Apparently there’s specific plumbing fixtures that feature in many films and shows. Can’t remember what it is exactly but it’s a large pipe reducer (shaped like a cone to connect a big pipe to a small pipe) with a few extra bits here and there.

If I remember correctly, it features in many low-mid budget Sci fi shows from the 2000s as space gun parts, which is what brought my attention to it in the first place. I watched the DVD commentary for Stargate sg1, and one of the prop/sfx people mentions it. I’d love to talk to the vfx guys to see what their take on all the ridiculous “laser guns” they’ve had to make look good in post.

Although my personal favorite is the ever-popular, yet oh-so-simple Corrugated Pipe.

So many spray paint options, so many ways to twist and turn it and cut it to make it look like 10,000 things.

It’s crazy how often you’ll be watching something and then boom it hits you that the wall “support column” is actually large diameter corrugated plastic pipe for drainage, cut in half and spray painted gold.

Or realize the ship-mounted turrets are just straight pipes with a few pieces of corrugated pipe turned around the “barrel” to make it look like some kind of hi-tech turboencabulator.