Hi guys!
It's Mike from The Geek Pub and this episode is for you Doctor Who fans, because we're
going to make The Brain of Morbius.
The 1976 episode of Doctor Who entitled the Brain of Morbius is probably one of the most
iconic episodes of the series.
The episode features Morbius, a "brain in a jar" so to speak; and with halloween right
around the corner, it's a great time to make it!
To make our brain, we're going to need a 3 gallon fish aquarium with a pump and LED light,
a piece of 12" square acrylic sheeting, a 12" square piece of MDF, a sheet of aluminum,
some PVC fittings, and of course, a rubber brain!
You can see the complete parts list at TheGeekPub.com.
To get started find the center of our MFD square and then use a compass to draw a 12"
circle.
We'll need to repeat this process with acrylic sheet.
Then using a scroll saw on medium speed slowly and carefully cut out both the MDF circle
and the acrylic circle, leaving a little excess.
We'll use our belt sander to clean up the shape, remove any excess material, and smooth
the edges.
Now use the compass again to make a smaller 11" circle on the aluminum sheet.
We'll cut this out using a pair of aircraft snips, and then back to the belt sander to
remove any metal burrs.
On the miter saw, we need to cut our pipe fitting into three sections, two small, and
one large and then cut a three inch section of pipe.
Follow this by drilling a hole into the end of the PVC cap.
When finished, the pieces should look like this, and when assembled they'll form this
futuristic looking device.
Then using our belt sander, sand a slight curve into the end so that it will fit nicely
against the rounded tank.
Cut the ends off of an old computer cord.
This will go through the hole in the PVC cap.
Take the MDF circle (now painted bronze for aesthetic reasons) and place the aluminum
disc in a centered position on top of it.
Then using a center punch, make sixteen evenly spaced punches through the disc and into the
MDF.
Now gently insert 16 bronze brads into the holes with a hammer, while using care not
to bend them or damage the sheet.
The result should look like this!
Using a square, measure off four 6" by 5/8" pieces of acrylic and cut them out on the
table saw.
Mark them with four evenly spaced lines, and then tape them all together firmly.
Using our drill press drill a 1/4" hole at each mark.
Take some solid core wire and wrap it around a pencil to make some tight coils.
Then remove them and set them aside for later use.
Using some machine screws and bolts insert them through the holes in the acrylic slats
we made earlier and screw them down with a screwdriver.
Makes sure not to tighten the nuts however, as we'll do that in a later step.
When you're done you should have two sections that look like this, and we'll use super glue
to attach them to the tank.
Now back to the band saw, cut out the various decorative pieces and attach them using super
glue.
A complete list of these can be found in the description.
Using a clear silicone sealer, attach the base of the tank to the top of the disc and
then attach the futuristic tubing device to the side.
Attach the wire coils we made earlier, to the side slats, and then gently... insert
the brain!
And now we need some brain juice!
Fill up a container with cold water and add one drop of green food coloring, followed
by two drops of yellow food coloring.
Stir this mixture for 5 to 10 seconds.
Then slide the lid open gently and pour the green juice into the brain jar.
Once its full you're done!
Plug in the aquarium pump and you've got "The Brain of Morbius!"
You're regular friends will be amazed and your Doctor Who friends will think you're
the coolest guy in town when you bust this guy out at your halloween party, or just about
any other time.
Heck, you can even keep Morbius on the coffee table!
Just don't have a mind bending contest with him!
Well hey guys!
Thanks for watching!
And if you enjoyed this episode please like and subscribe to my channel on YouTube.
I am a Timelord of the first rank!
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