Kirk Chair Laser Cut Plexiglass

Had this a while but haven’t blogged about it, until now.

One of the big problems I had with my last chair were the control arm parts, in particular the mounting plate for all the switches and light domes.

So I was more than pleased to discover someone who made them…his name is Carl, and he lives in Canada.  The plexiglass shape was cut out using a laser so totally accurate. A relief for me as i wasn’t looking forward to having to drill and cut out the parts myself!

Carl was extremely helpful, takes paypal( !) and did a mighty fine job. you can contact him Here  I believe he makes other Trek props to, so contact him for a list.

Here are the parts with lens domes for, I’ll be mounting them (in correct order) in the next few days, also hoping to have the lighting wired up too within the week.

progress is slow at the moment due to lack of funds, but hopefully, the new year should see a bit more action on the wood sections.

Parts arrive for the “Big Chair”

Things are now starting to happen with Captain Kirks Chair…. I have the swivel mechanism which is a 12 inch Lazy Susan from Rockler

Bruce Boyd sent me the Switches and light domes, some Rocker switches and some other bits that I ordered, they are the control parts of the arm pods, they got here yesterday, very pleased with those. They will eventually be wired up to some sounds and will make lights come on….there will also be a working intercom!

Feel free to contact Bruce By clicking on the name/ link above should you require any parts/props for your Trek furniture!!! He doesn’t have a website but can provide you with pictures of the stuff he does together with prices.

Please mention this blog link when contacting him…you may even get a discount!!!

Here is a picture

I have a bit of work to do Painting the Rockers and some other parts, polishing some others, but I can get that done before I need to start thinking about wood! I’ll be going over the plans at the weekend. Updates as progress is made!

The Big Chair…Captain Kirk’s Command Chair

Over 10 years ago I constructed, as best i could,  a full size Command chair to use as my PC Chair….it had a working intercom (to the kitchen!) but i never did get the lights sorted out or any of the switches to function.

Over the years it has taken a lot of battle damage…bits would fall off (arm rests) then a couple of weeks ago whilst I was moving it,  I managed to rip  the chair off the base…..it sat in pieces on the floor…..i hadn’t realised how attached i had become to this chair..The swivel chair part of it had formally been my work office chair back in 1989, it was so comfortable that i purchased it from my employer when they upgraded their chairs and used it at home.

it started to wear out and needed a reupholster, it was then that i decided to give it a huge make over.

I already had a book on star trek plans written by Franz Joseph which gave some detail…but there wasn’t a lot of info available…..trawling the internet in the early 2000’s i came across a group of people making episodes of  “The USS Exeter”…they gave me considerable help as they had just built a bridge and chair for their film set. it was enough to get me where i wanted to go.

The chair served me well for two 5 year missions!!!!!! but then fell victim to my build quality. I had planned to rebuild it,  not being able to part with it,  so started some research to see if i could find all the bits it lacked and give it a make over.

I came across several forums, trek props and ASAP which had a 200 page thread about building the most accurate chair available. I read the whole thing, and now armed with that information I decided to start again from scratch.

This time i started with the bits that i either didn’t get round to finishing last time or didn’t even start!

One of the main issues i had was the swivel mechanisim so this time i bought a 12″ lazy susan

My Brother has promised to take care of the electronics, soundcards and lights!

My Brother in law is going to help me with all the wood parts!

I have no idea how fast this can all be finished, but if it is ready by Christmas I’ll be quite happy!

Here is my first attempt shortly after it was finished in 2002.

And then just before I completely disassembled it and took the bits to the dump 2012.

it served me well, and i am very excited about starting an accurate replica of the real thing…..going to mount the PC, keyboard, printer and screen in some sort of enterprise bridge style consol!

Pictures as and when things happen!