Stern Star Trek: Vengeance Nacelle Mod

One of the things which has bothered me on the Stern Star Trek machine was the way the USS Vengeance shines it's bright blue Nacelle LEDs right in the eye of the player.

This simple mod aims to correct that. I knew I wanted laser cut some blue acrylic pieces to help defuse the LEDs; so I consulted google images to give me some ideas what the Nacelles were suppose to look like:
QMx+Star+Trek+Into+Darkness+USS+Vengeance+artisan+replica[1].jpg
Without redesigning the whole Stern Nacelle; I decided a piece set about 1/4"in into the nacelle would be closer to film accurate. Also; in a couple of the google images; the Bussard collector looked more cylinder shaped; so I figured a deep etch in the back side of the plastic would be ideal.

So; How'd it turn out?
A close-up Before and After:
sStDSC_B4After-300x179[1].jpg

Want to do this yourself? Have access to Acrylic and a Laser Cutter? Great; I've decided release this design to the public under the TAPR Non-Commercial Open Hardware License which indicates:

You may make products based upon this design, provided you do not make more than ten units in any twelve month period for your personal use.

If you agree with the license terms, a PDF is posted at my blog under TAPR/NCL license:
http://pinball-mods.com/blogs/?p=476

ForSale here:
http://pinball-mods.com/oscom/product_info.php/products_id/33

#2 8 years ago

PAB

MustangPaul

Very nice work Zitt.

#3 8 years ago

MAR

mrobertso2

Pinside member

Bothell, WA

11y 31,650 306 3

2 months later

#4 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Has anyone made these for their machine yet?

I'm considering offering these cheaply at Pinball-Mods.com/oscom ... but it seems kinda silly to charge large sums of money to ship them.

I wonder if I could drop them in the mail with a first class stamp and a standard envelope. What do you guys think? Worth the effort?

#5 8 years ago

MIC

msj2222

Pinside member

Count me in, looks good.

#6 8 years ago

TEK

Tekman

Pinside+ Addict

I've sent small mods out in the past in a regular stamped envelope. I use a small piece of thin cardboard, like a cut piece of cereal box and tape the mods to it. Never had an issue or single complaint with this method and the price is right.

I'll take a set.

#7 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Ok. Let me look into these. I'll need to figure out price point and how to setup "free shipping" in my shopping cart system. I'll look at having some laser cut next week after HAAG this weekend.

Would there be any interest in "single use" epoxy packages that ship with the mod?

#8 8 years ago

TEK

Tekman

Pinside+ Addict

I'll speak for myself and have no interest in having epoxy included with the product.

Thanks for making these.

#9 8 years ago

MIC

msj2222

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from Zitt:
Ok. Let me look into these. I'll need to figure out price point and how to setup "free shipping" in my shopping cart system. I'll look at having some laser cut next week after HAAG this weekend.
Would there be any interest in "single use" epoxy packages that ship with the mod?

I would say no to the epoxy option also, I think it would just complicate shipping. Thanks for the offer thou

#10 8 years ago

PAB

MustangPaul

OP
Quoted from Zitt:
I wonder if I could drop them in the mail with a first class stamp and a standard envelope. What do you guys think? Worth the effort?

Have you ever seen how regular envelopes are "shot" through their sorters. A small thick fragile plastic piece is just asking to be broken. A padded envelope with a piece of foam that has been notched out would work better I would think.

#11 8 years ago

PAB

MustangPaul

I would like a pair of these also Zitt and no epoxy for me, I have my trusty Bondic ready.

1 month later

#12 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

http://pinball-mods.com/oscom/product_info.php?products_id=33
I'm expecting the envelopes I need to be delivered as early as tomorrow; then I can begin shipping these.

I'm curious if you guys think the price is right? I wanted to make it cheap enough - given what they are... but I'm more than a little concerned they may be too cheap and cause me "pain" in shipping so many.

Oh BTW: if you planning on buying the stern star trek pop kits:
http://pinball-mods.com/oscom/product_info.php?products_id=31
the kit already comes with a set of these mods.

#13 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

In stock and ready to ship.
Prices may vary as I fine tune based upon Paypal's "cut".

I'm looking for feedback on initial buyers as to how the packaging worked. PhilpH and JohnL - yours should be in tomorrows mail.

Basically; they ship on 110lb cardstock with laser cut holes to fit them. Then the sit inside a 3x5 invitation envelope with a first class stamp. Please post here or send me private IM if you have any issues not receiving your product - or receiving them damage/missing.

I'm doing this to keep the shipping basically free (cost of a stamp).

I'm looking to try this for our overseas pinheads - so if you can test for me; please let me know.

#14 8 years ago

MIC

msj2222

Pinside member

I would like a set please!

#15 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

msj2222,
http://pinball-mods.com/oscom/product_info.php?products_id=33

LMK if you have any issues ordering.

_{Post edited by Zitt: correcting link}

#16 8 years ago

JIM

JimB

Pinside member

10y 80,550 1,611

that's the link for the pop-caps not the nacelle mod

#17 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Doh - so it was. Thanks.

#18 8 years ago

JIM

JimB

Pinside member

10y 80,550 1,611

So does that link for the pop caps really activate on 12/31 and we must put in our order? or are those of us who put in for the waiting list need to do something else?

#19 8 years ago

ROM

LP30

Inactive member

San Antonio, TX

10y 39,650 305 5

OP
Quoted from Zitt:
Oh BTW: if you planning on buying the stern Star Trek pop kits:
http://pinball-mods.com/oscom/product_info.php?products_id=31
the kit already comes with a set of these mods.

