1/6 Scale Hydrobot (T-Salvation) Interest Thread

[Dizzyarse]

Ok, so here is the tail section... remember, it looks better in real life than my camera and flash let on, and this is a rough prototype... the finished production models will be neater, as this prototype is to get the size right and find any problems in making it.
Dizzy

 

[A.L.I.E.N]

The price will be around £70 plus £5 p+p in the UK. Just multiply by 1.5 for equivalent in USD, and shipping a bit extra, say about $15.
I should be ready to start on Monday... just finishing the tail section, then got to do the head over the weekend.
I can do it one of two ways: either interchangable open mouth/closed moth heads. This would be sturdiest.
The other option is to have hinged jaws... less robust as the scale makes things so fragile at the thicknesses I will be working at (for example, think of any Hot Toys parts that have broken on you!).
I will probably go for the interchangable heads as I do not want to sell anyone a product that may not even survive the postal trip intact!
I will try to post pics later of the tail... had to work from the concept sketches for this as I cannot find production pics of the tail (I don't think it was made for the movie, just cgi for the water sequences).
Dizzy

I though you said £50?

 

[Dizzyarse]

I though you said £50?

I have had to up the estimate a couple of days ago (check back in the post a few days) as it takes so much time to cast each piece and assemble... plus a lot of wastage in rejected castings. Each bot will consist of over 140 casted and assembled tiny little bits and will be about a week to finish each bot.
Originally I was going to do a single casted rubber casing over a wire, rather like the Wolf Predator whip, and that was the original estimate price. But doing that would give a finished piece that would be effectively a rubber snake.
Believe me that would be an easier way for me to do it, but this looks and articulates more like the hydrobot should, and for £20 more you would get a proper cast plastic model.
Dizzy

 

[A.L.I.E.N]

I have had to up the estimate a couple of days ago (check back in the post a few days) as it takes so much time to cast each piece and assemble... plus a lot of wastage in rejected castings. Each bot will consist of over 140 casted and assembled tiny little bits and will be about a week to finish each bot.
Originally I was going to do a single casted rubber casing over a wire, rather like the Wolf Predator whip, and that was the original estimate price. But doing that would give a finished piece that would be effectively a rubber snake.
Believe me that would be an easier way for me to do it, but this looks and articulates more like the hydrobot should, and for £20 more you would get a proper cast plastic model.
Dizzy

So these are going to be made one a week? If I could be one of the last I would be able to establish the funds. Not being tight! Just there are other things I have going on. It would be better this way, I can see some finished ones and make a 100% decision.

 

[Dizzyarse]

No problem mate, once the prototype is finished we can work out a list and take it from there.
Dizzy

 

[A.L.I.E.N]

Cool mate, good luck!

 

[Jediguy]

Sounds great. Can't wait to see pics! I'm still interested!

 

[Dizzyarse]

Nearly finished so I will be taking orders from tomorrow, so if you want one you better send me a pm.
I just need to do a few little bits to this prototype (like one mor pair of jaws) then we can get cracking.
Dizzy

 

[Centrocal]

I did not realize this would cost $100usd. could you please post pics of the final piece next to John Connor and give a rundown of the specs?

Length:

Number of joints/segments:

Materials used :

How do the jaws connect?

I notice from the Official pics on that website, the head has two large claws which are sort of like a beak, and then on each side it has two 'predator-like' mandibles. Is that how your doing it?

Does the tail bend?

No LED?

 

[Dizzyarse]

I will post pics, spec rundown and other details later today. I still have some more things to finish on this prototype (like the smaller pair of jaws and the closed mouth head).
I have not fitted LED eyes to this one and nobody has expressed any views on weather it should have them yet.
The head consists of six claws in total, four larger claws and two smaller ones. And a drill arrangement in the middle.

 

[The_Darkness_Predator]

That is amazing. I can see that you have invested a tremendous amount of time, effort, and have superb creative skills.

 

[galactiboy]

That is some great work Dizzy... you really have a talent for making some oddball items

 

[A.L.I.E.N]

I will post pics, spec rundown and other details later today. I still have some more things to finish on this prototype (like the smaller pair of jaws and the closed mouth head).
I have not fitted LED eyes to this one and nobody has expressed any views on weather it should have them yet.
The head consists of six claws in total, four larger claws and two smaller ones. And a drill arrangement in the middle.

Were gonna need LED's.......

 

[A.L.I.E.N]

Nearly finished so I will be taking orders from tomorrow, so if you want one you better send me a pm.
I just need to do a few little bits to this prototype (like one mor pair of jaws) then we can get cracking.
Dizzy

I think I will be passing on this one after seeing the pics mate. Not what I had in my mind for a pose I was going for. Sorry dude!

 

[Dizzyarse]

I think I will be passing on this one after seeing the pics mate. Not what I had in my mind for a pose I was going for. Sorry dude!

What pose mate? It is fully posable! From coiled like a rattle snake to staright as a razor!
Dizzy

 

[A.L.I.E.N]

What pose mate? It is fully posable! From coiled like a rattle snake to staright as a razor!
Dizzy

In terms of design and genral look it's not what I had in mind. Thank you for being understanding though.

 

[Dizzyarse]

Okay boys and girls, the proto is finished and it is too hot and humid to cast the other head today (it affects the curing of the plastic and either makes it bubbly or soft like melted ice-cream).
Specifications:
-11 segmental links (including the one at the back of the head)
-Tail section with spike
-Interchangable heads (one with open mouth, one with closed)
-Gun metal finish (dye added to mold prior to casting) meaning no sloppy paint and all the detail remains sharp
-Top dead centre copper core wire to flex and pose (will be covered on production models)
-180 degree flexion up and down, left and right
-Ability to be fully coiled, straight, or posed so head/tail is raised
-Length; 44cm (18 inches) including head and tail spike fully straightened
-Width; links 4cm (1 1/2 inches), head (mouth open) 10cm (4 inches)

Each link is made of 6 pieces which all need to be assembled and glued together at a point between curing and hardening, meaning they have to be casted one at a time. If too early the material is soft and squashes out of shape, too late and the glue does not bond, leading to the link falling apart.
The fins (two sets either side near the top) will all need to be cut from 1/2 mm styrene sheets. The ones on the prototype are rough casts and the plastic I cast with snaps at this thinness.
This means that each bot will take 100 hours to cast, trim and assemble.

Now the cost; £75 plus £5 p+p in the UK. In USD that probably equates to $120 plus $12.50 p+p. It sounds a lot, but when you divide it by 100 hours it isn't even minimum wage in a Mumbai sweat shop.

Why have I chosen to use an interchangable head system? Because it is the only way I can guarantee the jaws will not snap (look at how fragile Hot Toys stuff can be, and I do not have access to their machins or plastics).

LED eyes: I have never actually done this yet. I have a couple of bulbs, some thin wire and a soldering iron, and I can see this turning out to be a disaster, so no LED eyes. You can do it if you want, there is space to house electrics and a switch in the head section.

So there you have it. If you want one, I can do. If you have questions or constructive criticism on how this model could be improved please feel free to post or pm me.

I will only make a maximum of 10 of these, and it will be on a first come (and pay) first served basis. Pm me and we will work out a running order and as soon as everyone who wants is on the list I can work out a schedule and let you know when your model will be completed.

As always if you recieve your model and are unhappy we will either work out the problem or a full refund.

Dizzy