The Wand Company TOS Tricorder is coming!

[hossman]

A stroll through memory lane….

From the Goooog

……”Evidently, it seems that the two Wah Chang "hero" tricorders were frequently disassembled while on the Desilu soundstages and re-constructed with new parts to enhance their appearance.

And now, the hero TOS Tricorder”....

View attachment 1951521

View attachment 1951522

Wand definitely did some improvements…..

Correct. During the first season, they upgraded the pull handles on both the Wah A & B heros, because the actors complained it was too hard to pull the doors open with just the slots.

During the first season hiatus, they fully disassembled both A and B to cast additional, static versions. Unfortunately, when they reassembled them, they intermixed A and B parts.

They also lost the data disc and moire display panels. Due to that, the smaller, top doors would never be shown in the open position again.

 

[FANATICO]

Correct. During the first season, they upgraded the pull handles on both the Wah A & B heros, because the actors complained it was too hard to pull the doors open with just the slots.

During the first season hiatus, they fully disassembled both A and B to cast additional, static versions. Unfortunately, when they reassembled them, they intermixed A and B parts.

They also lost the data disc and moire display panels. Due to that, the smaller, top doors would never be shown in the open position again.

Pretty much what your saying is in this interesting blog….written in 2019…

HERO-TRICORDER PART 2: BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING – IT'S HERO TIME!

 

[asalaw]

They missed this part of the opening captain's log from Menagerie, Part 2:
Why? Why does Spock want to take to that forbidden world his former captain? Mutilated by a recent space disaster, now a shell of a man, unable to speak or move? The only answer Spock would give was on the hearing-room screen.How Spock could do this he refused to explain, but there before our eyes, actual images from thirteen years ago of Captain Pike as he was when he commanded this vessel, of Spock in those days, and of how the Enterprise had become the first and only starship to visit Talos Four. They had received a distress signal from that planet and discovered there, still alive after many years, the survivors of a missing vessel,only to find it was all an illusion. No survivors, no encampment, itwas all a trap set by a race of beings who could make a man believe he was seeing anything they wished him to see, and Captain Pike was gone, a prisoner for some unknown purpose.

It's the only Captain's Log in the entire series, as far as I can remember, that's interrupted by dialogue. After "...or the plea of Mr. Spock standing general court martial," Malachi Throne and Leonard Nimoy go through Spock's guilty pleas. After that, the log picks up with the part you've flagged. I think it may have just been an oversight between TWC and CBS, since this would mean there are two separate sound stems for the same log entry. I can easily see how a mixup might happen.

Either that, or they left it out to save storage space. Or both.

 

[Technoboots]

I've had mine for over a month now and have been really happy with it. I did have to do a few modifications to it.
First one was adding a 0.4mm aluminium plate on the hinge for the hood. The plate just stiffens it without having to bend the plastic piece.
Second modification was swapping the strap with a single sided leather strap about 1.5mm thick similar to the 1st season ones but all black. I like the look of the earlier strap and the way it drapes.
Third modification was swapping the screws. From all the pictures I've seen the screws are more of a dome than flat like the provided screws. I managed to track some round head M4 screws and shortened them to the correct lengths. The side screws are 6mm and the back is 5mm with no thread by the head so it acts as a captive screw.
Last modification was done first by a member of a FB group I am in and involves using aluminium tape on the side panels of the lower compartment. The blank divider was used as a template to cut out pieces for the inner sides.
While not a modification I did get a cheap 3d printed scanner. Unfortunately the clear part was too wide for the included divider so I scratch built a new one. I used 1mm sheet for it and a circle cutter to cut out pieces to glue on the sides to mimic the originals. I also used the tape on the scanner.

 

[JiminSTLouis]

It's the only Captain's Log in the entire series, as far as I can remember, that's interrupted by dialogue. After "...or the plea of Mr. Spock standing general court martial," Malachi Throne and Leonard Nimoy go through Spock's guilty pleas. After that, the log picks up with the part you've flagged. I think it may have just been an oversight between TWC and CBS, since this would mean there are two separate sound stems for the same log entry. I can easily see how a mixup might happen.

