Warehouse 13 - The Tesla Gun
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PeterLC
Sr Member
Just so you know, Kenney made the wooden boxes too based on ones he'd seen and added the milled aluminium and mother of pearl inserts. The correct lock mechanism is no longer available and nor is the correct screw terminal thingy that holds the braided wire to the meter.
RayR
Well-Known Member
No longer available meaning not in production. The lock can be found on original antique boxes (eBay) as can the terminal. The terminal is called a Binding Post. They are not hard to find, even the older ones. I have an original (early 1900's) binding post on my box...from eBay. They are still made for various purposes like Tattoo equipment and antique radio/electronics repair.
The braided wire is called grounding strap. It is usually sold in large spools for industrial applications, but can be found elsewhere. I got a small spool on Amazon for a few bucks before I found a major supply house that was happy to send me a "sample" of the exact item.
The box I used was a fairly common design in the late 1800's. I have an original with the correct pattern inlay and wire. It was an eBay item as well, shipped from UK
kcpstudio
Sr Member
Hi RayR,
The boxes I made are custom based on pics I had seen. I made a box and covered it with real wood laminate. The dimensions are custom.... to include the dia of the mother of pearl which I had custom cut in Australia. Even the aluminum strips. I had made a CAD model of the box before cutting anything. I managed to purchase a few sets of locks but they are no longer in production. Everybody and their uncle are making similar boxes and locks.... from India to China. Good luck finding a dimensional correct lock to fit the cut outs on my boxes... I tried. There are very close ones out there. Even the hinges I used are a messed up size and I have had no luck finding the exact ones.
I never used a "Binding Post" in my boxes. The item you're looking for is a decorative brass knurled knob which is no longer made by the manufacturer. They dropped that size knob a long time ago and they're not going to put that back into production for just a handful. You are correct about the grounding strap and I have tons of that laying around. Obviously everybody has figured out the rubber boot. Its a rubber automotive coil rubber boot.
As for the meter...... good luck finding that exact one. I actually took the darn thing apart and pulled molds off every part just in case I had to make more.
Hope this all helps. Question.... is that your box in the pic? It's not the show's box. It's close. Actually.... looks like its in beautiful shape.
The boxes I made are custom based on pics I had seen. I made a box and covered it with real wood laminate. The dimensions are custom.... to include the dia of the mother of pearl which I had custom cut in Australia. Even the aluminum strips. I had made a CAD model of the box before cutting anything. I managed to purchase a few sets of locks but they are no longer in production. Everybody and their uncle are making similar boxes and locks.... from India to China. Good luck finding a dimensional correct lock to fit the cut outs on my boxes... I tried. There are very close ones out there. Even the hinges I used are a messed up size and I have had no luck finding the exact ones.
I never used a "Binding Post" in my boxes. The item you're looking for is a decorative brass knurled knob which is no longer made by the manufacturer. They dropped that size knob a long time ago and they're not going to put that back into production for just a handful. You are correct about the grounding strap and I have tons of that laying around. Obviously everybody has figured out the rubber boot. Its a rubber automotive coil rubber boot.
As for the meter...... good luck finding that exact one. I actually took the darn thing apart and pulled molds off every part just in case I had to make more.
Hope this all helps. Question.... is that your box in the pic? It's not the show's box. It's close. Actually.... looks like its in beautiful shape.
RayR
Well-Known Member
Yes, that is my box. It is an antique. I gutted it and lined it with velvet and restained the edges black. I found a foam company who did the cut out foam insert. They also made a master so others can have the same work done.
The outside of the box cleaned up nicely with some good old hand waxing. The binding post took a while, but I managed to find a few. Those are original hinges. I actually have a few other boxes just like it, but not as good shape. I took the hinges off one and they were a beast to replace. I finally found some 1" brass hinges at LOWES, lol. I have both brass and steele binding posts. From the photo, I can't tell which they used. I would think brass, but most of the electronics of the day used steele and I think that's really it.
I still am not happy with the black knob next to the binding post and I really want to find something closer. Please Let me know if you have any info on that.
If you posted pics, I missed them, I'd love to see it. it sounds like your box is amazing. I don't have all your design skills. That's why I had to try and resource original materials. I got lucky with the meter. Before I built the box I found the exact one...size and all on ebay. The guy had 3. Sadly I only got 1. The only difference is a HAECO label where the meter needle mounts, but it is the same VU meter.
kcpstudio
Sr Member
Hi RayR,
Hey bud.... I'm not sure if I'm following you 100%. Are you saying you found the original binding post used on the show and the pic you provided above is it? If so, you are incorrect. Trust me.... its a "Decorative Brass Knurled Knob" which was available, at one time, from Rockler. But like I said, that size was discontinued by the manufacturer. I never used a binding post on the boxes. Now.... the one from Rockler may look like it is part of some binding post assembly but it is not. It's just a decorative piece. Plain and simple. Trust me on this one bud.
