Truly hovering Jedi Training Remote

[Gigatron]

Just a small update.

Still working on those dang zappers. They're a lot harder than I originally thought.

I don't have the 7/8 drill bit required to drill out the holes, so I'm going to have to use a tiny 5/64 bit and drill around the primeter until the piece comes out and then clean it up with a dremel sanding drum.

Also, making those goofy styrene bands around the emitters are a geometrical nightmare. First you've got to cut out circles and then go back and hand shape each one because of the shape of the dome - what pain in the rear :lol. If anyone has any in the propper size already finshed, I'd gladly buy them .

It may take a little longer than originally planned, but hopefully not much more.

-Fred

 

[Gigatron]

Just a test of the shock ray assembly to see how it looks all together

Thanks WC for hosting

-Fred

 

[Kris]

That looks .. like .. total great .. or so :love

(Just watched Pink Five ..like awesome)

 

[Gigatron]

Thanks, Kris .

Here's a new update, a quick little mock-up to see how things line up

Amazing what a quick coat of primer will do. Really brings it all together

Thanks to WC for hosting.

-Fred

 

[punisher]

haha. WOW that is FANTASTIC. i was playing around with one at wallgreens today thinking if there was a use for one. what a coincidence.
great creative idea.
-Scott

 

[prop fan]

very nice and a cool Ideal

 

[The Wook]

I watched Star Wars tonight. Turns out the remote doesn't make a steady humming/buzzing sound. That sound comes from the lightsaber. The remote only makes two sounds, neither of which are constant: one, is the sound of laser fire; and two, is the sound of the remote moving (it sounds kinda like "pssshhhhing").

I still think a low hummmm sound would be cool for your set-up, but it would not be screen-accurate. In fact, when Luke turns off his saber, there is no audible sound emanating from the remote as it continues to hover in front of him.

The Wook

 

[ssdesigner]

I think a really good question would be how strong or how big are the magnets in all of these units? They sell these things as low as $20.00 for the floating VW Beetle, but are the magnets smaller?

If anyone buys one of the globes please post pics of the magnet inside the globe

-Ss

 

[Gigatron]

Thanks, gang .

Too bad about the sound. I guess we could come up with something.

On a more serious note, I may have some bad news; The remote may be too heavy to maintain it's levitation for more than a few seconds. It stays for a few seconds before the base starts shaking violently and then the remotes gets stuck to the top magnet.

If anyone has any suggestions or any knowledge of magnetic physics, please chime in.

-Fred

 

[Darth Kahnt]

Wish I could help but, I'm just a prop collector and not very knowledgeable about such things.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gigatron @ May 7 2006, 08:51 AM) [snapback]1239890[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, gang .

Too bad about the sound. I guess we could come up with something.

On a more serious note, I may have some bad news; The remote may be too heavy to maintain it's levitation for more than a few seconds. It stays for a few seconds before the base starts shaking violently and then the remotes gets stuck to the top magnet.

If anyone has any suggestions or any knowledge of magnetic physics, please chime in.

-Fred
[/b]

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ssdesigner @ May 7 2006, 12:45 PM) [snapback]1239889[/snapback]</div>

I think a really good question would be how strong or how big are the magnets in all of these units? They sell these things as low as $20.00 for the floating VW Beetle, but are the magnets smaller?

If anyone buys one of the globes please post pics of the magnet inside the globe

-Ss
[/b]

Hey Scott,

Here's a pic of the magnet that came in the globe I bought

That's a quater in there in there for size comparison. The magnet is just about over 1/4" thick.

Unfortunately with magnets, relative size is a poor indication of magnetic power. There are tiny rare earth magnets that are several times stronger than larger magnets.

The problem is calculating how strong of a magnet you need to maintain the levitation at a given distance of a certain weight.

What I may try, is if I can find one of those 8" globes for really cheap, is see if the base can support the remote. Either that, or see if someone at FloatingIdeas (manufacturers of the globe) would be willing to discuss magnetic theory.

Anyway....

Thanks to WC for hosting

-Fred

 

[ssdesigner]

Thanks Fred.

I think once a magnet (that is powerfull enough) is found to hold it firmly to the top of the base one could add weight to the inside of the sphere until it balanced perfectly.

