Props Ronan Dex's Pistol (from Stargate Sga)

[rowan]

Hey everyone,
I was thinking about some props i could scratch build yesterday, and Ronan Dex's pistol from SGA instantly came to mind. I don't think it would be very hard to build, but first i need some reference pictures, and if anyone has them, measurements. I have a few, but i want to make this 100% screen accurate. Here is a screen shot for those who don't watch SGA and want to know what this should turn out like:

 

[Belakor]

There's some reference pics in this thread on ScifiHero.net, if you register on the forums you'll be able to see the pics easier (if you're a guest you'll need to click the links to view). Lostncybr mentions that they'll post up the dimensions they used once they're done with the project so it might pay to keep an eye on that thread

The base of the actual pistol looks like an old single action revolver of some kind but I reckon it'd be easier to build it from MDF and styrene or something similar.

 

[SagittariusArt]

Nice Idea, i am a SG Fan too, would be a nice Prop.

Here are one that i found:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3971/bl...riflejb0ac6.png

 

[rowan]

Thanks belakor, I'm attempting to register now, there security code is impossible....
I think ill start from an MDF base. Also, having no experience with styrene, how hard is it? is it anything like polystyrene?
Also, do you think its worth posting on theRPF and asking there if anyone has any reference pics?

Thanks sisko4, thats an interesting design, with the shoulder part (what are they called again?)

 

[SagittariusArt]

Thanks belakor, I'm attempting to register now, there security code is impossible....
I think ill start from an MDF base. Also, having no experience with styrene, how hard is it? is it anything like polystyrene?
Also, do you think its worth posting on theRPF and asking there if anyone has any reference pics?

Thanks sisko4, thats an interesting design, with the shoulder part (what are they called again?)

It´s called Stock.

 

[Belakor]

Thanks belakor, I'm attempting to register now, there security code is impossible....
I think ill start from an MDF base. Also, having no experience with styrene, how hard is it? is it anything like polystyrene?
Also, do you think its worth posting on theRPF and asking there if anyone has any reference pics?

Yeah I think I had a bit of trouble with that code too
Styrene is pretty easy to work with once you get the hang of it and you can pretty much do anything with it. It's basically the same stuff they make the plastic Warhammer miniatures out of... laminating several pieces is quite a good way to build up details, though after staring at the screen caps for a bit I think it might actually be easier just to do it all out of MDF and some bondo, with just a few small details with styrene.
A rather crude illustration:

If it were me I'd do the main body (in red) with a single piece of MDF, for the cylinder (in blue) maybe cut a piece of wooden dowel in half and stick that to either side and the green part you could just do with another piece of MDF glued to either side. The actual barrels could be PVC or some more dowel and that front barrel block thing would be easy enough to do in MDF.
Then maybe do things like the hinges, trigger, trigger guard, and little greeblies in styrene or maybe even some thick card.

It couldn't hurt to post something on the RPF, there's bound to be more Stargate fans there and there may actually be someone that worked on the show

 

[rowan]

Thanks belakor, your a great source of information!
what you said is pretty similar to what i was thinking. I think ill go down to the toy store and get a cap gun to cannibalize for the cylinder, that plus a bit of bondo should work well. For the red crystal thing ill just get something round and the same size as the cylinder, use a bit of bondo, then cast it using a clear resin dyed red.
I'm not sure if i want to try and make the power cell removable, that would be pretty cool, and probably not to difficult if i do my research.
As soon as i get the sizing info ill get some MDF and draw it out.

@sisko4- thanks, i knew that

Thanks for the help, providing i get the sizing info ill have pics up in a few days. If anyone else has suggestions, please post them.

 

[LastSpartan]

But guys, what do you use to cut MDF?

Like a jigsaw?

 

[rowan]

I normally use a table jigsaw, but don't have access to one at the moment, so ill probably have to use the hand jigsaw.

 

[smick6]

Mdf is a wood based product, so any wood working tools work. Table saw, jig saw, scroll saw (my favorite) and drills. Good luck with your project, it looks like a good idea.

 

[Belakor]

Thanks belakor, your a great source of information!
what you said is pretty similar to what i was thinking. I think ill go down to the toy store and get a cap gun to cannibalize for the cylinder, that plus a bit of bondo should work well. For the red crystal thing ill just get something round and the same size as the cylinder, use a bit of bondo, then cast it using a clear resin dyed red.
I'm not sure if i want to try and make the power cell removable, that would be pretty cool, and probably not to difficult if i do my research.
As soon as i get the sizing info ill get some MDF and draw it out...

No problem, I've done a few MDF weapons recently so I'm happy to help wherever possible
The toy gun sounds like a good idea, I hadn't thought of that and the red crystal idea is pretty solid too.

