Warehouse 13 - The Tesla Gun

[kcpstudio]

Hi Interceptor6,
No... this isn't one of mine. Too bad though... I kind of like it. I do remember when they were kicking the idea around for making this for Claudia. Don't hold me to this but I think size had something to do with makinf a samller version for her. It would be easier for her to hold. Again... don't quote me but for some reason that sticks out in my mind as one of the reasons. I do have to say that the prop department has some truly talented people working for them I love some of the interesting things they thought up.

I think I can give a little info out.... hopefully I don't get a call on this but... here it goes. I did talk to Andy about producing this piece. I have asked for the hero to examine. But, not sure when that may be. Right now, I have some sonics form Dr. Who I'm working on. I will say, I would love to make the Claudia's tesla.... that is if I can get the hero to look over. I don't see whay not though..... the studio has been really great about helping with providing anything we need. To be honset, I never met anyone (meaning the Warehouse 13 studio) being more into the fans than they are. I loved working with them.

 

[timelordd]

I want a job with them!

 

[timelordd]

Well the holes are plug up!.....I'm complentating that little tesla!

 

[timelordd]

Yeah I forgot to mention that today I asked one of the bosses(the cool one) how much the company would charge for doing just the brass barrel with the window cut out, when he told me close to $150 I just about flipped. I guess that might be one of the reasons the tesla is so expensive. I guess I'll keep chipping away at this every chance I get.

 

[Scifideity]

Yeah I forgot to mention that today I asked one of the bosses(the cool one) how much the company would charge for doing just the brass barrel with the window cut out, when he told me close to $150 I just about flipped. I guess that might be one of the reasons the tesla is so expensive. I guess I'll keep chipping away at this every chance I get.

$150 just for the brass barrel. wow. :eek That does seem a bit on the high side but I'm not in that industry so I have no clue what the raw material or time on the machine should run. I think that is going to be one of the hardest components for me to come up with. Did you get your raw material (pipe) online or through work?

On another note, my tubes arrived today Now to finish gathering the necessary tools and other components.

 

[Dakarn]

One question on the tubes, I'm building 2 Tesla's to be used as part of costumes at Cons. Anyway to reinforce the glass on the tubes?

 

[exoray]

$150 just for the brass barrel. wow. :eek That does seem a bit on the high side but I'm not in that industry so I have no clue what the raw material or time on the machine should run.

Low end shop time is $65/hr although most shops hit closer to the $100/hr for 4+ axis CNC milling or for time on a lathe with milling ability... There will be setup cost, and surcharges if you don't order enough pieces to make it worth their while in addition to the hourly rate...

And metal prices are stupid expensive right now, brass and copper being so stupidly priced now that I have turned to scrapping and garbage picking when I see it, at least for those metals I then melt them down and sand cast into usable machining stock...

 

[Interceptor6]

One question on the tubes, I'm building 2 Tesla's to be used as part of costumes at Cons. Anyway to reinforce the glass on the tubes?

If you're going to be "toting" them at con, I'd do the tubes out of acrylic. I picked up a couple plastic "tubes" that get blown into 2 liter bottles, they would work great for the front tube.

 

[AstronautBuck]

Has anyone lighted one of these? I was thinking of some of the Voodoo parts.

 

[TheDoctor]

Mini Tesla!!!!

 

[Kylash]

Well there it was, short but awesome.

 

[kcpstudio]

And there ya have it. Thanks for the info timlordd. I hope this at the very least helps people to understand it cand get expensive to CNC parts.... even simple ones. The barrel of the Tesla is a part that I use 4 axis on. It's crazy but it is what it is. And you guys are right.... copper and brass prices are nuts right now. Lol

It really is hard standing at the sidelines not able to help or share more.

 

[PeterLC]

Only just noticed that you used to be Kylash, LOL. Good to see you.

would love some more detail on what went into this baby!

 

[Scifideity]

If you're going to be "toting" them at con, I'd do the tubes out of acrylic. I picked up a couple plastic "tubes" that get blown into 2 liter bottles, they would work great for the front tube.

@exoray - thanks for that cost breakdown. $150, while expensive for a small part does make sense once all the cost are added up. Especially for a small run.

@Dakarn - I'm still getting the hang of the RPF linking rules so I don't want to violate them by posting a link to a site that sells them but if you google "2 Liter Preforms" you'll find many sites that offer them. Those are the nearly indestructible tubes Interceptor6 is referring to. Schools and science project sites use them for their strength around kids when glass test tubes would be a bad idea. Geocachers also use them for containers.

 

[Gareee]

Is there any best source for those 2 Liter Preforms? My wife is considering a Warehouse 13 outfit for dragoncon, but she wa swondering if I'd cobble up her a tesla. I was thinking one of those derrenger styled ones.

And I'd need a black medical bag for Arty... sigh.

 

[Dakarn]

@exoray - thanks for that cost breakdown. $150, while expensive for a small part does make sense once all the cost are added up. Especially for a small run.

@Dakarn - I'm still getting the hang of the RPF linking rules so I don't want to violate them by posting a link to a site that sells them but if you google "2 Liter Preforms" you'll find many sites that offer them. Those are the nearly indestructible tubes Interceptor6 is referring to. Schools and science project sites use them for their strength around kids when glass test tubes would be a bad idea. Geocachers also use them for containers.

Thanks, I would've had no idea where to start looking for those! Off to research them now.

If you could PM me those links I'd appreciate it.

 

[Interceptor6]

Thanks, I would've had no idea where to start looking for those! Off to research them now.

If you could PM me those links I'd appreciate it.

Those are them! My wife's a preschool teacher, and brings home all kinds of interesting things.
If they only sell them by the gross or something, drop me a pm and I'll mail you out one.
Jeff

 

[Kylash]

Only just noticed that you used to be Kylash, LOL. Good to see you.

yeah i cant just stay away...

 

[Scifideity]

Has anyone shared templates for the meters and number gauge or does everyone just wing it? Just wondering, I haven't come across any yet.

 

[PeterLC]

No most of us haven't really gotten that far I guess. I've had no opportunity to do any work on mine; just search for tubes. Since we'll probably never know the exact size, DPI etc, we'll likely have to wing it until it looks right, eh Kenney? wink wink LOL

I was even looking at these little things but think they are too big.