Proton Pack 5

So I've got some updating to do for you all.  Here are some of the pieces wired and lit up. Specifically the power cell and the cyclotron.  The wiring isn't the cleanest in the world, but it gets the job done.  Thinking back, perhaps 1:7 wasn't the best idea when trying to wire in resistors....oh well.

Power Cell reverse

Cyclotron Reverse

And the front of both pieces

The front of the powercell has a thin piece of plastic i procured from a 3 ring binder.  The binder is cloudy clear plastic and perfect to diffuse light.  I've used it on my Millennium Falcon model (which sadly is still in production)  It helps give the power cell a nice glow as opposed to the harsh blue light of the LED embedded within the piece.

Not Lit...

Let there be light!

Same...not lit...

BLUE!

And the two side by side.  These two pieces are essentially ready to be put onto the mother board once i secure the wires within and make sure nothing is going to touch.  I'm also on the look out for a power source holder.  I was going to use the crank case as a place to put the switch and the batteries, but I'm starting to think it's a bit too small.  So I might fashion a small external box on the back that wont be too noticeable.  Any ideas?  

So this is my progress so far.  It's coming along really nicely.  For those wondering it'll run on 6v, 4x 1.5 v batteries.  It should be enough to power the thrower, and the pack lights and not burn out the LEDs too quickly.  

Proton Pack 4

Here is a little update on my progress so far.  Using the same technique that I used on the Clippard piece, the crank case decals are a scaled down (very scaled) down version of the ones available online. The pieces are just about ready now. The tiny crank itself took some doing as it kept breaking.  One of the hardest things about working on such a small scale is that one little slip and the whole piece you're working on could just crumble.  There are dead crank carcasses littering my desk.

I'm starting to create the channels for the wires and the LEDs inside of the bigger pieces.  which are coming out really nicely.  However, in cutting away the interior I run the risk of losing stability, so there have countless coats of gesso and primer on these in order to strengthen them.

Possibly the hardest piece to make was the bumper.  It's a thing curved piece.  There are a bit more ridges in the actual sized piece, but working so small, I'm going to have to lose some slight detail.  The piece has been crafted from balsa and wood filler.  There were several nights of sanding, coating, filling, sanding...repeat...in order to get the right shape and enough stability.  I'm very pleased with the final piece which you can see below.

initial sizing

finally coated in black

and together with the shock mount

And these last twp pics are of the pack slowly coming together.  Lot's more of it is now black and we're getting close to being able to do some real detailing.  Along with the work on the thrower as well.