Dental Expander Scratch Build

Distracted from the Jetpack build I am working on, I decided to take a look at the gauntlets I got from RKD, which got me to thinking about a dental expander. This got me to thinking I could build a nice approximation of one of the harder to acquire greeblies cheaply. It's not absolutely perfect, but it's pretty nice. I wouldn't want it in my mouth, though! Come to think of it, I wouldn't want the real deal in my mouth either! :suprise

I used this thread for reference photo and dimensions.

I used thin scrap aluminum (I had this laying around. I think it was originally from an old lawn chair) and a small galvanized nail.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/P9120575.jpg

It took a few tries, but using dimensions I found in another thread I was able to fabricate and drill/file the body. I cut the head off of the nail (and saved it and dremeled a small dot in the center), then cut the shaft to size.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/P9120576.jpg

Epoxied.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/P9120579.jpg

Tiny bugger!
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/P9120583.jpg

Nice work! How'd you get the bends into the body piece from the flat stock?

you willing to make another i need one badly lol those are hard to find

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Canned Ham

Nice work! How'd you get the bends into the body piece from the flat stock?

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Thanks! The stock is quite thin (I didn't measure it), which makes it easy to bend, but also easy to break if you work it too much. I goofed on 2 of them trying to get a good method. I worked the center around a small drill bit, then used a pair of jeweler's pliers to form the rest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZeroGinc

you willing to make another i need one badly lol those are hard to find

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Shoot me a PM, we might be able to work something out ;)

Wow! Amazing job on a small piece like this!

Thanks RF. I am trying to think of ways to make it better already :lol These photos that magnify it about 4x or more make me crazy!