Either that, or they left it out to save storage space. Or both.

The entire clip (before and after the interruption) would have made for a pretty long log entry. After the initial Captains Log, the rest is almost like “Last week on Star Trek”, a monologue setting up part 2. Unlike us being able to stream back-to-back, when originally aired fans had to wait a week between episodes and a reminder of part 1 is understandable.

 

[FANATICO]

I've had mine for over a month now and have been really happy with it. I did have to do a few modifications to it.
First one was adding a 0.4mm aluminium plate on the hinge for the hood. The plate just stiffens it without having to bend the plastic piece. View attachment 1951795

Ok the plate is one piece but Is the plate just flat or is there a 90deg bend at the top with some plate material ….perhaps like a lip that rests on the tric side plate? Hope that’s clear….

 

[xlowes]

Thanks for this additional comment, I wanted to close the loop for all interested parties - I did reach out to WC Support, have shipped the unit back today and am just awaiting confirmation of shipment of the replacement unit.

Edit / My issue did get worse over time, to the point where it began to hang up entirely and grind through ~25% of the rotation, so glad I caught and flagged it while it was still just a "stutter"

Where di you have to ship it back to ?

 

[Technoboots]

Ok the plate is one piece but Is the plate just flat or is there a 90deg bend at the top with some plate material ….perhaps like lip that rests on the tric side plate? Hope that’s clear….

I am guessing you are refering to the plate for the hinges. They are single pieces of aluminium cut out to fit with holes for the screws. I haven't got a pic of the left side but I followed the shape of the plastic piece. For the right side pictured I cut it to fit in the indent. I may have given them a very slight bend where the plastic piece flexes to give a bit more spring to it.
There is no 90 degree bend at the top as it is not needed, they are basically just flat.

 

[FANATICO]

I am guessing you are refering to the plate for the hinges. They are single pieces of aluminium cut out to fit with holes for the screws. I haven't got a pic of the left side but I followed the shape of the plastic piece. For the right side pictured I cut it to fit in the indent. I may have given them a very slight bend where the plastic piece flexes to give a bit more spring to it.
There is no 90 degree bend at the top as it is not needed, they are basically just flat.

That appears to be a good mod…..instead of bending plastic that may unbend over time. I’ll look to use your method at some point. Thx

 

[Technoboots]

That appears to be a good mod…..instead of bending plastic that may unbend over time. I’ll look to use your method at some point. Thx

The first people to do it used plastic. I felt metal would be much more firm.

 

[Simonized]

I've had mine for over a month now and have been really happy with it. I did have to do a few modifications to it.
First one was adding a 0.4mm aluminium plate on the hinge for the hood. The plate just stiffens it without having to bend the plastic piece.
Second modification was swapping the strap with a single sided leather strap about 1.5mm thick similar to the 1st season ones but all black. I like the look of the earlier strap and the way it drapes.
Third modification was swapping the screws. From all the pictures I've seen the screws are more of a dome than flat like the provided screws. I managed to track some round head M4 screws and shortened them to the correct lengths. The side screws are 6mm and the back is 5mm with no thread by the head so it acts as a captive screw.
Last modification was done first by a member of a FB group I am in and involves using aluminium tape on the side panels of the lower compartment. The blank divider was used as a template to cut out pieces for the inner sides.
While not a modification I did get a cheap 3d printed scanner. Unfortunately the clear part was too wide for the included divider so I scratch built a new one. I used 1mm sheet for it and a circle cutter to cut out pieces to glue on the sides to mimic the originals. I also used the tape on the scanner.View attachment 1951794View attachment 1951795View attachment 1951796View attachment 1951797View attachment 1951799View attachment 1951800View attachment 1951801

Very nice. I have the same kind of strap. Not quite sure from the photo what you've done with the hinge but if it works happy days.
I wouldn't mind having some of the aluminium foil on the lower compartment but I know for a fact I would lose my temper trying to get it right and even lol.

