Props and Panels

[Ron Foreman 0]

I was curious if anyone has actually bought any of the TNG era props with working lights/sounds. They look great but incredibly expensive at the same time. I've seen prop kits too they aren't much cheaper but might be a better idea as well. I was also curious if anyone had any experience cutting plexiglass to make mock panels. I have a bunch of the old toy props and was making a case for them. I found a bunch of images to make panels so printed them on photo paper, we were trying to cut plexiglass it just didn't cut well. I'll put pics up tonight would love ANY suggestions and opinions on it even if you think it sucks. Thanks!

Edited April 21, 2008 by Ron Foreman

[Ron Foreman 0]

added the pic for anyone that looked earlier.

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

I was curious if anyone has actually bought any of the TNG era props with working lights/sounds. They look great but incredibly expensive at the same time. I've seen prop kits too they aren't much cheaper but might be a better idea as well. I was also curious if anyone had any experience cutting plexiglass to make mock panels. I have a bunch of the old toy props and was making a case for them. I found a bunch of images to make panels so printed them on photo paper, we were trying to cut plexiglass it just didn't cut well. I'll put pics up tonight would love ANY suggestions and opinions on it even if you think it sucks. Thanks!

 

When you say "panels" I assume you mean LCARS panels. If so, there are sheets of heavy, clear plastic you can buy at craft stores (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.) that cut pretty easily. I would think that a large Avery clear label printed out then affixed to that heavy plastic might give pretty good results. I know what you mean about trying to cut plexiglass. I've tried it for crafts and it's difficult without the specialized tools.

 

Pretty cool toys you have there. I have some put away along with too many action figures I bought at the height of my Trekmania. I think they'll be in my will to my kids. The ultimate parental retribution is leaving everything to your kids and making them clean out the house after you're gone - heh.

[Ron Foreman 0]

what do you cut the plastic with I want something to protect these right now its photo paper printed by an inkjet they will fade eventually or possibly run. I wish i had the real props and actual experties i'd go uber geek and make them lit panels lol

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

what do you cut the plastic with I want something to protect these right now its photo paper printed by an inkjet they will fade eventually or possibly run. I wish i had the real props and actual experties i'd go uber geek and make them lit panels lol

 

I cut the plastic with a box cutter, but they also have tools at craft stores to cut them. When in doubt, ask the people who work there. Also, it's not that difficult to make them light up, esp with all the toy technology these days.

[Ron Foreman 0]

Thanks so much I will deffinately have to try that!

[Kallah Ramson 0]

Seeing that I'm in the window business I think I can help here.

 

Cutting Plexiglas 101.

 

Easiest way, ask them to cut it to size when buying from Lowes or Home Depot. I worked for Lowes for a year and I did it all the time. And, at Lowes if anyone gives you any grief about cutting it just ask to talk to a manager. If you get the right shift manager they'll give you half the store for free if you act ticked off enough. But anyway.

 

Cutting it yourself: You'll need a good solid straight edge, a sharp razor knife, and the Plexiglas.

 

Set the plexi down flat.

Lay straight edge where you want it cut.

Run the razor knife along the straight edge repeatedly.

CUT AWAY FROM YOURSELF, unless you really know what you're doing and if that's the case then YOU'RE CUTTING AWAY FROM YOURSELF ANYWAYS.

At most cut from side to side.

Cut a lot.

Once there's a nice groove in it there are several ways to "pop" it.

 

Basically you just want to apply quick pressure along the groove to snap it in two. Laying it on a flat table with the smaller portion hanging over works. Setting a narrow board under it along the groove works too. My personal preference is to grab it on either side of the groove and knee it really hard right along the cut. Be advised this will really start to hurt if you have a lot of cutting to do.

 

The best advice it to go watch someone do it at Lowes or Home Depot on the machine they have. If you get the general idea of what they're doing and how it works then just go from there. If you don't understand then admit failure and don't try it yourself. No need applying for any Darwin Awards.

 

Honestly, glass is easier and in same ways safer to cut than plexi. A glasscutter is not that expensive and is not going to cut you like a razor knife or such that you need to cut plexi. It takes a lot less effort to "pop" glass so you don't find yourself having to "pop" the plexi with a hammer or other large object after your knee has gone numb or other methods have failed. And, freshly cut plexi is just about as likely to cut you as glass...and it hurts just the same or more.

 

So, reviewing the basics. Cut a deep groove. Pop it quick. Don't give it time to think about breaking anywhere but the nice deep channel you've provided for it.

 

And last but not least, Don't blame me if you hurt yourself.

[Ron Foreman 0]

I would never blame you. Thanks so much for the info. if you don't mind the question can you actually drill into glass i'm gonna have to mount the glass to the wood in some fashion.

[Kallah Ramson 0]

I would never blame you. Thanks so much for the info. if you don't mind the question can you actually drill into glass i'm gonna have to mount the glass to the wood in some fashion.

 

It takes a special drill bit to do glass safely. You can use a masonry bit but it's tricky and not for novices to try, unless you have alot of extra glass to practice with. I'm good a cutting glass. I can cut off 1/16th of an inch if I have to. But drilling into glass I want no part in and haven't had to do anyways so I've not learned all the tricks to that.

 

If you're wanting the look of the glass on the surface and no trim on it's edges then plexiglas is probably a better bet. You can drill into plexi with little to no problems, as far as I'm aware. With glass it's better to have it inset and trim around to hold it in place. You can also go to the hardware store and look at mirror clips or hardware for glass shower enclosures. There's a lot of surface mounted things where you don't have to drill holes.

 

NOW, if you're going to have the glass or plexiglas not trimmed on the edge then you have to remember that you now have sharp edges out eagerly awaiting their chance to slice off a couple layers of skin of anyone who dares brush against your case. Here plexi can be better cause you can take sandpaper to the edge and get rid of the sharp edges. You can try the same with glass but it gets to be more of a pain than it's worth.

[will_marx 0]

And one other thing that Kallah neglected to mention. Whether wood, glass or plexi: Wear work gloves and safety glasses.

Unless you want your friendly neighborhood EMTs to come pay you a visit and take you to the nice doctors at the local ER because you decided to sever a finger or two, or get splinters embedded in your eye.

[Kansas_Jones 0]

I would so cut myself, indeed. Y'all rock that can work with these materials. Good luck with the project!

[Ron Foreman 0]

That's why i let my bf cut things usually lol i'm brains and visionary lol

[Cmdr JFarrington 0]

Seeing that I'm in the window business I think I can help here.

 

Cutting Plexiglas 101.

 

 

Wow. I wish I knew that when I was struggling with it the one time I tried. Thanks, Kallah!