superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost done

[ave4uevoli]

Okay.. sorry guys, couldn't find the old thread to post on - so I'm starting a new one - thought I might keep you guys updated.
I got some glass bases (used for tealights)
I got lots of selenite crystals
I got tubes and rods.... I'm ready to go!


I decided to start playing around with the materials tonight - I didn't glue anything down - because I figured I'd want to change things around...

I stacked some crystals alongside the glass base just to give you an idea of what it may look like - I think the crystals are a little too high for my purposes here so I will either raise the tubes - or cut the crystals shorter.

Because there's a glass base - I will be adding lighting inside to give this entire display a nice inner glow.

I have another glass thing coming - right now I think tubes in every slot looks a little cluttered - I will space the out and replace some tubes with rods etc.

Comments are welcome to help me get this thing together..

 

[misterfusion]

Re: making superman crystal display - real crystal

You've got some great materials there!!!

I have NO idea the best way to cut them (hacksaw? Dremel? band saw?), but you should think about cutting the selenite at an angle to match the slanted design from the movies.

And if you cut them at different heights and run them around the base as you show they'll be "leaning" in one direction in the front and the opposite direction in the back.

Also, putting shorter pieces in the front and taller pieces in the back would help give different levels.

You could also use a block of foam to use as a foundation and texture it to look like snowy ice. This would also allow you to make a higher "step" in the back to raise the back row of selenite even higher.

Keep the pics coming!

 

[Got Maul]

Re: making superman crystal display - real crystal

Yup, I was going to say what Steve just said. Make an inclined plane (out of styrene (for sale sign), cut the appropriate hole diameter for your tubes and start gluing the crystals on the incline.

 

[ave4uevoli]

Re: making superman crystal display - real crystal

Thanks guys.. I'll be able to devise an acrylic slanted base (so if there are led's on the bottom it will shine through the entire base.. I'll work on it. =)

More tealight glass bases just came in the mail - so this display will have a slightly bigger footprint than it does now.

Weren't the original fortress of solitude consoles vertical though? (the ones in the reeve movies)... only in returns were they slanted... In this display, I"ll have a mix of returns and reeve crystals - so depending on how this diagonal acrylic base comes out.. I may have to leave it vertical and just call it a "reeve fortress display" haha.

more updates to come sooner or later..

~Thomas

 

[ave4uevoli]

Re: making superman crystal display - real crystal

I got crystals from Hydin WOO HOOOOO!!!!!!

Holy crap - I can't express how amazing these crystals are. Theyre perfect!!!love:love

Hydin was great to deal with. Great communication, and all the crystals arrived here in nice boxes and all of them arrived safely.

Here are pics of the crystals. If he does another run or something - I suggest anyone who wants crystals to get them because these were definitely worth the wait. (the wait was not hydin's fault... there was an earthquake where the factory is)

Anyways - So i have a lot of work to still do on this "fortress of solitude" of mine - still have to figure out how to add lights etc..

But here are pics for all those who are curious.

More updates soon hopefully (i'm in the middle of yet another project and law school has started up for me again... cry:cry)

~T

 

[Chronos]

Re: making superman crystal display - real crystal

Very cool!

I've got one of the Superman Returns crystals and it's as you say, "perfect".

Even better that you've got a sweet stand for them!

 

[TridCloudwalker]

Re: making superman crystal display - real crystal

You're display is looking fantastic so far. Can you tell me about your kryptonite pieces? Is it all dyed quartz or resin or mixed media? That's honestly the best looking kryptonite I've seen. And the crystals I'm assuming are Hydin's.

Here's my temorary display until I can throw down some cash on acrylic tubing and rod....which won't be for a while because I'm broke broke broke. Though, if you have any left over when you've figured out your final layout, and want to get rid of it, give me yell.

 

[ave4uevoli]

Re: making superman crystal console display - update - more pics

It's coming along.. I realized my original layout was too blocky.. It's looking better now. A few more crystals to attach to the side...

I need to get some lights - because this thing will glow in the end.

and I need to attach some random acrylic rods here and there.

 

[hydin]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

One thing to think about..

In the movie, the crystal holders (the acrylic tubes) had different style openings at the top. Not all of them were just slanted, some had weird bevels, some had multiple cuts off the top. It might vary the look a little bit, and it wouldn't be super hard to do with some masking tape and a dremel.

Overall though, it's looking great.

Can't wait to see it finished! (one day I have to get off my ass and finish mine :lol)

 

[ave4uevoli]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

One thing to think about..

In the movie, the crystal holders (the acrylic tubes) had different style openings at the top. Not all of them were just slanted, some had weird bevels, some had multiple cuts off the top. It might vary the look a little bit, and it wouldn't be super hard to do with some masking tape and a dremel.

Overall though, it's looking great.

Can't wait to see it finished! (one day I have to get off my ass and finish mine :lol)

Thanks Hydin - I remember someone telling me that before - but I didn't know what they meant until just now. I'll see what I can do - some of the slanted cuts are pretty rough anyways.. so i'll see if I can take a dremel and vary it a bit. Hopefully I'll be able to make a display that will display your crystals with justice.

~Thomas

 

[hydin]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

Remember, when you are playing with acrylic tubing MASKING TAPE IS YOUR FRIEND.

If you want (and if I can find it) I have a rip of the HD DVD Superman, I can grab some screencaps of Jor-el's display as well as Kal's.

I have faith you will make an awesome display setup regardless of how you decide to do it though. It's looking damned good already (and WAY better than my first attempt).

 

[ave4uevoli]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

quick update with some temporary lighting - I actually ran out of crystals so I have to order more.

I will install a better lighting system inside my setup that will illuminate this display a little more evenly... currently i"m just using two puck lights which provide very directional lighting.

Still debating whether I'll put the dremel to the cylinders - Either way - when i took this picture the glue was still drying on some of the tubes - so I couldn't put all my crystals in there.

More news to come when I wire up the lighting with LED's and those finishing crystals come so I can glue them to the sides.

Also - I have some random thin acrylic rods that I will probably throw into the display - depending on how "cluttered" the entire display looks with all the crystals in place.

 

[teecrooz]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

Is that the Superman 4 crystal in there now?

 

[ave4uevoli]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

Is that the Superman 4 crystal in there now?

Yup - the two massive guys in the back clear and glossy green. They are so big - my fiance looked at them and asked. "what are you doing with giant crystal spears?!"

 

[teecrooz]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

I was just curious because I was still waiting on mine to arrive. Thanks.

 

[Simmon M]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

Damn that's cool Thomas! I'm going to have to stop by and check it out in person.

 

[GATORBAIT9696]

Re: superman console fortress display - real crystal - more pics updated - almost don

that is a nice set-up

 

[Menasor1973]

Where can I get the supplies to build my own crystal console? And crystals

 

[The Terminator]

Holy necropost Batman!

Where can I get the supplies to build my own crystal console? And crystals

Home depot?

 

[Menasor1973]

Here is my crystal console