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One prop I've been excited about ever since we got our first glimpse at Frozen Empire, is the new Wrist Thrower (also referred to as the Compact Thrower or Wrist Blaster or Melnitz Thrower or Arm Wand or Arm Canon or.... hell, I really wish there was a definitive name for it). I like it so much that I decided to have a go at building my own, using a 3D printed main body augmented with real-world or replica items (and, if possible, screen-accurate found parts).
This then led me to creating a brand new Light & Sound Kit especially for Wrist Thrower builds. This is not a sales post, but you can find more information about that kit on the EctoLabs website. I've been asked if I'll be posting a tutorial on how I built my replica, so here is a guide (of sorts) with the photos I took as I went along. This is just how I did it, but you can obviously adapt it as you see fit.
SCREEN-ACCURATE FOUND PARTS & ATTRIBUTION
As soon as detailed reference photos of the screen-used Wrist Throwers was made available, a small group of us here in the UK - Stuart Thomson, David Rotheram, Carl Mitchley, Toby Canham-James, Vito Andreoni and myself (Dave Tremaine) - sought to track down the various found parts used on this new prop. Many hours were spent trawling though the dullest of Google searches in an attempt to work out what they are and, after a big group effort, the puzzle was eventually solved!
With special thanks to prop-maker Ellen Gould (who designed and built the Wrist Throwers for Frozen Empire) and assistant Ben Millen, for sharing with us some invaluable information on the parts that were used.
So, for the first time, these screen-accurate parts can be confirmed as follows:
Metal Arm Brace:
This is a cut section of a 600ml vacuum food flask sold by UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's under their 'Home' brand of products. Also sold via their sister stores Habitat and Argos. EAN: 5057989609019.
Straps:
Vintage WWII-era 1937 pattern utility straps with KG3 (Khaki Green No3) blanco. They are the basic strap style without the shoulder support. Commonly found in British Army surplus stores and can be regularly found on eBay. They were shortened for production as indicated by the black stitching visible in some of the reference photos.
Strap Buckles:
Many 1937 Pattern utility straps include a brass buckle. The screen-used props used vintage 'Roko' buckles with a weathered black enamel finish, although modern nickel-plated Roko buckles are readily available from many retailers and online sellers.
Red Anodised Handle:
While we were able to partially identify this part (which includes the silver dial) and track it down to a piece of aviation test equipment, exact specifications and model numbers are still unknown and is almost certainly extremely rare and virtually impossible to source. As we understand it, even the movie's prop-makers themselves didn't know what it was and was found in a random box of parts! Therefore, either a replica will need to be manufactured or something similar fashioned in its place.
Aluminium Knobs:
Replica wand knobs were from Mack's Factory - as confirmed to me by Aaron Mack.
Hose Clamp:
A Breeze brand hose clamp available for sale within the US. These are the same as used on the Afterlife Phoebe Packs.
3D PRINT FILES
I've released the 3D files I created for this build on the EctoLabs GitHub page. These are available to download for free and I'll be referring to them in this thread, so you can grab those files from here: https://github.com/EctoLabs/wrist-thrower. The main body and shroud are highly modified from Quentin Machiels' 'wanQer MK1' files, with the rest being new models designed with my new electronics kit in mind.
SHOPPING LIST
Here is a list of the rest of the parts that I utilised for this build. Purchase links are to UK sellers, but you should be able to find equivalents for most of this through other sellers worldwide:
Okay, with all that out of the way, let's get into building this thing...
One prop I've been excited about ever since we got our first glimpse at Frozen Empire, is the new Wrist Thrower (also referred to as the Compact Thrower or Wrist Blaster or Melnitz Thrower or Arm Wand or Arm Canon or.... hell, I really wish there was a definitive name for it). I like it so much that I decided to have a go at building my own, using a 3D printed main body augmented with real-world or replica items (and, if possible, screen-accurate found parts).
This then led me to creating a brand new Light & Sound Kit especially for Wrist Thrower builds. This is not a sales post, but you can find more information about that kit on the EctoLabs website. I've been asked if I'll be posting a tutorial on how I built my replica, so here is a guide (of sorts) with the photos I took as I went along. This is just how I did it, but you can obviously adapt it as you see fit.
SCREEN-ACCURATE FOUND PARTS & ATTRIBUTION
As soon as detailed reference photos of the screen-used Wrist Throwers was made available, a small group of us here in the UK - Stuart Thomson, David Rotheram, Carl Mitchley, Toby Canham-James, Vito Andreoni and myself (Dave Tremaine) - sought to track down the various found parts used on this new prop. Many hours were spent trawling though the dullest of Google searches in an attempt to work out what they are and, after a big group effort, the puzzle was eventually solved!
With special thanks to prop-maker Ellen Gould (who designed and built the Wrist Throwers for Frozen Empire) and assistant Ben Millen, for sharing with us some invaluable information on the parts that were used.
So, for the first time, these screen-accurate parts can be confirmed as follows:
Metal Arm Brace:
This is a cut section of a 600ml vacuum food flask sold by UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's under their 'Home' brand of products. Also sold via their sister stores Habitat and Argos. EAN: 5057989609019.
