Ok, I've made a little progress today.
First though, let's address a topic that keeps coming up;
Many say that the rod is not hooked because it would get caught on the wire across the road and stop the car.
I say it is hooked exactly for that reason, well sort of. It's hooked so it can be pulled out of the toy car just as it is on the Delorean. When the Delorean crosses the line, it's Lightning Rod hooks the cable and is pulled out as Marty crosses. You can see it dangling from the cable after the flame trails.
anyway, back on topic...
Let's get that Lightning Rod and Key handled, shall we?
Just as luke moonwalker has done above, I too have used a brass tube for the Lightning Rod.
I bought mine from the local hobby store, here it is
take this hollow tube and insert some very fine wire.
I used "mechanic's wire", cuz well... I'm a mechanic.
Bend the little wire to an appropriate shape and cut to length (mine is about 4 inches or 10cm)
You'll also see that I used electrical tape to simulate the black collar on the Key. I don't know what was actually used, so I went with Tape (for now)
Next, you have to hack up a pencil. MAKE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT COLOR YELLOW! You want the more orange color.
Mine were not, so some of the pics have the wrong pencil.
Cut a section about 3/4 in ( 20cm) long and drill the graphite out
Start small and use progressively larger bits until you get the size you want.
A drill press is optimal, but I live life on the edge:lol
Then, insert a 1/32 roll pin into the hole.
Lowe's has these in their bins, 2 for 80 cents.
Then insert the lightning rod into your new receiver.
you can attach the receiver to the car now. Mine is hot-glued and feels quite strong
Drill a hole on the trunk big enough for your key with tape on it.
Center it using the crest as a guide. make a hole 3/4 in (20cm) down from the top of the trunk NOT THE CONVERTIBLE COVER, THE TRUNK. There is a line that you measure from.
Take your time and try to drill a better hole than I did. Mine looks like garbage, so I didn't take any pics.
Now take the eraser from the pencil you chopped up and drill a hole in the middle of it.
Hot glue that in this location;
This is for the key to stick into. It's a little difficult to get the key to stick in the eraser, but it'll keep the key from flopping around.
If you are making your key spin, skip these steps.
Here's where we all should be now
Stay tuned, we'll address the copper contact on the bottom of the car next...
