My Baker Sonic/TARDIS key Project

Organic Mechanic

Organic Mechanic

Sr Member
A little back story on this. I have a broken collar bone, and therefor have no business doing this sort of thing. :lol

But anyway, I had decided that my Halloween costume this year is going to be the 4th Doctor. I even have a friend knitting up a Season 16 scarf for me (I'll be sure to share pics once it's done.).

Today I was taken by inspiration. I hit the tool closet, grabbed a 1/2" dowel, and some 3/4" PVC tubing that I had laying around. Here's where I'm at right now.

View attachment 35972

Understand, that the only tools I had available to use was a hacksaw, a handful of files, and some sand paper. Add to that the useless right (dominant) arm, and I think it's turning out well.

I am NOT happy with the emitter at all, but I'm coming up on empty for ideas on how to make it work.

=======================================================

Y'all can thank the wife for me thinking to post this up BTW. She came out to see how I was coming along and said "Don't you belong to site where people are interested in this sort of thing?"
 
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Re: My Baker Sonic Project

The emitter is really tiny on the screen used piece. The halo is dimensionally the same as the thickest part of the body, just cut your halo from the same stuff.
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Yeah, I considered using some of the PVC I used for the body, and I may still, but the wall thickness is a deterrent.
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Good job so far.

You can always order a halo from Russ. They are reasonably priced and machined. The rest of your sonic is amazing. Russ also sells pieces like just the Halo, just the bullet or just the back part (non magnetic). Worth an e-mail or PM.

You don't have to get a Halo from Russ but it would be easier.
The bullet is hard to make right and the back part is easy to get as it is a found item. Alnico makes the magnet for the back part of the bullet and comes with a hole in it to screw into the bullet.

There are several threads around here on the sonic that will help out quite a bit.
Mobius
 
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Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Man, you did all those rounded, ribbed parts in the PVC with JUST those tools? That's awesome!

What was your technique for getting those ribbed parts? I'm trying to do a budget 10th Doctor Sonic, and whatever technique you used would help me out greatly.

Thanks, and keep up the great work.

-Nick
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Asp9mm said:
Reduce it with some grit paper around a wooden spoon handle or dowel.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I actually found a perfectly sized grinding bit, and now have a new, rigid, more properly sized halo. I'll post up new pics once I make an appropriate bullet.

mobius303 said:
Good job so far.

You can always order a halo from Russ. They are reasonably priced and machined. The rest of your sonic is amazing. Russ also sells pieces like just the Halo, just the bullet or just the back part (non magnetic). Worth an e-mail or PM.

You don't have to get a Halo from Russ but it would be easier.
The bullet is hard to make right and the back part is easy to get as it is a found item. Alnico makes the magnet for the back part of the bullet and comes with a hole in it to screw into the bullet.

There are several threads around here on the sonic that will help out quite a bit.
Mobius
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your kind words. And while I'd absolutely love to use some of Russ's parts, the previously mentioned injury has kept me out of work for long enough to preclude such a purchase.

Besides, putting one of his perfect emitter assemblies on my hand carved sonic would make my work look like "pudu". lol
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

TheNickFox said:
Man, you did all those rounded, ribbed parts in the PVC with JUST those tools? That's awesome!

What was your technique for getting those ribbed parts? I'm trying to do a budget 10th Doctor Sonic, and whatever technique you used would help me out greatly.

Thanks, and keep up the great work.

-Nick
Click to expand...

Thanks. With limited tools, the best advice is DON'T! :lol

Seriously though, I marked the point, and ran a line of painter's tape around the PVC.You'll know if the line is straight or not without question. Then very slowly, carefully, and patiently cut a groove with a knife edged needle file. Gradually work you way up to the proper sizes file.

This is tedious!

If you can get access to a lathe, it's the best tool for the job. Turning the 9-10 body section would take less then 15min that way. It will take HOURS with files.
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

OrganicMechanic said:
If you can get access to a lathe, it's the best tool for the job. Turning the 9-10 body section would take less then 15min that way. It will take HOURS with files.
Click to expand...

Aww, but where's the fun in that? :lol My thing is I have files...but don't have anyone in my vicinity with a lathe, and don't trust myself trying to chuck anything other than a drill bit to my drill press, so I'm left looking for other directions. Time really isn't an issue, so I may just try this.

Also, you have the patience of a Buddhist monk to go through that process though. Considering you did this all with hand tools, all I can say is bravo!

Can't wait to see this puppy finished.

-Nick
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Great start OM! I'll get around to building one someday soonish.
I may have found someone to knit the scarf for me in trade for a few baubles I have lying around! (fingers crossed)
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Thank you all. Compliments from this group are compliments to be proud of methinks. ;)

I should have some update pics tomorrow. I am keeping NOTHING of that wonky emitter, and I may be adding a couple more details that I missed to the body section.
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Awesome job considering your circumstances! Once the halo is fixed a good paint job will make that thing shine. :)
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

As promised, I have an update.

View attachment 36029

I am much happier with my new emitter! A little more grinding on those protruding bolt heads to go, but I couldn't wait to share once I realized that I "had it".

You'll note that I spent some time refining the shape of the top cone on the handle as well. It also occurred to me that there was a way for me to fix my mistake on the "slider" section. Being that there is no space below the ridges, it MUST be depressed, right? So I went ahead and added the exposed tip between the cone & halo.

In fact, this is turning out so well (IMHO) that I have decided to take it all the way. I'll be adding "set screws" where appropriate, just to make it that much more accurate.

The only regret I have is that I cannot (I've tried, trust me) add the bevel to the top of the grip ring without marring the surrounding wood.
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Thank you Mr. Blend.

I changed my mind on the set screws, and just went ahead and put the one in the bottom bevel. I am now investigating the results of the first primer layer.

Plenty of work left to do. The fight goes on.
 
Re: My Baker Sonic Project

Thank you Elvis, truly.

Another day, another update.

View attachment 36117

Ready for finish sanding, and color. You'll no doubt notice that I changed my mind AGAIN on those "set screws", and I figured out that elusive bevel.

As always, the primer is showing more of my carving mistakes than I'd like.
 
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