Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

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Geohazard
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Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

Obviously this is another W.I.P.

I've been bitten by the prop bug, and currently have need of distraction, so I've decided that even though I fully intend on purchasing a collapsible aluminum force pike, I'm going to go forward on building my own. I decided to go with the wood route, even though my theater training tells me that metal behaves much more predictably while onstage. I'm no machinist, so it's important to stay within my skill level at this time.

Materials to date:
58" two-piece pool cue stick
plastic faucet handle
large heat shrink tubing
Metric ton of #17 rubber O-rings
Split electrical hose
10mm Drill & tap
beveled washer
Metallic gray spraypaint
Masking tape

To purchase:
Tip component (to be determined)
Brass Testors enamel (for rasp)

Stripped Pool Cue (a lot more work than it sounds like):
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Geohazard
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

More sanding today, and a coat of primer for the pool cue stick.

I'm planning on using a grinder post on top of the tap for the tip. Also, I've decided to go with aluminum floral wire underneath the heat shrink tubing, instead of rubber O-rings. 'Tis less expensive in the long run, and less of a pain in the tuckus.

10mm Tap
Grinding post
Testors Inca Gold

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Geohazard
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

Today's productivity:
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Geohazard
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

I'm in the process of moving, so things are a bit hectic right now, but I did manage a bit of work on this project.

Sanding, sanding, and more sanding.
Scraped off the sticky residue left over from applying the heat shrink tubing.
Spot putty is my friend. Applied spot putty to the dings and scratches and around the grips
Painted the tips.

Lower half:
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Painted tips:
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stripes
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by stripes »

the "gold" tip is looking more yellow than gold to me....
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Geohazard
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

stripes wrote:the "gold" tip is looking more yellow than gold to me....
Everybody's a critic... :P

In all honesty, I'm not too happy with the difference in color from the cap. The Testors color is Inca Gold
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stripes
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by stripes »

Not trying to be too harsh... just making an observation. I'm not sure what to suggest as an alternative colour for gold as it is something that can be quite difficult to replicate with a paint.
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Geohazard
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

stripes wrote:Not trying to be too harsh... just making an observation. I'm not sure what to suggest as an alternative colour for gold as it is something that can be quite difficult to replicate with a paint.
Don't sweat it, I'm kidding.

I was shooting for more bronze, not so shiny. No such luck.
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bdgr
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by bdgr »

Geohazard wrote: I was shooting for more bronze, not so shiny. No such luck.
I was also going to suggest using a bronze color paint versus a gold one. It is what I think the color of the ROTJ Force Pike Rasp looks more like.
bdgr
TB/TS/TI/IC/IG/IS/CC/TR/TA/IN/TD 4468

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Geohazard
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Re: Geo's RotJ Force Pike Build

Post by Geohazard »

bdgr wrote:
Geohazard wrote: I was shooting for more bronze, not so shiny. No such luck.
I was also going to suggest using a bronze color paint versus a gold one. It is what I think the color of the ROTJ Force Pike Rasp looks more like.
Me too. I went looking for bronze, but none of my local craft stores had anything remotely similar.
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