Sonic Screwdriver : Forest of the dead

[gregraj]

Hi all,
 I just started a new project 2 weeks ago after watching the forest of the dead episode.  I have about 80 percent complete on the cad side.  I am giving some serious thought on building this one.  So, your opinions and thoughts are always welcomed.  greg

[gregraj]

Yes,  I am still alive.  I have made some progress on the sonic-screwdriver.  The 3d model is done.








Jaren, The ID ring and field-emitter pylons were cut on a wire edm machine.  greg

[karsthotep]

If you build it they will come,  I love that thing, I like the River Song Sonic better then the Doctor's, I just think it has a lot of interesting elements and feels very steam punk to me. I love it. Great work.  Do you have another render with the small finger ring?   If you built this I would be after you for one as well . awesome work.

Karsten

[justintime]

I assume you already have this picture, but if not, here it is:

  from http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Doctor_Who_Wiki

JIT

[gregraj]

Karsten ,
   
    Building the ring assemble is the last of the parts that i am working on.  I will keep you all posted on any updated work.  Justintime , yes i have the concept image, but i only use it for reference .  The concept image is very different from the episode prop.  I am almost convinced that there were two props made, but i haven't found any proof of this. Only what appears to be variances in some of the episode scenes.  greg

[the_temporal_mechanic]

Two words.... LOVE IT!  What materials are you thinking of for your build?  What methods are you going to use to produce it?

[karsthotep]

I have some pictures of the actual prop, I will post those tonight for you as well if you don't already have them. 

Karsten

[gregraj]

Karsten ,
    You can never have enough images, but i do have a few good shots from the episode forest of the dead.  what i do need is a good size reference.  I believe now that my model is a little big after assembly.  It measures 236.6mm or 9.3 in. ?  I don't believe it is over 216mm or 8.5 in.  Anybody have a good estimate on the size would help.  greg
 

[gregraj]

Jaren elo ,
    Materials, well there seems to be a great deal of brass on the prop.  So, I would probably use brass rod and tubing.  Copper water plumbing parts comes to mind also.  Karsten was right about steampunk.  The rubber handle is probably a rubber handle off some hand tool ?  Aluminum or stainless rod and tubing.  Aluminum would be easier to work with, but stainless would look nicer.  The center section would be plastic like a flashlight (torch) shell.  It would be nice to put one AA battery in to drive the LED display.

  Methods, I was hoping to avoid using a lathe on this project, but it does seem to be crying out for one.  I was planning to use standard hand tools with a drill press and soldering gun thrown in for good measure.  I am still in the design stage on this project, so much can change  before i start a build.  Any thoughts and ideas are always welcomed.  greg


   

[purpleblancmange]

I believe now that my model is a little big after assembly.  It measures 236.6mm or 9.3 in. ?  I don't believe it is over 216mm or 8.5 in.  Anybody have a good estimate on the size would help.  greg
 

The standard Sonic prop when in the closed position is just 6" long, so seeing as the Riversong Sonic is basically an adapted Doctor's Sonic, it too would have to be around this size. 

A quick calculation taken from known measurements places it at 6 3/4" long with the extra crud stuck in between the ceramic body and black tail end.

Hope that's of some use to you.

[karsthotep]

Karsten ,
    You can never have enough images, but i do have a few good shots from the episode forest of the dead.  what i do need is a good size reference.  I believe now that my model is a little big after assembly.  It measures 236.6mm or 9.3 in. ?  I don't believe it is over 216mm or 8.5 in.  Anybody have a good estimate on the size would help.  greg
 

I'll post what I have, the picture I have is not a screen shot but the picture of the prop laying neatly for a photograph, should be helpful for you. I will post it tonight.

Karst

[purpleblancmange]

I'll post what I have, the picture I have is not a screen shot but the picture of the prop laying neatly for a photograph, should be helpful for you. I will post it tonight.

Karst

In that case, I won't bother posting my copy of it if you're going to upload it... I'm sure they're the same picture - the version of the device pointing to the left of screen, with the red light rather than the blue.

[karsthotep]

In that case, I won't bother posting my copy of it if you're going to upload it... I'm sure they're the same picture - the version of the device pointing to the left of screen, with the red light rather than the blue.

  Yup its the same one, if your copy is higher resolution feel free to upload, Here are the shots.
Prop Shot:


Screen Shot 1:


Screen Shot 2:


Hope they help.

Karst

[gregraj]

Karsten ,
  Yes, I have these as well.  To bad your first prop shot doesn't have a 6" scale along the length.  The blue and red emitter lenses look familiar, but i just can't place them.  An electronic panel bulb cover ? Any thoughts anyone ?  greg

[purpleblancmange]

The emitter lens is (as always with prop parts) an off the shelf lens cover from an opto-electric indicator - Radio Shack (US) and Maplin probably have them, though my catalogues are a little out of date and don't seem to have the exact piece.

To help with the scaling issues, try this:

The main ceramic body diameter is 3/4" and the outer diameter of the brass ring is 1"

I can't promise anything, but I could ask the maker of the prop if he's willing to pass on any info with regards to what he used to make it.  Alas I don't know him personally, though our paths have crossed a while back, but we do have a common friend.  Again, no promises on this though.