Star Trek DS9 - Bajoran Orb of the Prophets Ark - Build & Finished

Alan Castillo

Master Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
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

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Here are some of the original Arks, made by HMS Mike

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I particularly liked the one above, and this one that was taken in a showcase somewhere

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A close up

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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

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Which I joined together to make a wide sheet

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Marked out the main frame panels

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And cut out 4 of those

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Next, a ‘box’ to allow for the straight shape of the bottom of the Ark.

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Reinforced to withstand the bending that is to come

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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.

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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.

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To end up like this. Also placed strips of wood on the interior for sturdiness

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Reinforcement for the top, just to be on the safe side and for sturdiness

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Next came the second ‘tier’ of panels. Outlined and cut 4 of them

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Stuck those on to the main frame

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Wood filler used to even out all the joints

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Sanded down

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The 'lid' came next. A frame, and the bottom which was stuck on that.

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Here is the lid stuck at the top of the Ark

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For the decorative symbols, I used this screencap and original prop as templates

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I used the bottom tip of a paintbrush to engrave the symbols onto the wood

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Those panels were then stuck on under the lid

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Onto the ‘handles’. Outlines for 4 of them drawn on the wood and cut out.

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The 4 handles now assembled

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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.

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With the tip of a paintbrush again, decorative markings then made on the Ark panels where the handles were to be placed

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More decorative markings etched onto the handles, which were then stuck in place

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Then came the rings that go onto the 4 sides

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Decorated, and in place. Panel outlines made.

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Marked and cut out all the panels for the sides

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These were also all etched with decorative markings

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All the panels now stuck in place

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The small decorative squares were then cut out

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Stuck in place

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And sanded down

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Then came the bottom

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All the decorative ‘greeblies’ were cut out and sanded.

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This is where I almost got a nervous breakdown :lol

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Ready for painting

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And also the ‘greeblies’ for the larger ovals

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Used 2 of these for the covers

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Finally ready for painting !

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And here is the end result.

Colours used were grey, copper, rust and blue.

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And I also jerry-rigged some internal lighting as a small bonus.

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Here is the Ark with the lights on.

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Where I placed it in the prop room

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Without a doubt, the most 'complex' replica I have made to date :wacko

I hope you enjoyed :)
 
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Re: Star Trek DS9 - Bajoran Orb of the Prophets Ark - Build & Finished (pic heavy)

Thats friggen AWESOME!!!!

Beautifully done Alan!!!

Sometimes the simple looking projects are the hardest
 
Re: Star Trek DS9 - Bajoran Orb of the Prophets Ark - Build & Finished (pic heavy)

Thats friggen AWESOME!!!!

Beautifully done Alan!!!

Sometimes the simple looking projects are the hardest

Thanks bro :)

Yep, I thoroughly underestimated this - big time.

It has sucked my energy clean out. I've hardly eaten in 3 weeks :lol


:lol ... and thanks :)
 
That looks fantastic Alan, nice job :thumbsup It would also make a cool drinks cabinet to hide your best bottles ;)
 
That is one beautiful build, my friend! Looks amazing!

It's at time like this that I am glad I can add rep points! :thumbsup
 
Amazing, beautiful work, Alan!
One of my favorite DS9 props.
I would not be suprised if one day you opened it and had a vision.
 
Very cool piece.

I was just watching the first episode (Emissary) yesterday, I had forgotten about these boxes and was thinking what a neat display box it would make.

Well done.
 
Now that is amazing!! I didn't think balsa would curve that much but it looks like it was the perfect medium to tackle this build, kudos to ya sir!
 
Especially with the three pieces glued together to make a side! So smooth!

Now, as cool as it is and as (deservedly) satisfied as you are with it, you KNOW what's going to happen.

You'll start thinking about how cool it would be if it opened, then what would you use for an orb....how would you light it, etc.

Just swing by the hobby store on the way home tonight.... :lol

Now that is amazing!! I didn't think balsa would curve that much but it looks like it was the perfect medium to tackle this build, kudos to ya sir!
 
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