Feasability of Star Trek V/VI Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

For a few years I've been contemplating the feasability of installing a laser into a Starfleet Assault Phaser from the ST V/VI movies. I already own a couple of hero props of these, but they are not so well suited for conversion. The hero props are made of metal and epoxy, are quite heavy, and have no hollow spaces inside like the typical plastic replicas.

I bought a Playmates version and it's probably a better choice, but I don't really like how much smaller it is as compared to the authentic phaser.

This is the Master Replicas version of the hero prop


And this is the Playmates style I was considering for the modification

Has anyone tried modifying one of these to accept a 445/450nm 1W+ laser?

I'm talking about modding the Playmates version. The hero props are far too rare and valuable to mod!

Bob

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

Bob_Boyce said:

For a few years I've been contemplating the feasability of installing a laser into a Starfleet Assault Phaser from the ST5/ST6 movies. I already own a couple of hero props of these, but they are not so well suited for conversion. The hero props are made of metal and epoxy, are quite heavy, and have no hollow spaces inside like the typical plastic replicas.

I bought a Playmates version and it's probably a better choice, but I don't really like how much smaller it is as compared to the authentic phaser.

Here is a link to a Master Replicas version of the hero prop, way too large to attach to this post

http://img.trekmovie.com/images/merchandise/mrstvph_parts.jpg

And here is a link to the Playmates style I was considering for the modification

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514itjFRleL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Has anyone tried modifying one of these to accept a 445/450nm 1W+ laser?

I'm talking about modding the Playmates version. The hero props are far too rare and valuable to mod!

Bob

Click to expand...

Nope not as of yet. The only StarTrek mod I'm aware of is of the classic Phaser kit
by JayRob. Interesting idea for a project however.

check this out. I think it's a DIY Phaser kit. Idea?

Reviews: Star Trek Phaser Resin Model Kit

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

Seoul_lasers said:

Nope not as of yet. The only StarTrek mod I'm aware of is of the classic Phaser kit
by JayRob. Interesting idea for a project however.

check this out. I think it's a DIY Phaser kit. Idea?

Reviews: Star Trek Phaser Resin Model Kit

Click to expand...

He couldn't really use that one. It is a Solid Resin
model. There is absolutely no room inside.


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

lasersbee said:

He couldn't really use that one. It is a Solid Resin
model. There is absolutely no room inside.


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

Click to expand...

Good to know.... I though it may have some room in it.

However this one most certainly does have room for an epic build.
The finished props are extremely expensive. The kit is better for cost sake.
http://www.xscapesprops.com/Valkyrie_Props.htm

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

Seoul_lasers said:

Good to know.... I though it may have some room in it.

However this one most certainly does have room for an epic build.
The finished props are extremely expensive. The kit is better for cost sake.
Valkyrie Props

Click to expand...

Yeah I saw that site this morning..
You can get a kit for that phaser for about $62.00..


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

Thank you for the link, but that site has "props" that are not really the same as those used in the Star Trek series/movies. That designer made his own versions of props that look similar enough to not violate intellectual property.

Over 3 years ago, I had modified a Diamond TOS Phaser II by putting an Aixiz 5mW red laser in it, just to test if it was feasable. I drilled out the clear plastic tip, turned/threaded it so that it screws into a modified Aixiz focus ring and an Aixiz threaded lens screws in and secures it in place. You just turn the emitter tip to adjust focus. That test was a success so I decided to work on a higher powered conversion of the Diamond version. It will require a custom heatsink that can fit in the extremely limited space of that version.

My wife passed away on christmas eve 2009, and all projects active at that time went on long term hold.

