Uncle Rico's Time Machine

T

thor2015

New Member
Hey all-
I am attempting to build a replica of "Uncle Rico's time machine" and am having one minor hang up. I am in the process of locating parts for the T handle and cannot seem to identify the piece at the very bottom of the handle. Here is a picture:

1114881774886_time_5.jpeg


I have identified the shield part as a USPC logo and am pretty sure that this is a one piece PVC item. I've searched for sprinkler pieces, pump pieces, vaccum pieces, PVC fittings, etc. and cannot find any info. Does anyone have any clue what this could be? Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
 
That pineapple looking thing? It's a PVC plumbing piece. I bought one at Menard's (a hardware store near me) and used it for my first hardware saber grenade section. They come in a few sizes I think.

If you can't find one at your local hardware store, look at others. Or check out plumbing stores. I am, not sure what they are used for, but I found mine in the PVC fittings section of the plumbing stuff.

andy2.jpg

andy1.jpg
 
Sulla,
Thank you for the advice. I went out today and found what I was looking for. I need to learn that in most prop related hardware cases that the mom and pop shops are the place to go instead of these places like Lowe's and Home Depot.

The part that was in question was in fact the "grenade" piece at the end. In case anyone else may be looking for a part like this (for your own t-handle or lightsaber) this was labeled as a ' 3/4" PVC span coupler '. The brand name on the label is kbi and the part number is QF-0750. The funny thing is that because of my uncertainty on size, I picked up a smaller version of what looked to be the same piece. However, it was labeled as a PVC repair coupler (part # QF-0500). If anyone needs pictures let me know and I will post them up here. The part is going to need some slight modification but there is no doubt in my mind that this is the piece I need.

I don't think I need too much more to complete the project (wasn't much to it anyways). If anyone is interested I will post a complete parts list when I'm done.

And no, Kylash327 I won't forget the crystals! :cool
 
It's a piece of crap! It doesn't work!


Damn funniest scene, I swear I try to catch just that part everytime if I can.
 
Yes ..... parts list would be cool. :thumbsup



Put a shock device in it from one of the novelty shocking pens, or lighters. Let the Hijinks begin.
 
Thanks, guys.

One thing to note since the subject seems to be getting popular is that the picture I posted is of a replica made by a seller on E-Bay. There are a lot of details that are different from the screen used version. I hope to either correct or address these details in my final writeup. For example, the PVC coupler. The part I found yesterday matches the replica but the movie version is a bit different. The screen used part more closely resembles the picture Sulla posted. For that reason I have my fiance out at Menards today with a picture so hopefully she will have some luck finding a more accurate piece. (Reason I don't go is because I'm in Texas and she is up visiting family in Illinois). The main box does not have the teardrop holes in the front panel and there are 2 knockouts (stamped circles) per side unlike the replica pictured which has 3.

I guess what I like about this prop is that for one, not a lot of people to date that I know of have attempted this so it's a bit more involved in the finding of parts. Secondly, parts such as the main box are simply thrown together (labels are not perfectly straight, etc.) so while I will be making some measurements I won't worry about perfection. I think the whole point of the screen used version was to make it look thrown together to add to its "laughability" that someone would actually buy something like this and believe that it works.

As for the shocking part, I thought about putting in some of those DC motors (like you find in game controllers) to make the T-handle vibrate. I'm not so sure that I want to shock the daylights out of someone but I agree that the thing should at least do a little something.

Thanks for the feedback, all. I'll keep everyone updated as things progress.
 
UPDATE:

Sulla, your information once again came to some good use. :thumbsup My fiance was not able to locate the correct part at Menards (they seem to be stocking the same piece seen in the replica photo I posted). However, she was able to tell me what brand plumbing fittings they sell. A quick search on Google and I may have found a sprinkler supply company that sells the correct part. I placed an order and requested that if the fittings differ from what is pictured on their site to contact me. Once I receive the fittings I'll give the final word on whether or not these are the screen accurate part. The brand name is Nibco and the piece is called a "slip fix". I purchased mine in the 1" size. Part number listed on the site is FSF-100.
 
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I've been getting PMs from people and really appreciate the feedback. There have been requests for a parts list. I'd like to make everyone aware of the fact that I will be posting the parts list publicly once I get things together (still researching a few pieces and making some new discoveries). My goal is to make the replica as accurate as possible while at the same time keeping away from places like E-Bay so that everyone has an equal chance of obtaining everything they need. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have the parts list nailed down. I'll keep everybody updated as things progress.
 
Thanks again Thor for all of your work on this project. The time machine is one that alot of people here have been wanting to do, and like alot of projects on the RPF, once someone gets rolling with it the item(s) are soon found. :):thumbsup So a big thanks for getting this info for everyone and sharing it!

-Ss
 
thor2015 said:
I've been getting PMs from people and really appreciate the feedback. There have been requests for a parts list. I'd like to make everyone aware of the fact that I will be posting the parts list publicly once I get things together (still researching a few pieces and making some new discoveries). My goal is to make the replica as accurate as possible while at the same time keeping away from places like E-Bay so that everyone has an equal chance of obtaining everything they need. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have the parts list nailed down. I'll keep everybody updated as things progress.
Click to expand...


Cool idea on doing a unique prop - BUT, why not put up some screen caps and let the board give you a hand IDing the parts? 20,000 eyes are better than 2.

No sense doing all this work yourself when there may be people who already know what the parts are.

-Fred
 
I talked to Thor and he will be posting some screencaps soon. I've been able to find most of the parts now today as well, but like any prop part hunt the thing that ends up driving the prices on items up are 500 calls to a small shop carrying some obscure part. Most of the items are not that hard to locate so there will be no danger of that, but 1 or 2 of the parts may be somewhat rare.

I'm sharing all that I find with Thor and hopefully there will be a 100% complete and accurate parts list before the end of the week :):thumbsup

-Ss
 
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ssdesigner said:
I talked to Thor and he will be posting some screencaps soon. I've been able to find most of the parts now today as well, but like any prop part hunt the thing that ends up driving the prices on items up are 500 calls to a small shop carrying some obscure part. Most of the items are not that hard to locate so there will be no danger of that, but 1 or 2 of the parts may be somewhat rare.


-Ss
Click to expand...

But that's going to happen regardless of how many people are looking for the parts. Once the part is identified, stores are going to get inundated with requests for a "replacement part for my grandfather's doowhacky". That's just how this place is.

Right now, it just kinda seems like "let me make sure I get one for myself, then you jackals are on your own". And that's ok, too. Everyone does it.

But there are two ways to get around it; keep all the info to yourself until you're ready to reveal the prop and parts list in their entirety or, just put out all the info you have and let everyone have a go at identifying and finding the parts like with the Obi saber.

-Fred
 
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