willrhami
Member
I was super surprised to learn that no one has posted this thread yet considering the Prop Shop auction that happened a while ago, giving us tons of great clsose up pics of these props and costumes from the series, so I thought I would start one. I've been a huge fan of the J.J. Star Trek films for a long time, they were my introduction to the franchise when I was 7 years old, and ever since then, I've always wanted my own phaser, communicator, utility belt, and crew uniform. With me having some spare cash from completing my first job making models for a TV show, I thought it would be a nice full circle thing to purchase a few items I've wanted for 13 years now, and so I decided to start down this path. I got the Playmates phaser and communicator toys still in package for about $50 each, replaced the batteries, and they work great, they're almost replica quality if not just a little more on the toy side. They're pretty good for the price though and it's fun to have them around as a huge fan, I've been playing with them all day now.
Looking at the belt itself, it looks like woven nylon fabric, with bias tape around all the edges made from the same nylon fabric. It looks pretty simple, but everyone knows that if something is simple and clean like this, it's going to be a LOT harder to get right. The biggest issue I can see is that there initially seem to be zero stitches in sight, but if you look very closely on the upper section right below the bias tape, you can see stitching. They probably did the assembly by sewing the front nylon weave and back fabric together on the edges with the bias tape on top face down, then folded it over to the back of the belt and used something like a zipper foot to sew close to the fold of the tape on the back. (I have a picture of what I mean below, if it helps)
Hero belt prop showing the holster
How the bias tape is most likely attached
The phaser holster is attached to the main belt section again with hidden seams, looking very clean. (notice the section of the belt that goes into the holster also has bias tape on it, dang is it looking good) It's clearly thicker than the belt,, so maybe putting some thick canvas fabric in the sandwich might make for a more screen accurate look. I'm taking a guess, but I assume when they assembled the holster they left it undone as one flat piece, sewed it to the belt, then folded the holster over and sewed it up along the side. The top of the side that's sewn together has maybe a 3/4" section left un done so the handle of the phaser can sit there properly, and there is also a strap that goes over the top to, that also has connections you can't see. I figure on set they just used some gaff tape or something to secure the strap for show, nothing practical. I'm not sure how I would make it secure, but I'll think about it.
The phaser holster with the phaser inside
For the buckle, I assume they just went with he most effective, simple, and cost efficient solution, and as you can see, it's just a basic 1 3/4", maybe 2" black plastic slide buckle with some light pre molded detail. They made a bunch of these belts, and you can see that they had varying lives of detail for close ups of actors, wide shots, ones for stunts, ones for extras, etc. The one I'm going for is mostly the hero one. I like the phaser holster design way more, but the buckle I'm unsure about. I might replace it with a metal or chromed plastic buckle just to make it feel more in line with the phaser and other metallic props. What do you guys think? The slack on the belt is hidden behind the exterior belt and feeds through a loop on the side to keep it in place, which is nice. Not much else to say about that.
Hero belt buckle close up
Less detailed utility belt with simpler buckle
Lastly comes the plastic holsters for the communicator and the tricorder. These two seem to be relatively simple designs, and I think modeling in CAD and 3D printing would be the best way to get them to work. I've model a communicator holster that matches the dimensions of the Playmates communicator and leaves room for a layer of 1mm craft foam inside to make sure it's not going to get scratched up. I think it turned out pretty well overall and I plan to maybe sell the file, but I'm not sure yet. Obviously sanding and filling would happen to bring it closer to the original. The tricorder is the same style, and someone has already modeled a very nice one that's available on eBay and Etsy, but not as a file, just the finished product. It's great, but I've been considering modeling my own to sell with the communicator holster and the pattern for the utility belt. It would also have the craft foam insert to make sure it isn't getting scratched up.
The hero belt and rubber/stunt communicator in holster
My communicator holster model (it will be black when finished)
Tricorder in it's holster
The tricorder holster from Etsy
Overall, I think this would be possible but would take a lot of patience and care. I'm glad that there's at least some kind of reference and compilation of information on this thing now, cause it was starting to annoy me. I'll send updates on progress if I end up going forward with the project. Hope this helps!
Looking at the belt itself, it looks like woven nylon fabric, with bias tape around all the edges made from the same nylon fabric. It looks pretty simple, but everyone knows that if something is simple and clean like this, it's going to be a LOT harder to get right. The biggest issue I can see is that there initially seem to be zero stitches in sight, but if you look very closely on the upper section right below the bias tape, you can see stitching. They probably did the assembly by sewing the front nylon weave and back fabric together on the edges with the bias tape on top face down, then folded it over to the back of the belt and used something like a zipper foot to sew close to the fold of the tape on the back. (I have a picture of what I mean below, if it helps)
Hero belt prop showing the holster
How the bias tape is most likely attached
The phaser holster is attached to the main belt section again with hidden seams, looking very clean. (notice the section of the belt that goes into the holster also has bias tape on it, dang is it looking good) It's clearly thicker than the belt,, so maybe putting some thick canvas fabric in the sandwich might make for a more screen accurate look. I'm taking a guess, but I assume when they assembled the holster they left it undone as one flat piece, sewed it to the belt, then folded the holster over and sewed it up along the side. The top of the side that's sewn together has maybe a 3/4" section left un done so the handle of the phaser can sit there properly, and there is also a strap that goes over the top to, that also has connections you can't see. I figure on set they just used some gaff tape or something to secure the strap for show, nothing practical. I'm not sure how I would make it secure, but I'll think about it.
The phaser holster with the phaser inside
For the buckle, I assume they just went with he most effective, simple, and cost efficient solution, and as you can see, it's just a basic 1 3/4", maybe 2" black plastic slide buckle with some light pre molded detail. They made a bunch of these belts, and you can see that they had varying lives of detail for close ups of actors, wide shots, ones for stunts, ones for extras, etc. The one I'm going for is mostly the hero one. I like the phaser holster design way more, but the buckle I'm unsure about. I might replace it with a metal or chromed plastic buckle just to make it feel more in line with the phaser and other metallic props. What do you guys think? The slack on the belt is hidden behind the exterior belt and feeds through a loop on the side to keep it in place, which is nice. Not much else to say about that.
Hero belt buckle close up
Less detailed utility belt with simpler buckle
Lastly comes the plastic holsters for the communicator and the tricorder. These two seem to be relatively simple designs, and I think modeling in CAD and 3D printing would be the best way to get them to work. I've model a communicator holster that matches the dimensions of the Playmates communicator and leaves room for a layer of 1mm craft foam inside to make sure it's not going to get scratched up. I think it turned out pretty well overall and I plan to maybe sell the file, but I'm not sure yet. Obviously sanding and filling would happen to bring it closer to the original. The tricorder is the same style, and someone has already modeled a very nice one that's available on eBay and Etsy, but not as a file, just the finished product. It's great, but I've been considering modeling my own to sell with the communicator holster and the pattern for the utility belt. It would also have the craft foam insert to make sure it isn't getting scratched up.
The hero belt and rubber/stunt communicator in holster
My communicator holster model (it will be black when finished)
Tricorder in it's holster
The tricorder holster from Etsy
Overall, I think this would be possible but would take a lot of patience and care. I'm glad that there's at least some kind of reference and compilation of information on this thing now, cause it was starting to annoy me. I'll send updates on progress if I end up going forward with the project. Hope this helps!
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