In the Diamond version Phaser II, power is supplied by 3 button cells in the Phaser I unit. My old 5mW conversion successfully used that for power, but a higher powered one will require me to add a rechargable battery pack inside of the pistol grip. There is enough room to do this, and there is room for a charging connector in the bottom of the grip. An Aixiz module tip fits fine behind the emitter tip, but I require more heatsinking than that for the higher powered build. I also intend to install a small power control potentiometer in the original rear location that will allow the original dial knob to control optical power output. In the Diamond version, that knob only moves a mechanical rod that presses a recessed button on the bottom of the phaser I to switch it to overload sound/light mode.

I've read the threads and posts for the TOS phaser mods, and I really love what was done by Jayrob. I seriously considered buying his heat sink and focus adapter, but I noticed that it was designed for the Playmates TOS version. The Playmates version has the phaser I made as a permanent part of the Phaser II body. That gives it more interior room, but I prefer the Diamond version instead of the Playmates version due to it having the removable Phaser I unit. I want to retain most of the original functionality of the removable Phaser I, only replace the emitter LED with a simple 5mW laser and a fixed focus lens. I'll have to rewire it so that the modes are activated using the electrical contacts on the bottom. This means there will be no phaser sounds on the Phaser II with the phaser I removed, but I believe that was the original intent of the movie prop anyways. I can even multiplex functions over the 2 electrical connections between the Phaser I and Phaser II so that nothing will function on the Phaser II with the phaser I removed.

While all of this should be fun, I still want to build up a STV/VI Assault Phaser mod. I really like the looks of that design. To follow with the beam color as used in those movies, that one should use a blue laser. I'm pretty sure the beam color is red in TOS Star Trek phasers.

Bob

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

Seoul_lasers said:

Nope not as of yet. The only StarTrek mod I'm aware of is of the classic Phaser kit by JayRob. Interesting idea for a project however.

check this out. I think it's a DIY Phaser kit. Idea?

Reviews: Star Trek Phaser Resin Model Kit

Click to expand...

I like this one.

I wonder if I can drill/mill out the resin to make room for the laser and electronics?

I certainly would not want to do this to either of my props from Paramount. It would ruin their collector value and render their certificate of authenticity useless. Whatever I end up modding, I guess I could always take a drive over to Bills ranch and ask him to autograph it for me. He doesn't live that far from here.

Bob

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

lasersbee said:

He couldn't really use that one. It is a Solid Resin model. There is absolutely no room inside.


Jerry

You can contact us at any time on our Website: J.BAUER Electronics

Click to expand...

That was exactly how I felt about modding one of my resin/metal props. I didn't want to chance it. I did take it to a machinist friend of mine and asked if he could duplicate it in aluminum. He said it was just not practical to do a one off like that. He recommended I dismantle it and make molds from it and make some metal castings from those molds. I'm afraid to dismantle it to that extent. It would require the removal of some tiny fasteners that are well hidden for a reason in order to remove the sliding forward section from the slide itself. It's very much like a handgun in the way it is assembled, except it was not intended to be easilly dismantled.

Bob

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

hmm... interesting.
Your project has really got me thinking about the added collector value of having a working phaser. I know many comic-con and StarTrek "giiku-su" as my wife would say that would shell out some serious $$$$ for a working phaser with sounds.
There is a micro sound board out there that could easily fit inside the build.
Interesting idea...
Head over to this page!! let your project idea run wild!!
Hyperdyne Labs - Electronics - Examples of Our Work

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

I modified a Master Replica's ST V/VI Assault Phaser with a 1-watt 445nm laser. Take a look at my YouTube page. It came out very well. There are several other Phasers from Star Trek TOS, TNG including a TOS Phaser Rifle that I modified. The kits were made by HMS and sold by Roddenberry.com or by another independent maker.


Syfypropmaker - YouTube

Safetyman
Syfypropmaker on YouTube

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

Seoul_lasers said:

Nope not as of yet. The only StarTrek mod I'm aware of is of the classic Phaser kit
by JayRob. Interesting idea for a project however.

check this out. I think it's a DIY Phaser kit. Idea?

Reviews: Star Trek Phaser Resin Model Kit

Click to expand...

