Official Jet Pack Beacon

Originally posted by mechroid:

Hi all,I posted this on the jet pack thread but probably should have done it here as the 'traffic' seems better [so,moderator,feel free to delete wot u want]....goes like this... Me+a sidekick had disscusions today about found SW parts...he seems certain the jet pack beacon is scme kind of BRAUN hair curling device handle + says he has 1 or even 2...they were his mothers so the age would be right...they reportedly have the curved center + the mesh thimble [over the light]onthe end...I have NOT seen these yet and it will take a while to retrieve the parts....my mate is an SW parts nut so he knows wot he's looking at...just hope his memory is as good!...Ill post news of this as soon as it is in my hand ...one way or another
comments anyone? ">
silence+tumbleweeds...
this is where I hear a chorus of ,WE KNOW THAT!,:p

Originally posted by Braks Buddy:

We DID'NT know that but we are now VERY interested in what you find.. Please keep us posted!!! Veyr exciting stuff!!!

Restless soul, enjoy your youth - Eddie Vedder

I couldn't remember which side the light was supposed to go on, but the size fit better on the right side, so that's where I put it. It's just another one of those flashing light thingies, this time in sort of a beacon shape. I came across it at Target.

It's supposed to be a necklace...again, I fail to see the sexual attraction supposedly inherent in flashing lights. Perhaps these companies believe we are related to moths, bees, or mosquitos. I hope no one tries to ask my jet pack out on a date.

It twists on and off, and I reach up inside my pack to turn it on/off. It flashes red, blue, green, purple, and teal. If I decide that I don't like the whole thing flashing, I'll paint the lower part of it so only the top shows. It's much brighter than the picture shows.

The best part is, it took less skill and less time than the Easiest Rangefinder Lights Ever!

A couple of guys who bought a light beacon from me had asked for a directions to install a light inside. I don't have an offcial diagram drawn but I will be working on one. For the time being, let me explain how I did mine.

First the bulb. Any flash light bulb or large white LED will work. If you use a flash light bulb as I did, you will need to grind the flange just below the buld off with a Dremel tool. Then solder a wire to the bottom contact and one the the side casing of the bulb. If you use a LED then just solder them to the leads. My power source is 4 AA batteries. They last me about 6 hours or so. You'll need a small to medium size switch and a battery case. Both can be obtained from Radio Shack. Wire the light to the battery pack with the switch on either the positive or negative side of the circuit to turn in on and off. Then assemble the beacon with the bulb inside. I mounted my switch to the back of my jet pack (side facing me) so I can easily turn it on and off. The battery pack is stuffed inside the pack through the hole that my strap comes through.

I just found these clip on LEDs that run off watch batteries & flash 3 different colors. They are super bright & look like emergency lights! I think this would look awesome lighting up a beacon. The display was wired to run off 3 AA batteries so you could rewire it & run a remote switch on your pack somewhere. I don't have a a scanner but I'll try to post a pic tonight.

Ooooh,...tell me more about these watch battery LED's.My jet pack is already completed,and closed up.I have a/the machined jet pack beacon,and a hollow threaded nylon bolt which fastens it to the pack by screwing it on from the outside.I did it this way just in case something like this came along,and I could wire up a very small lighting system for my beacon.Unfortunately it must be small,but these watch battery lights sound like a perfect solution to my particular application.AAA batteries would fit,but I could only have enough room to wire one battery,and it would have to be a direct solder to the LED,...although I suppose a micro switch would be possible,but still a single AAA battery isn't alot of juice.

ANY help here would be greatly appreciated


Steve

They take 3 watch batteries but the one I saw displayed used 3 AA's. They LEDs flash blue & yellow & are extremely bright. I think they cost about $7 each. They remind me of aircraft marker lights or emergency vehicle lights. I bought them at a costume shop. They also had some that lit up blue, yellow, & red.

Looks like a trip to Radio Shack is in order tomorrow

Has anyone modified a resin beacon to include a light? How can this be done?

mcabrera1275 wrote:Has anyone modified a resin beacon to include a light? How can this be done?