Thanks for including these. Looking forward to the pop caps.

#20 8 years ago

PAB

MustangPaul

Quoted from JimB:
So does that link for the pop caps really activate on 12/31 and we must put in our order? or are those of us who put in for the waiting list need to do something else?

^^^^ that cuz I'm on the list too.

#21 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Quoted from JimB:
So does that link for the pop caps really activate on 12/31 and we must put in our order? or are those of us who put in for the waiting list need to do something else?

You can do both if you wish...IE get notified.
That link was me prepping the site. I've added a "get notified" as a generic feature of my site.
I'm fairly sure you'll see an announcement of availability soon. The parts are on the way from overseas as I type this. I suspect customs and stuff will take until next week for sure.
I'm prepping the undercaps and other parts for shipment now.
Pre order people still get first dibs by at least 24hrs.

#22 8 years ago

???

zizzlemeplease

Inactive member

much nicer with diffuser panels than naked LED's. I'm wondering, if white would give a more evened out glow? a quick shot of white (RC car body polycarbonate paint) to the inside of it? there's a USB LiPo charge pack plugged in next to me has a blue LED glowing through white, more bouncing-spreading the glow within, is why. and oh what if.. the plastic were also smoke tinted?
(not criticizing at all just wondering if the effect would be raised)

#23 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Not sure white would do anything more than make it more obvious. And when the machine is off...
smoke plexi would subdue the light ... not sure that's really desired, is it? I didn't try it.

#24 8 years ago

???

zizzlemeplease

Inactive member

kinda what I meant, tinted when off theyed look shadowy dark, but when lit the white reflecting some back in on itself to maybe glow more uniformly (a bit dimmer too for sure). small as they are the clear panels do improve the look -tons- I think. nice mod and they shouldda done em to begin with are always the best kind, I like the hourglass witch and trees someone did for WOZ same way "like it grew there".

#25 8 years ago

TEK

Tekman

Pinside+ Addict

OP
Quoted from Zitt:
I'm looking for feedback on initial buyers as to how the packaging worked. PhilpH and JohnL - yours should be in tomorrows mail.
Basically; they ship on 110lb cardstock with laser cut holes to fit them. Then the sit inside a 3x5 invitation envelope with a first class stamp. Please post here or send me private IM if you have any issues not receiving your product - or receiving them damage/missing.

I received them today. Only a minor tear in the envelope over the actual parts. Thanks!

20141215_154227.jpg

20141215_154350.jpg

20141215_154548.jpg

#26 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Good info.
I've had one report of ruptured Urethane packets ... so please keep the packaging feedback comming.

I need to figure out if anyone is receiving these without damaged envelopes or packets.

The current price of these leaves no room for packaging changes... so If I need to take action; the price will go up.

FYI: I go on "holiday" from Monday the 22nd to Tuesday the 30th.
During that time no Pinball-Mods.com orders will be sent during this time...

#27 8 years ago

MIC

msj2222

Pinside member

I just installed mine and what a pleasant change. Pictures really don't do it justice as it makes it much more diffused. My envelope arrived undamaged and the install was a breeze. I did taper the front edges like the OP did and I believed it helped with fitment. Highly recommended, Thanks Zitt

#28 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

Great to hear it! I thought is was a subtle but much improved look.

#29 8 years ago

MIC

msj2222

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from Zitt:
Great to hear it! I thought is was a subtle but much improved look.

It is subtle but your pic still seems to have a "hot spot" where on mine in person is more diffused. It is probably how the camera is catching it but I am pleasantly surprised at the difference. Thanks Again

#30 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt

I might also be the plastic.
On mine; I used 220grit orbital sander on dark blue acrylic on one side - then etched.
On the production units; I used the pre-matte / pre-diffused acrylic. So what you are seeing is probably the better properties of the diffused acrylic.

#31 8 years ago

???

zizzlemeplease

Inactive member

OP
Quoted from Zitt:
I might also be the plastic.
On mine; I used 220grit orbital sander on dark blue acrylic on one side - then etched.
On the production units; I used the pre-matte / pre-diffused acrylic. So what you are seeing is probably the better properties of the diffused acrylic.

well dang.. between the camera and differences in plastics from proto to product..
NOW I get it. the diffused plastic (especially if micro prismatic stuff) sure takes care of diffusion reflection hotspots etc. nice! thanks too Tekman, the good close-ups really help!
I'd sure like to see a good pic of installed product, probably LOTS nicer than the proto pic.
(bump)

#32 8 years ago

MIC

msj2222

Pinside member

Here ya go. Took them quick with my cell so not the best but you'll get the idea.
IMAG0629.jpgIMAG0627.jpgIMAG0628.jpg

#33 8 years ago

DEE

Squizz

Pinside member

Melbourne

13y 80,550 1,421 8 32

Looks great Zitt
Looking forward to mine arriving

#34 8 years ago

???

zizzlemeplease

Inactive member

oh hell yeah! TONS cleaner looking than the proto's at the beginning of this thread (new tab zoom in).

#35 8 years ago

TEK

Tekman

Pinside+ Addict

This mod looks great and very easy to install. Thanks, Zitt!

20141219_110338.jpg

20141219_113243.jpg

3 weeks later

#36 8 years ago

DEE

Squizz

Pinside member

Melbourne

13y 80,550 1,421 8 32

Quoted from Squizz:
Looks great Zitt
Looking forward to mine arriving

Arrived on Friday
Many thanks

1 month later

#37 8 years ago

ZIT

Zitt