 

[Simonized]

The first people to do it used plastic. I felt metal would be much more firm.

Don't think I can replicate this process to be honest.

 

[JiminSTLouis]

instead of bending plastic that may unbend over time.

Or wear down the detents in the hood prematurely.

 

[Technoboots]

Very nice. I have the same kind of strap. Not quite sure from the photo what you've done with the hinge but if it works happy days.
I wouldn't mind having some of the aluminium foil on the lower compartment but I know for a fact I would lose my temper trying to get it right and even lol.

Basically it is just a piece of aluminium sheet between the screws and the plastic piece. It puts pressure on it so that it takes a bit more effort to rotate the hood.

Doing the foil wasn't too hard. Just start at one side and press it down into place. It is much easier when you remove the lower compartment completely. Take off both of the sides of the tricorder and use a pin to push one side of the rod which acts as a hinge. This allows you to take it out to work on. Cut out a piece bigger than needed for the outer parts and fold it over the edge. You then just need to use a hobby knife to trim it using the edge of the plastic as a guide. The inner section I've already mentioned how to do.

 

[FANATICO]

Basically it is just a piece of aluminium sheet between the screws and the plastic piece. It puts pressure on it so that it takes a bit more effort to rotate the hood.

Simple and effective! Ya gotta like that…

One could tweak bend the metal for a desired firmness….

 

[Treadwell]

Yes, it is a long log, but its length is but a fraction of the overall storage needs of all the logs.
Yes, it's "last week on Star Trek" but it's still a Captain's Log.
Yes, they would have to edit out the dialogue (or the gap in the stem for it), big whoop.
Not a big hairy deal, just woulda been nice.

 

[Simonized]

Basically it is just a piece of aluminium sheet between the screws and the plastic piece. It puts pressure on it so that it takes a bit more effort to rotate the hood.

Doing the foil wasn't too hard. Just start at one side and press it down into place. It is much easier when you remove the lower compartment completely. Take off both of the sides of the tricorder and use a pin to push one side of the rod which acts as a hinge. This allows you to take it out to work on. Cut out a piece bigger than needed for the outer parts and fold it over the edge. You then just need to use a hobby knife to trim it using the edge of the plastic as a guide. The inner section I've already mentioned how to do.
View attachment 1951812

Gotcha. Now the view of the aluminium piece is on a different angle I got you. Thanks, looked more complicated head on lol

 

[JiminSTLouis]

Yes, it is a long log, but its length is but a fraction of the overall storage needs of all the logs.
Yes, it's "last week on Star Trek" but it's still a Captain's Log.
Yes, they would have to edit out the dialogue (or the gap in the stem for it), big whoop.
Not a big hairy deal, just woulda been nice.

I wasn’t trying to come up with excuses for TWC. Just guessing as to why the second half was left out. Probably the most likely explanation is that the second half wasn’t provided to TWC by the studio (also mentioned by someone earlier).

 

[Technoboots]

Gotcha. Now the view of the aluminium piece is on a different angle I got you. Thanks, looked more complicated head on lol

The sheet I used can easily be cut with large scissors meaning it only took seconds to get the main shape. Drilling the holes took the longest.
If you use some masking take and use it to make a template for the shape and where the holes go it will be much quicker. Just transfer it to the aluminium sheet and cut and drill. You'll probably have it done in less than 5 minutes.

 

[Simonized]

The sheet I used can easily be cut with large scissors meaning it only took seconds to get the main shape. Drilling the holes took the longest.
If you use some masking take and use it to make a template for the shape and where the holes go it will be much quicker. Just transfer it to the aluminium sheet and cut and drill. You'll probably have it done in less than 5 minutes.

Cool beans. Thanks for the help