The Jason's 13th Doctor Console (panel 1 remodel complete!!)

[galacticprobe]

I can only imagine how cool this is going to look once those panels are painted. Those levers are also quite technical-looking, as you say. The one on the left looks like it could have come from an aircraft of sorts. And speaking of the levers, what was the idea for the working switches on those levers that have them? (There is so much information on the Forum that it could take months to hunt down the ideas that inspired your switches.)

Battle on! This is looking great.

Dino.

[the mister]

very impressive levers

[handofomega]

  Nice levers.  I would have never thought about checking the auto-parts stores.

[galacticprobe]

...I would have never thought about checking the auto-parts stores.

Remember the 2005 console? That one was loaded with car parts! Prop (and model) builders look anywhere for parts. One model-maker said in an interview that when he goes to a hardware store and walks down the plumbing aisle, he doesn't see plumbing, he sees starship parts. I'm sort of the same way when it comes to TARDIS consoles. Everything I look at in any store makes me think "Would that look right on a TARDIS console?" (It constantly frustrates my wife, especially when the thing I'm looking at is part of a display.)

Dino.

[13drwho]

You're all very kind. As a teenager I read everything I could about props. I was always impressed (and sometimes shocked) that so many things were made by found objects. Particularly the plumbing section at the hardware store. I remember the weird feeling I had when I first bought my house and went to the plumbing section of Sears Hardware looking for plumbing pieces to be used for... plumbing!!!

There is a unique art to taking plumbing and car pieces and making a sci-fi gadget (whatever it is). Sometimes I think having a huge budget kills the creativity of props. When you use found objects there is a certain reality that you don't get with crazy custom parts.

Still that's just my crazy opinion. Most of my TARDIS console controls will be found items. Thank you for all your encouragement.

[rocket]

One model-maker said in an interview that when he goes to a hardware store and walks down the plumbing aisle, he doesn't see plumbing, he sees starship parts.

Pretty sure I read that interview, if I recall correctly it was one of the props guys from Star Trek.

[galacticprobe]

Pretty sure I read that interview, if I recall correctly it was one of the props guys from Star Trek.

Now that you mention it, it was indeed! You've got a good memory, rocket! (I just couldn't remember his name - still can't - so I didn't want to point any fingers at the wrong model-maker. It still could have been any model-maker as at the time ILM was making most of the Trek models, and we all know what other kind of killer models ILM makes.)

Dino.

[13drwho]

I've been trying to finish up the tedious stuff so I can layout the controls. Today I cleaned the edge of the seven trapezoidal panels that mount to the frame for mounting the controls. I sanded the edges and rounded the corners.

I then drilled the mounting holes in all seven. Why seven? I had extra wood and wanted to have a spare in case I screw up. Below is an example picture of the drilled holes.

The next step, and the most fun, is to dump out boxes of twenty years of collecting and start deciding what pieces are worthy of the console. Once I've decided on that I can start laying out the panels. I have designed a most of the electronics, once I see the pieces laid on the panel I should get an idea what other electronics I want to add. 

[galacticprobe]

If you don't screw up (which I don't think you will) that extra panel gives you the option to make a seventh panel with different controls layout. Then you can be like the "real" TARDIS and change out a panel here or there when the mood strikes.

Dino.

[13drwho]

I've been doing a lot of work, but nothing I felt warranted a post... until now.

I started laying out the actual controls. I am going to do it one panel at a time. So I sat down and sketched up what I want for the first one. I am about halfway drilling the panel to mount everything and thought (to encourage my weakening resolve) it would be cool to place on the console to get a feel for if I like it.

This is the 1st through 3rd Doctor "tribute" panel. It's only about half done. I hope to have it all drilled and ready to be primed this weekend. The aluminum plate will have four LED's that correspond to the four levers. The six clear pieces (instead of ping-pong ball halves)on the side will have LED's under them.

There will be a plate with a row of very fancy toggle switches under the four levers. Take a look and let me know what you think!!!

[warmcanofcoke]

those leavers look like fun - what will they do?

[13drwho]

Each of these levers will just turn on a flashing light. I have other, similar, levers which will do the cool stuff. I have one that looks like a throttle that will activate the dematerialization sound. I have another that will turn on main power (through a relay).

[type55tardis]

Love those levers ,nice to see you restarting your project,carry on the good work.

[13drwho]

PLEASE DON"T LAUGH

So here is the first panel, almost done!!! The drilling is done. I need to prime and paint it, but I wanted to mount the controls to get an idea how it looks. The LED's are not installed; I am ordering the parts for the electronics this Friday. This weekend I will remove everything and prime and paint it.

The because its unpainted you can't really see the cool pieces I found as light covers, they should stand out more when it's finally assembled (and of coarse the light behind them will make them stand out).

Here's a picture of the panel


The red identifies where the sequencing lights will go

[whofan88]

Why would we laugh?  That looks really cool.