wuher da brewer
Sr Member
So many times, I see the common abbreviations with two letters transposed. I don't think it is an accident as I see it so many times. TMP for the The Phantom Menace. etc... So be aware, it happens.
RPF Dictionary...submissions wanted
- Thread starter Funky
- Start date
How about the many nicknames which are used in connection with parts of Vader, stormtrooper and pilot helmets, like 'mohawk', 'frown', 'teardrops', 'tusks', etc etc?
An explanation of those would be handy I'm sure.
Good one! I forgot all about those! :thumbsup
Oh- can we "officially" name the parts of a Vader Mask, "Helmet" and "Faceplate"? "Dome" always drove me nutz... :lol
-Sarge
spcglider@aol.com
Sr Member
This is all great stuff. So... who's taking on the job of arranging and documentizing (?) all this info? It should have it's own sticky at least.
-Gordon
-Gordon
spcglider@aol.com
Sr Member
Oh yes... and:
Dead Prop- something that was made to look functional, but is not. No flashy-blinkies. No working lights or sound.
-G
Dead Prop- something that was made to look functional, but is not. No flashy-blinkies. No working lights or sound.
-G
PHArchivist
Master Member
I don't think we've defined:
Hero prop - The best, or working version of a prop (NOT the prop used by the hero of the film!)
Stunt prop - generally cast in foam to protect the wussie actors
"B" prop or Background prop - lesser detailed versions
Darth Lars
Master Member
More conventions people use that makes it harder for ... kind'a everyone else:
"Chest box" - if not otherwise specified, it refers to Darth Vader's chest box, not minding that practically every pilot/driver seen in both Star Wars trilogies had a chest box too.
"Lid"/"Bucket"/"Helmet" - if not otherwise specified, refers to a Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars Ep 4-6, not minding that other characters from the Star Wars movies and many other movies, of which some are based on the real world, also had helmets.
:rolleyes
"Chest box" - if not otherwise specified, it refers to Darth Vader's chest box, not minding that practically every pilot/driver seen in both Star Wars trilogies had a chest box too.
"Lid"/"Bucket"/"Helmet" - if not otherwise specified, refers to a Stormtrooper helmet from Star Wars Ep 4-6, not minding that other characters from the Star Wars movies and many other movies, of which some are based on the real world, also had helmets.
:rolleyes
Ehh, I don't know... that might be a little "Darth-O-Centric":lol I've always heard them all referred to as "chest boxes" People just differentiate with the proper initials in front- DV chest box, TIE chest Box, X-Wing Chest box etc. Granted, that is "otherwise specified", but could get confusing for the newbies.
-Sarge
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
That is done to easily differentiate between whether you are talking about the "helmet" as the whole helmet, or just the top "helmet".
In order to then not have several messages that are misinterpreted by others as to what is talked about - which I have witnessed many times - and that time is wasted on having to then explain what was meant in the initial post after the thread has gone three pages in the wrong direction.
That is why I use "dome", when referring to the "helmet" part of Vader's "helmet". Not because it is right, but because it kills misunderstandings upfront.
wuher da brewer
Sr Member
Here you are, sorted and alphabetized. I wrote some more as I thought of them. I didn't go into the Stormtrooper or Vader helmet parts as someone suggested. We need more finishing techniques. I added a couple...
If you'd like to see me change or edit out anything, please let me know.
1:1 - Means a full scale or life-sized replica, as opposed to studio scale.
501st - Star Wars Imperial costuming group founded by Albin Johnson that costumes at conventions, officially sanctioned events, and for charity. Primarily composed of Stormtroopers, but made up of all designations of Imperial troops, sith, bounty hunters, Galactic Republic Clonetroopers, and non-affiliated aliens. Costume must be close to screen worthy, better than most licensed costumes. 501st has also come to refer to the blue accented clone troopers that slaughtered Jedi with Anakin or any stormtrooper that accompanies Darth Vader.
5E - Fifth Element - Science Fiction film from 1997.
$100 - The maximum amount you've spent on any single prop, as far as your spouse knows.
AA - 1) Andrew Ainsworth, manufacturer of Star Wars armor for A New Hope. Launched a business in 2005 to sell Star Wars armor. Has been involved in a rights dispute with Lucasfilm over his ability to manufacture costumes for sale. Hotly debated as to whether any of his claims are true. See SDS. 2) Art Asylum, a toy company that produces inexpensive toy replicas of the Star Trek phaser.
ABS - (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) Popular Thermoplastic vacuform medium that is glossy on one side. Usually stronger than styrene but might not have same sharpness of detail. May be used in conjunction with other terms such as ABS bucket, ABS lid, ABS sunblock.
ABS Sunblock - Term for a costume made from ABS, most likely refers to Stormtrooper armor.
active project - Something several people want to see replicated and are willing to work together to achieve.
AFBB - As First Built Buy - Refers to an idealized prop that looks like it is brand new.
AICN - Ain't it Cool News geek website and news portal for movies and television. Often a source for the latest news and rumors regarding genre films and television.
alginate - Seaweed based material used for making dental impressions. Useful for fast, crude, non-permanent mold making, often for life casting. Powder mixed with water.
ANH - A New Hope (Star Wars: Episode 4).
AOTC - Attack Of The Clones (Star Wars: Episode 2).