Haven't seen a resin beacon yet, but I imagine it's nothing that a little drill & dremel couldn't fix.

How about those silly little flashing antennas for cel phones? Those couldn't be that hard to wire to a battery and switch...and they come in a variety of colors (although I think Boba's blinked white)


http://cellphones-accessories.com/calseneqflas.html

Just pop one inside your beacon and you're set. They sell these things in malls and online starting at around $3.

Or just wire up your own strobing led...I can't imagine that'd be too hard either (though I've yet to try)

I don't know about what you can get from dealers, but you can get light up wands that are the same size as the beacon for about $6-$7 at Target. They are not exatly accurate, but they look good.

Actually, you can also buy them that flash just one color -- red or blue or whatever. I think the handle looks a little bit different on those, though, but I saw both versions at Target in the flashlight section.

I've been using a homemade beacon for a few years now, but someone out there MUST be making/casting these things. I felt like such an idiot when I saw someone else's beacon at Celebration II. Any leads on these? In a hollow version?

PM me, if possible.

I recently purchased a resin beacon and am in the process of hollowing it out.





As you can see, I still need to epoxy in the air bubbles and sand down the openings.


Does anyone have any ideas of how to light it? ALSO, if anyone has a good close up of the real ROTJ beacon, Please post.

Thanks

Hey, I need help on this topic too, and I think that the best way is to buy one of these Mini-Maglites, but get one of those that sells at any Dollar Store, but they have two different sizes, regular size and extra small. I have the regular Mini Maglite ($1), but I'm gonna buy the extra small one that comes in a set with a pocket knife, a pocket plier (leatherman-gerber style), and it costs around $5 for all. Get a small Hair Spray or water cap (clear or opaque/clear). I'll try to experiment, and a washer big enough to fit the maglite in. Use either glue or solder the washer to the maglite, and do a hole in the JP to fit the bottom of the maglite. That would give you the ease of replacing the batteries from it. or you could try to make something like running a cable from the maglite to somewhere in the Jet Pack to install the batteries.

Be advise, that this is just an idea and I'm willing to experiment with it in the really near future. The results will be given to you once I'm done with it. Any other ideas will be posted. Any questions, PM/email me.

I did the whole mini-maglight and hairspray cap cover for mine last year. It worked pretty good because you could just twist the cover and the light would work.

Now on my new pack, my buddy is going to machine me an aluminum one with removable cover to put LEDs into. I can't wait to get it.

Would you say the beacon is white light or yellow? What about the flashing rate? I was thinking about using those screw-in caps for the tires that flash with movement. I figure with the bounce of your step, they should keep the flash rate interesting if not consistant.

is this for a ROTJ or ESB jet pack?

Mine is ROTJ

My pack is ROTJ as well. And I also had the maglite thing going. Works pretty well. I have it mounted in a sound einforcement 'twist-clip' and I can remove it to change batteries.

However, one the Forum regulars told me a few weeks ago that he might make another run of metal ones here in the next couple months.

Webchief, any chance your friend can manufacture an extra one for ol' BatNinja?

Well... he plans on it, he just wants to use me as the "testbed" first since he's never made them before. I'll let you know how they come out once he's done and I'll tell him there may be interest in more.

batninja- Hey Eric! I was the Fett you saw at C2 with the beacon. You gave me your email to send you info on the guy (yes, the guy from here making them), but when I tried to email you, it bounced, saying it didn't exist or whatever. Glad to see you finally made your way to TDH!

I need one for my jet pack...resin or metal
PM me thanks

I need one as well. Keep me posted.

I'd like a PM for that too, thanks.

Yep....me needs one too. A PM would be greatly appreciated!

Mr Fett - nice to see you again!

As you can guess, I'm upgrading. Got tired of all those resin and aluminum beacons on everybody...but me!

Did you get any decent pics? My camera screwed up for Saturday, so I only have a few pics from Friday and Sunday.

I don't have tons of pics,a few around, but have seen some pics of me pop up on various sites after C2 happened.

Upgrading is good! Whenever I have some extra cash, there's some things I want to upgrade as well!

