# BigJon's Custom PKE Build **URL:** \ **Category:** PKE Meters\ **Created:** [December 12, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579 "2009-12-12T18:37:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigJon](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bigjon/32/117_2.png) [@BigJon](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/BigJon)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/1 "2009-12-12T18:37:03Z")
Knowing that the original [PKE meter](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/mattel-pke-meter) was built from a shoe polisher…I went to the thrift store looking for other possible appliances. There, I found this Rowenta garment steamer. It had a nice shape and an area that looked perfect for a view screen with minimal work. I snatched it up for $2.92. ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1209091956.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1209091956a.jpg) As you can see, with the brush and lint bar removed and holding it backwards it makes a perfect PKE shape. ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1209091957.jpg) Here it is dismantled into it’s main parts. ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1209091957a.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1209091957b.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1209091958.jpg) After about an hour of cutting and sanding I’ve removed the center section that the lint bar used to plug into. It’s got the perfect shape for a view screen and I can simply glue some translucent material behind the hole to simulate the screen and add some lights behind it. ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1210092205.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1210092205a.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1210092205b.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1210092206.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1210092206a.jpg) My kids picked these light-up wands at a show and they’ve outlived their “fun use”. So I cannibalized one of them to use the LEDs…I liked how they lit up. So far no wiring or soldering needed…will be doing that when I swap out the switch for something different. ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1212091314.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1212091314a.jpg) ![image]([http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE) Meter\_1212091315-1.jpg) And finally, a video of the lights in action. [![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/taglar/PKE Meter\_th\_1212091315.jpg)](http://s645.photobucket.com/albums/uu175/taglar/PKE%20Meter/?action=view¤t=1212091315.flv) ---
**Author:** ![ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ProtonCharger](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ProtonCharger)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/2 "2009-12-12T18:57:34Z")
that looks too cool for words. ---
**Author:** ![Gareee](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/gareee/32/5994_2.png) [@Gareee](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Gareee)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/3 "2009-12-12T19:04:26Z")
Looks good so far! ---
**Author:** ![RedVirtue](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/redvirtue/32/6172_2.png) [@RedVirtue](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RedVirtue)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 8:11am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/4 "2009-12-14T08:11:42Z")
I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes. Very cool. ---
**Author:** ![RickH](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RickH](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RickH)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 8:33am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/5 "2009-12-14T08:33:42Z")
Pretty rad idea, BigJon. I always thought a CB mic would make a good PKE too if you couldn’t find an Iona. Add a handle, and wings, and you got a similar looking PKE to the movie one. ---
**Author:** ![Nerdy\_NotionZ](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/e8c25b/32.png) [@Nerdy\_NotionZ](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Nerdy_NotionZ)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 8:34am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/6 "2009-12-14T08:34:56Z")
Lookin good. Cant wait to see it done ---
**Author:** ![DarkSpectre](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/958977/32.png) [@DarkSpectre](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/DarkSpectre)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/7 "2009-12-14T13:39:09Z")
Looking tight, Jon. ---
**Author:** ![belldandy4087](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@belldandy4087](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/belldandy4087)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/8 "2011-02-17T16:28:18Z")
How did this ever turn out? sorry for the bump but i am really currious ---
**Author:** ![nicktheguy](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@nicktheguy](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/nicktheguy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/9 "2011-02-18T00:25:57Z")
I’d be curious to see how it turned out too! ---
**Author:** ![BigJon](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bigjon/32/117_2.png) [@BigJon](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/BigJon)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/10 "2011-02-18T14:13:20Z")
I haven’t finished it yet. 😃 It got shelved and now ever since the [Mattel](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/toys/mattel) [PKE meter](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/mattel-pke-meter) came out I haven’t done anything with it. If I ever do finish it I’ll make sure to post updates. ---
**Author:** ![belldandy4087](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@belldandy4087](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/belldandy4087)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/11 "2011-02-18T14:25:55Z")
thanks ---
**Author:** ![David\_Campbell](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@David\_Campbell](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/David_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/12 "2011-02-26T21:23:48Z")
thrift stores never cease to amaze me, you never know what your going to find in there. ---
**Author:** ![Mxlplx](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Mxlplx](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Mxlplx)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/13 "2012-01-23T20:41:10Z")
Nice work! ---
**Author:** ![ray\_stantzs\_cigar](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/e480ec/32.png) [@ray\_stantzs\_cigar](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ray_stantzs_cigar)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bigjons-custom-pke-build/33579/14 "2012-04-10T19:31:53Z")
> [@David Campbell](#): > > thrift stores never cease to amaze me, you never know what your going to find in there. Kinda like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get!