ASAP - A Site About Props (another prop forum).
B5 - Babylon 5 - Science Fiction series that ran from 1994-1998 about a space station governed by the Earth Alliance to provide peace and stability among alien cultures.
background prop - Rough prop that doesn't feature strongly in the story and may not be detailed much.
Barbican - The name given to the Vader lightsaber variant that was featured at the Barbican museum. Yet to be realized as a prop though it has proven popular as an active project in an attempt to realize it as a prop.
Bat'leth - Klingon sword designed by martial arts enthusiast and effects producer, Dan Curry, for Star Trek: The Next Generation.
BBC - Blaster Builders Club, forum for those who like to scratch build guns.
blaster - Generic term for a science fiction based gun.
blow foam- (also called Blo-foam) Slang term for expanding urethane foams commonly used for filling or casting. Can be two-part mix or "in a can" like commercial product, Great Stuff.
blue meanies - Soft, or uncured areas in silicone where the catylist wasn't mixed thoroughly.
bondo malt - Mixture of fiberglass resin and auto-body filler. Used for crude castings that will be modified.
bowcaster - Name for the wookie weapon based on a crossbow used in Star Wars episodes 4-6.
bowjunkie - Banned vendor. Fails to deliver.
box cutter - Usually a simplified version of a matte knife with retractable blade. May have a segmented blade that can be snapped off to "re-sharpen" the tip.
BR - Blade Runner
BSG - Battlestar Galactica. When used alone, it may refer to either series. May be used in conjunction with TOS, representing The Original Series.
BTTF - Back to the Future
buck- Thermo-form or vacuum-form mold (positive).
bucket - Helmet. Often used to refer to a stormtrooper helmet.
bucket mold - A one-piece silicone mold with a simple cavity for pouring resin in. Filled by pouring resin into an opening at the top.
bump - Means of calling attention to a thread that has fallen from the top of the page without actually adding anything relevant, just a new post that reads, "BUMP".
CA - Cyano-acrylite or super glue.
Canon - Regards what is seen on screen in the movies as opposed to other sources.
C&D - Cease and Desist, legal request to stop manufacturing immediately or face legal repercussions.
C&S - Coyle and Steinshneider. Richard Coyle is a props maker and manufacturer of various blasters and phasers. Phil Steinschneider is a broker of screen used and rare items and props researcher. See also, RC.
cavity - Proper term for the space in a mold you fill with resin.
CE3K - Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Chest box - Any of a number of life-support devices used in Star Wars. May specifically refer to Darth Vader's chest box.
Christies - A rarities auction house which often sells screen used collectibles.
cost-only project - Also called, At Cost Project. A project that only costs the amount of supplies and materials used to create it and does not factor in a profit margin or time spent.
COW - Club Obi-Wan (Indiana Jones themed forum).
D - Delorean, automobile used for the time machine in Back to the Future.
DDC - Designation for the sporting pistol that Leia Organa uses in Star Wars episodes 4 and 6.
dead prop - See static prop.
de-airing chamber - Device used to decrease the air pressure around a mixed batch of resin or silicone. Causes existing air bubbles to expand and pop, thus releasing trapped air from the mixture. Also called de-gasing
Delrin - Commercial name for machinable nylon prototyping material. Notable for it's low-friction surface qualities.
Derwent - Refers to an engine from a Rolls Royce jet which was salvaged for many parts in Star Wars episodes 4-6. The inter-connector was used for the emitter on Obiwan's lightsaber. Another part composed part of the cantina clutter and the bounty hunter IG-88's head.
Disruptor - Name for the beam energy weapon used by Klingons, Cardassians, Romulans, Breen, and Orion in the Star Trek series.
D'k tahg - Klingon dagger consisting of a main blade with cut-out center and two shorter, retractable spring blades to either side.
DL-44 - Designation for the Mauser Broomhandle pistol used by Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in Star Wars episodes 4-6.
Dry-brushing - Wiping almost all of the paint off of a brush then using the little that remains to fleck little bits of paint over another color.
DS9 - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Third Star Trek franchise that ran from 1993-1999. Set aboard a space station near a black hole conduit to another galaxy.
E-11 - Designation for the Stormtrooper rifle used in Star Wars episodes 4-6.
EDC/Charles Wallace - Banned vendor. Fails to deliver.
Enfield - Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark 3 rifle served as the basis for the ion gun used by the jawas in Star Wars: Episode 4 to incapacitate R2-D2.
ENT - Star Trek: Enterprise
epoxy - Strong two part glue that is mixed in equal parts before use.
epoxy putty - Often used by plumbers to seal leaky pipes. A two-part putty mixture that hardens and sticks extremely well to most materials. Can be used as a filler or a sculpting compound. Can be purchased in large quantities under product name: Apoxie-Sculpt or in smaller amounts under generic name "plumber's putty" at your local hardware store.
ESB - Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars: Episode 5).
EU - Expanded Universe - Term for characters that appear outside of canon (films) such as cartoons, comic books, book covers, video games, etc...
If you'd like to see me change or edit out anything, please let me know.
1:1 - Means a full scale or life-sized replica, as opposed to studio scale.
