Star Trek Voyager - Gel Pack

[Lightning]

It also appears that the gel (whatever it was)

If I was tasked with making this and wasn't concerned about longevity, I'd use blue aloe vera gel, it holds bubbles in suspension like that. And being organic it might turn brown after all the water had evaporated from it.

 

[Lt Washburn]

It was aloe vera.

 

[alexbailey]

It looks like plain old everyday clear plastic tubing/surgical tubing to me. It also appears that the gel (whatever it was) either biodegraded or caused rusting of the metal bits (or maybe both), resulting in the brown residue.

Yes, sounds reasonable to me simplest solution often the best.

 

[ffearnss]

This is looking great!

Love that you’re machining all the parts. I was curious though for that knurled rod, if you’ve confirmed that isn’t just another of the thin vertical rods covered with this type of safety conduit? That was my first thought on seeing it

Apology for the dodgy reference, there just happens to be some fitted in my building.

 

[alexbailey]

This is looking great!

Love that you’re machining all the parts. I was curious though for that knurled rod, if you’ve confirmed that isn’t just another of the thin vertical rods covered with this type of safety conduit? That was my first thought on seeing it

Apology for the dodgy reference, there just happens to be some fitted in my building.

Its some braided PVC hose, I slide it over a aluminium rod to keep it straight.

 

[alexbailey]

I've purchased a selection of rubber tube for the interior filament detail, I will experiment with what looks best.

 

[Borg69]

Photo snagged from internet…
I think if I was going to make one of these, I’d pipe/glop clear silicone onto the clear tubes to make them appear more organic. Not that I remember the original ones having one, but I’d also be tempted to add an interior light source too.

 

[alexbailey]

View attachment 1910567
Photo snagged from internet…
I think if I was going to make one of these, I’d pipe/glop clear silicone onto the clear tubes to make them appear more organic. Not that I remember the original ones having one, but I’d also be tempted to add an interior light source too.

Good idea, I'll keep it in mind.

 

[alexbailey]

I have machined, the bottom piece. made a few while I had I was at it.

Here's the whole thing fitted together.

 

[renaissance_man]

I have machined, the bottom piece. made a few while I had I was at it.
View attachment 1911562

Here's the whole thing fitted together.
View attachment 1911563View attachment 1911564

Did you machine those parts yourself?
They look great.

 

[alexbailey]

Did you machine those parts yourself?
They look great.

I do, I get to use the machine for my own bits when time permits around the real work.

 

[kalelofkrypton]

I do, I get to use the machine for my own bits when time permits around the real work.

This is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!1 Any chance you’ll be doing a run?

 

[alexbailey]

This is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!1 Any chance you’ll be doing a run?

Not sure, I will work to finish the first one. Possible in future, maybe just the machined components.

 

[propmaster2000]

I made a version of this a long time ago and I figured there needed to be a way to transport it without damage.
.
NOTE: It is an old video and the quality has diminished a bit.....
This prop is gone now.......
-
-

 

[alexbailey]

Apologies for the lack of progress,
This is the new bag with the end caps. The fit looks good and easier than making something myself. however still not sure about what to use for the 'gel' or liquid. My preference would be to use some that look similar but not actually a liquid may be a silicone

Then I glued the internal rods into the aluminium end pieces a little tricky to keep things square, it's okay but for any future ones I need to sort out a better solution to keep everything lined up.

 

[renaissance_man]

Apologies for the lack of progress,
This is the new bag with the end caps. The fit looks good and easier than making something myself. however still not sure about what to use for the 'gel' or liquid. My preference would be to use some that look similar but not actually a liquid may be a silicone
View attachment 1934556

Then I glued the internal rods into the aluminium end pieces a little tricky to keep things square, it's okay but for any future ones I need to sort out a better solution to keep everything lined up.
View attachment 1934554View attachment 1934555

Looking good.
Can't wait to see the finished prop.

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

Hair gel or, more affordably, liquid dish soap would be my solution to filling the bags.

 

[trekker670]

however still not sure about what to use for the 'gel' or liquid. My preference would be to use some that look similar but not actually a liquid may be a silicone

I recall Mike Moore from HMS stating that he proposed using a dyed silicone and production declined. Given that, I think a dyed silicone would be the way to go. Alternatively, for the hypospray vials, a mix of glycerin and distilled water was used (I believe Mike has recommended using almost entirely glycerin for a more stable result, but don't quote me on that).

 

[renaissance_man]

You could possibly use clear silicone sealant mixed with some dye but that would then cure inside the bag so it would require putting the bag in a position that you would be happy with when it was all assembled to account for the shape when it all cures/sets firm.

 

[alexbailey]

I recall Mike Moore from HMS stating that he proposed using a dyed silicone and production declined. Given that, I think a dyed silicone would be the way to go. Alternatively, for the hypospray vials, a mix of glycerin and distilled water was used (I believe Mike has recommended using almost entirely glycerin for a more stable result, but don't quote me on that).

You could possibly use clear silicone sealant mixed with some dye but that would then cure inside the bag so it would require putting the bag in a position that you would be happy with when it was all assembled to account for the shape when it all cures/sets firm.

Thanks I think I will look into the silicone as my first option, I agree getting the internals particularly the rubber tube in the correct position while it cures could be tricky.