sonic screwdriver Dr who
- Thread starter boatbuilder1
- Start date
Skyler101
Sr Member
I know that this thread turned cold with Boatbuilders Scarf issues, but do people want to start discussing the original Dr Who SS again. I for one have just gotten access to a lathe, and was thinking of trying my hand building one. The research on this thread is fantastic, and was going very well...
What's the call. Continue it here, or start a new one?
Kerr, any luck on the scarf? Did it turn up yet?
PhasePistol, have you made any plans?
Lets see what we can get done. The SS is definitely one of the more classic items from SFTV...
-Skyler101
What's the call. Continue it here, or start a new one?
Kerr, any luck on the scarf? Did it turn up yet?
PhasePistol, have you made any plans?
Lets see what we can get done. The SS is definitely one of the more classic items from SFTV...
-Skyler101
Skyler101
Sr Member
Oh, forgot to mention in the last message.
If you take a look at the episode ROBOT, (which is the first story with Tom Baker as the Doctor), in the last episode, the Doctor uses his SS to try and open the bunker door and stop Think Tank. When he begins using the SS, it does not have the "rounded bullet head" on it. Its only later, when he added the "rounded bullet head", he explains that he turned the SS into a sonic lance. Im assuming that after it was added, the producers decided to keep it on for the rest of the show. Mind you, it does not explain the "bullet head" on Pertwee's SS, but I thought it was an interesting change that was part of the story...
-Skyler101
If you take a look at the episode ROBOT, (which is the first story with Tom Baker as the Doctor), in the last episode, the Doctor uses his SS to try and open the bunker door and stop Think Tank. When he begins using the SS, it does not have the "rounded bullet head" on it. Its only later, when he added the "rounded bullet head", he explains that he turned the SS into a sonic lance. Im assuming that after it was added, the producers decided to keep it on for the rest of the show. Mind you, it does not explain the "bullet head" on Pertwee's SS, but I thought it was an interesting change that was part of the story...
-Skyler101
Well I'm going to have to admit, I already paid Boatbuilder for a sonic screwdriver. So I'm waiting to see this come to fruition. Also eyeing the outcome of the "Doctor Who Scarf" sale thread with some interest.
- k
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I beg your pardon. I posted my blueprint above, for all to see. Open source screwdriver as it were. 
- k
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I'll catch everybody up on the latest findings... Here are some grabs from "The Ark In Space".
Note how far around the screwdriver the angled slot goes.
As Tom Baker turns the screwdriver, you can see most of the slot cut into the grip... looks like the "counterclockwise" end at least, ends fairly clean. There may be a larger round hole at the other end of the slot, IMHO.
Note how far around the screwdriver the angled slot goes.
As Tom Baker turns the screwdriver, you can see most of the slot cut into the grip... looks like the "counterclockwise" end at least, ends fairly clean. There may be a larger round hole at the other end of the slot, IMHO.
Over the years I've heard some speculation that the prop might be a found object, but if so, WHAT is it?
I'd believe it was a piston or pneumatic tube of some sort. Car or motorcycle part? Shock absober perhaps?
Some folks seem to think that it's a medical tool, possibly a chiropractic tool.
So... late sixties, early seventies... Britain... come on, let's hear your theories.
- k
I'd believe it was a piston or pneumatic tube of some sort. Car or motorcycle part? Shock absober perhaps?
Some folks seem to think that it's a medical tool, possibly a chiropractic tool.
So... late sixties, early seventies... Britain... come on, let's hear your theories.
- k
In "Armageddon Factor" it looks like Baker is just twisting the grip section, and it makes a loud "snap" sound. But I don't think the screwdriver is actually getting longer. It's that old turn-in-the-hand thing that Baker does, to make it seem like he's collapsing or extending it. Sleight of hand.
BTW if you are watching the screwdriver and not looking down the front of Mary Tamm's dress, consider yourself a truly dedicated prop fan. :lol
- k
BTW if you are watching the screwdriver and not looking down the front of Mary Tamm's dress, consider yourself a truly dedicated prop fan. :lol
- k
Skyler101
Sr Member
Good example Phase-Pistol. Throughout the series, especially Tom Bakers run, the doctor is always fiddling with his screwdriver. Baker seemed to be collapsing and extending it, adding or removing parts, or generally finding a new way to apply the use of it (holding it under over grip, horizontally or vertically). I wish I had episodes on disk so I could screen cap examples, I might have to start converting my VHS collection.