501st - Star Wars Imperial costuming group founded by Albin Johnson that costumes at conventions, officially sanctioned events, and for charity. Primarily composed of Stormtroopers, but made up of all designations of Imperial troops, sith, bounty hunters, Galactic Republic Clonetroopers, and non-affiliated aliens. Costume must be close to screen worthy, better than most licensed costumes. 501st has also come to refer to the blue accented clone troopers that slaughtered Jedi with Anakin or any stormtrooper that accompanies Darth Vader.
5E - Fifth Element - Science Fiction film from 1997.
$100 - The maximum amount you've spent on any single prop, as far as your spouse knows.
AA - 1) Andrew Ainsworth, manufacturer of Star Wars armor for A New Hope. Launched a business in 2005 to sell Star Wars armor. Has been involved in a rights dispute with Lucasfilm over his ability to manufacture costumes for sale. Hotly debated as to whether any of his claims are true. See SDS. 2) Art Asylum, a toy company that produces inexpensive toy replicas of the Star Trek phaser.
ABS - (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) Popular Thermoplastic vacuform medium that is glossy on one side. Usually stronger than styrene but might not have same sharpness of detail. May be used in conjunction with other terms such as ABS bucket, ABS lid, ABS sunblock.
ABS Sunblock - Term for a costume made from ABS, most likely refers to Stormtrooper armor.
active project - Something several people want to see replicated and are willing to work together to achieve.
AFBB - As First Built Buy - Refers to an idealized prop that looks like it is brand new.
AICN - Ain't it Cool News geek website and news portal for movies and television. Often a source for the latest news and rumors regarding genre films and television.
alginate - Seaweed based material used for making dental impressions. Useful for fast, crude, non-permanent mold making, often for life casting. Powder mixed with water.
ANH - A New Hope (Star Wars: Episode 4).
AOTC - Attack Of The Clones (Star Wars: Episode 2).
ASAP - A Site About Props (another prop forum).
B5 - Babylon 5 - Science Fiction series that ran from 1994-1998 about a space station governed by the Earth Alliance to provide peace and stability among alien cultures.
background prop - Rough prop that doesn't feature strongly in the story and may not be detailed much.
Barbican - The name given to the Vader lightsaber variant that was featured at the Barbican museum. Yet to be realized as a prop though it has proven popular as an active project in an attempt to realize it as a prop.
Bat'leth - Klingon sword designed by martial arts enthusiast and effects producer, Dan Curry, for Star Trek: The Next Generation.
BBC - Blaster Builders Club, forum for those who like to scratch build guns.
blaster - Generic term for a science fiction based gun.
blow foam- (also called Blo-foam) Slang term for expanding urethane foams commonly used for filling or casting. Can be two-part mix or "in a can" like commercial product, Great Stuff.
blue meanies - Soft, or uncured areas in silicone where the catylist wasn't mixed thoroughly.
bondo malt - Mixture of fiberglass resin and auto-body filler. Used for crude castings that will be modified.
bowcaster - Name for the wookie weapon based on a crossbow used in Star Wars episodes 4-6.
bowjunkie - Banned vendor. Fails to deliver.
box cutter - Usually a simplified version of a matte knife with retractable blade. May have a segmented blade that can be snapped off to "re-sharpen" the tip.
BR - Blade Runner
BSG - Battlestar Galactica. When used alone, it may refer to either series. May be used in conjunction with TOS, representing The Original Series.
BTTF - Back to the Future
buck- Thermo-form or vacuum-form mold (positive).
bucket - Helmet. Often used to refer to a stormtrooper helmet.
bucket mold - A one-piece silicone mold with a simple cavity for pouring resin in. Filled by pouring resin into an opening at the top.
bump - Means of calling attention to a thread that has fallen from the top of the page without actually adding anything relevant, just a new post that reads, "BUMP".
CA - Cyano-acrylite or super glue.
Canon - Regards what is seen on screen in the movies as opposed to other sources.
C&D - Cease and Desist, legal request to stop manufacturing immediately or face legal repercussions.
C&S - Coyle and Steinshneider. Richard Coyle is a props maker and manufacturer of various blasters and phasers. Phil Steinschneider is a broker of screen used and rare items and props researcher. See also, RC.
cavity - Proper term for the space in a mold you fill with resin.
CE3K - Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Chest box - Any of a number of life-support devices used in Star Wars. May specifically refer to Darth Vader's chest box.
Christies - A rarities auction house which often sells screen used collectibles.
cost-only project - Also called, At Cost Project. A project that only costs the amount of supplies and materials used to create it and does not factor in a profit margin or time spent.
COW - Club Obi-Wan (Indiana Jones themed forum).
D - Delorean, automobile used for the time machine in Back to the Future.
DDC - Designation for the sporting pistol that Leia Organa uses in Star Wars episodes 4 and 6.
dead prop - See static prop.
de-airing chamber - Device used to decrease the air pressure around a mixed batch of resin or silicone. Causes existing air bubbles to expand and pop, thus releasing trapped air from the mixture. Also called de-gasing
Delrin - Commercial name for machinable nylon prototyping material. Notable for it's low-friction surface qualities.
Derwent - Refers to an engine from a Rolls Royce jet which was salvaged for many parts in Star Wars episodes 4-6. The inter-connector was used for the emitter on Obiwan's lightsaber. Another part composed part of the cantina clutter and the bounty hunter IG-88's head.
