Long, Metal Thermal Detonator Build

[tomm1999]

I've been holding off on posting this because I don't know if it's even possible, But I'm going to try and build a metal thermal detonator. I reached out to The Oubliette to make sure that she would be OK with me doing this. She not only said yes, but was very encouraging and wanted to see what I can come up with. So to begin I would like to thank her for letting me use her amazing design, if not this probably wouldn't be possible. She has been extremely gracious and encouraging.

So I started thinking of way I could not only make one of these, but easily make many of them. (that's all I am saying about that for now...)
If it was one or two, I would bite the bullet and have Shapeways make it in polished nickel and be done with it. But since I want more, I looked into having them machined from aluminum. While definitely possible, it would be very, very expensive. Expensive enough that it would make sense to BUY a 5 axis desktop CNC from Pocket NC ($4,000).

So for now I have landed on casting from pewter. I'm not sure if this will even work, or work the way I hope it does, but a 20lb metal melting pot, 10lbs of lead free pewter and a gallon of Mold Max 60 is en route to me.

This will be a pretty long build as I already have 16 parts with more to come, and I want it to be as close to perfect as possible. Lights and sound will be last,

I have taken on a couple one off projects to become more familiar with metal but I will post updates as they become available.

Stay Tuned! (dont know why the site has been rotating my pics the past couple weeks)

 

[newmagrathea]

Neat, I'll bet it'll be heavy. Can't wait to see it done.

 

[cjchiu]

Interested to see your progress. Good luck.

 

[xl97]

God.. I hope its NOT anything like the Oubliette ones! (those were,, for lack of a better word, TERRIBLE!)

no-where near accurate.. and the castings were below average in quality.

PlecterLabs (top of the line stuff).. did a board (lights/sounds) for these.. but I dont recall if they were released to the public.. or just done for a specific run?

either way worth looking into.

 

[veektohr]

Looking forward to this!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tomm1999]

I have read some about the castings so that is definitely a priority here. Technology has come a far way since then so I hope to leverage that to my advantage while making the master mold.

I am going to contact Erv at Plecter once I know I can do this, and do it right. That would be great if he can but since I haven't spoken with him I don't even want to comment any further.

What are your thoughts on the design other than the castings not coming out well? Too big/ to small, lines not deep enough.

Since this is not a run or interest thread I am only discussing this single build, but I would love any feedback.

God.. I hope its NOT anything like the Oubliette ones! (those were,, for lack of a better word, TERRIBLE!)

no-where near accurate.. and the castings were below average in quality.

PlecterLabs (top of the line stuff).. did a board (lights/sounds) for these.. but I dont recall if they were released to the public.. or just done for a specific run?

either way worth looking into.

 

[Sym-Cha]

The Oubliette casting had a hole in the 'bottom' which always bugged me ... so please make a perfect globe-like TD + a centre trench ... almost like the finished Death Star minus the laser gun and I'd be a very happy camper ... also for electronics ... make certain not to thin wires are used and properly attached inside ... so when opening to replace the batteries if need be those don't come loose ... even better would be a lithium-ion based battery packs that remains inside with a means to recharge via a charge-port and external charger, the same as for certain stunt lightsabers

Chaim

 

[tomm1999]

Thank you for the feedback Chaim, as it currently sits there is no hole in the bottom. I think a flush recharge port with a CR123 lith ion battery would be the best solution.

The wheels are already turning as they say. Please keep the comments coming!

 

[veektohr]

While by no means canon, I've always wanted a TD where the center trench opened up when you pulled the tank tread back. Just seems like the way it should work.

 

[xl97]

It was too big.
(sloppy)
bad lines.
the thumb/slider piece was.. (I'm not even sure)..

(I cant take one off the shelf and criticize it more if you want!? haha)



I'm not saying I could have done better.. (dont really sculpt/cast.. more on the electronic side of things..making props work..etc)

but I know wouldnt have ever tried to pass that off as anything.
nor taken peoples money.. made them wait..etc.etc (the whole schpiel)

some of these came lopsided, caved in... and some were 'mushy\.. as in could squeeze it in your hands and 'mold' the shape! ha.



anywho-

thinking about ways to add electronics is a great way to start your design! (glad to see it)

I dont know if I would put the recharge port in the base myself...

maybe try to find a way to put it UNDER the thumb/slider piece...?

the MR ones arent bad IMHO... maybe start there? and improve where you see fit?