Communicator Belt Holster

thingiverse

The Wand Company's Star Trek TOS communicator replica is an impressive prop. The one drawback to this design is that you can't attach Velcro to the back and wear it like the characters did in the show. They kindly included a pouch, which offers some protection if you carry it in your pocket. I prefer using mine to listen to podcasts while doing chores around the house. Unfortunately, the speaker isn't super loud, so carrying it in my pocket means I won't be able to hear it clearly. To address this issue, I created a holster that can be worn on a belt and mimics how the communicator is meant to be carried. This design leaves the front of the device unobstructed, allowing for maximum sound from the speaker. To make this holster, you'll need two neodymium magnets, ½" x 1/8" disc-shaped. I used M12x18DI from Apex Magnets. Additionally, you'll require some black peel-and-stick felt, which can be found at any craft store. You'll also need to 3D print the main holster. I printed mine with the flat side facing down on the print bed and set my supports to everywhere and fill amount to 10% (Cura). This provides support for the bottom lip that keeps the communicator from falling off. You may need to do some filing to smooth out areas where the supports printed. Once complete, superglue the two magnets into the holes in the holster. Make sure to determine the proper polarity of the magnets first by sticking them to the back of the device and ensuring they're glued in correctly. Next, you'll need a belt clip. I chose not to reinvent this part, as there are many belt clips available on Thingiverse. I used this one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:35940. If you're a serious cosplayer with a uniform featuring Velcro on the pants, you could skip the belt clip and attach the holster directly to your pants. There are a few additional details you could add if you're so inclined. One thing missing is the sound of Velcro ripping when removing the communicator. You could attach a small piece of Velcro near the top of the device, high enough not to interfere with the recharging base. This would allow for the authentic Velcro sound effect when calling for an emergency beam-up.