Too big to post here, but click these links to secol_FETT's server hosting the Fett Ref CD for 2 great close-ups of the beacon shot by Brak's:
http://www.essat.cl/cdref/0001_0100/Boba_Fett_056.jpg
http://www.essat.cl/cdref/0301_0400/Boba_Fett_389.jpg

Hey Jedi-bob,

This is my beacon that i used a 1/16 drill bit, and drilled it to death!!! There is a red LED light i installed inside.

Here's an interesting point--did the ESB jet pack beacon actually blink, or was it on continuously?

Watching the movie, it looks like it pulses on and off. Not a hard blink on/off though, more like a dimming or fading. Like maybe 1.5-2 seconds gradually brightening on, then 1.5-2 seconds fading off. (the actual intervals need to be verified)

Hmm. I think I know just enough about electronics to rig up an "on-off" blinking circuit, but I don't know if I could do the gradual "fade-blink" that you're describing. Hyperdine...oh Hyperdine...we may have a job for you!

I agree with MP...I just watched the movie again this morning, ans it does like a permanent-on light with a blinking/dimming on-off effect on it, which makes it more brighter when it does that. Just an opinion.

ok i go to the hardware and see this(check the pic), and then i search on the website and here is,
<img src=http://www.sodimac.cl/stores/sodimacvc/images/prod/GASFITERIA/Control_de_Flujo/61739-g.jpg>or<img src=http://www.sodimac.cl/stores/sodimacvc/images/prod/GASFITERIA/Control_de_Flujo/41080-g.jpg>
the only problem with this is the size, its to **** big, just the "beacon" part its like 5 or 6 cms or more, and i foun this pvc too
<img src=http://www.sodimac.cl/stores/sodimacvc/images/prod/GASFITERIA/Control_de_Flujo/6607-g.jpg>
but im still looking one with the correct size or closer

Well, I tried to light up my hollowed out, resin beacon last night. I bought, from Radio Shack, a 9volt prong (with the - and + wires, a toggle switch, some extra wire, and a light I had which had a small socket and two lead wires already soldered to the base. I attached the battery leads to the toggle, and two wires to the toggle to the light. I have a circuit board from an emergency light that has a flasher, I plan on adding that to the middle to create the beacon flashing. I tried it and it seems to work) The toggle worked fine. I had it on the dining room table in the off position and BANG! The battery exploded!!!!!!!!!!!

What did I do wrong? I am just glad this was not sealed up in my JP!!!

I would really appreciate any help from you electroning gurus.

I would have loved to buy one of those cool beacons that were offered here, but I was unemployed for a year and can't really afford anything like that right now.

Thanks.

I have only heard that the reason for a battery to explode is because of very high temperatures. Was it an old battery??
I am glad you did not had it in your hand when it exploded, it could of been a worst dissaster.

I'm no expert, but it sounds to me as if the switch was the problem. I know you can buy them as a open loop & closed loop configuration. It sounds like when you had the switch in the off position the circuit back to the battery was complete. Did you notice the battery getting hot at all?

Yup, the battery was hot.

Definitely in the switch.

I had similar problems with getting the right setup for my Trooper helemt using one switch with two fans,and two batteries.A SPDT switch fixed the mix-up I had.

You should only need a SPST switch for the beacon application though.

Steve

Making props can be dangerous

Heck yeah! It sounded like starter pistol. Now I am thinking about running the light wires out the back of the JP ands wiring it into a pouch. This way I can start the sealing process.

sounds like a problem I had with my last fan setup. I had a simple on/off switch, battery and fan set up. The battery connection had a red a black wire and I attached one each to the switch, then connected the fan the same way one wire to each post. I noticed the fan didnt go off and the battery got very hot. then I realized what I needed to do is simple connect the wires in a way that would have the switch attached to only one color. So that way my two black wires are attached to each other and one red wire is attached to each post on the switch. So maybe you were like me and just need to fix your wiring, simple mistake.

Jedi-Bob, glad that at least you're ok and safe. Have you tried BKBT's self-contained lighted beacon? That's the best choice and safest one so far.

P.S. Check your image hosting, specifically you "avatar", cause I can't see your pic now, don't know why.


