Star Destroyer Capacitor Bearing (TFA)

The14thDr

Sr Member
This is one of those props that had very little screen time but seems to have generated quite a bit of interest among the prop community.
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After someone identified the top half of this prop as the casing from a Tommy Walsh Precision Screwdriver set, I knew I had to give this a go.

I began by picking up said screwdriver set from the local Poundland.
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To help the paint stick to the plastic better, I gave the lid a light sanding with some 150-grit sandpaper.
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This thread must hold some kind of record for the longest build time for such a small prop!

This week I finally had my model for the bottom half of the prop 3D printed.
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Using some of my trusty acrylic glue, I assembled the three parts of the collet. Next begins the tedious task of sanding the entire thing smooth before it can be painted.
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Thankfully, the tolerances on the ring were so tight that I was able to slowly work it onto the screwdriver lid without the need for any glue.
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Any chance you'll release the files for the lower half?
Not publicly, no. I’ve had trouble in the past with my files being taken and sold without my permission. If you send me a PM with your email address, however, I will more than happily send you the .STLs - that way I can keep a better track of how many people have them.

I’m almost done sanding the lower half now, I just need to figure out how I’m going to replicate that greeblie at the top of the prop.
 
There was a real collet in the JY a couple days ago, may still be there.

Also, this is a great little prop. I’m thinking of having anything go at one
 
I made the top greeblie for this prop out of some 1/4” dowel and basswood, then glued it into place at the top of the screwdriver cap.
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I then sanded the 3D printed collet until it was smooth and undercoated both parts in black paint (this helps add to the weathered look later on.)

Looking at the Visual Dictionary photo, I couldn’t help but notice how the top half of the prop is heavier than the lower half - just look at how it lies flat with the collet in the air.
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To replicate this myself, I filled the screwdriver cap with air-drying clay until it was heavier than the 3D printed part.

Finally, I glued the two halves together:
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For the “spokes” around the collet, I first made a template for the angled cuts, then cut 6 strips out of basswood. These were then glued into place and undercoated.
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I just need to paint this now! What do you think?
 
Finally, the fun part!

With my capacitor bearing now fully assembled, I gave it a thick coat of dark silver paint. I imagine this is how the capacitor bearing would look as a brand-new component.
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Alas, this is a Star Wars prop, so in order to look the part it needs some heavy weathering! :D

Using this screencap as a reference point, I began with a heavy brown wash to simulate decades of dirt and dust from the desert.
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