Disruptor - Name for the beam energy weapon used by Klingons, Cardassians, Romulans, Breen, and Orion in the Star Trek series.
D'k tahg - Klingon dagger consisting of a main blade with cut-out center and two shorter, retractable spring blades to either side.
DL-44 - Designation for the Mauser Broomhandle pistol used by Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in Star Wars episodes 4-6.
Dry-brushing - Wiping almost all of the paint off of a brush then using the little that remains to fleck little bits of paint over another color.
DS9 - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Third Star Trek franchise that ran from 1993-1999. Set aboard a space station near a black hole conduit to another galaxy.
E-11 - Designation for the Stormtrooper rifle used in Star Wars episodes 4-6.
EDC/Charles Wallace - Banned vendor. Fails to deliver.
Enfield - Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark 3 rifle served as the basis for the ion gun used by the jawas in Star Wars: Episode 4 to incapacitate R2-D2.
ENT - Star Trek: Enterprise
epoxy - Strong two part glue that is mixed in equal parts before use.
epoxy putty - Often used by plumbers to seal leaky pipes. A two-part putty mixture that hardens and sticks extremely well to most materials. Can be used as a filler or a sculpting compound. Can be purchased in large quantities under product name: Apoxie-Sculpt or in smaller amounts under generic name "plumber's putty" at your local hardware store.
ESB - Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars: Episode 5).
EU - Expanded Universe - Term for characters that appear outside of canon (films) such as cartoons, comic books, book covers, video games, etc...
Last edited:
wuher da brewer
Sr Member
FA - For Auction.
FC - Star Trek: First Contact
FOTR - Refers to part 1, The Fellowship of the Rings, of the Lord of the Rings saga.
FS - For Sale.
FT - For Trade.
fugue - Also called "being in the zone". That thing that makes you so intent on your project, you don't notice the time flying away. Suddenly you look up and it's hours past your bed-time.
FX - Perhaps the most prevalent stormtrooper armor, noted for its over-sized helmets.
gator(s) - Single and occasional clumps of glass fiber that stick up in a fiberglass casting and become small needles once the resin cures.
GB - Ghost Busters
GH - Ghost Host, manufacturer of costume parts.
Ghosthead - Ghost Busters fan.
GK - Greedo killer, a variation of Han Solo's DL44 blaster which appeared in the cantina in Star Wars: Episode 4.
glass man - Someone who predominately works in fiberglass, and knows the arcane and mysterious "Ways of the Glass".
Graflex - Refers to the manufacturer of the vintage camera flash handle that is the basis for two of Luke's lightsabers and one of Darth Vader's as well as the inspiration for Anakin's.
Graflite - The ugly sister of the Graflex which was used to create a Luke lightsaber that appeared in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special and on a Star Wars pinball marquee.
greeblie - Tiny detail pieces on a prop that are often found items; sometimes a part of a model kit. See kit-bashing.
hero prop - Typically the most detailed and functional version of a prop, designed for close-up shots.
HHGTTG (H2G2) - The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
hot resin - Resin that's been mixed and must be used right away. It also makes the phone ring or IMs to appear.
Hydro-stone - Also referred to as plaster, plaster of Paris, Hydrocal, Ultracal, and other specific product names. Different formulations for different purposes. May be a mix of plaster and white cement.
IIRC - Posting shorthand for If I Recall Correctly.
IMDB - Internet Movie Database, a website listing cast and crew for movies and television. Often a source of information on upcoming releases.
INS - Star Trek: Insurrection
isocyanate - Nasty chemical produced by curing urethane resins. In the cyanide family of poisons. Can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Causes multiple symptoms after prolonged exposure including, but not limited to: athsma, skin rash, dizzyness, shortness of breath, paranoia, illness, and liver dysfunction.
IT - Interest Thread.
jumped the shark - Reference to a particularly silly episode of Happy Days where the Fonze water skies over a shark. Used to denote derision, as in, the writers are clearly out of ideas and the show is better off ended.
kick - When resin or silicone starts to seriously cure where you can't move it around any more.
kicker - Cure accelerator for super glue.
kit-bashing - Term used to describe creating a new item from bits and bobs of other items, often from model kits. Hence the name.
Kobold - Name of a vintage camera flash handle used as a droid (robot) caller and costume prop through Star Wars episodes 4 through 6.
LFL - Lucas Film Limited
lid - Helmet. Commonly used to refer to stormtrooper helmets.
Lifecast - The process of molding off a living person using alginate. Also used to describe the cast taken from the mold.
lightsaber - Laser sword in which the laser extends approximately 3 meters from a metal hilt with an internal crystal and power source and (unexplained by physics) terminates at a point. Used for combat, defense, or as a tool. Retreats into the handle once de-activated.
lirpa - Vulcan weapon consisting of a wooden staff a little over a meter in length, with a semicircular blade at one end and a metal bludgeon on the other.
LOTR - Lord of the Rings
Margolin - Refers to the Russian made .22 target pistol that was the basis for Leia's DDC Defender sporting pistol as seen in Star Wars episodes 4 and 6.
matte knife- Razor knife with replacable blade, usually a razor-like affair. Some versions have retractable blades as well. Heftier than an X-acto razor.
