Sonic Screwdriver

[Rylo]

I'm thinking of working up my own version of the Sonic Screwdriver. I'll be at the machine shop the better part of next week and feel like something new.

Let's talk about the prop. But, please; let's not discuss other people's runs, false starts, etc. I know there's already been some discussion about these so that's exactly why I've started my own thread to avoid any confusion.

I don't want this to turn to an interest thread.

For now, I just want to work on my own version of the screwdriver. I want it to be all it can be. Flawless machined finish, spring loaded, anodized red ring...you get the idea.

Who's got what? Share some pics.

Let's talk dimensions, the works and see what happens. Consider this a good ol' fashioned RPF exchange of information, for now. :thumbsup

I think Jim had located a particular found part or something if I remember correctly. Any other thoughts on the found parts? Anyone? Jim?

- Rylo

 

[Gojira61]

Here’s what I have, the screen grabs are from the “Thunderbirds are Go” movie which predates the Sonic Screwdrivers appearance on Doctor Who. If you watch the film it appears to be a working ratchet style screwdriver.

It was used for close-ups with an actual actors hands. I few folks last time around found screwdrivers that were close but not the exact one. I still believe this was a store bought item, it just seems to have to much thought and detail to it for the short screen time it saw in the film.

Jim

 

[Rylo]

That's the one.

Thanks.

 

[greatwazoo42]

The Prop started out as little more than a metal bodied pen light in the Patrick Troughton (2nd Doctor) story The Underwater Manace and stayed as such until Jon Pertwee succeeded him. The prop then showed up with a body just like shown above but with an added "bullet and halo" head.

It showed up chrome like above in some stories (Frontier in Space for example) but also was sometimes painted gaudy colors to take advantage of the fact that the show was now being broadcast in color (The Sea Devils). By the end of Jon's run as the Doctor the body of the prop hadn't changed shape much though. As Tom Baker took over the prop's appearance did change some (especially the end cap and head) but most of it took on a standardization in color and components.

Rylo - if you want to make your own as you described your best bet is to pick a particular Doctor Who story where you know it makes multiple appearances (especially in close up) and base your research just on that story. The prop's appearance does change some over time.

For the best chrome finish and appearance my personal recommendation is Jon Pertwee's Peladon stories. I can't recall at the moment (brain numbed by Excel Spreadsheet work) if it was the Curse of Peladon or The Monster of Peldaon but there's a scene where the 3rd Doctor has to hotwire a door to a secure room and takes out the sonic screwdriver in close up and then puts it down on top of the juncture box he's working on. There's a couple of good close ups of it there and you'd be able to see the chrome body with red head easily for the details in that one.

Good luck with your project.

 

[Rylo]

Thanks for the info.

 

[greatwazoo42]

Anytime, Rylo.

 

[darthinvictus]

hello,
i have a tool that looks similar but not the same it is called a yankee drill. or at least thats what i call it.
this is perhaps an older version of that?

 

[stingray]

This was posted by Phase Pistol on another thread. This is the same screen capture that I got most of my dimensions from.

 

[stingray]

Any updates on this project?