james kirk
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Can't wait to see which one works out for you.
Mike
Can't wait to see which one works out for you.
Mike
Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Version.
- Thread starter spacerone
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spacerone
Well-Known Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Me too!
I'm going to test it on my other communicator and see how the light looks. If it looks bright enough then it's a go.
Still debating on whether to do anything with shells appearance or leave them the way they are.:unsure
Me too!
I'm going to test it on my other communicator and see how the light looks. If it looks bright enough then it's a go.Still debating on whether to do anything with shells appearance or leave them the way they are.:unsure
james kirk
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
and another is using a cotton t-shirt.
I think the t-shirt looks the best.
Just buff it till it is right.
He used a rounded tool with the t-shirt for in the wells of the top she'll.
Mike
Some people have been using sandpaperMe too!
Still debating on whether to do anything with shells appearance or leave them the way they are.:unsure
and another is using a cotton t-shirt.
I think the t-shirt looks the best.
Just buff it till it is right.
He used a rounded tool with the t-shirt for in the wells of the top she'll.
Mike
spacerone
Well-Known Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Is the buffing by machine only?
Is anything applied to the t-shirt?
Is the buffing by machine only?
Is anything applied to the t-shirt?
james kirk
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Just a plain white t-shirt.
Buffing by hand.
You just have to work it for a while.
You don't want to use anything on it because it will get into the pours of the plastic.
Just a plain white t-shirt.
Buffing by hand.
You just have to work it for a while.
You don't want to use anything on it because it will get into the pours of the plastic.
james kirk
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Tim
Here are several pic's for the jewels and removel from thegooj at the TPZ.
First is the removal of the mirror coating from the backs of the Swarovski crystals.
Next is the Wand crystals.
Next trim them down and use 320 sandpaper, then 600, then 1500, then a regular white piece of office paper as a polish. The ends are reasonably clear. This is the most critical step, because you MUST sand them down to the exact height AND have the top surface be level.
Once installed raw, they look like this from the top:
Lastly, He decided to reverse the two outer colors to make it more like Beta, with the green stone (and blue-green stem) on the left and the Crystal rhinestone (on the clear stem) on the right. The transparent glue he used is G-S Hypo Cement, available at Michaels, because 1) it's designed to adhere to rhinestones, 2) it has a needle-like applicator for ultimate precision and 3) the glue's set-up time gives you a quick opportunity to fine-tune the position and rotation:
He gave premission to repost this.
Hope it helps.
Mike
Tim
Here are several pic's for the jewels and removel from thegooj at the TPZ.
First is the removal of the mirror coating from the backs of the Swarovski crystals.
Next is the Wand crystals.
Next trim them down and use 320 sandpaper, then 600, then 1500, then a regular white piece of office paper as a polish. The ends are reasonably clear. This is the most critical step, because you MUST sand them down to the exact height AND have the top surface be level.
Once installed raw, they look like this from the top:
Lastly, He decided to reverse the two outer colors to make it more like Beta, with the green stone (and blue-green stem) on the left and the Crystal rhinestone (on the clear stem) on the right. The transparent glue he used is G-S Hypo Cement, available at Michaels, because 1) it's designed to adhere to rhinestones, 2) it has a needle-like applicator for ultimate precision and 3) the glue's set-up time gives you a quick opportunity to fine-tune the position and rotation:
He gave premission to repost this.
Hope it helps.
Mike
Last edited by a moderator:
spacerone
Well-Known Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Thanks Mike! Tell him thanks as well! I will give that a try and see how it works.
I was just getting the gems ready for the correct position for the Beta according to Hercomm.com site.
Looks like a A 20ss Emerald AB rhinestone is First, 16ss Hyacinth is second and 16ss Crystal AB last.
Thanks Mike!
Tell him thanks as well! I will give that a try and see how it works.I was just getting the gems ready for the correct position for the Beta according to Hercomm.com site.
Looks like a A 20ss Emerald AB rhinestone is First, 16ss Hyacinth is second and 16ss Crystal AB last.
DigiGal
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Great job on the Wand Co comm mod!
I've drilled/tapped mine and installed 2-56 brass pateena slotted screws.
One thing I'd love to do is replace the back comm shell. This would get rid of the FCC indent which is a real buzz kill for me. Anyone up for vac forming a replacement back shell as an upgrade for these?
Great job on the Wand Co comm mod!
I've drilled/tapped mine and installed 2-56 brass pateena slotted screws.
One thing I'd love to do is replace the back comm shell. This would get rid of the FCC indent which is a real buzz kill for me. Anyone up for vac forming a replacement back shell as an upgrade for these?
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spacerone
Well-Known Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
Thanks DigiGal & Apollo!
DigiGal if you still have the switch problem post a photo of it.
Thanks DigiGal & Apollo!
DigiGal if you still have the switch problem post a photo of it.
DigiGal
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
I'm committed to taking this fully apart since the left switch loosened from the board.
The left switch wobbled but still worked so I left everything alone until replacement parts could be obtained. I ordered a pair of aluminum T jet hubs which arrived today. I also ordered a set of plastic T jet hubs just in case but prefer to use aluminum because they are buttons that are actually used extensively unlike the actual props.
I'm soaking the crystals in vinegar overnight to see if that'll allow me to slide off the reflective backing, if that doesn't work I'll try soaking them in goo gone overnight as I'd prefer not using an acid if something safer that I have on hand will work.