Mek'leth - Edged Klingon weapon in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the film Star Trek: First Contact, designed by Dan Curry. It consists of a short, thick, curved blade with a metal guard extending back parallel with the grip to protect the hand.
MGC - Former high-end manufacturer of replica fire arms. Models of considerable interest include the Sterling L2A3 replica which was used to create Stormtrooper rifles in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and the Mauser Broomhandle replica which was used for some variations of the DL44 blasters in Star Wars episdoes 4-6.
mold jacket - Also called a "mother mold". A stiff outer casing for your silicone mold that holds it together or properly aligned to avoid disfiguration of the final cast part.
Morgan (David) - Whip manufacturer. Creator of the iconic prop carried by Indiana Jones.
mother mold - See mold jacket.
MR - Master Replicas
MST3K - Mystery Science Theater 3,000
MTFBWY - May the Force be with You, well wishes from Star Wars.
NEM - Star Trek: Nemesis
NIB - New in Box
noob - Newly registered member or member with out much of a post count. Often used disparagingly to refer to someone who isn't yet familiar with things.
nurnie (Nernie) - Nondescript detail part. Usually a found object.
OT - The Original Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes 4-6) as released, not Chronologically. Most often regarded as the better films, especially by those old enough to have seen them first.
Perspex - A sheet acrylic for thermoforming.
phase pistol - 22nd Century version of Star Trek phasers, used in Star Trek: Enterprise.
phaser - Name for the directed energy beam weapons used in Star Trek.
PIH - Profiles in History, a prop sales and auction house.
PKD - Deckard's weapon in Blade Runner. PKD stands for Philip K. Dick (the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the novel BR was based on), or Plager Katsumate series-D blaster. It was coined by Rick Ross of Doppelganger Productions.
PKE - Tool used to detect the presence of ghosts in Ghost Busters.
Plexi - Plexiglas, a trade name for sheet acrylic.
POTC - May refer to either Pirates Of The Carribean or Passion Of The ******.
Pressure pot - Also called a pressure chamber. Device used to eliminate air bubbles in a casting by increasing the air pressure around the mold and forcing or crushing the bubbles into solution.
Propstore - Prop Store of London, vendor of screen used memorabilia.
PT - The Prequel Trilogy of Star Wars films (Episodes 1-3) set before Episodes 4-6 that were release every 3 years beginning sixteen years after the final film in the Original Trilogy. Often regarded as more childish and less enjoyable than the initial trilogy.
FC - Star Trek: First Contact
FOTR - Refers to part 1, The Fellowship of the Rings, of the Lord of the Rings saga.
FS - For Sale.
FT - For Trade.
fugue - Also called "being in the zone". That thing that makes you so intent on your project, you don't notice the time flying away. Suddenly you look up and it's hours past your bed-time.
FX - Perhaps the most prevalent stormtrooper armor, noted for its over-sized helmets.
gator(s) - Single and occasional clumps of glass fiber that stick up in a fiberglass casting and become small needles once the resin cures.
GB - Ghost Busters
GH - Ghost Host, manufacturer of costume parts.
Ghosthead - Ghost Busters fan.
GK - Greedo killer, a variation of Han Solo's DL44 blaster which appeared in the cantina in Star Wars: Episode 4.
glass man - Someone who predominately works in fiberglass, and knows the arcane and mysterious "Ways of the Glass".
Graflex - Refers to the manufacturer of the vintage camera flash handle that is the basis for two of Luke's lightsabers and one of Darth Vader's as well as the inspiration for Anakin's.
Graflite - The ugly sister of the Graflex which was used to create a Luke lightsaber that appeared in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special and on a Star Wars pinball marquee.
greeblie - Tiny detail pieces on a prop that are often found items; sometimes a part of a model kit. See kit-bashing.
hero prop - Typically the most detailed and functional version of a prop, designed for close-up shots.
HHGTTG (H2G2) - The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
hot resin - Resin that's been mixed and must be used right away. It also makes the phone ring or IMs to appear.
Hydro-stone - Also referred to as plaster, plaster of Paris, Hydrocal, Ultracal, and other specific product names. Different formulations for different purposes. May be a mix of plaster and white cement.
IIRC - Posting shorthand for If I Recall Correctly.
IMDB - Internet Movie Database, a website listing cast and crew for movies and television. Often a source of information on upcoming releases.
INS - Star Trek: Insurrection
isocyanate - Nasty chemical produced by curing urethane resins. In the cyanide family of poisons. Can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Causes multiple symptoms after prolonged exposure including, but not limited to: athsma, skin rash, dizzyness, shortness of breath, paranoia, illness, and liver dysfunction.
IT - Interest Thread.
jumped the shark - Reference to a particularly silly episode of Happy Days where the Fonze water skies over a shark. Used to denote derision, as in, the writers are clearly out of ideas and the show is better off ended.
kick - When resin or silicone starts to seriously cure where you can't move it around any more.
kicker - Cure accelerator for super glue.
kit-bashing - Term used to describe creating a new item from bits and bobs of other items, often from model kits. Hence the name.
Kobold - Name of a vintage camera flash handle used as a droid (robot) caller and costume prop through Star Wars episodes 4 through 6.
LFL - Lucas Film Limited
lid - Helmet. Commonly used to refer to stormtrooper helmets.