3 star trek lasers

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

safetyman said:

I modified a Master Replica's ST V/VI Assault Phaser with a 1-watt 445nm laser. Take a look at my YouTube page. It came out very well. There are several other Phasers from Star Trek TOS, TNG including a TOS Phaser Rifle that I modified. The kits were made by HMS and sold by Roddenberry.com or by another independent maker.

Syfypropmaker - YouTube

Safetyman
Syfypropmaker on YouTube

Click to expand...

Would love to look but I'm on dialup internet out here in the boonies. Can't open YouTube, Facebook, or any other site designed for broadband users. Thank you though. I seen some of those Master Replica ST phasers on eBay a while back. I was wondering if they were usable for this. Apparently so! I would have to save up to buy one of those, they're a bit pricey for a mod host. I wonder if there are still kits available for that model phaser. Last look at the Roddenberry site didn't turn up much that was not also on eBay for less money.

bloompyle said:

3 star trek lasers

Click to expand...

I checked out that thread, thank you for linking it. Those are not the type that I'm looking for. The classic TOS Phaser II there is a Playmates with the integrated Phaser I, like the ones Jayrob mods. Those are blue laser builds anyways, so the wrong color beam for the genre of phasers. The screenshots of the ST V/VI Assault Phaser show a blue beam, but the classic TOS Phaser I/II screenshots show a red beam. Though I can still appreciate the work that went into them. A blue laser phaser collector might like them.

Bob

The hero props are RIDICULOUS in pricing. They're close to $600 ea.
For plastic and crappy electronics. hmm... pass.

Somewhere I have the plans for a StarTrek V/IV Phaser in an original motion picture (Art book) now collectors item. It had the blueprints and dimensions.
If I could remember where I have it, someone with a 3D printer could "replicate" a few out of Aluminum..
Not sure how realistic that is. Sorry for the Trek reference :beer:.

Seoul_lasers said:

The hero props are RIDICULOUS in pricing. They're close to $600 ea.
For plastic and crappy electronics. hmm... pass.

Somewhere I have the plans for a StarTrek V/IV Phaser in an original motion picture (Art book) now collectors item. It had the blueprints and dimensions.
If I could remember where I have it, someone with a 3D printer could "replicate" a few out of Aluminum..
Not sure how realistic that is. Sorry for the Trek reference :beer:.

Click to expand...

Yes, the replica hero props are fairly expensive. Not as expensive as the real movie props though. I was out in the LA area of California several years ago. I was consulting on a couple of movie projects for a producer friend and he invited me to visit some of his prop collector buddies. One of these collections was from The Terminator and he had two of the terminator robots posed with the eyes lit up red. One was holding the rifle prop used in the movie, and the other was a broken one laying on the floor. That collector was the one that told me about another collector contacting him offering to sell him two ST V/VI Starfleet Assault Phaser props. He wasn't into Trek props so he didn't buy, but he gave me the guys number. I made a deal on both and they are now in my collection. One has a bit of minor scuff damage on the side from being used in filming, the other looks like it was never used for anything but display. These are not plastic, though I imagine some parts could be. The metal parts are very obvious, and I was told that the non-metal parts are made from some sort of epoxy resin. I've examined the scuffed one closely, opened the slide and examined how it was assembled. It's a hero prop, so it lights up when the switch is turned on. I was told that there were several versions of hero props made that had different functions supported. I haven't fully explored this, and have never messed with the unscuffed one to see if it differs function-wise. I have not even handled it, as it's still sealed in the package the way I got it. The one I looked at, I was unable to tell if there was any access to the interior beyond the Phaser I compartment under the slide. I was told that the rest of the inside was solid though. The weight seems to confirm this, as it feels heavy compared to the plastic replicas.

I would just like to find a plastic or plastic/metal full size replica that would support being modded to take a 1W blue laser. I also thought it would be interesting to put a 50W CW or 85W QCW FAP in a phaser build. Would require ultracaps to store enough power to get peak pulse discharges in the couple hundred amp region. I already have 10 of the right ultracaps, would have to build a DC/DC converter capable of charging the ultracaps up between firings. You would have to be VERY careful with a build like that though.