Pictured below are the flat backed swarovvski crystals soaking white vinegar, the correct mic grille that'll replace the stock grill, aluminum T jet hubs to replace the stock plastic ones that'll need to be cut off, and an aluminum control panel to replace the stock steel control panel. The steel control panel is too thick and its grain is vertical instead of horizontal. As I'm replacing the control panel I'll drill a smaller hole for the left button, the oversized hole in the stock control panel is most likely what gives it the feel of a joystick instead of just a push button.
I'm committed to taking this fully apart since the left switch loosened from the board.
The left switch wobbled but still worked so I left everything alone until replacement parts could be obtained. I ordered a pair of aluminum T jet hubs which arrived today. I also ordered a set of plastic T jet hubs just in case but prefer to use aluminum because they are buttons that are actually used extensively unlike the actual props.
I'm soaking the crystals in vinegar overnight to see if that'll allow me to slide off the reflective backing, if that doesn't work I'll try soaking them in goo gone overnight as I'd prefer not using an acid if something safer that I have on hand will work.
Pictured below are the flat backed swarovvski crystals soaking white vinegar, the correct mic grille that'll replace the stock grill, aluminum T jet hubs to replace the stock plastic ones that'll need to be cut off, and an aluminum control panel to replace the stock steel control panel. The steel control panel is too thick and its grain is vertical instead of horizontal. As I'm replacing the control panel I'll drill a smaller hole for the left button, the oversized hole in the stock control panel is most likely what gives it the feel of a joystick instead of just a push button.
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DigiGal
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
To remove the original plastic T-Jet Knobs I cut them off with a pair of side cutters. You'll probably want to have replacements on hand before attempting to remove the originals because they will be destroyed in the process since they are glued on securely. Unless someone can successfully loosen the glue bond either chemically or by heating.
- - - Updated - - -
You can just pry off the control panel and mic grille with a dental tool or small screwdriver etc.
To remove the original plastic T-Jet Knobs I cut them off with a pair of side cutters. You'll probably want to have replacements on hand before attempting to remove the originals because they will be destroyed in the process since they are glued on securely. Unless someone can successfully loosen the glue bond either chemically or by heating.
- - - Updated - - -
You can just pry off the control panel and mic grille with a dental tool or small screwdriver etc.
Veldmaat
Well-Known Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
I did a very small mod on my Comm which I received monday.
I replaced the black screws with brass countersunk M2x10mm screws from a local store.
they are smaller than the screen used,but it does improve the look.
I did a very small mod on my Comm which I received monday.
I replaced the black screws with brass countersunk M2x10mm screws from a local store.
they are smaller than the screen used,but it does improve the look.
DigiGal
Active Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
IMHO, The Wand Company Power Switch is a major fail waiting to happen on all of their comms unless they've revised for later runs. I took mine out to repair it pictured below. These metal tabs will eventually work loose and you have a wobbly power switch, my tabs were squished inside the housing before bending them back. Mine is one of the ones that came with a "the left button is not a joystick" warning. If yours came with this warning I'll predict it is only a matter of time before it works loose. Bad practical design that should never have been released without being revised to eliminate the problem potential. Adding the note is quite frankly a lame attempt in addressing the design flaw on units that shipped like this.
I bent the tabs back over the outside of the switch and will solder it back in place, then I'll add JB Weld around the switch housing to secure it to the circuit board as reinforcement. It's surface mounted and the traces are thin!
IMHO, The Wand Company Power Switch is a major fail waiting to happen on all of their comms unless they've revised for later runs. I took mine out to repair it pictured below. These metal tabs will eventually work loose and you have a wobbly power switch, my tabs were squished inside the housing before bending them back. Mine is one of the ones that came with a "the left button is not a joystick" warning. If yours came with this warning I'll predict it is only a matter of time before it works loose. Bad practical design that should never have been released without being revised to eliminate the problem potential. Adding the note is quite frankly a lame attempt in addressing the design flaw on units that shipped like this.
I bent the tabs back over the outside of the switch and will solder it back in place, then I'll add JB Weld around the switch housing to secure it to the circuit board as reinforcement. It's surface mounted and the traces are thin!
XweAponX
New Member
Re: Star Trek TOS Wand Company Communicator Modification Project! Alpha To Beta Vers
I have disassembled many iPhones and androids, those are pieces of cake compared to this!
The button on my original communicator, the one that is not a toggle, broke off and Chris was kind enough to send me a whole new communicator. I didn't know at the time that they are glued on.
The only problem with mine now, is that I kept it in my pocket when I went to a gig. it was in the sleeve, but being in my pants pocket took the epoxy finish off of the grill, so there is silver bleeding through here and there. Has anybody messed with refinishing the grill? If I can match the finish I can borrow an airbrush from my neighbor and detail it, if that works then I'll try to find some kind of protection for it so it doesn't rub off so easily. I thought the grill was actually brass, but I guess brass would be a bad idea. So I'm trying to find out what kind of finish they used
I have disassembled many iPhones and androids, those are pieces of cake compared to this!
The button on my original communicator, the one that is not a toggle, broke off and Chris was kind enough to send me a whole new communicator. I didn't know at the time that they are glued on.
The only problem with mine now, is that I kept it in my pocket when I went to a gig. it was in the sleeve, but being in my pants pocket took the epoxy finish off of the grill, so there is silver bleeding through here and there. Has anybody messed with refinishing the grill? If I can match the finish I can borrow an airbrush from my neighbor and detail it, if that works then I'll try to find some kind of protection for it so it doesn't rub off so easily. I thought the grill was actually brass, but I guess brass would be a bad idea. So I'm trying to find out what kind of finish they used
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