TOS Communicator builds.

[MARK M3]

So not happy with leaving well enough alone, I revisited my Kirk Hero(Cats Paw,Day of the Dove) Communicator build. It's seen here with my other Hero build(complete with vintage 30 second stop watches) and my Making of Star Trek Communicator build. There's also a Phaser 1 in the back ground.

 

[turner3d]

View attachment 1926407

The comm in the video looks like an Alpha? Gorgeous work! You nailed it right down to the stone colors, control panel side lift, mic grill spacing, and knob wear and positioning. The only thing I see off is that the antenna isn't flopped all the way back to 180 degrees (I applaud that decision, too) Bravo.

 

[MARK M3]

The comm in the video looks like an Alpha? Gorgeous work! You nailed it right down to the stone colors, control panel side lift, mic grill spacing, and knob wear and positioning. The only thing I see off is that the antenna isn't flopped all the way back to 180 degrees (I applaud that decision, too) Bravo.

Thanks! You are correct! The one in the video IS my Alpha!

 

[MARK M3]

My "BETA" Build Communicator.
Pielock shells and lid.
Bezel and Moire Sourced from other places.
30 second vintage stopwatch.

 

[turner3d]

I'm not quite finished with it, but here's the build I've been working on. It's not meant to be set-accurate, but more screen-accurate. The goal was to create an experience for as little as possible. The whole thing is 3d printed with the exception of the rhinestones and the laser-printed moire pieces. I know that's a sort of sacrilege to some people, especially the plastic antenna.

I used a smooth-sweep 1.5V clock movement to drive the moire. It spins at only half the speed it should, but not bad for the price. This whole thing, including filament, audio circuitry, clock movement, battery, magnets, & switches cost less than $30 total to build.

I'm working on a better antenna and control panel.

I'm not sure why the moire looks more like Beta in that video - something to do with the lighting, probably. It doesn't look like that in person. Again, its elements are just laser printed and definitely not Imagesetter quality

 

[MARK M3]

My BETA build Communicator. I went back to both Herocomm And screen caps AND actual viewing of Day of the Dove to refine my Moire action on the build. I supplied a screen cap from Day Of the Dove as well as Comparison pics with the research on Herocomm.
Also seen with it is my ALPHA build.
The shells and lids come from my very good friend Steve Pielock . Everything else was put together for the resources to make the Comms accurate.
Both have vintage 30 second stop watches. It's a very intricate and delicate job to get these things right, which heightens my admiration for the great Wah Chang.
Thanks!

 

[chazzychaz]

Spectacular.

 

[MARK M3]

Spectacular.

Many Thanks!

 

[Reel Fakes]

WOW!

 

[MARK M3]

WOW!

Many thanks indeed!

 

[MARK M3]

 

[Ronldheld]

You have too many props? Not!

 

[MARK M3]

 

[Trooper_trent]

Absolutely fantastic. Love that Beta. That is some serious dedication!

 

[Reel Fakes]

Very nice indeed!

 

[MARK M3]

Absolutely fantastic. Love that Beta. That is some serious dedication!

Thanks! I think I actually prefer the BETA to the Alpha!

 

[Trooper_trent]

Thanks! I think I actually prefer the BETA to the Alpha!

Same, The "spider" pattern of the Beta moiré is my favorite. Looks like you nailed it. The slow rocking from right, back to left. Very well done.
Are you using an actual Minerva?
Also curious how you did the winder tube.

"..fascinating..."

 

[MARK M3]

Same, The "spider" pattern of the Beta moiré is my favorite. Looks like you nailed it. The slow rocking from right, back to left. Very well done.
Are you using an actual Minerva?
Also curious how you did the winder tube.

"..fascinating..."

Thanks!
I did use the Minerva. Did the same thing as my Alpha. Rubber hose with the brass tubing!

 

[Trooper_trent]

Thanks!
I did use the Minerva. Did the same thing as my Alpha. Rubber hose with the brass tubing!View attachment 1933362

Awesome! Hey, do you know what the purpose of the crossbar in the brass tube was? Was it just cut off of something else and already had the crossbar or was it made for the prop and served some purpose? I've wondered about that for quite a while and figured you're probably the guy to ask! haha

 

[MARK M3]

Awesome! Hey, do you know what the purpose of the crossbar in the brass tube was? Was it just cut off of something else and already had the crossbar or was it made for the prop and served some purpose? I've wondered about that for quite a while and figured you're probably the guy to ask! haha

The separate smaller brass tube is so you can wind the stop watch with a screw driver. To be clear I didn't use a Minerva stop watch in my Alpha. I used a vintage stop watch similar to the one used in the Alpha.