Making a Star Trek Alpha Hero Communicator

[pielock373]

Made a new buck that has many of the features of the original screen used comm's including the wank on the control panel area. Here is a shot fresh off the vac table.

 

[vidman]

very nice start on a classic com :thumbsup . I will be following your build :ninja

 

[pielock373]

Adding the vintage T-jet slot car hubs.

 

[Felgacarb]

Looking good so far!

 

[Apollo]

Beautimus!!

 

[ecl]

Looking really good! The vintage hubs really make a big difference (although a subtle detail).

 

[Bluebox303]

Fantastic! Would you be willing to make a set of shells so people can create their own builds?

 

[LorduDesign]

I like it!

 

[DrMcoy]

sweet. if you do a run, please count me in.

 

[pielock373]

Glued in all hubs and the counter ring for the moire. The perforated brass sheet is cut to size and ready for forming.



Test fitting the stopwatch.

 

[pielock373]

To bend the lid all you need is a hammer and an oak 1x3. Start to finish, 25 minutes.


The first edge, bang with hammer on wood edge.



Second edge, bang again.



Third edge, you guessed, bang again!



And the back edge, more of the same.



So you end up with 4 turned up corners that I grind down on a belt sander.



The sander.



Corners leveled.



Sand bottom flat.



Sitting next to a JLong lid.



Test fitting

 

[ecl]

Beautiful , nice work bending the lid edges; I may need to try that sometime .

 

[DrMcoy]

gorgeous.

 

[AGxM]

Nice build - thanks for sharing

 

[quarryman]

Pretty slick just banging out a hero comm like this, like no big deal...except it is a big deal. Great stuff.

 

[pielock373]

Pretty slick just banging out a hero comm like this, like no big deal...except it is a big deal. Great stuff.

I've made 30 or so of these by hand like this. It really is muscle memory at this point. Without any ruler or measuring device I can make them the same exact size and shape every time, my wife will be watching me make them, she shakes her head and says "I don't know how you make it look so easy?" I've always said if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. If you don't get what you want, then you didn't want it bad enough!

It's the same with the Moire rings. I lathe them out without picking up a micrometer. Each one is the exact same every time. Muscle memory!!

Steve

 

[Apollo]

From stone knives and bearskins to a hammer and a 2 X 4! :lol

 

[pielock373]

:lol Good one!

 

[pielock373]

Some quick and dirty shots of progress. Finished the antenna, all soldered. Cut in into the kydex shells.









The antenna buffed out.

 

[ecl]

It's pretty