Lifecast - The process of molding off a living person using alginate. Also used to describe the cast taken from the mold.
lightsaber - Laser sword in which the laser extends approximately 3 meters from a metal hilt with an internal crystal and power source and (unexplained by physics) terminates at a point. Used for combat, defense, or as a tool. Retreats into the handle once de-activated.
lirpa - Vulcan weapon consisting of a wooden staff a little over a meter in length, with a semicircular blade at one end and a metal bludgeon on the other.
LOTR - Lord of the Rings
Margolin - Refers to the Russian made .22 target pistol that was the basis for Leia's DDC Defender sporting pistol as seen in Star Wars episodes 4 and 6.
matte knife- Razor knife with replacable blade, usually a razor-like affair. Some versions have retractable blades as well. Heftier than an X-acto razor.
Mek'leth - Edged Klingon weapon in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the film Star Trek: First Contact, designed by Dan Curry. It consists of a short, thick, curved blade with a metal guard extending back parallel with the grip to protect the hand.
MGC - Former high-end manufacturer of replica fire arms. Models of considerable interest include the Sterling L2A3 replica which was used to create Stormtrooper rifles in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and the Mauser Broomhandle replica which was used for some variations of the DL44 blasters in Star Wars episdoes 4-6.
mold jacket - Also called a "mother mold". A stiff outer casing for your silicone mold that holds it together or properly aligned to avoid disfiguration of the final cast part.
Morgan (David) - Whip manufacturer. Creator of the iconic prop carried by Indiana Jones.
mother mold - See mold jacket.
MR - Master Replicas
MST3K - Mystery Science Theater 3,000
MTFBWY - May the Force be with You, well wishes from Star Wars.
NEM - Star Trek: Nemesis
NIB - New in Box
noob - Newly registered member or member with out much of a post count. Often used disparagingly to refer to someone who isn't yet familiar with things.
nurnie (Nernie) - Nondescript detail part. Usually a found object.
OT - The Original Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes 4-6) as released, not Chronologically. Most often regarded as the better films, especially by those old enough to have seen them first.
Perspex - A sheet acrylic for thermoforming.
phase pistol - 22nd Century version of Star Trek phasers, used in Star Trek: Enterprise.
phaser - Name for the directed energy beam weapons used in Star Trek.
PIH - Profiles in History, a prop sales and auction house.
PKD - Deckard's weapon in Blade Runner. PKD stands for Philip K. Dick (the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the novel BR was based on), or Plager Katsumate series-D blaster. It was coined by Rick Ross of Doppelganger Productions.
PKE - Tool used to detect the presence of ghosts in Ghost Busters.
Plexi - Plexiglas, a trade name for sheet acrylic.
POTC - May refer to either Pirates Of The Carribean or Passion Of The ******.
Pressure pot - Also called a pressure chamber. Device used to eliminate air bubbles in a casting by increasing the air pressure around the mold and forcing or crushing the bubbles into solution.
Propstore - Prop Store of London, vendor of screen used memorabilia.
PT - The Prequel Trilogy of Star Wars films (Episodes 1-3) set before Episodes 4-6 that were release every 3 years beginning sixteen years after the final film in the Original Trilogy. Often regarded as more childish and less enjoyable than the initial trilogy.
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wuher da brewer
Sr Member
RC - Richard Coyle is a props maker and manufacturer of various blasters and phasers.
RDM - Ronald D. Moore (Executive Producer of new Battlestar Galactica).
Rebel Legion - Star Wars Rebel costuming group. Largely composed of Jedi, rebel troopers, and X-wing pilots. A little looser costume standards, but those are being improved upon.
red-cap - Automotive finisher's putty used for filling fine scratches and surface imperfections before primer paint is applied.
Ren or Renshape - Commercial name for urethane prototyping board material.
replica - Refers to something created to resemble something seen on screen, as opposed to screen used screen used items which were created for production to be used on screen.
resevoir mold - Two-piece silicone mold with built-in reservoir and sprue tunnels for delivering resin into a cavity from the bottom up.
resin monkey - Any resin slinger who predominately casts resin for another person for pay. Somewhat derogatory, don't use this term in front of your resin monkey, or he may retreat to his tree and leave you to do everything yourself for two months, until you start paying him an additional $5.00 per item.
resin slinger - Anyone who frequently uses (usually urethane based) casting resin.
RL - 1) Real Life. 2) Rebel Legion
ROTJ - Return Of The Jedi (Star Wars: Episode 6).
ROTK - Refers to part 3, The Return of the King, of the Lord of the Rings saga.
ROTLA - Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first Indiana Jones movie.
ROTS - Revenge Of The Sith (Star Wars: Episode 3).
RS - Rebelscum (Star Wars collectibles forum).
SAAB - Space Above and Beyond (Yet another short-lived Fox scifi TV show).
screen used - A prop or costume that was created for production and appeared in the film or television as opposed to a replica created to resemble what was seen on film.
SDS - Shepperton Design Studios. Plastic thermoform manufacturer that had a hand in making armor for Star Wars in 1976. Name of Andrew Ainsworth's company that sells Star Wars costume armor, though Lucasfilm has brought suit asserting SDS infringes on the Star Wars trademark.
sewer rat- Freelancer with poor hygeine (derogatory).
shoppie- Prop builder on-staff.
shweebie - Flecks of dust or particulate matter in your paint finish or clinging via static to the surface of your prop.
