Prop Help Thor Hammer

[TeresaMRoberts]

So I had an Idea for a Thor hammer... Plasma glob with sound effect of thunder. I am trying to figure out how to make it work. I know I can do sound effects easy (did it with my aurora dress) But trying to figure out how to make the plasma globe. I need rectangle not round like the stores have. But i can't find much on how to fill it anything with plasma gas... Anyone got ideas were I might be directed?

 

[Psicorp7]

Well. plasma globes are spherical for a reason. It keeps the energy moving around like lightning. In a cube it would "nest" in the corners and not really move or look very full. Plus, it is not the safest thing to walk around with. I would run EL wire around the outside in a lightning pattern and then use a controller to make it fade and flash with your audio. WAY safer and more durable for a con. Kinda looking like this sort of thing, but you know, cooler!

 

[JaedenIronwolf]

I wonder how it would work if you get one of those impact-triggered sound machines and use LEDs inside tiny cracks. Might need an arduino or something to control it.

 

[xl97]

I would say:

paint the outside 'housing' with stressed accents and lots of acrylic washes. (using clear acrylic sides)

giving it a solid cover/look..

but with 'distressed' paint on the outside.. any lighting INSIDE of the hammer/housing will pass through the lighter paint/cracks..etc

also the 'ruins' could light up this way as well..

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

I used an Arduino to control my Aurora dress (and my Belle dress). The fabric is fiber optic and I had high power LED lights and adafruit fx board that triggered different sound effects at the change of color in the dress. So I know I can write the program for it. I just really really wanted few seconds of the plasma lights to go off. Its something I'd not see done. I think it could set my prop apart and costume over the edge. I have some other ideas to make the costume awesome but all together if I can execute my ideas how I see them in my head and I know I'll have a winner on my hands. I've seen youtube videos where physics people have filled their own globs with different kinds of gas... I haven't given up on my idea completely yet. I just had the idea last night and I have year till next years comic expo sooooo lol its in research and process mode. I might have to change my idea slightly. Or might have to go more your route with LED light. But SO MANY people use LED lights. I'm such a dork I'm always wanting to do the Next level up and trying to something new lol I really really really want to make plasma lamp work. I need to make friends with physics majors at near by colleges!