Bob

Re: Feasability of Star Trek 5/6 Starfleet Assault Phaser Mod

The Master Replica Assault Phaser I bought was around $260.00 complete with case, COA and phaser-1 (static). I have seen prices around $280.00-$445.00 from several different suppliers. They can be found on the internet.

The Roddenberry props I built were kits when Roddenberry was still selling that line of kits from 2008-2012. They have since then significantly reduced the kits and finished props. Word on the street is that Rodd.com is going to sell some of the props pre-made and finished from China.
There is still one way to get a "reasonably priced" TNG kits. The Boomerang, Dustbuster and Dolphin style kits are made by a guy by the name of Myron Stapleton. The electronics are made by GMProps out of Hamilton, Canada. If you want their email addys, let me know.

I have also modified a AA/DST TOS Phaser with a 445nm laser. The AA/DST is very close to the Rodd.com version.
I may be able to find the instructions I did for Trek Prop Zone on modifying the MR Assault Phaser if that would help. I have never tried to embed a video to this site or I would put a couple of my vids up here to view.
Hope this helps!

EDIT: I did find the pics I took of my MR conversion-it was fairly easy to adapt. IF interested, send me an email addy and I will send you the pics! Just so you know, there is room inside the MR for the laser and a seperate lith-ion battery. I use a solid state relay to separate the laser power supply (3.7v) from the 4.5v supply that feeds the sound board. I have a drawing of that circuit as well.

Bill

Bob_Boyce said:

Yes, the replica hero props are fairly expensive. Not as expensive as the real movie props though. I was out in the LA area of California several years ago. I was consulting on a couple of movie projects for a producer friend and he invited me to visit some of his prop collector buddies. One of these collections was from The Terminator and he had two of the terminator robots posed with the eyes lit up red. One was holding the rifle prop used in the movie, and the other was a broken one laying on the floor. That collector was the one that told me about another collector contacting him offering to sell him two ST V/VI Starfleet Assault Phaser props. He wasn't into Trek props so he didn't buy, but he gave me the guys number. I made a deal on both and they are now in my collection. One has a bit of minor scuff damage on the side from being used in filming, the other looks like it was never used for anything but display. These are not plastic, though I imagine some parts could be. The metal parts are very obvious, and I was told that the non-metal parts are made from some sort of epoxy resin. I've examined the scuffed one closely, opened the slide and examined how it was assembled. It's a hero prop, so it lights up when the switch is turned on. I was told that there were several versions of hero props made that had different functions supported. I haven't fully explored this, and have never messed with the unscuffed one to see if it differs function-wise. I have not even handled it, as it's still sealed in the package the way I got it. The one I looked at, I was unable to tell if there was any access to the interior beyond the Phaser I compartment under the slide. I was told that the rest of the inside was solid though. The weight seems to confirm this, as it feels heavy compared to the plastic replicas.

I would just like to find a plastic or plastic/metal full size replica that would support being modded to take a 1W blue laser. I also thought it would be interesting to put a 50W CW or 85W QCW FAP in a phaser build. Would require ultracaps to store enough power to get peak pulse discharges in the couple hundred amp region. I already have 10 of the right ultracaps, would have to build a DC/DC converter capable of charging the ultracaps up between firings. You would have to be VERY careful with a build like that though.

Bob

Click to expand...

No way a 50W let alone an 85W 808nm LD would survive long without a
gigantic heat sink or water cooling and chiller.
A "Phaser build" with diodes like these is pure fantasy.
diode laser arrays such as the ones you describe want to be slowly/gradually turned on. A sudden "on" state with these diodes, and they die. A 5-10W hand phaser could be possible, but you'd only be able to burn at very close focal lengths due to the divergence.