Looking for parts for Tricorder prop

Hiddenevil

Hiddenevil

Well-Known Member
Hi there

Some of you might have seen my post over the past few weeks. I'm in the process of completing a tricorder kit.

What i'd like to ask people is advice/help.

I'm trying to figure out how i can find or make the ribbed half round acrylic piece that fits on the top of the TNG tricorder. I've seen on some versions of the TNG tricorder that are missing this part. Instead having a bright blue painted piece in it's place. While this would make things easier, personally i'm more familiar with the Tricorder with the acrylic rod. So thats what i'd like to go for.

I've a few idea's on how to do it. One being, buying a length of half round rod and fashioning the piece using a dremmel/file/wet&dry
 
OK, you're going to need to give us reference photos so that we know what you're talking about, and which Mark tricorder you're talking about. It sounds like you mean a Mark IX but I can't tell. If it is the Mark IX, talk to Stapleton.
 
Hey, I am working on another Playmates Tricorder modification and I am adding the "ribbed half round" in place of the molded piece that fills that area:

I will backlight it blue.

(I turned a piece of clear rod on the lathe and then cut it in 2 pieces.)

ribbed1a.jpg


propmaster2000

.
 
PROPMASTER!!!! THATS IT Thats the bloody part i'm after!! I dont have the equipment here, but is there any chance i could get you to make me one? You'll get your name added to me christmas card list if you do! hehe! I REALLY want to do my best on this kit, ok i've just started out. But i want to finish it and be able to sit back with a drink and look at the finish product of my labours and know i couldn't have done anymore..

Frinky, do you know who makes this kit? i bought mine tatty from a comic shop..missing the stickers and just held together with a bit of black rubbery like tape, where normally you'd expect some brass hindges to be.
 
Here is a Playmates I did a while ago with lights from GMprops. The grooved half round was supplied with the electronics kit. In the instruction booklet he describes how to use a small pipe cutter to add the grooves if doing it yourself. I'll try and get better pics tonight.

Picasa Web Albums - The Director - Next Generati...
 
Robiwon, thats really impressive, fancy painting my playmates tricorder for me? hehe No, i'm being serious :p

The only fault i can see with it, is that it's not mine hehe ;)

If you could explain the pipe cutting method a little, that would be really helpful. I know i've asked propmasters help on this. But if i can actually make it myself, i think i'd like to try. After all this whole thing has been about getting in to prop making and learning.

I keep seeing these PM upgrades and its making me green with envy. I dont actually have an all bells and whistles tricorder and its the one prop i'd love to have more then anything. Never know when i'll need one for a dangerous away mission to Starbucks :)




Robiwon said:
Here is a Playmates I did a while ago with lights from GMprops. The grooved half round was supplied with the electronics kit. In the instruction booklet he describes how to use a small pipe cutter to add the grooves if doing it yourself. I'll try and get better pics tonight.

Picasa Web Albums - The Director - Next Generati...
Click to expand...
 
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Thanks for the compliments. I would pm GMProps for his instructions. He is the one who came up with them for mine.

In a nutshell though. You take an acrylic rod and score around the surface with the pipe cutter making the grooves. When you finish that you can either cut it in half or use a belt sander to grind away material so you have a half cylinder.
 
Thanks Robiwon, thats really helpful. I've found a few places here online, that sell half round pieces of acyrilic rod..But this information is awefully promising. Not sure if i can use a pipe cutter on a piece of half round rod. I'm just wondering if i can make a clean cut using a dremmel hmm. Sadly i donly have a belt sander, nor the space for large tools.

I'm hoping propmaster can perhaps come to the rescue..
 
O.K. get two half rounds and use Elmers white glue to glue them together. Use a K&S tube cutter from the hobby shop to cut your grooves. When your done soak it in water to soften the glue.
 
Good morning Hiddenevil,
I am glad I was able to post an image of what you where looking for :)

Sometime ago, I was fortunate enough to have access to a small lathe where I was able to cut the grooves in the rod and then cut in half.
At this point in time, I do not have access to the lathe.

Maybe the idea of glueing two half rounds together and then cutting the grooves with a pipe cutter will work for you, as Robiwon suggests.....


propmaster2000

.
 
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As per Robiwon's suggestion i contacted Gerry, but i'd not heard anything back from him. I'm going to buy a length of half round rod, cut it in half. glue it together and attempt to groove it. I think my father has a pipe cutter, so will see if that will be any good.

Really looking forward to getting this finished, going to attempted drilling holes in to the resin using a dremmel. As i've reached the stage of attatching the brass hinges.
 
Ha, I cheated so bad on this piece when I made my playmates upgrade: Because I was in a rush and had no acrylic rod, I used the next best (cheap) thing: glue stick! I cut carefully cut down a glue gun glue stick and used a pipe cutter to slice the ribbing. While I am sure there are better ways, it actually held up all these years and I can't tell much of difference!

BUT, I would shoot a message to Stapleton anyway. If not just to HOPE a micro amount of his talent is conveyed through his messages! Myron is THE tricorder expert.
 
thegreatgalling said:
Ha, I cheated so bad on this piece when I made my playmates upgrade: Because I was in a rush and had no acrylic rod, I used the next best (cheap) thing: glue stick! I cut carefully cut down a glue gun glue stick and used a pipe cutter to slice the ribbing. While I am sure there are better ways, it actually held up all these years and I can't tell much of difference!

BUT, I would shoot a message to Stapleton anyway. If not just to HOPE a micro amount of his talent is conveyed through his messages! Myron is THE tricorder expert.
Click to expand...

Stapleton? Myron? who?? lol :wacko

And i do like your solution to the problem :)
 
Any update one the tricorder front, i was playing around for a few hours today and came up with this. Using a Stanley knife and some thick thick gloves...oh and a lot of patience.



Oh and now my tricorder comes with hinges.




Does anyone know who this kit is by?
 
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