Of course, like anything else, it sounds easy

-Ss

 

[slightlyagitatedwookie]

Gigatron,

Here's some info from the Floating Ideas FAQ (if you haven't already looked)

Q: What are the object restrictions on Floating Ideas?
A: Objects must weigh less than 300 gm (12 ounces) and may contain only small amounts of iron or magnetic steel. Non- magnetic materials are preferred. The item to be levitated must be modified or designed to accept a magnet just underneath its top surface. There is a limit to the amount of 'playing around' (pulling up and down on the item while floating), and the related action of inserting/removing objects. Both actions cause maximum power draw and subsequently the electromagnet portion of the magnetic head heats up. Special powerful rare earth magnets must be used. The typical magnet size is 24mm diameter X 10mm high (1" X 3/8")

Awesome idea and build up BTW.

Hope this helps,
Heath

 

[Gigatron]

No problem, SCott .

I wish things were as easy as they seem on paper :lol


So, I just sent an email to the manufacturer.

Here's a copy of the email. let's hope they're interested:

Hello,

I recently purchased one of your levitating globes and I am thouroughly impressed.

I have a question about levitating an unusual item. I am a model builder by hobby and a long time Star Wars fan. And now, several pieces have fallen in to place to combine my hobby with your product.

In the movie Star Wars: A New Hope (Ep. IV 1977) you can see the character Luke Skywalker honing his skills with a lightsaber against a training remote. What I am in the process of doing is building a replica of the remote from the original parts.

Now, here is where your product comes in. I have taken the magnet out of the globe and installed it in my model. The remote actually does levitate but (there's always a but), the base unit shakes like it's having a seizure. I assume it's due to the heavier weight of the model and the base is struggling to maintain it's field.

So my question is this, if I can tell you the weight of the model, would you be able to suggest a replacement magnet that would work with this setup?

I am a member of a highly visible prop replica forum and if this works, I know several (and we're talking dozens if not hundreds of) people who would be very interested in this. Not only would this attract scratch model builders but refitters as well.

If you would like I can supply you with the weight of the model (not very accurate as since it's not complete, I can't estimate the amount of weight of the paint) and in-progess construction shots.

I hope we can work together on this project.

Thank you for your time,
Fred Xxxxx

Can't wait to see if they respond

-Fred

 

[slightlyagitatedwookie]

Gig,

If you're real close to the weight limit of the field, could you posibly shave some plastic off the inside of the Plastruct spheres with a dremel to reduce the weight to meet the 300 grams?

Just a thought,

Heath

 

[Sidewinder]

Helium ballon in the sphere?

SAS

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(slightlyagitatedwookie @ May 7 2006, 02:08 PM) [snapback]1239921[/snapback]</div>

Gig,

If you're real close to the weight limit of the field, could you posibly shave some plastic off the inside of the Plastruct spheres with a dremel to reduce the weight to meet the 300 grams?

Just a thought,

Heath
[/b]

I took your advice and I weighed both the remote and the original globe. The remote weighs 245 grams and the globe weighs 120 grams (or 8.8 oz. vs. 4.2 oz.). That's just over double and still doesn't include the weight of paint and glue.

Sidewinder, that's one of the things I thought of too :lol

Hopefully, someone from the company will get back to me about this.

DAMN YOU, SCIENCE.....

-Fred

 

[Gigatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(slightlyagitatedwookie @ May 7 2006, 02:02 PM) [snapback]1239918[/snapback]</div>

Gigatron,

Here's some info from the Floating Ideas FAQ (if you haven't already looked)

Q: What are the object restrictions on Floating Ideas?
A: Objects must weigh less than 300 gm (12 ounces) and may contain only small amounts of iron or magnetic steel. Non- magnetic materials are preferred. The item to be levitated must be modified or designed to accept a magnet just underneath its top surface. There is a limit to the amount of 'playing around' (pulling up and down on the item while floating), and the related action of inserting/removing objects. Both actions cause maximum power draw and subsequently the electromagnet portion of the magnetic head heats up. Special powerful rare earth magnets must be used. The typical magnet size is 24mm diameter X 10mm high (1" X 3/8")

Awesome idea and build up BTW.

Hope this helps,
Heath
[/b]

Hey Heath,

Thanks for posting that, I hadn't seen it before :thumbsup .

That makes this problem even more odd. The total weight of the remote right now, as is, is 245 gm. The magnet is mounted directly to the inner surface. The plastruct sphere is about 1/8" thick. There is no other metal on the remote. There's no reason this shouldn't work.

Hopefully, I'll hear back from them

-Fred

 

[slightlyagitatedwookie]

Hmmmm... that is odd. Perhaps the 300 grams is for a different model or something.

Keep us posted. i'm very curious how this turns out.

Heath

 

[Sidewinder]

Should there be a magnet at the top and bottom of the object?

SAS