Star Trek III Communicator

[22 Stars]

So after my fun project of scratch-building a Cage Communicator (Star Trek Cage Communicator - a set on Flickr) I am moving onto a project I have wanted to do for a while. I am modding a Colgate ST V communicator walkie talkie into an approximation of a ST III communicator.

I have always loved the gear from STII, especially following the clunky mess from STII. I may add a sound module from Radio Shack, since it takes a 9 Volt battery as did the walkie talkie. It's also a nice way to give it some weight.

Here is the flickr link to the new project! Any tips would be great, especially regarding the grill and screws for the hinge!?

Star Trek III Communicator - a set on Flickr

 

[robn1]

Another cool project. The Trek 5 comms were modded from the Trek 3's, so should be pretty easy to back date them. And with a pair of 'em you could do both versions.

Some pics here if you haven't seen them.

 

[22 Stars]

Thanks, I am a pretty good Trek Encyclopedia, and I'm ashamed to say that until recently I had never seen or thought about the Comms in V (even owning the Colgate promos)... I was always too distracted by the giant Phasers.

Once I did realize they were the 'same' prop, I was thrilled to find these two shells on Ebay for like $10. Any suggestions on doing the grill, I will probably just do a repaint of the clear plastic lids, but a new brass or copper lid would be nice... anyone sell grills like that?

 

[robn1]

There have been a few runs of this comm that included etched brass grills, but I'm not aware of anyone making just the grill. I'm sure someone here could do it.

 

[22 Stars]

Just the thought of starting with a thin sheet of brass (which I found at Lee's Art Supply) seems doable, but how to cut the thin strips out is stumping me for now...

 

[robn1]

Best way to make the grill is photo etching, like for making a circuit board.

 

[22 Stars]

Thanks for the tips Rob, any idea what the vertical greebles are to the left of the speaker? I guess i could sculpt them, the look like some part or spring laying sideways (two of them)...

Here is the final prep shot. Now to make the speaker box.

http://flic.kr/p/9Urm5Q

 

[Johnny Fever]

I agree with robn1, the best way to replicate the grill would be to photo-etch one. It isn’t as hard as it sounds. A photo-etch kit can be obtained from mickromark that really works well. If you talk to others you may find places to get what you need for a cheaper price.

Micro-Mark Pro-Etch Photo Etch System

I used this kit a few years ago to make grills for various comms that I never finished.

-John

 

[22 Stars]

Holy crap those are beautiful John.... Ok I may have to rethink. I just found brass strips sold at Hobbylinc.com - Discount Hobbies up to 60% off that i thought would do nicely. I live in a decent sized but still Studio apt here in Manhattan, don't really have the space for more stuff.

 

[robn1]

...any idea what the vertical greebles are to the left of the speaker?...

It's a fuse puller, the little clip you see in your cars fuse box.

With the brass strips, I guess you could cut those to length, and cut the side parts from brass sheet then solder them together.

@Johny Fever, you etched that TOS grill? Cool! Beats the hell out of drillin' 400 holes.

 

[22 Stars]

It's a fuse puller, the little clip you see in your cars fuse box.

With the brass strips, I guess you could cut those to length, and cut the side parts from brass sheet then solder them together.

@Johny Fever, you etched that TOS grill? Cool! Beats the hell out of drillin' 400 holes.

Great stuff. Yeah, once I found the strips that was the plan. Love the photo etching but just a bit beyond my ambition for this one. One day though...

 

[22 Stars]

John, if you are not planning on finishing, any chance of selling an extra grill?

 

[Johnny Fever]

I don’t think that it would fit the walkie talkies with out major mods to the shell. After looking at side by side pics posted in the following thread, it seems that the talkies were a bit bigger than the original prop.
http://www.therpf.com/f9/star-trek-v-communicator-41461/index3.html


-John

 

[22 Stars]

Oh right, I was looking at that the other day. No worries, I will work something out. The brass bars are on their way to me, just regretting not ordering some sheet plastic to construct the speaker box out of...

 

[Johnny Fever]

just regretting not ordering some sheet plastic to construct the speaker box out of...

Just remember that styrene plastic “for sale” signs will work great in a pinch. The best part is that they can usually be found in hardware stores for relatively cheap.

-John

 

[22 Stars]

Thanks for the tip, I've been trying to figure out what I could use that was 'local'

 

[22 Stars]

It's a fuse puller, the little clip you see in your cars fuse box.

With the brass strips, I guess you could cut those to length, and cut the side parts from brass sheet then solder them together.

@Johny Fever, you etched that TOS grill? Cool! Beats the hell out of drillin' 400 holes.

Thanks Rob, I haven't had a car in 15 years Any chance for a link to what you're talking about. I looked for fuse pullers, and they all look too big and I can't really tell what I'm looking for.... Thanks again for all the help and support.

Russ

 

[robn1]

Thanks Rob, I haven't had a car in 15 years Any chance for a link to what you're talking about...

There are hundreds of different designs, and the one on the props is '70s or '80s vintage. This search didn't turn up anything similar, but it gives you an idea of what it is.

Best bet is to make it from styrene strip.

 

[22 Stars]

Will do. Thanks again.

 

[22 Stars]

Just started playing with the electronics and Brass sheets. Put up a video and a few more pics: Star Trek III Communicator - a set on Flickr