If there is a central ‘theme’ in Star Trek Deep Space Nine, it is without a doubt the Bajoran Prophets / Wormhole Aliens.
Over the centuries, the Prophets sent 'Orbs' out into space for the Bajoran people.
There are several of them seen throughout the series, and they are all kept and transported in beautifully decorated Arks in several colour schemes, like these
Here are some of the original Arks, made by HMS Mike
I particularly liked the one above, and this one that was taken in a showcase somewhere
A close up
I have had this in mind for years on end now, so one day, when I felt my ‘Pa’ was strong :lol, I decided to build me an Orb Ark of the Bajoran Prophets.
My Pa may have been strong, but what I didn’t realize was the sheer amount of it I was going to need to see this project through :lol
“About a week” I told myself.
Turns out it took me 3 weeks, with a total of no less than 120 hours :wacko !
The medium I chose was balsa wood.
I used various strips, mostly 3mm thick, and a few parts with 5mm sheets.
The only tools that were used was a hobby (exacto) knife, super glue, sandpaper, wood filler, paint brushes a ruler and a pencil.
Nothing else.
The build :
I started off with several 3mm thick strips of wood
Which I joined together to make a wide sheet
Marked out the main frame panels
And cut out 4 of those
Next, a ‘box’ to allow for the straight shape of the bottom of the Ark.
Reinforced to withstand the bending that is to come
Stuck the 4 panels onto the sides of the box, and placed some thicker strips of wood at the tops to also withstand the bending. Cut 2 holes on 2 of the sides.
Glued small bits of wood on one side each of the 4 panels. The panels would then be slowly bent onto each other, and the edges with no bits of wood glued to the adjacent side.
To end up like this. Also placed strips of wood on the interior for sturdiness
Reinforcement for the top, just to be on the safe side and for sturdiness
Next came the second ‘tier’ of panels. Outlined and cut 4 of them
Stuck those on to the main frame
Wood filler used to even out all the joints
Sanded down
The 'lid' came next. A frame, and the bottom which was stuck on that.
Here is the lid stuck at the top of the Ark
For the decorative symbols, I used this screencap and original prop as templates
I used the bottom tip of a paintbrush to engrave the symbols onto the wood
Those panels were then stuck on under the lid
Onto the ‘handles’. Outlines for 4 of them drawn on the wood and cut out.
The 4 handles now assembled
The handles have a ‘gap’ towards the top and are not a continuous panel. To achieve this (from left to right)
- A whole box
- Cut off the top part
- Stuck on interior panels
- Re-attached top to bottom leaving a gap.
With the tip of a paintbrush again, decorative markings then made on the Ark panels where the handles were to be placed
More decorative markings etched onto the handles, which were then stuck in place
Then came the rings that go onto the 4 sides
Decorated, and in place. Panel outlines made.
Marked and cut out all the panels for the sides
These were also all etched with decorative markings
All the panels now stuck in place
The small decorative squares were then cut out
Stuck in place
And sanded down
Then came the bottom
All the decorative ‘greeblies’ were cut out and sanded.
This is where I almost got a nervous breakdown :lol
Ready for painting
And also the ‘greeblies’ for the larger ovals
Used 2 of these for the covers
Finally ready for painting !
And here is the end result.
Colours used were grey, copper, rust and blue.
And I also jerry-rigged some internal lighting as a small bonus.
Here is the Ark with the lights on.
Where I placed it in the prop room
Without a doubt, the most 'complex' replica I have made to date :wacko
I hope you enjoyed
Over the centuries, the Prophets sent 'Orbs' out into space for the Bajoran people.
There are several of them seen throughout the series, and they are all kept and transported in beautifully decorated Arks in several colour schemes, like these
Here are some of the original Arks, made by HMS Mike
I particularly liked the one above, and this one that was taken in a showcase somewhere
A close up
I have had this in mind for years on end now, so one day, when I felt my ‘Pa’ was strong :lol, I decided to build me an Orb Ark of the Bajoran Prophets.
My Pa may have been strong, but what I didn’t realize was the sheer amount of it I was going to need to see this project through :lol
“About a week” I told myself.
Turns out it took me 3 weeks, with a total of no less than 120 hours :wacko !
The medium I chose was balsa wood.
I used various strips, mostly 3mm thick, and a few parts with 5mm sheets.
The only tools that were used was a hobby (exacto) knife, super glue, sandpaper, wood filler, paint brushes a ruler and a pencil.
Nothing else.
The build :
I started off with several 3mm thick strips of wood
Which I joined together to make a wide sheet
Marked out the main frame panels
And cut out 4 of those
Next, a ‘box’ to allow for the straight shape of the bottom of the Ark.
Reinforced to withstand the bending that is to come
Stuck the 4 panels onto the sides of the box, and placed some thicker strips of wood at the tops to also withstand the bending. Cut 2 holes on 2 of the sides.
Glued small bits of wood on one side each of the 4 panels. The panels would then be slowly bent onto each other, and the edges with no bits of wood glued to the adjacent side.
To end up like this. Also placed strips of wood on the interior for sturdiness
Reinforcement for the top, just to be on the safe side and for sturdiness
Next came the second ‘tier’ of panels. Outlined and cut 4 of them
Stuck those on to the main frame
Wood filler used to even out all the joints
Sanded down
The 'lid' came next. A frame, and the bottom which was stuck on that.
Here is the lid stuck at the top of the Ark
For the decorative symbols, I used this screencap and original prop as templates
I used the bottom tip of a paintbrush to engrave the symbols onto the wood
Those panels were then stuck on under the lid
Onto the ‘handles’. Outlines for 4 of them drawn on the wood and cut out.
The 4 handles now assembled
The handles have a ‘gap’ towards the top and are not a continuous panel. To achieve this (from left to right)
- A whole box
- Cut off the top part
- Stuck on interior panels
- Re-attached top to bottom leaving a gap.
With the tip of a paintbrush again, decorative markings then made on the Ark panels where the handles were to be placed
More decorative markings etched onto the handles, which were then stuck in place
Then came the rings that go onto the 4 sides
Decorated, and in place. Panel outlines made.
Marked and cut out all the panels for the sides
These were also all etched with decorative markings
All the panels now stuck in place
The small decorative squares were then cut out
Stuck in place
And sanded down
Then came the bottom
All the decorative ‘greeblies’ were cut out and sanded.
This is where I almost got a nervous breakdown :lol
Ready for painting
And also the ‘greeblies’ for the larger ovals
Used 2 of these for the covers
Finally ready for painting !
And here is the end result.
Colours used were grey, copper, rust and blue.
And I also jerry-rigged some internal lighting as a small bonus.
Here is the Ark with the lights on.
Where I placed it in the prop room
Without a doubt, the most 'complex' replica I have made to date :wacko
I hope you enjoyed
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