Robert

TK-Fett wrote:
a red a black wire and I attached one each to the switch, then connected the fan the same way one wire to each post.

Yeah, that's connecting everything all together (i.e. pos and neg permanently looped together), which you don't want to do. A switch should only go on one set of wires, not both. Sounds like this is what may have happened.

Believe me, I would have loved to get BKBT's self contained beacon, but funds are tight and I already had the resin beacon cut out.If this works the way I am hoping, I will have a steady white strobe (not fast flashing).

Hey guys, I've read some threads and found some info that the beacon could be a Braun Curling Iron tip, and here's the amazing info I found!! I know it's not the same, but it sure does look like almost dead on! All it's missing is the groove around the middle.

What do you all think???




Bobo

Nice find dude!

Thanks! I'm just having a hard time trying to find the right one since the curling iron would be from the 70's most likely :p

Bobo

Good find, probably the closest I've seen so far, but:

1) the tip looks flattened on either side, whereas the actual beacon is round.

2) The shaft of the beacon is tapered in the middle, like an hourglass, whereas the curler shaft is straight.

3) The beacon has 4 columns of 4 slits equally spaced around the round beacon top, whereas the curler has 2 columns of 5 or 6 slits on each opposite sides.

Picture 55 on the ref CD shows it clearly.

It would fool most people at a con, or wherever, but as a found part, that specific one is not it, IMO.

Having said that it's a good find, and might be the beginning of a trail that leads to a found part. I have no idea about late 70's hair styling devices, but it's conceivable that what you have found, Bobo, is the modern day equivalent of the vintage part used. Keep looking, see where it takes you.

Good work. It's only by this sort of research that we'll find all the bits used.

Si

I can't remember exactly what all they are, but there were some other found parts used in SW costumes that originated from hair care appliances. Lando's Vibro Axe from Jabba's Palace is a perfect example.

Well it sure looks like we're on the right track with this. I'll keep searching! It would be great if something was found!

Bobo

Good find that looks very close. You are totaly on the Right track. 8)
ST

fpotato, I like your beacon man, great drilling!
I'm planning to do the same soon, and I'm wondering...was it hard to drill that? I mean, did you break anything or was it fairly straightforward?

Thanks,
Bobo

I wouldn't assume that the whole beacon would be from one entire found part.

the number of vents at the top is off. it is close. we maybe onto something here.

Not to burst your bubble but there's no way that the part. Yes it's darn close, but the close up shots of the MOM exhibit beacon show the slots going all the way around the part not just on the front.

Not that I know what it is, but I had gotten a catalog from the place that still sells the squeegee shin tool, and they had a microphone that reminded me of the beacon. I could see an old hand held microphone having a similar shape to the beacon, the top half of the microphone not the big bulbous mesh covered ones, but a slimmer model. Only problem is how do you track down a verity of vintage microphones from the late 70's that would show pics of the things to see if you could find something even close.

Hi guyz.....yeah,that first post was mine,right before the I.D. got lost somewhere and i had to resubmit details [and unify the spelling!]......anyhow ,here as i posted recently is the stuff i was on about in that 1st post Yarhns ago............my dart launcher is a little chunky and i went with raised ribbs on it however the pics could easily represent the business end of the implements pictured ,in my orig post ,before i had the part ,and from a mates description,i thought i had a lead on the beacon ....the part was the other end of the hair curler and was TOO big...any how here is the pic......
http://ourworld.cs.com/mekroid/parts.jpg

Ok this is just a theory so......
well today i go to the flea market, looking stuff for the suit(and i can get nothing ) and i noted this olds microphones shaped like the beacon but a bit, more big, so maybe the beacon is a top of one of that old microphones, you know the journalist tape recorder style or another.
What do ya think btw i just found this pic
<img src=http://www.ab-cds.com/images/Shure%20Microphone%20Group.gif>

could be a good lead Secol but the tip of the real beacon was mor /\ than ll.

I thought about the same thing the other day. While I was watching series 1 of "24" the show. While Bauer was interegated, there was that recording device with a vintage looking microphone.