Straps:
Vintage WWII-era 1937 pattern utility straps with KG3 (Khaki Green No3) blanco. They are the basic strap style without the shoulder support. Commonly found in British Army surplus stores and can be regularly found on eBay. They were shortened for production as indicated by the black stitching visible in some of the reference photos.
Strap Buckles:
Many 1937 Pattern utility straps include a brass buckle. The screen-used props used vintage 'Roko' buckles with a weathered black enamel finish, although modern nickel-plated Roko buckles are readily available from many retailers and online sellers.
Red Anodised Handle:
While we were able to partially identify this part (which includes the silver dial) and track it down to a piece of aviation test equipment, exact specifications and model numbers are still unknown and is almost certainly extremely rare and virtually impossible to source. As we understand it, even the movie's prop-makers themselves didn't know what it was and was found in a random box of parts! Therefore, either a replica will need to be manufactured or something similar fashioned in its place.
Aluminium Knobs:
Replica wand knobs were from Mack's Factory - as confirmed to me by Aaron Mack.
Hose Clamp:
A Breeze brand hose clamp available for sale within the US. These are the same as used on the Afterlife Phoebe Packs.
3D PRINT FILES
I've released the 3D files I created for this build on the EctoLabs GitHub page. These are available to download for free and I'll be referring to them in this thread, so you can grab those files from here: https://github.com/EctoLabs/wrist-thrower. The main body and shroud are highly modified from Quentin Machiels' 'wanQer MK1' files, with the rest being new models designed with my new electronics kit in mind.
SHOPPING LIST
Here is a list of the rest of the parts that I utilised for this build. Purchase links are to UK sellers, but you should be able to find equivalents for most of this through other sellers worldwide:
- Tubes and Rods:
- 1x 32mm OD, 1.6mm wall thickness aluminium tube (available from various sellers on eBay)
- 1x 25mm OD, 1.6mm wall thickness aluminium tube (available from various sellers on eBay)
- 4x 3mm brass rods - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09BQ7BZ8J? ... ct_details
- 1x 5mm steel rod - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KT43ZXT? ... ct_details
- 1x 10mm diameter pull handle - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283358951141 ... 4305402799
- Arm, Handle and Brace:
- 15mm copper piping (about 35cm needed)
- 1x 15mm copper elbow (right angle) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079NFM9GT? ... ct_details
- 1x 15mm copper end cap (right angle) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NW4VC3U? ... ct_details
- 2x 13mm OD yellow screw caps - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CXR2QJ1T? ... ct_details
- 1x Yellow silicone hose (8mm OD, 4mm ID) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L33CTV6? ... ct_details
- 1x Stainless steel food flask - https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9468038
- 1x 25.4mm red anodised bicycle seat post - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B2FJ5R9? ... ct_details
- 1x 22.2mm red anodised bicycle handlebar extender - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07451NT5T? ... ct_details
- 1x RS 30mm aluminium potentiometer knob - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/potentio ... bs/4659864
- 1x Breeze brand hose clamp (size 4) - https://amzn.eu/d/3kYQeZS
- 5mm EVA foam - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CHJB3YRX? ... tails&th=1
- 10mm ID split loom - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C3CHWNVF? ... ct_details
- Clippard Valve:
- FrangoFett Custom R701 replica (Compact Thrower style) - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1695147 ... rv-3&sts=1
- Straps:
- 2x Green Vintage 1937 Pattern Straps (available from various eBay sellers and army surplus stores)
- 2x Roko buckles - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404215910067
- GBFans greeblies (note: the screen-used props used aluminium knobs and side discs from Mack's Factory, so these could be used instead for extra accuracy):
- 1x Aluminium Top Knob - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/proton-gun- ... -top-knob/
- 1x Aluminium Front Knob - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/proton-gun- ... ront-knob/
- 1x Orange Hat Light Lens - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/orange-hat-light-lens/
- 1x Milky White Hat Light Lens - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/milky-white-hat-light-lens/
- 1x Clippard Hose Barb - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/clippard-hose-barb/
- 1x Aluminium Side Disc set (smooth GB1 style) - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/proton-gun- ... ide-discs/
- 1x Aluminium Heatsink - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/pack-parts/ ... -heatsink/
- 1x Red, 1x Clear Cliplite lenses - https://www.gbfans.com/shop/pack-parts/led-cliplites/
- Tape, Paint and Primer:
- Halfords Black Insulation Tape - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tools ... 24102.html
- ProGaff Orange Fluorescent Matt Cloth Tape - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00XTV8WAM? ... ct_details
- Halfords Filler Primer (Yellow) - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paint ... 08776.html
- Halfords Etch Primer (Grey) - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paint ... 70400.html
- Halfords Acrylic Paint (Satin Black) - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paint ... 68835.html
- Halfords Enamel Paint (Aluminium Silver)
- Halfords Satin Lacquer - https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paint ... 70277.html
- Decals:
- EctoLabs Dry Transfers - https://www.ectolabs.net/products/pack-dry-transfers
- Grey Danger Label (from EctoLabs Proton Pack Label set) - https://www.ectolabs.net/products/pack-labels
- Electronics (including switches and buttons):
- EctoLabs Wrist Thrower Light & Sound Kit - https://www.ectolabs.net/products/wrist-thrower
Okay, with all that out of the way, let's get into building this thing...
Statistics: Posted by EctoLabs — May 21st, 2024, 10:31 am