This is for other Ghostbusters Props that don't fit into the categories above.
By PssdffJay
#4807197
There are lots of props I would like to build, but I saw this and figured I would give it a go. The parts are pretty easy to find on the evil bay, or maybe you're lucky enough to find them in stores or a garage sale. If you don't know what a KUD meter is, get out from the rock you live under and watch a little film I like to call, Ghostbusters 2. Or follow this link: http://www.gbfans.com/equipment/other/kud-meter/

A few days ago my Micronta 3001 arrived, from England no less. My potato masher and strainer had already arrived a week before. A shot of all the parts. I figured I would go with a 9 volt battery, but halfway through, I looked at Alex's build (http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtop ... =7&t=31568) because I remembered he somehow got the dials off, and then I remembered what he did for the battery. Never did figure out how to get the dials off, but I worked around it, you'll see later on.

Image

First thing was to test if it worked, the listing said it didn't but I wanted to test anyway. It didn't. Thats ok, I was about to take it apart anyway.

Image

Snipped the wires for the cable that connects to the round thingamajig. (No idea what its called.)

Image

Image

Then I snipped off the wires to the battery holder, at this point in my mind, I was still thinking 9 volt and how to cut a spot out to get it to fit.

Image

I started to jump around after that. I couldn't figure out how to get the dials off, and after looking at Alex's build, my mind started to debate trying the AA method or stick with the 9 volt original plan. While I waited to hopefully hear about the dials, I marked out where to drill for the switch.

Image

Then I decided to do Alex's AA method. This little space was too little. It needed to be bigger.

Image

Hack job later... voila! She fits! A dap of super glue and the metal contact stays where I want it.

Image

Image

Image

Now the problem with only having 2 batteries instead of 6, is that the batteries don't stay where they are supposed to. I debated on making a dam out of Apoxie Sculpt, but I would have to wait 24 hours to let it set, or just taking a scrap piece of plastic and gluing it in, but that would look ugly. Then I remembered I had a bunch of popsicle sticks I bought for when I was attaching my N filter. I cut one down and did a dry fit and it is super tight! But I didn't like the wood colour, so I coloured it with a Sharpie, and then super glued it in.

Image

Image

Image
TrekDad1 liked this
By PssdffJay
#4807201
Still no answer back on the dials yet, seriously, what could Alex be doing that is more important than answering a question on a build that he completed over a year ago?! ;)

So instead, I drilled out the hole on the front and right through the board on the back.

Image

Then I had to drill out the hole on the board to fit the switch and it was still to small, so I drilled a whole bunch of smaller holes. I COULD have used my dremel, but it was on the other side of the table, and I could't reach it with out having to stand and lean over. That was way to far.

Image

Anyway, got the switch in.

Image

Image

I had mocked up what the wiring was going to be before hand to make sure I had everything right. I tinned my positive wires and soldered them to the switch.

Image

Then I used some heat shrink just because. Thought I would get a little fancy with this photo. You can see what I was watching in the background.

Image

This is where I left it. I need to go and get a smaller resistor now that I'm using 2 AA batteries instead of the 9 volt. The 390 ohm resistor is way to big and really dims the LED, I only need 56 ohms.
By Alex Newborn
#4807258
Looking good!

Sorry I didn't see your question in the other thread sooner.

I like that popsicle-stick 'dam' idea. I just noticed my KUD wouldn't light up, and when I slid open the battery compartment, one of the AA's had moved slightly to one side, breaking contact.

Alex
By PssdffJay
#4807290
Thanks Alex! I noticed it shift when I was testing the battery fit and figured it could be a problem. I also have a crazy idea with the space left over. Now that it is confirmed that the knobs just pull off, I may attempt my other idea.
By PssdffJay
#4814950
I did finish this prop. Just never got around to updating. I have a 3 hour drive so I might as well do that now. (I'm not the one driving, I'm not that dumb!)

I first had to cut off the handles.

Image

Then drilling a hole, off center... Alex was right, that's not the easiest material to drill though an even with a center punch, and starting small, my bit walked. Oh well.

Image

I decided to use one of these little holders.

Image

Image

Image
By PssdffJay
#4814952
I have seen people do both methods for the masher. Mount outside or cut a slot and mount inside. I decided to go with the second method. First I marked and drilled out 2 holes.

Image

A dremel and some filing later and I have a slot.

Image
By PssdffJay
#4814958
I then needed to figure out the length of the lower tube.

Image

Then I had to figure out how to attach the strainer. This was pre GB2 bluray, so based on the screen caps I could find, it looked like the tube went a little further than the strainer. So I cut a notch out and stuck the strainer in.

Image

Image

Image

Then I shoved a bunch of Apoxie sculpt in the end and sanded it smooth.

Image
By PssdffJay
#4814960
Then to finish off the electronics. Drilled a hole.

Image

Image

I didn't have any black heat shrink and I was trying to finish it that day to take it to a GB screening so I took red and coloured it with a sharpie. It looks better in real life.

Image

Image

Image

The I hooked it up to the battery terminals.

Image

Put it back together.

Image
By PssdffJay
#4814963
All finished!

Image

Image

Image

A note: don't put your heat gun too close... It got a little melty...

Image

Unfortunately the only phot that wasn't blurry from that day was this one. I do smile, sometimes.

Image

Nothing groundbreaking in this build, just more for documentation.
By Alex Newborn
#4814978
Cool. Glad to have inspired you. Great idea on the notch. I wish I'd thought of that.

A friend on Facebook just scored a vintage potato masher that looks to be the exact one they used for the film prop.

If I can find one like his, I plan to revisit my KUD.

Alex
By robandliv
#4903746
Anyone know were I can get this potato masher? I looked threw 40 pages on amazon and ebay with no luck. I also been looking for months and checked all the box stores, such as walmart, target, jcpenny, etc that I could think. I even tried the dollar store, Ross and TJmax. Anyone got any ideas online? I also checked goodwill.

    Yeah, we've been building this thing for ten[…]

    Someone on FB found it. NARDA ELECTROMAGNETIC RADI[…]

    It appears that some time today someone who […]

    Correct, it grants several in fact the Melody's […]