info on ST:TOS scratch build tricorder parts?

Thanks one and all for the new input! Lots of helpful info.

I will check out the other sites you mention.

This is my first crack at scratch-building a well-known prop like this, so my knowledge base about researching this sort of thing is pretty darn limited.

Thanks again!

Rick
 
rickrickrick said:
I have been trying to get my hands on an MR tricorder - unsuccessfully - for some time. Just can't afford the $600 they routinely command on eBay. Had one in my clutches tonite for $376, but got sniped with 2 seconds to go. How do they do that so fast?
Click to expand...

Rick

A lot of people use software to snipe auctions. Bay genie is a pretty good one to use. You just enter your highest amount and you tell the program how many seconds before the auction ends to place your bid. It does all the work for you.
It's also a good tool to use if you don't have access to a computer on the day an auction is ending. I've found it keeps me from getting sucked into the whole bidding war. If I'm in front of the computer and I get out bid, I sometimes bid higher than what I wanted to, with the software, it removes that temptation. :thumbsup
 
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xnavyguy,

Thanks for the links. For the buttons, I have ordered Thunderjet replacement wheel hubs, the ones I showed in my very first post in this thread. I'll see how those look before moving on. I've got several leads on the watch crowns, now, and just have to get some more prices and dimensions from sources before trying a few different ones.

Thanks again, everyone. This kind of input is what makes this such a great board!

Rick
 
Thanks for the link, Tripper. Great info!

The HO Reproduction t-jet wheel replicas are super cheap, so I just bought some of those, too. We'll see which set looks better.

Rick
 
i used to take apart a lot of radios and such in the mid 60's and the knurlrd nut on the tric lights look just like the ones on old earphone jacks as mentioned before.
they were chrome plated brass and had a beveled edge facing out.
the hole size matches well also.
johnn :cool
 
Reaper57, you're right, the phono jack would be a good substitute, with a crystal pasted on top.

But I think the body of evidence that the originals used watch crowns is compelling, so that's what I'm going for - especially since reasonably accurate crowns can be found cheaply.

I'll post what I end up with and the sources when I get them.

Rick
 
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Said I would update when I had stuff in hand, so here we go...

The thunderjet (t-jet) reproduction hubs I bought for buttons all look good. The ones from ebay seller HO Reproductions are - according to the Trek sites mentioned earlier in this thread - the most accurate. The other ones I bought from modelmho.com look fine, too - I actually prefer them for this model because the back is flat instead of having a nub, so it will sit flush to the surface of the screen panel more easily.

The watch crowns have turned out to be a pain in the posterior. The ones that are most readily available are WAY too small, and it's much easier to find yellow gold than silver-toned. The originals must have been somthing uncommon, as they are like 5mm in diameter - most stone watch crowns are around 3mm. I have spent weeks trying to get some on ebay to no avail, and the local watch repair places that carry parts all have ones that are too small. I found one online resource for 5mm stone crowns, but they only come in black.

So the search continues. In the meantime, I plan to buy the Radio Shack 3/32" phono jacks and stick a jewel on top!

Thanks again to all who contributed info to this thread.

Rick
 
spare parts

Just came into some spare parts -- a top aluminum face plate, the machined metal cylinders that set in middle comparment -- the moire ring, maybe the aluminum drawer tabs -- if interested, drop me a line and I'll post pics on my web site.
 
OOHHHH.
you mean using a solid watch crown and putting a jewel on top , not something that would be open in the center under the jewej for a bulb that would realy light up .
so there were no times the lights on a tric were shown lit.

john :cool
 
Someone else will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but to the best of my knowledge, no original series tricorders or communicators had any functional lights.

Rick
 
on the comm, wasnt there a scene when kirk being forced to call the Enterprise and he pushed a button for a silent alarm and one of the lights {red} came on.
john :cool
 
Nope, no lights, just rhinestones. They had a mirror like backing that
reflected the light, making them look back lit.

Rob
 
Eureka!

Thanks to the alertness of RPF member TOKI, and his kindness in pointing out the auction to me, I scored some 5mm blue stone watch crowns off the Bay of E today (see attached auction pic). They look to be exactly what I've been searching for.

**Happy little dance**

So after I get those I'll let you know how they work out.

I smell progress!

No, wait, that was the cat...

Rick
 
Hi i have some of these aluminum parts, collecting part as well as making them . useing the tos diamend select as.a base for the upgraded tricorder .if you know where i might get some parts please let me know? I also am thinking of adding an mp3 player so any info on how to do that please let me know.
 
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