The meter..... wait for it all you "Warehouse Peeps".... is a correct meter was manufactured by "API Instruments CO.... A 431-1488R6". Now, many companies had similar meters and probably were made by the same company under a different name.
As for the hinges? I did not get them from Lowes but you probably have something spot on or close. Keep in mind that what you see on film is distorted with respect to measurements etc.
This reminds me of a nice gentleman that emailed me a few times to tell me he knew what the part was that "I used" for the so called trigger on the Tesla gun. He swore up and down it was a plumbing piece. I couldn't make it any clear that almost everything on that gun is hand made.... even after telling him I should know.... I made the darn things. I did tell him that if he ever found that part to let me know. I have yet to hear from him.
If you like.... I will try and dig out some of the extra parts I have left and post the item numbers and manufacturers info. It may be a while because I'm pretty busy on a new feature and I don't have time to go digging. But.... I did give you guys the info on the meter. LOL So, happy hunting.
Let me know if you need anything else RayR
Hey bud.... I'm not sure if I'm following you 100%. Are you saying you found the original binding post used on the show and the pic you provided above is it? If so, you are incorrect. Trust me.... its a "Decorative Brass Knurled Knob" which was available, at one time, from Rockler. But like I said, that size was discontinued by the manufacturer. I never used a binding post on the boxes. Now.... the one from Rockler may look like it is part of some binding post assembly but it is not. It's just a decorative piece. Plain and simple. Trust me on this one bud.
The meter..... wait for it all you "Warehouse Peeps".... is a correct meter was manufactured by "API Instruments CO.... A 431-1488R6". Now, many companies had similar meters and probably were made by the same company under a different name.
As for the hinges? I did not get them from Lowes but you probably have something spot on or close. Keep in mind that what you see on film is distorted with respect to measurements etc.
This reminds me of a nice gentleman that emailed me a few times to tell me he knew what the part was that "I used" for the so called trigger on the Tesla gun. He swore up and down it was a plumbing piece. I couldn't make it any clear that almost everything on that gun is hand made.... even after telling him I should know.... I made the darn things. I did tell him that if he ever found that part to let me know. I have yet to hear from him.
If you like.... I will try and dig out some of the extra parts I have left and post the item numbers and manufacturers info. It may be a while because I'm pretty busy on a new feature and I don't have time to go digging. But.... I did give you guys the info on the meter. LOL So, happy hunting.
Let me know if you need anything else RayR
Hi RayR,
Hey bud.... I'm not sure if I'm following you 100%. Are you saying you found the original binding post used on the show and the pic you provided above is it? If so, you are incorrect. Trust me.... its a "Decorative Brass Knurled Knob" which was available, at one time, from Rockler. But like I said, that size was discontinued by the manufacturer. I never used a binding post on the boxes. Now.... the one from Rockler may look like it is part of some binding post assembly but it is not. It's just a decorative piece. Plain and simple. Trust me on this one bud.
The meter..... wait for it all you "Warehouse Peeps".... is a correct meter was manufactured by "API Instruments CO.... A 431-1488R6". Now, many companies had similar meters and probably were made by the same company under a different name.
As for the hinges? I did not get them from Lowes but you probably have something spot on or close. Keep in mind that what you see on film is distorted with respect to measurements etc.
This reminds me of a nice gentleman that emailed me a few times to tell me he knew what the part was that "I used" for the so called trigger on the Tesla gun. He swore up and down it was a plumbing piece. I couldn't make it any clear that almost everything on that gun is hand made.... even after telling him I should know.... I made the darn things. I did tell him that if he ever found that part to let me know. I have yet to hear from him.
If you like.... I will try and dig out some of the extra parts I have left and post the item numbers and manufacturers info. It may be a while because I'm pretty busy on a new feature and I don't have time to go digging. But.... I did give you guys the info on the meter. LOL So, happy hunting.
Let me know if you need anything else RayR
I don't think he realized that you made the props for the show, Kenney. I think he thought you were talking about a replica.