TK-Fett wrote:
could be a good lead Secol but the tip of the real beacon was mor / than ll.

oh you are right i just put the pic for reference the microphones what i see are like beacon /\
i put that pic 'cause i can't found another better

I had the same idea for the beacon when I ordered my squegee, I got a catalog sent to my house, inside were some mic's that resemeble the beacon ... but nothing exact. The issue is finding a vintage mic that is the one. I know from experience when contacting people who's hobbies are specific, like microphones, if you are "honest" in your intentions, they can be insulted that you are looking for something that will be taken apart. The same thing happens with the saber and camera guys. Another thing I saw was an intake filter screen for a fish tank .... that's grasping at straws, but anything is possible Keep looking secol!

It seems more likely to me that instead of adapting a microphone, curling iron, or any other found object suggested, that they started off with an item that already had a light in it.

I was at a friend's cottage this summer and noticed his boat had a flashing all-around stern light on it that looked a bit like the JP light beacon, only much larger.

Something like these:



http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/aqua...ern-light.html



http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/aqua...ern-light.html

What I have posted here clearly isn't the item, but thought I would mention a possible lead to anyone who might have the time to research it.

Cheers!
TJ

Has any one tried using this for a jet pack beacon light,and gauntlet light?

Here is the link where it is sold:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...770&category=1,250,43298

Before I bought Shackman's awesome display, I used those LED kits for my chest armor. They're cheap! You can find them at Hobby Lobby for about &#36;5. Do NOT buy them from the E-bay seller, screwing you for &#36;20-30.

MMMM very nice find, I have not used something that simple, but I am certainly interested in trying it out on my costume and even some models I always wanted to add lights too. Neat!

actually i have a bunch of those left over from when i used to build model kits.it worked great for my jet pack beacon.you can catch a glimpse of it in this pic.

http://hpphotos.com/servlet/LinkPhot...458a1fe7&size=

::: U P D A T E 4 / 02 / 04 :::
Ok the list is revised, please PM me to add your name or revise your order
I'll need at least 4 more names to get this project started, once we fill the list and all payments are made this project will be started.


::: U P D A T E 29 / 01 / 04 :::
Hi guys, heres the prices and the JP Beacon will have the 4th vent added as Batninja mentioned.

<font color="#66FF00">ALU JP BEACON COSTS &#36;63/£37 shipped worldwide
<font color="#66FF00">ALU JP STABILIZER &#36;53/£29 shipped worldwide
or
<font color="#66FF00">JP COMBINE ALU PACKAGE £61 / &#36;110 Shipped worldwide

Also ive been told once JP STABILIZER has been paid for it will take 1-2 weeks to make your order hope the info helps.

Please PM me your order to revise the list names or to be added to the list

::: U P D A T E 16 / 01 / 04 :::
well i hope everyone had good xmas new year, its time to see if theres any intrest in getting a alu JP Beacon.
If you intrested please LMK and ill add you to the list.

Ive installed mine and it looks great




<font color="#00FF000">A L U B E A C O N
Okay heres the latest pic of the complete Alu Beacon.


Cost will be £37/&#36;63 shipped via air mail and within the uk, ill need at least 10 names to place an order and once placed, the order should only take a week to get them all made and shipped.

It will be machined as one whole part with a hollow threaded fixing on the bottom so the beacon can be

(i) Alu Beacon can be fixed with out glue etc... and can be fixed to JP by making a hole in the JP and the beacon will have a hollow screw to enable the beacon screwed/unscrewed.

(ii) The screw and beacon main body will be hollow to enable led cables to run up thro.

please PM me to add you to the list.

<font color="#00FF000">L E D 'S

A friend in the states has some leds kits that can be used, the kit has got red, green and yellow leds.

These leds blink when turned on and come as a premade kit



::: U P D A T E 4 / 12 / 03 :::

I will be getting pics of the completed Alu JP Beacon hopefully on friday.

Im also making progress on the LED unit for the JP Beacon and a prototype will be made next week.

Ill need an idea of what colour LED you think will be the best to use.