Silicone- Catalized mold-making material which creates a rubber-like, flexible mold. Available in many forms. Not to be confused with silicon.
Sintra - Closed-cell PVC foamboard. Easy to cut and shape and capable of thermoform applications.
slug - Mass of resin intended for machining or carving.
slush cast - Having resin that is a bit thicker than normal and slushing it in a circle motion in a mould to coat the faces of the mould so you can create hollow castings. IE helmets.
slush 'n' brush - A casting method where you make a hollow casting by pouring in a measure of resin, slosh it around to coat all the beauty surfaces, then use a disposeable brush to chase it around until the resin sets, thus insuring a clean, even coat.
Spanky/Spankster - Greg Stone, banned vendor.
SST - Star Ship Troopers - 1997 Movie based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 book of the same name about a quasi-fascist military facing invading bugs in outerspace and on alien planets.
ST - May refer to Stormtrooper or Star Trek.
Sterling - Refers to the Sterling Arms L2A3 sub-machine gun, the basis for the Stormtrooper blaster from Star Wars episodes 4, 5, and 6. Though of note, the L2A3 from Episode 6 was made by the Model Gun Corporation of Japan and based on the C1 version of the L2A3.
Studio Scale - Refers to the size of a miniature filming model.
stunt prop - Less detailed and less functional version of a prop. Typically used in areas of high wear and tear. i.e. The static props are painted rubber, but the hero props are machined of metal and feature blinking lights.
styrene - Plastic commonly used for modeling or thermoforming. Can be found in large or small sheets as well as small modeling shapes like rods, tubes, and variously shaped beams.
SW - Star Wars.
TD - Designation for Sandtroopers as seen in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope.
TDH - The Dented Helmet (Star Wars bounty hunter forum).
TDK - The Dark Knight, Batman moniker. Also popular Frank Miller comic and name of second Christian Bale Batman film.
TE - Trooper Expert, manufacturer of armor.
thermo-form - Proper term for "vac-form" or "vacuum-form" plastic process.
thermo-set - Proper term for any resin that sets via the creation of chemical heat. Urethanes and fiberglasses (polyesters) fall into this category.
TK - Designation for Standard Imperial Stormtrooper from Star Wars episodes 4 through 6.
TLC - 1) Tender Loving Care, used to describe when finesse is required. 2. The Last Crusade, third Indiana Jones movie.
TM - Time machine, the Delorean from Back to the Future.
TMP - Star Trek - The Motion Picture.
TNG - Star Trek: The Next Generation. Second Star Trek franchise that ran from 1987-1994. Hotly debated as to whether it is superior to the original. Very similar to original in many respects except a larger crew, ship, and better special effects.
TOD - Temple of Doom, second Indiana Jones movie.
TOS - The Original Series of the Star Trek television franchise which ran from 1966-1968.
TPM - The Phantom Menace (Star Wars: Episode 1).
TPZ - The Prop Zone (a forum for everything sci-fi).
trunk slammer- Freelance prop builder (derogatory).
TT - Refers to part 2, The Two Towers, of the Lord of the Rings saga.
TWOK - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
USCM - United States Colonial Marines - Military rescue force from Aliens, the 1986 sequel to Alien.
weathering - The process of making a prop look used and worn as opposed to new and pristine.
weeping - When a resin cast piece doesn't sure properly. It's usually not noticed until the piece is primered or painted. Usually due to improper mixing or out of date resin. 50/50 percent chance of fixing it by either cutting out the uncured piece and rebuilding it or drying it out in a slow baking oven.
W.E.P.- Water Extended Polyester. Used as a casting material.
Wested - Manufacturer of Indiana Jones' leather jacket.
WIP - Work in progress.
wonky - Not identical from one side to the other, when intended to be. Perhaps because of misaligned mold or demolding before the cast is set.
WTB - Want To Buy
WTS - Want To Sell
WTT - Want To Trade
V2 - A variation of Luke's lightsaber from ROTJ without the copper neck stem and heavily scratched and beaten up.
VM - Vader Maker, manufacturer of costume parts.
VOY - Star Trek: Voyager
X-acto- Trade name for a razor hobby knife with replacable blade.
RDM - Ronald D. Moore (Executive Producer of new Battlestar Galactica).
Rebel Legion - Star Wars Rebel costuming group. Largely composed of Jedi, rebel troopers, and X-wing pilots. A little looser costume standards, but those are being improved upon.
red-cap - Automotive finisher's putty used for filling fine scratches and surface imperfections before primer paint is applied.
Ren or Renshape - Commercial name for urethane prototyping board material.
replica - Refers to something created to resemble something seen on screen, as opposed to screen used screen used items which were created for production to be used on screen.
resevoir mold - Two-piece silicone mold with built-in reservoir and sprue tunnels for delivering resin into a cavity from the bottom up.
resin monkey - Any resin slinger who predominately casts resin for another person for pay. Somewhat derogatory, don't use this term in front of your resin monkey, or he may retreat to his tree and leave you to do everything yourself for two months, until you start paying him an additional $5.00 per item.
resin slinger - Anyone who frequently uses (usually urethane based) casting resin.
