Jack Sparrow Compass Toy Conversion

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(PHArchivist @ Aug 19 2006, 04:14 PM) [snapback]1303538[/snapback]</div>

(I added this to the "builder's thread" as it is a step in the process of building)
[/b]

Haven't forgotten this guys... Just no batteries in the cam-gotta get to the store.

 

[PHArchivist]

Here we go...

Print his and take it to the hardware store. Ask the guys for help and you'll be set up in no time...

 

[Kylash]

awsome, thanks. Any idea what they were used for, just with all the other bolts and stuff?

 

[DrMcoy]

PHArchivist --

How did you attach the lanyard ring to the box? Did you drill thru the brass hinge plate? Or just glue it to the surface?

 

[PHArchivist]

Kylash, I'm not real sure exactly what they're used for, but any self-respecting employee at your local hardware store should recognize it immediately. I should have given the exact diameter of the head, but its no bigger than a centimeter.


Doc, I just super-glued it onto the back. It does support the weight of my compass, but I don't hold it suspended for very long. The square that the ring itself goes through was just thick styrene also superglued onto the nylon bolt.

 

[Kylash]

went to TrueValue, they didnt have a clue ><;

 

[PHArchivist]

:confused

Imbeciles.

Well... I DO have a spare... Maybe I'll have to coat it in rubber...

Sorry for the goose chase, though I am surprised... :/

 

[roboprop]

Try Home Depot and ask for a Nylon (or Teflon) knurled head thumb screw.

Darrin

 

[Kylash]

i live in the middle of nowhere, best i cna do is Menards ><

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(Kylash327 @ Aug 23 2006, 12:14 PM) [snapback]1305634[/snapback]</div>

i live in the middle of nowhere, best i cna do is Menards ><
[/b]

We'll get you set up one way or another.

 

[Megatron]

McMaster-Carr online is your friend...

http://www.mcmaster.com/

put " knurled head thumb screw" in the find box.....

 

[PHArchivist]

Ky, I got you a brass one... Email me your address....

 

[DarthCalibar]

<div class='quotetop'>(hails @ Aug 16 2006, 05:37 PM) [snapback]1301960[/snapback]</div>

What started as a modification of the toy compass turned into a scratch built compass. After purchasing the toy set, the small size of the compass kept bugging me so I decided to build it from scratch in the correct size.

The basic compass is built out of wood (Poplar, I believe). I then finished it using ebony oil stain which really shows off the wood grain. The inlays are styrene strips. The compass rose is a scan of the toy version. The dome is a plastic christmas ornament. The sundial is built from scrap styrene. I then weathered the compass using various shades of brown acrylic paint.

Overall, I am pretty happy with it.

-Hans
[/b]

Looks fantastic.
I am very interested in how you built it. I want to do a scratch built and am still toying around with ideas. If you dont mind could you tell us how you built like the base of it? If you were to do it agian is there anything youd do differently? Thanks for any help you can offer.

-Zach

 

[clownluv15]

im still looking for the right sized styrene strips.

 

[roboprop]

Do a search for "Evergreen styrene strips". Not sure what size you'd need but PHArchivist can probably call out the proper size.

Darrin

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(clownluv15 @ Aug 29 2006, 11:27 PM) [snapback]1309470[/snapback]</div>

im still looking for the right sized styrene strips.
[/b]

Doh. I completely forgot. Sorry, but thanks for an effective and diplomatic reminder.

They're on the way -- I sent two sizes so you can experiment.

 

[clownluv15]

i didnt really wanna bother you,i didnt know if you forgot or what?thanks for the strips,i owe you one

 

[DrMcoy]

I received the MR compass and compared it to the toy -- it is THE SAME SIZE AS THE TOY, give or take a millimeter or two. I am talking about the playset toy and no the MEGA BLOCKS version.

I will post pictures this weekend...maybe sooner if work doesn't get too crazy.

I was surprised as I thought the MR compass, based on the actual prop, was supposedly a half inch larger than the playset toy compass, but once you cut the compass down to what appears to be a more accurate height, it is almost dead-on with the MR piece as far as overall dimensions are concerned.

This info may have already been posted...if not, there ya go. Again, I'll try to get comparison pics up this weekend if not sooner.

I'll also review the MR compass -- overall not too bad -- a little toy-ish, but it appears to be a good facsimile of the filming prop.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(clownluv15 @ Aug 30 2006, 02:14 AM) [snapback]1309570[/snapback]</div>

i didnt really wanna bother you,i didnt know if you forgot or what?thanks for the strips,i owe you one
[/b]

; No prob... They're in an addressed and stamped envelope ready to go out in tomorrow's mail.

 

[hails]

Thanks for the comments Zach. The bottom section was created from 3/4", 3.5 wide poplar stock. I cut off a 3.5 inch section (using a compound miter saw). I used a 2.75" hole cutter on my drill press to cut the hole. I then cut off the corners. Since the hole went al the way through, I used 1/4' poplar stock to fill the bottom which the gave the hole depth of 1/2". I used my tabletop disc sander to clean it up.

The lid was created from 1/4", 3.5 poplar stock. I used a 2.125 hole cuter to drill the hole. I created the walls of the lid using a 1/4" square dowel. I mitered the corners and glued them to one side of the lid. This gave the lid a thickness of 1/2". The dome of the lid was created using a plastic christmas ornament.

I used the same type of brass hinge that other people have used on their conversions. To hide the hinge plates in the back, I notched both the bottom and the lid to make the hinge flush. I used a utility knife and small chisel to do this. I then glued and screwed in the hinge. I then used bondo to cover the screws. Once painted, you cannot see the hinge plates. I stained the bottom and lid with ebony oil stain.

Everything else was straight forward. The inlays were created using .125 styrene strips. I did not even bother to paint these since I was going to weather them.

If I had to do it again, I may have increased the bottom height a little. I also would have created the sundial out of brass.

To me, cutting the holes was critical. I messed up 2 bottom sections before I got the hole centered.

The nice thing about making it out of wood is the sound it makes when you close it. It sounds authentic. This was a very fun project for me because it was realitvely straight forward to build and it only took me 3 days.

Hope this helps.
-Hans