Hey, guys!

Hope you are all well & hanging in there.

I'm glad to say I'm finally back in the saddle!
Life got in the way a bit & I've not built anything for a while.
But now I find I have an excess of time on my hands, oddly enough, so I thought I'd give something a go.

I'm going to need a K-9 for my 4th Doctor cosplay thread, so that seems like the obvious choice.

Lespaceplie kindly sent me some plans a while ago & I had a good look round my shed & flat to make sure I had enough materials to at least make a good start.

Originally I was going to just knock up a quick cardboard model for my photos, but I have quite a bit of hardboard hanging around, so I thought if a jobs worth doing...

So today I finally got to work!

I am aware that there are loads of amazing K-9 builds on here already, so this is a well trodden path, but hopefully I'll be able to add my own spin to the build & bring something new to the party.

So today I managed to measure & cut my first four panels:








So glad to be back building, it's very cathartic & a great way of temporarily forgetting all the stresses & strains of the moment.

Hope to be able to bring you more updates soon!!

Regards to one & all,

Russell

Fantastic! Can't wait to see how it turns out. As a kid I used to make the occasional K9 from big cardboard boxes with a serving spoon for a tail... Truth be told, they always left something to be desired.

Fantastic that you're building again! Love the way it's looking and completely agree that it's cathartic - I really do miss building every day!

Of all the builds that I've done, I must say that K9 was probably the most fun, so do enjoy it! Can't wait to see how he turns out. Which look are you going for?

Hi guys,
Thanks for your kind comments.

Jan Jar:  I think many of us have a common trait at TB.
When we were kids we built TARDISes out of wardrobes, K-9s out of boxes & Daleks out of laundry baskets.
Ie:  We were CREATIVE...  A few basic props & a big imagination & we could create whole Universes!
As we got older,maybe we stop building, but the creative urge (& childlike sense of fun ) never goes away.
Then one day we stumble upon TARDISBuilders (other sites are available....) & realize we can actually build this stuff so it actually looks like it did on the show!
Result! A "kid's hobby, done in a "mature,adult way!!"

Well, that's my story,anyway & I think many other members will have similar experiences...

Rich:  Yes, I'm really glad to be building again.
        I think the word FUN is the best one to describe the whole concept of K-9, isn't it?
        K-9 really exemplifies the fun element of Dr Who.

As with all my builds, I'm just going to try to make it as accurate as possible, without going for any particular era, although I'm leaning toward the original. As long as it looks like K-9, I'll be happy.

The one thing I am chewing over is the colour (surprise!!) I'm torn between the darker, more metallic grey, which I prefer, but the original prop looks to be a lighter, less metallic shade?

We shall see- let's get him built first!!

Regards,

Russell

Are you planning on making Him RC?

Well,
I'm not great with electronics, so I don't think I'll motorize the ears, tail or gun or any of that malarkey.
But I'm seriously thinking of motorizing his movement so I can show him off better at shows.
I'm thinking that if I cannibalize the parts from a radio controlled car of some sort, I should be able to make it work.

We'll see once I have finished the main bulk of the build. 

Regards,

Russell

What about the large scale official RC K9, all you'd need to do is give it slightly more powerful motors

Yes, something like that would be great.
And it would mean I could get it saying some K-9 phrases, too! 


Regards,

Russ

I used some modified cordless drill motors attached to speed controllers on my K9. They had to have enough torque to move him, as once they're built they're not as light as you might think, and mine was made with a mixture of MDF and Hardboard. However I didn't wire it up. So I can't tell you too much about it

BioDoctor900

Absolutely,
These things are always heavier than you think they will be once completed.
Especially if you use MDF,which is really heavy stuff!


Russell

Hi all.

Thank goodness the weather is good, or I think we'd be going even more crazy....

It's giving me the chance to get some work done.

I started on the indents in the side panels.
This is one of those tricky jobs that always takes longer than you think it will.
Actually EVERY job takes longer than I think it will!
I am a master of underestimation!
I decide what I'm going to do for the day & think, "Well, that'll only take half an hour...." & I'm still sweating away two hours later!

I constantly forget to add the universal rule that:  "Every job will take longer than you think it will, even if you take into consideration the fact that the job will take longer than you think it will..."



Anyway, at least our local hardware store is still open if I run out of anything!

Btw:  Does anyone have the measurements for the ears, as I don't seem to have those- maybe I'm missing a page?
Oh, & while I'm at it, the length of the tail as well?
I'd be much obliged...

Anyhow,

Hope you are all finding something to keep you entertained.

I'n still doing my marathon run through of classic "Who."  Up to "Monster of Peladon" now. An underrated classic in my humble opinion!

Stay safe,

Russell

Looking good! Very jealous of your building, I'd do a second if I could!

I've had to transfer back to London due to my parter's work unfortunately, otherwise I'd probably already be following in your footsteps. Suppose I'll just live vicariously through you until then!

Is this going to be a nice new classic grey K9, or more the rusty variant?

Well,
Hang on in there, mate.
Hopefully we'll all get back to normal soon.

I'm going to make him as close to the original as I can, so he'll be a nice glossy grey, but not too dark.

Hopefully he won't look too bad!

Of course, I need to get mentally & physically prepared for the really fun bit.... filling & sanding on a loop.   

Regards,

Russell

Quote from: russellsuthern on Apr 23, 2020, 07:20 pm
Of course, I need to get mentally & physically prepared for the really fun bit.... filling & sanding on a loop.   

You could set up a filling and standing live stream! Would literally be the most exciting thing to happen in life for a month 

 

Like it!

Btw:

Guys...
If anyone has the ear & tail measurements for K-9, I'd be very grateful, as I can't find these....

Thanks!

Russell