RayR
Well-Known Member
Very cool! Any chance you could sell me one of those black knobs? It's great to get the info from the source. you do Incredible work!:cheers
RayR
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that info! I'll be looking for that "Decorative Brass Knurled Knob" now, lol. I really couldn't make out if it was a full on post. Thanks for that 411. If you could help me get one of those black knobs, I would be forever grateful!Hi RayR,
Hey bud.... I'm not sure if I'm following you 100%. Are you saying you found the original binding post used on the show and the pic you provided above is it? If so, you are incorrect. Trust me.... its a "Decorative Brass Knurled Knob" which was available, at one time, from Rockler. But like I said, that size was discontinued by the manufacturer. I never used a binding post on the boxes. Now.... the one from Rockler may look like it is part of some binding post assembly but it is not. It's just a decorative piece. Plain and simple. Trust me on this one bud.
The meter..... wait for it all you "Warehouse Peeps".... is a correct meter was manufactured by "API Instruments CO.... A 431-1488R6". Now, many companies had similar meters and probably were made by the same company under a different name.
As for the hinges? I did not get them from Lowes but you probably have something spot on or close. Keep in mind that what you see on film is distorted with respect to measurements etc.
This reminds me of a nice gentleman that emailed me a few times to tell me he knew what the part was that "I used" for the so called trigger on the Tesla gun. He swore up and down it was a plumbing piece. I couldn't make it any clear that almost everything on that gun is hand made.... even after telling him I should know.... I made the darn things. I did tell him that if he ever found that part to let me know. I have yet to hear from him.
If you like.... I will try and dig out some of the extra parts I have left and post the item numbers and manufacturers info. It may be a while because I'm pretty busy on a new feature and I don't have time to go digging. But.... I did give you guys the info on the meter. LOL So, happy hunting.
Let me know if you need anything else RayR
My meter says API model no. 361, but I cant make out the other faded numbers.
I have 3 other Victorian antique boxes, all purchased trying to match the one on the show. Each has the lock assembly. They are seemingly identical, 4 mm across the top, and no keys. The key is a simple and common one that is easily found. I would be glad to hook you up with one of the lock assembles if you are interested. I plan to re-sell the boxes on eBay now that I have the right one for the project. PM me if you would like more info or want me to send you one.
RayR
Well-Known Member
Is my face red :$
RayR
Well-Known Member
Kenney, Is this the one...if I cut down the screw threads?
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=651
kcpstudio
Sr Member
Hi RayR,
No.... I mean.... that's the same style but at one time there were many more sizes. No they only have the two sizes you see listed and the dia of the knurled head is too large. Like I said.... that's the knob.... but not the right size. You could get that and cut the threads down but the dia of the knurled head is too large. The manufacturer stopped making some of the sizes.
So, you either have to locate an old one or make one. I still have the molds for the adjustment knob. I could pull a cast once I get free of some of this work.
If I have some time later tonight, I'll pull out the construction pics and post a few.
Cheers,
Kenney
No.... I mean.... that's the same style but at one time there were many more sizes. No they only have the two sizes you see listed and the dia of the knurled head is too large. Like I said.... that's the knob.... but not the right size. You could get that and cut the threads down but the dia of the knurled head is too large. The manufacturer stopped making some of the sizes.
So, you either have to locate an old one or make one. I still have the molds for the adjustment knob. I could pull a cast once I get free of some of this work.
If I have some time later tonight, I'll pull out the construction pics and post a few.
Cheers,
Kenney
RayR
Well-Known Member
That would be great. What is the correct diameter across the top...or part number (when you get time to check)? I'll call all over the country if I have to. Somebody has to have new old stock sitting on a shelf. 'm too close now to not get this box right. I spent so much on this great QMX gun, I just had to have the perfect display for it.
I realize you are a busy man, Kenney, so thanks for taking time to answer these questions and provide pictures. It is very generous of you.
Cheers ~ Ray
kcpstudio
Sr Member
Hi RayR..... Oh snap... you purchased the QMx one? I made those for QMx as well. I made them exactly like I did for the show. With one exception. The paint I used on the end caps of the tubes for the show guns, I toned down so it wasn't reflective.
I'll pull that parts box when I get a chance and see what goodies are in there. I even have tubes yet. lol I have to say the Tesla was a pretty fun project. It just has that "look".
I'll pull that parts box when I get a chance and see what goodies are in there. I even have tubes yet. lol I have to say the Tesla was a pretty fun project. It just has that "look".
RayR
Well-Known Member
Glad to know I own a piece of your work. It is truly excellent.:thumbsup As a huge fan of "The" N. Tesla, this gun holds even more fascination for me. It's a worthy concept and exquisitely executed! As you probably know, he was the quintessential humanitarian and I can see him designing a non-lethal "gun" like yours.
Finally finished assembling my Tesla gun. Big thanks to Timelordd. Can't wait to get this signed by Eddie and Saul at Fandomfest.
PeterLC
Sr Member
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