If you haven't already thought of it... once you get your measurements you could scale this photo up to the proper size and print it out to use as a template for the MDF, just glue it to the MDF and jigsaw it all out

But guys, what do you use to cut MDF?

Like a jigsaw?

I use a jigsaw and router mostly but I also use a table saw and drop saw for some pieces.

 

[rowan]

If you haven't already thought of it... once you get your measurements you could scale this photo up to the proper size and print it out to use as a template for the MDF, just glue it to the MDF and jigsaw it all out

Though of it a few mins ago
Ive looked every ware for the measurements, even went to jason momoa's fan site (fan girl central, they have no idea how to keep a forum in order...) but no luck.
Earlier today i just printed the picture out on a piece of A4 paper, it actually looks pretty close to the real measurements, if it was any bigger you would have trouble holding it...
Here is a picture of the print out:

Its got slightly cut off at the ends, but thats easily fixed.
So i think ill go with the straight off size in the picture, which I'm pretty sure is the correct size anyway.
Found some other interesting stuff about it, The string looking stuff on the handle is wraith hair... (anyone know know any wraith's? )
The only thing now is to figure out how thick the basic part of the gun is, Ill try to figure it out by looking at screenshots.

if you though i had enough projects:

found this while i was looking for pics of the gun... and i think i have a piece of aluminum the perfect size....

 

[shearme]

Instead of a crystal you could go cheap and use a big marble

 

[rowan]

Instead of a crystal you could go cheap and use a big marble

Not using a crystal, going to cast it in clear resin and red dye.
i think cutting a marble perfectly in half would prove more difficult that making a mold

 

[Belakor]

... The only thing now is to figure out how thick the basic part of the gun is, Ill try to figure it out by looking at screenshots...

If I had to guess, based off the few screenshots I've seen, (I swear these shows purposely film from weird angles just to make it harder for us to make replicas ) 20-30mm thick would be pretty close... 30 at the thickest part, it looks like it steps down at the point highlighted in the pic below but it's hard to tell:

I found a photo of a couple of Vaquero's (can't find any measurements though) but you can see that revolvers have reasonably thin frames and the bulk is mostly in the grips.


Also, in some other photos it looks like it may have proper grips under the string/hair... I think there may actually be a couple of different versions, one (like the pic in the first post) looks like the hero weapon and there's another that looks... less real, I guess you could say, more like a simplified cutout that they've attached the extra pieces to, the frame looks slightly larger and thicker then the hero.

And that sword is pretty cool

 

[rowan]

I got some MDF about 20mm thick. If it was 30mm thick it would be a bit of a struggle to hold, as you can see from the pics the handle isn't rounded, thus the need for the wraith hair. I don't think ill make a grip on the handle besides the wraith hair, I didn't notice it in any screenshots and it wont been seen under the hair anyway.

I'll have to watch the episode Travelers, its the one were sheppard gets captured by some humans that just travel as to not get captured by the wraith, there the ones that made Ronan's pistol, ill have to see if i can get some good screenshots from there.

Update:
I've drawn out the main body part on the MDF, I'm not sure if i should try cutting it out with my hand jigsaw or wait till i get back to school (one week) and use the table one...

 

[Belakor]

I got some MDF about 20mm thick. If it was 30mm thick it would be a bit of a struggle to hold, as you can see from the pics the handle isn't rounded, thus the need for the wraith hair. I don't think ill make a grip on the handle besides the wraith hair, I didn't notice it in any screenshots and it wont been seen under the hair anyway...

Update:
I've drawn out the main body part on the MDF, I'm not sure if i should try cutting it out with my hand jigsaw or wait till i get back to school (one week) and use the table one...

You know I was positive I saw a side on shot that showed the top section of a grip under the hair but I can't find it I think I may have imagined it

The outline on the MDF looks good Waiting to do it on the table saw might save some cleanup time but using the hand jigsaw means you can do it now, I usually go with the "do it now" option but that's why I spend so much time cleaning up mistakes

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out

 

[rowan]

You know I was positive I saw a side on shot that showed the top section of a grip under the hair but I can't find it I think I may have imagined it

The outline on the MDF looks good Waiting to do it on the table saw might save some cleanup time but using the hand jigsaw means you can do it now, I usually go with the "do it now" option but that's why I spend so much time cleaning up mistakes

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out

Ill have to have a really good look through some epps, i still haven't closely watched "the travelers" If theres a grip under the wraith hair i think i should be able to spot it in the episode. I've got a few others in my head that have Ronan using his gun a fair bit, so ill give those a look too.

I think ill wait till i can use the table saw, i barely have enough space in my shed to walk let alone work.

I was planning on getting some styrene today, but i woke up with a terrible headache, and went back to sleep till like 6pm... And i still have the damn headache!!!