On the other front, I saw Kimncris's Sonic Screwdriver first hand when I was in LA after attending Celb 2 (wow, that was years ago now.) and the job he did was top notch. I could not believe that this was his first item made on a lathe. Natural talent was abundant.
-Skyler101
On the other front, I saw Kimncris's Sonic Screwdriver first hand when I was in LA after attending Celb 2 (wow, that was years ago now.) and the job he did was top notch. I could not believe that this was his first item made on a lathe. Natural talent was abundant.
-Skyler101
IÂ’m the one who mentioned this in the other thread some years ago (My brother in law is a chiropractor). I thought it resembled a Chiropractic Adjusting Tool or Reflex gun. The cross bar is removable and it even moves up and down like the prop. However IÂ’m sure it would have been modified.
HereÂ’s an auction for one with a picture.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ry=67589&fkxs=1
HereÂ’s an auction for one with a picture.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ry=67589&fkxs=1
Interesting. That chiropractic tool does look a bit screwdrivery.
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Skyler101
Sr Member
Wow... That activator is to close to be a coincidence, UNLESS, the person who designed it was a Who fan... Weirder things have happened.
Very close if its not the bases for the SS...
UPDATED
Looking back at the picture of the activator, could the part of the pommel that is cut flush be where the BBC prop-makers had cut off the back handle extension? Also, the middle area seems to have a screw which could remove the second handle, and have a piece of turned tube replace it. The more I look at the activator, the more the pieces look better and better.
-Skyler101
Very close if its not the bases for the SS...
UPDATED
Looking back at the picture of the activator, could the part of the pommel that is cut flush be where the BBC prop-makers had cut off the back handle extension? Also, the middle area seems to have a screw which could remove the second handle, and have a piece of turned tube replace it. The more I look at the activator, the more the pieces look better and better.
-Skyler101
RogueScout
Well-Known Member
I know im going off the deepend here but I really do think its an old gigglepin off of a WWII knutenvalve. The trouble is finding the correct one.
Rob
Rob
That's it, I'm changing my name to "Gigglepin Knutenvalve." :lol
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It does look a LITTLE like the hypospray, but that's mostly due to the hand-guard.
The early first season hypo (first used in "Where No Man Has Gone Before") had a sleeve that slid back and forth (the overall length did not change), and that's somewhat akin to how the sonic screwdriver works.
Of course the found-object origins of the TOS hypo have never been identified either... some have said it's based on some kind of veternary instrument.
- k
The early first season hypo (first used in "Where No Man Has Gone Before") had a sleeve that slid back and forth (the overall length did not change), and that's somewhat akin to how the sonic screwdriver works.
Of course the found-object origins of the TOS hypo have never been identified either... some have said it's based on some kind of veternary instrument.
- k
Great thread.
I thought I would post this for all, I ran across this by accident some years back and just remembered it again while going over this thread.
The screen grabs below are from the 1966 Gerry Anderson film “Thunderbirds Are Go” and the scenes are from towards the end of the film. At this point they were using real actors to be the hands of the puppets and during this rescue Alan Tracy pulls a familiar looking ratchet style screwdriver from his pocket.
From watching the film it appears to be a working screwdriver, you would push in to remove the screw which would be held in the end and then you would turn the rear handle half a turn clockwise to let the screw drop loose.
If you look at the first grab you can see the slot at the handle rear and the small hole at the front.
So, was this a store bought item in 1966 or just a case of the same props company in England?
Jim
I thought I would post this for all, I ran across this by accident some years back and just remembered it again while going over this thread.
The screen grabs below are from the 1966 Gerry Anderson film “Thunderbirds Are Go” and the scenes are from towards the end of the film. At this point they were using real actors to be the hands of the puppets and during this rescue Alan Tracy pulls a familiar looking ratchet style screwdriver from his pocket.
From watching the film it appears to be a working screwdriver, you would push in to remove the screw which would be held in the end and then you would turn the rear handle half a turn clockwise to let the screw drop loose.
If you look at the first grab you can see the slot at the handle rear and the small hole at the front.
So, was this a store bought item in 1966 or just a case of the same props company in England?
Jim
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