Console Panels Manufacturing

[cyberleader1991]

Hi all, I've read The Prop Builder's Guide to Molding and Casting a few times now (there's actually not much to it) and was thinking:

Why not make the two different Five Docs console panels out of 1/4" MDF and vaccuum form over the top of it with, say, 0.125" styrene or ABS? You're guaranteed to get a smooth panel that way.

Then you could reinforce the back of each with perhaps the same bracing used for the console framework.

Any opinions?

[purpleblancmange]

Ooh, that's slightly high - Pinewood Studios (just down the road from me, yaay!) do an 8' by 4' vac formed sheet for about £20 - and that's for the clear stuff, it's cheaper to use opaque plastics I'm told.

[purpleblancmange]

Hi all, I've read The Prop Builder's Guide to Molding and Casting a few times now (there's actually not much to it) and was thinking:

Why not make the two different Five Docs console panels out of 1/4" MDF and vaccuum form over the top of it with, say, 0.125" styrene or ABS? You're guaranteed to get a smooth panel that way.

Then you could reinforce the back of each with perhaps the same bracing used for the console framework.

Any opinions?

If you vac form over the top of the panels, you'd lose all surface detailing - that process isn't really good enough for this type of job as all you'd get is a garbled mess, somewhat akin to a second or third generation copy.

Oh, and I've now moved - it's my birthday tomorrow and I'm hopefully getting the console out of storage within the next few weeks, once I've settled in and got everything sorted.  There's one problem with the new garage though - the TARDIS is too big for it, it can only stand in there minus its roof and base.  Bugger!

[Mark]

I'd have thought that garage hieght would have been more inportant than the number of rooms in the house!

Happy birthday for tomorrow, in case I'm not arouns.

[cyberleader1991]

I didn't think the panels had too much detail to them at all after you took all the buttons and switches off...!

How about sending your panel over here to da Great White North, I'll vac-form it and send it back to you 

Cheerz Tom

[cyberleader1991]

Weird... the company I've been discussing vaccuum forming console panels with is called Global Plastics... kinda reminds me of The Green Death... 

"Just what this country needs, Doctor, cheap petrol, and lots of it!" - The Brig 

[purpleblancmange]

You'd be suprised on what detail is there when it's all stripped down - there's little recesses, surround detailing and the like.  Not much, but it's there.

[showstopper]

happy b day purple  8-)

[purpleblancmange]

Thanks for that, and to all those who sent their birthday wishes.  Most appreciated in my vast old age.   

[karsthotep]

That's right its your B-Day Happy one to you Purp.  Enjoy it.

Karst

[cyberleader1991]

  Well, I just a got a quote from a local plastics shop on vaccuum forming console panels... $160 CDN each! That's like... 68 GBP each!

Does anyone here who has experience with vaccuum forming think this is a little (read: way too) high?!

A sheet of ABS big enough to make a console panel should only cost about $30 - 40...  >  >  >

Cheers Tom