Jack Sparrow Compass Toy Conversion

[roboprop]

Wow, sportzjunkie isn't playin' around..... nice bit of work there pal.

...and thanks for that gift there PHArchivist.

As long as we're posting our compasses, here's a little something I whipped up for one of the random pirates at Disneyland...

This compass just had to be different than Jack's, nothing too fancy. I pulled the compass from the toy and stuck it in a wood box, added a clasp and some lid detail and 30 minutes later, it was done.

Although I didn't use it, a good material to use for the lid lining is bookcloth. It has that same texture as leather and you can generally find it on the covers of various drawing journals and cheap portfolios found at art supply stores.

D.

 

[PHArchivist]

Well... As with any project, this is more complicated than it first appears...

So far, I have:
--Cut down the height
--Completely re-worked the bottom plate to eliminate the spining gears but still suppor the dial such that it spins manually
--Removed the three runners for the weather vane and reattached them to a styrene disc (about 1/3 of the total job of re-doing the vane)
--Ground off the molded clasp and sanded the entire surface of the sides
--Installed chips of styrene to serve as backers for filler for the two big joles (ring and button)
--Reattached then bottom plate

 

[PHArchivist]

Add to the list
--Removed the original hinge
--Filled the bottom half with Apoxie and the lid with foam
--Used filler to fill all seams and holes

I HIGHLY recommend filling the bottom half (except the circular opening for the dial) with something solid like resin or plaster. I used Apoxie Sculpt, a two-part product that cures ROCK hard. Adding the extra weight and solidity really adds to the prop feel of this, and makes it feel FAR less toy-like. Tr it.

 

[Kylash]

yup, those are all the same things ive done so far aside from the filling.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(Kylash327 @ Jul 26 2006, 03:31 AM) [snapback]1287976[/snapback]</div>

aside from the filling.
[/b]

DO IT. (if its not too late in the process) You'll love the solid feel.

Mine now feels as if it were carved from hard wood...

How'd you cut the clasp corners out...?

 

[DarthBish]

I just made a MEGA cool "brass" ring from the top of a sandwich tuna can.

You know, the small ones you can get for one serving.

Look GREAT.......(well I think so anyhoo ;-)

 

[Kylash]

pics?

for the clasp i just used a dremel drill but to cut em out.

 

[DarthBish]

crappy picture but here they are...
The compass is the real one I was talking about before. The Megabloks housing is on the left

 

[PHArchivist]

Just had an epiphany regarding the lanyard ring....

Let me follow through on my idea, and I'll share later if it is a success...

 

[Kylash]

sweet cant wait.

 

[roboprop]

Although not exact, an antique pull ring would certainly look the part...

I would omit the decorative coverplate though.

The site...
http://www.robinsonsantiques.com/drawer-pu...g-pulls-1-4.htm

Just a thought.

D.

 

[Ramiel]

Good idea Roboprop.

 

[PHArchivist]

Robo -- much better than what I had in mind; which didn't pan out. My thought was costume jewelry ear rings...

BUT

I did find some "welded rings" at Crown/Ace Hardware which are 98% perfect. Also found a nice brass washer that will work beautifully for the face of the sundial. I have pics but haven't down loaded them yet...

Tonight, I installed my leatherette. It had a fuzzy backing which I had to strip off (Nick, listen up.), but it peeled off fairly easily.

I then added some thick styrene strips inside the perimeter of the lid to add thickness, as on the real deal. Will sand and finesse this tomorrow. The foam and the styrene add further solidity to the prop, which I realy like.

This is SUCH a fun little project. I'm in it about ten hours so far.

 

[motman241]

I had to get the toy, also, but I chose to go with the set from Target, with the chest instead of the sword. I have no use for a plastic kids sword, and I can at least put stuff in the chest. Anyone else do this (and repaint the plastic chest)?

I'm also probably on my own here, but I like the cheesyness of the spinning dial on the toy compass. I'm gonna try to keep that on my prop, yet still make it somewhat more screen-accurate.

 

[PHArchivist]

<div class='quotetop'>(motman241 @ Jul 27 2006, 05:47 AM) [snapback]1288620[/snapback]</div>

I'm also probably on my own here, but I like the cheesyness of the spinning dial on the toy compass. I'm gonna try to keep that on my prop, yet still make it somewhat more screen-accurate.
[/b]

I thought about this but when realizing how difficult it would be while also trimming down the height of the bottom (which really "tells" it as the toy), and understanding the button would be sticking out, I decided to forego that element.

Mine still spins freely inside the casing, but you have to spin it with your finger -- no buttons or gearing...

 

[sportzjunky]

<div class='quotetop'>(Ramiel @ Jul 26 2006, 04:58 PM) [snapback]1288505[/snapback]</div>

Good idea Roboprop.
[/b]

That is a great idea. Yes, the size of the ring is slightly abnormal, just above 5/8" ID. The bar is 1/8" thick

 

[lilpropdude]

Roboprop beat me to it, we are using the pull rings on ours, we also thought about the spinning dial and are testing using earth magnets with the polar sides opisite each other so that they repel and spin the dial away from North.

 

[sportzjunky]

<div class='quotetop'>(lilpropdude @ Jul 27 2006, 03:14 PM) [snapback]1289080[/snapback]</div>

Roboprop beat me to it, we are using the pull rings on ours, we also thought about the spinning dial and are testing using earth magnets with the polar sides opisite each other so that they repel and spin the dial away from North.
[/b]

Here's a shot of the ring hub and the dial underbelly(box pin in place)[attachmentid=9270]..


all the little brass parts are tough.

go get 'em....

 

[Ramiel]

How did you do the little dome over the box?

 

[sportzjunky]

<div class='quotetop'>(lilpropdude @ Jul 27 2006, 03:14 PM) [snapback]1289080[/snapback]</div>

we also thought about the spinning dial and are testing using earth magnets with the polar sides opisite each other so that they repel and spin the dial away from North.
[/b]

that will work. :thumbsup just remember the balance in the dial. and make 'em(magnets) small. watch the pull rating in the magnets.