 7
10. 0.019x of 1

Angle of the offset between first hole (where C is screwed) and the last one is 45 degrees

I know others on RPF have done these keys already, maybe you could share your findings?

 

[Copper9]

 

[Atlas]

What in the actual f..
...There's a cog in me that says this is the coolest thing, but there's a sprocket saying as if they weren't expensive enough.

At least I would want one in steel (or whatever the originals were made of), would be more "screen accurate" =D

(Also that seems to be off in other ways too, look at the rounded edge of the circular part, as where in the original the edge was straight) EDIT: the ones in the pawn shop video had _slightly_ rounded edge, and the video also claimed they are titanium, but steel'd be more economic. Or aluminum, for that matter.

_A

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Or chromed brass....

 

[Copper9]

Actually, I wouldn't mind a set of these keys.

 

[Mike J.]

Andromeda Strain, right?

Pretty sure there have been runs of those in the past.

A long time ago...


-MJ

 

[youngpaddy1]

The originals were Titanium, but not because of the heat of the machine like he said in pawn stars, it was just to prevent some nutter knocking a couple out in his basement. The launch control checked the key's electrical resistance.

p.s. would love a set of those Andromeda Strain keys, then all I'd need is a deadly space virus and an underground base with a nuclear bomb security system to keep it in.

 

[BInventor]

Soviet Nuclear Launch Key by Valor on Shapeways

 

[dst]

Nice link, that model looks great

Though for me the actual creation is the drive, not the final object.

 

[Valor]

Yup. The creation of this was a blast. I really enjoyed learning to us Tinkercad. And using shapeways was cool.

 

[ShadowX81]

Im actually an ICBM operator over in this country and I wish our keys looked as cool as this. Over here, its just a key.

 

[John Driver]

Hey,shadow,any pics? or is it "secret"?
THANKS

 

[ShadowX81]

Sorry man. Not bringing cameras into the capsule is pretty much the #1 rule. But like I said, it really isn't very special looking.

Im sure theres a picture of one floating around the internet somewhere.

 

[Apollo]

Copper 9 Keep an eye out in the junkyard as they come up for sale from time to time

 

[russrep]

Hi guys I make these from time to time, I have a few sets in the junkyard

MOD EDIT: Please do not post Junkyard links outside the Junkyard, thanks.

 

[Nikola0525]

SS - 4 Sandal

 

[lurch]

here is mine.. just made it.. It's aluminum kinda stubby like the doomsday from geneva but with a small pin.. If I ever remake it I will build a proper radius cutting fixture.. I just hogged it out of a 1.5" diameter piece of 6061 using a high speed steel form tool that I cut the radius on..

 

[Nikola0525]

[QUOTE = крен; 3724546] здесь мой .. только что сделал это .. Это алюминий любопытное короткими, как конец света из Женевы, но с небольшой булавки .. Если я когда-либо переделать его я построить правильный радиус резки приспособление .. Я просто спер его 1,5 "диаметром кусок 6061 в с помощью высокоскоростной стальной формы инструмент, который я вырезать радиус на .. [/ QUOTE]

Done well . Photo real key SS -4 "Sandal" - USSR R-12 (complex 8k63).