Machinable Jade?

[Anakin Starkiller]

Hey guys,

I'm working on a Matt Smith Sonic screwdriver and I am trying to track down some machinable faux jade like the prop makers used for the tip.

If anyone can help me source this material, I'd appreciate it.

-best

Dan

 

[Vaderman]

What about real jade?

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

can real Jade be machined like metal?

 

[Wicked]

I'm not familiar with the prop but couldn't that get prohibitively expensive? What kind of machining process are you trying to use?

Edit: I'm guessing you probably already ran across this tutorial, but if not this might be an option:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5058480_make-faux-jade-polymer-clay.html

 

[kursosawa]

What about casting a block of transparent green resin then machining that?

 

[Jaded Monk]

Kursosawa beat me by a few hours. If you were able to get your hands on a chunk of jade that size the last thing you would want to do is attempt to machine it down to fit a Smith Sonic. You can get the appearance of quality jade with far better working characteristics with resin and colorants. Smoothon.com is as good a place to start as any. I'm just not in any position to offer up services. Good luck!

 

[MaulWalker]

I've used Sculpy to simulate jade. I think the color was called green stone.

Lynn

 

[JHY]

I agree. I'd use a Polymer clay like Sculpy. There are lots of sites that give guidance for making faux precious/semi precious stones.

A base colour plus a translucent clay can give really good results. Once set it can be easily shaped and polished or varnished.

 

[Bluebox303]

If it was real jade, its kinda obvious why the QMX smith sonic is so much!
:lol

 

[Propsjonnyb]

I've used mineral powders plus resin colourants in water clear resin, to create effects like this in the past , good passable marble and jade can be made in this way , a good tip less is more , be cautious when adding powders and colourants into resin, too much and you risk 'queering' the resin , then all you can do is throw it away!. Re using a piece of real jade , if you need to ask how much - you can't afford it!!

 

[Chettus]

Not sure on the shape but wouldn't it be easier to cast the already created shape in resin with colourants rather than machining it?
Forgive me if I'm making a noobish remark there, and I know there will be extra work required for the mold but there will be a fall back for any damage to the piece and you can work on the original out of cheaper materials?