RL - 1) Real Life. 2) Rebel Legion
ROTJ - Return Of The Jedi (Star Wars: Episode 6).
ROTK - Refers to part 3, The Return of the King, of the Lord of the Rings saga.
ROTLA - Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first Indiana Jones movie.
ROTS - Revenge Of The Sith (Star Wars: Episode 3).
RS - Rebelscum (Star Wars collectibles forum).
SAAB - Space Above and Beyond (Yet another short-lived Fox scifi TV show).
screen used - A prop or costume that was created for production and appeared in the film or television as opposed to a replica created to resemble what was seen on film.
SDS - Shepperton Design Studios. Plastic thermoform manufacturer that had a hand in making armor for Star Wars in 1976. Name of Andrew Ainsworth's company that sells Star Wars costume armor, though Lucasfilm has brought suit asserting SDS infringes on the Star Wars trademark.
sewer rat- Freelancer with poor hygeine (derogatory).
shoppie- Prop builder on-staff.
shweebie - Flecks of dust or particulate matter in your paint finish or clinging via static to the surface of your prop.
Silicone- Catalized mold-making material which creates a rubber-like, flexible mold. Available in many forms. Not to be confused with silicon.
Sintra - Closed-cell PVC foamboard. Easy to cut and shape and capable of thermoform applications.
slug - Mass of resin intended for machining or carving.
slush cast - Having resin that is a bit thicker than normal and slushing it in a circle motion in a mould to coat the faces of the mould so you can create hollow castings. IE helmets.
slush 'n' brush - A casting method where you make a hollow casting by pouring in a measure of resin, slosh it around to coat all the beauty surfaces, then use a disposeable brush to chase it around until the resin sets, thus insuring a clean, even coat.
Spanky/Spankster - Greg Stone, banned vendor.
SST - Star Ship Troopers - 1997 Movie based on Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 book of the same name about a quasi-fascist military facing invading bugs in outerspace and on alien planets.
ST - May refer to Stormtrooper or Star Trek.
Sterling - Refers to the Sterling Arms L2A3 sub-machine gun, the basis for the Stormtrooper blaster from Star Wars episodes 4, 5, and 6. Though of note, the L2A3 from Episode 6 was made by the Model Gun Corporation of Japan and based on the C1 version of the L2A3.
Studio Scale - Refers to the size of a miniature filming model.
stunt prop - Less detailed and less functional version of a prop. Typically used in areas of high wear and tear. i.e. The static props are painted rubber, but the hero props are machined of metal and feature blinking lights.
styrene - Plastic commonly used for modeling or thermoforming. Can be found in large or small sheets as well as small modeling shapes like rods, tubes, and variously shaped beams.
SW - Star Wars.
TD - Designation for Sandtroopers as seen in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope.
TDH - The Dented Helmet (Star Wars bounty hunter forum).
TDK - The Dark Knight, Batman moniker. Also popular Frank Miller comic and name of second Christian Bale Batman film.
TE - Trooper Expert, manufacturer of armor.
thermo-form - Proper term for "vac-form" or "vacuum-form" plastic process.
thermo-set - Proper term for any resin that sets via the creation of chemical heat. Urethanes and fiberglasses (polyesters) fall into this category.
TK - Designation for Standard Imperial Stormtrooper from Star Wars episodes 4 through 6.
TLC - 1) Tender Loving Care, used to describe when finesse is required. 2. The Last Crusade, third Indiana Jones movie.
TM - Time machine, the Delorean from Back to the Future.
TMP - Star Trek - The Motion Picture.
TNG - Star Trek: The Next Generation. Second Star Trek franchise that ran from 1987-1994. Hotly debated as to whether it is superior to the original. Very similar to original in many respects except a larger crew, ship, and better special effects.
TOD - Temple of Doom, second Indiana Jones movie.
TOS - The Original Series of the Star Trek television franchise which ran from 1966-1968.
TPM - The Phantom Menace (Star Wars: Episode 1).
TPZ - The Prop Zone (a forum for everything sci-fi).
trunk slammer- Freelance prop builder (derogatory).
TT - Refers to part 2, The Two Towers, of the Lord of the Rings saga.
TWOK - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
USCM - United States Colonial Marines - Military rescue force from Aliens, the 1986 sequel to Alien.
weathering - The process of making a prop look used and worn as opposed to new and pristine.
weeping - When a resin cast piece doesn't sure properly. It's usually not noticed until the piece is primered or painted. Usually due to improper mixing or out of date resin. 50/50 percent chance of fixing it by either cutting out the uncured piece and rebuilding it or drying it out in a slow baking oven.
W.E.P.- Water Extended Polyester. Used as a casting material.
Wested - Manufacturer of Indiana Jones' leather jacket.
WIP - Work in progress.
wonky - Not identical from one side to the other, when intended to be. Perhaps because of misaligned mold or demolding before the cast is set.
WTB - Want To Buy
WTS - Want To Sell
WTT - Want To Trade
V2 - A variation of Luke's lightsaber from ROTJ without the copper neck stem and heavily scratched and beaten up.
VM - Vader Maker, manufacturer of costume parts.
VOY - Star Trek: Voyager
X-acto- Trade name for a razor hobby knife with replacable blade.
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