Replica ADAM jar

[Nintendoll]

will become...





(only probably red)


So this is a project I have been wanting to do for a while: re-create the ADAM jar from Bioshock. I've made props before for theater, but nothing quite like this. So, while I'm going to take photos and keep track of my progress, this is also a call for help.


As you can see, I already have the first step: the glass that will be the body of the jar. Weirdly enough, it was really difficult to find this specific glass shape: small, rounded, and tapered towards the bottom. I got lucky and found this in TJ Max for $1.


For the silver parts, I think I may have to go with resin molding. It's pretty time consuming (and I'm going to have to acquire a lot of equipment to do it), but I think it will look better than say, Sculpy clay. I'm trying to decide what material to use for the original cast, as in the past I've only replicated existing objects. I'm a little worried about coloring/painting the resin, so if anyone has any advice about what types of paint to get that would be awesome. The m


I also need to figure out what to fill the jar with. I have a few options:


Liquid: This is the least desirable to me, for obvious reasons of potential leakage. I would have to be 100% sure I could somehow seal the glass.

Colored Gel: Like the gel candles (I can get a kit on amazon) This would allow me to color the gel as I pleased, would give some weight to the jar.

Clear paint: I could simply paint the inside of the jar with transparent paint in a swirling pattern. This option is good if I want to hide secret things in the jar


Ideally, I would also like to use LEDs to light the inside of the jar. This will probably be the trickiest for me as I've never worked with LEDs before. I'm not worried about the wiring or anything like that; that stuff is pretty straightforward. I'm more concerned about creating a switching mechanism to turn the LEDs on and off. Either a twisting or pushing mechanism is what I'd want to do, using the face detail on the lid of the jar.


So if anyone has any advice or can help in any of these areas, that would be awesome. I intend to document every step of the way, but it may take a while as I currently have zero supplies for creating a silicon vacuum mold for the resin...or any resin handy for that matter. Once I have made a successful mold I'll be able to reuse it (if I'm careful anyway) so if I can make more I certainly will

[IGlegacy_Felonious]

Sounds like a really cool project. If you have any blacklights I would try to maybe use some blacklight reactive paint for effect. Look forward to seeing the completed piece!

[Nintendoll]

felonious said:Sounds like a really cool project. If you have any blacklights I would try to maybe use some blacklight reactive paint for effect. Look forward to seeing the completed piece!

I'd have to see if I can mix that with the gel that will go into the jar. I may have to do a lot of experimenting to give the gel the look and consistency I want.

[ahrounrt]

Can't wait to see the final product!!

[ig.eduardo]

That's awesome! We'll be keeping an eye out!

[laforzadimente]

I think your original leaning towards the opaque gel is the better option since you're putting LED's in there and it will help to hide the wiring.


As far as the switch, a small push button switch under the head (something like this) is the easier of the two options unless you used something like a dimmer switch for turning. Should just be able to connect your battery, resistor and LED's in series. Just make sure if you get one of these that it has a "stay down" mechanism like a clicky-top pen, otherwise you'll have to hold it down to keep the circuit closed.


Have you considered leaving a cavity in the center so you can swap out the battery?

[Magicmaker]

As a prop builder on this I would have the LEDs be a push on push off type by pushing down on the head. One of those simple tap lights placed inside the glass on the bottom and just a simple rod coming down from the head.

[laforzadimente]

How's this coming along?

[Nintendoll]

Well I had a conversation with a friend of mine who does custom action figures, and he suggested that for the sculpted parts I go easy on myself and use Sculpy clay. I was a a little worried because a lot of sculpy clay projects look like ass, but he assured me that the key is proper finishing. I'm going to grab some dark brown sculpy, and I'll likely dry brush it with some sort of metallic paint (I'll have to see what works best with the clay). I have a lot of experience in scenic and prop painting from when I was in theater production, so I'm pretty excited to get to the "finishing" part where I can distress the glass and sculpted parts properly.


I've been told you can get fairly easy to assemble LED circuits online, but that's still by biggest worry right now. I think I may just cut a small, rectangular opening in the back of the jar lid to allow for a switch. My idea was to have the LEDs hidden in the top of the jar, pointing down to illuminate the gel.


I also am thinking maybe I'll cheat a little on the LED circuit. I have a bunch of those Lord of the Rings goblets from (Burger King, 2001) which happen to have a small red LED light at the base. I may just buy a few extra and install that at the top inside the jar's lid. If I can add one or two LEDs to the circuit to make it a little brighter it might work out OK.


And you guys have confronted me with another obstacle for this project: creating a way to change the battery. This is a puzzle I have yet to solve.


Anyway, more pictures will be up when I get the gel. I'll be experimenting with coloring and bubbles and such, as I want to make it look all texturized and mysterious

[Kirkreng]

You what would be awesome? If you could install multiple colors of LEDs and make them fade between each other so you have kind of a unstable teleportation plasmid thing going on.




Not sure if it is even possible, though. Best thing I have ever made is a clay teddybear who's arms fell off, soo..yeah you get the point.

[JoemommAK1200]

It is possible but all you need is to gut one of those LED flashing toys that my kid keeps getting from the arcade will all of those tickets he wins. You'd just have to be able to incorporate a lid of some type to get it in and out to turn it on and off.

[mr.bubbles215]

that's going to be pretty awesome. but, i must say, when i was working with a few different big daddy helmet replicas, the best type of lights to use for any bioshock replica is REALLY bright LEDs. if its not bright, it wont look real enough. and, if you did want to make the teleportation one, there is a type of LED that switches colors. im not sure if it has to be manual or not though.... i think you can get color switching LEDs that don't have manual switches....

[Nintendoll]

I wouldn't be able to make the teleportation one, because I plan on dyeing the gel that will go in the jar.


Thanks for the tip about the LEDs. That's really the part I'm most worried about, since I don't have a lot of experience in building ciruits (besides the good ol' battery and lightbulb ones we did in the fourth grade...and I mine started smoking).

[mr.bubbles215]

Oh ya, I actually have another tip for you. When you put in your LEDs, hide it in the top of the lid where the eyes of the head on top of the Lis is. You should also make sure that you hide the power switch in the lid somehow.

[Nintendoll]

thefootpad said:Oh ya, I actually have another tip for you. When you put in your LEDs, hide it in the top of the lid where the eyes of the head on top of the Lis is. You should also make sure that you hide the power switch in the lid somehow.

The LEDs are definitely going to be affixed to the inside of the lid. I'm not sure if I'm going to finagle the LEDs so they can shine through the face portion of the lid yet. that may have to be my removable part, where I can put the battery.


I will make it work somehow, and I will make sure to create a step-by-step with photos so other people can try. Although this may require the tax refund money which should come in the mail someday soon...

[Nintendoll]

Here we go! I found a guide that I may use for the LED portion:


http://beadyeyedbrat.com/batterypoweredled.html


As long as I get multiple/very bright LEDs, this guide will work OK. I'll need to get a soldering iron though. It's been ages since I've used one!

[ChesireCLAM]

This seems like it'll be very cool.

[watchman]

Test your LEDs before you go much further on it, as they generate fairly narrow ranges of light frequencies (including the white ones) that get absorbed differently depending on your coloring medium. Even if the color lights thru it may be dim and you may have to design with many more LEDs to get to the light level you want.