Also trying to see if the LED unit can have a blinking or non blinking settings.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::
hi all

well ive taken on a project to get a alu JP beacon made for my JP as a few leads on here have stopped doing them for the time being so ive decided to get these made.

Ive done alot of research and have done the blueprints and ive got someone lined up to make them but i need a min of 10 orders to get this project started.

The main body will be also hollowed/machined out to house LEDS which are not supplied as of yet.... but im working on this to see if this can be also included.

The top parts of the beacon will have gaps machined out also so the LED installed will be seen when switched on.

It will come in 3 parts
1. Beacon top
2. Beacon main body
3. Screw attachment.

all the parts will screw togther - no glueing to the JP.

<font color="#00FF000">Prices will be coming soon....

so heres some preliminary pics



The above pics are the proto type model thats being made so my contact can work out the best way of making these.

But there will be some final tweaks before these are going to be made.



cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Looks good,

I will be interested depending on price.

Loranar

great looking piece.that becaon is ESB style isnt it?

Very nice UK, ill be interested for sure.

Me too depending on price.

Definitely interested!!!

I'm interested...

-MBM

Depending on price I am intrested.

interested

should be able to get a price this week for the alu JP Beacon

Thanks for all your intrest and ill post any new info as i get it.

Ive also getting and idea of cost for the leds kits for the beacon,

but
- should they blink and
- what colour should i get these done in?.

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

The beacon definitely does not blink. Some people think it just stays on constantly, others think it dims and gets brighter with a gradual transition though.

ukscout wrote:
should be able to get a price this week for the alu JP Beacon

Thanks for all your intrest and ill post any new info as i get it.

Ive also getting and idea of cost for the leds kits for the beacon,

but
- should they blink and
- what colour should i get these done in?.

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Interested, depending on price.

David

who has the info on the LEDS?

hi jay

the leds come from a friend in the usa, if you like some PM me and ill give you his info.

If i recall there about &#36;18 for the LED kit

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Add me to the list.

David

I like what I'm seeing! However...shouldn't there be four rows of openings in the top, not just three? Like this...



Would it be possible to rework the project with all four rows? I'm just being nitpicky, but this project looks so close to perfect, why not go all the way?

hi eric

thanks for letting me know, the pic is a prototype made to test how it would be machined. Ill let him know and make sure that all the vents are on there correctly.

Ive recieved the proto type today and i must say its realy good and looks the part now its one the JP

I know with xmas coming up, im myself is cash straped but let me know if you want to be on the list for start of the new year.


cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Yes, please put me on the list! I'm getting ready for a new jet pack project and this would be perfect for it!

Eric youve been added to the list

Ive added the beacon to my FG JP and looks good, easy to install ill post some new pics soon.

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

I would be up for a set. Looks great.

I'd sure like one! They look really nice.

Youve been added

Please PM to let me know what type you would like Boba from ROTJ or Jango - solid beacon.

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Hi do you have a final price set yet? please pm on a Boba version.

Richard

BUMP!

Any news on this project? Has it been re-worked to include all four rows of slits?

Secondly, will the stabilizer be available as well?

I'm in the market for one of Mardon's fiberglass packs, and will need these accessories...

Thanks for any updates!

Eric & Richard

Ive added ive just got the info.

Both of these items are on my JP youll just need to drill a hole thro the FG JP and screw the parts on - no glueing and can be easly removed if needed.

Youll wont be disapointed with the quality and detail.

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Hi there,

count me in for a JP COMBINE ALU PACKAGE £61 / &#36;110 Shipped worldwide to Germany.

Thx for this offer.

Mike

I may be interested in a stabilizer. Do you have a image of the completed stabilizer?

David

David, goto the link below and it will take you to my MLC picture gallery, half way down the pafe is a pic of the Alu Stabilizer

hope it helps
http://www.uk-scout.co.uk/test/MLC.htm

cheers

Neil
uk-scout TB7290
www.uk-scout.co.uk
ukbikerscout@hotmail.com

Put me down for the combo of the Stabilizer and Beacon @ &#36;110.

Thanks - David

Anyone know where in ROTJ there's a shot of the beacon lit up?