I just recently acquired an Iona Shoe Polisher which I already gutted. Before I do any work to it I need help, I want to know one of two things.
Does anyone know how to make the electronics? I am kind of a perfectionist so I would want them to be exactly like the movies. I already know about hyperdyne labs, but they are busy and out of stock, no telling when they could get more in.
Does anyone know how to make casts of an item so I can make copy’s of it. I want to make a cast of the case so I can make more than one PKE, possibly sell them, IDK.
That PKE is really old school. I think that’s the first accurate replica ever made. You might be better of getting a hold of Ken “Volguus” Huegel, or Jim from hyperdyne labs (http://www.hyperdynelabs.com).
I haven’t lurked around a Ghostbusters prop forum for a few years; I’ve been too busy with home improvements and our motion graphics business.
That PKE meter is really old school. I made it in 1989, and I’ll be the first to admit it’s not as accurate as it could be. Ken’s PKE is closer to the original prop. Back then I was working from a high quality professional videotape of Ghostbusters and a little sketch I drew on a business card after getting a chance to handle the real prop in person during a visit to Modern Props in the late 80’s.
Given the paucity of reference material available to me at the time I think the prop turned out very well, and I’m quite proud of it. Since then I’ve come into possession of an Iona polisher and good photos of the actual prop. My modifications to the Iona are around 80% complete. The main task remaining is getting the electronics worked out. My 1989 PKE used a model tank motor and gears to drive the arms. I want to use 2 servos in the new one, but I was having trouble controlling those with an analog circuit.
Hopefully I’ll finish this thing sometime in the next year or so, so I can move on to a new project.
100% accurate or not that original WShawn PKE is still cut ass rugged. How can you not love that thing? Even with the contemporary screen accurate PKE pics, I still get excited when I see pictures of it.