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2010 NST TARDIS Lamp Sources

Started by cathlyn847, Mar 28, 2010, 06:34 pm

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galacticprobe

Jul 12, 2012, 07:40 pm #30 Last Edit: Jul 12, 2012, 07:45 pm by galacticprobe
Heath,

I haven't gotten the Blockade Runner lamp. I lucked into a Gardman lamp (Tennant style) a while ago and I'm struggling with that at the moment as most of the tools I need to convert that one are in storage (but hopefully not for much longer). I also have a Fresnel lens that's about the right size for a Hartnell box. (I acquired it from one of the Coast Guard Cutters I was stationed on back in the early '80s and have been toting it around ever since.) So I was just planning to scratch build the Smith housing to go around the lens. This way, when I finally get around to building my TARDIS (which the wife promised to help with), "she" can switch her lamp out with her mood: Hartnell, Tennant, Smith, and at some point I'll add a simple translucent cylinder for the Troughton/Pertwee/T. Baker style.

I know many members here are always looking for a Matt Smith style lamp to use on their builds, and most of those lamps are only found in antique shops and cost in the 3-digit range. If you get lucky you can find one on ebay, that is if you're not outbid on it. Also, as you found out, finding one across the pond doesn't always mean the company is willing to ship outside of Europe. So when I found the one on Blockade Runner's site, at the price they were asking for it, I thought it would be a great find for those looking to build a Matt Smith TARDIS, especially for members in the US.

From the measurements, that lamp just a tiny bit smaller than "actual size", but like I say, for the price who is going to argue over a half-inch or so here or there? The shape of it and the details, such as the little holes around the base and the "rods" going from the base to the top, almost exactly match the original. And the description of that lamp says the top comes off with screws, so that should mean not having to cut metal to get the top off. (And without going into graphic detail, not including shipping, the Blockade Runner lamp is about half the price of the other one you're considering.)

With my extremely limited budget at the moment, if I had to choose between the two, personally, after looking at just the detailing on them, I'd go for the Blockade Runner lamp because it's the closest and less work would be involved in converting it. I would also go with that one because of the price, as now it has two things in its favor: details and it falls closer to what I might be able to afford. Lastly, since the other company is not willing to ship to the US, well that would settle it for me. Although there are Forum members in the UK who would, and have, helped get items like this to members in the US. (I'm sure someone would contact you via PM to make such arrangements.)

So it all comes down to this: depending on your budget, you just have to go with what feels right to you. I know I've just thrown a lot of info out there, but hopefully you find some of it helpful.

Dino.
"What's wrong with being childish?! I like being childish." -3rd Doctor, "Terror of the Autons"

DoctorWho8

I think Evil Bob got one of those lamps Dino referenced.
Bill "the Doctor" Rudloff

blizzard

Thank you Dino this is very helpful. I would love to see what the Gardman lamp looks like for reference as it may be a style I more go for. Considering I am in a planning stage still I am open to many helpful ideas in my lantern build.

-Heath

evil bob

Quote from: DoctorWho8 on Jul 12, 2012, 07:51 pm
I think Evil Bob got one of those lamps Dino referenced.
Bill "the Doctor" Rudloff


I got this one from eBay.  It's a bit bigger than the one from Blockaderunner.

newpic31.jpg

galacticprobe

Jul 13, 2012, 05:23 am #34 Last Edit: Jul 13, 2012, 06:00 am by galacticprobe
Quote from: blizzard on Jul 12, 2012, 08:20 pm
...I would love to see what the Gardman lamp looks like for reference as it may be a style I more go for....


I know there are several photos of the Gardman on here someplace, but it's faster to post the photo I've got of an unmodified lamp:
Gardman.jpg
This is a photo of the Gardman (I believe a plastic version), or a Gardman-like lamp that was once available (and may still be) from Amazon. An actual metal Gardman photo can be found here http://tardisbuilders.com/index.php?topic=613.30 about a third the way down the page. Instructions for modifying it are also in that thread.

Here is a Tennant TARDIS lamp - photo of the actual screen-used prop with the modified Gardman cap:
GardmanModified.jpg
(Above photo courtesy of Scarfwearer)

Notice on the modified lamp cap the vent holes section has been removed and the domed part lowered to the main part of the cap. The "bee hive" portion has also been removed, the hole covered by a "flat" of sorts, and then tipped by that nipple with the hole in it for the ring to hang the lamp.

The Matt Smith lamp cap is the same except that it kept the "bee hive" (though a little smaller than seen in the top photo) and didn't make use of the small nipple at the very top. (And of course, the blue paint is brighter.)

So just to complete the comparison here's a photo of the actual Smith TARDIS lamp "out of the box" as it were:
SmithLamp.jpg
(I believe this photo is courtesy of timerotor. If I'm wrong, please correct me on that. I want to give credit where it's due.) Notice the very close details this lamp has with the Blockade Runner lamp (though as evil bob, and I, have mentioned, that lamp is a bit smaller than the actual prop's lamp; but for the price, who is going to argue over an inch or so here or there?).

Also note that somewhere on the Forum are photos of the "Promotional" Matt Smith TARDIS which has a different lamp, and this TARDIS has never been used on-screen; it's a promotional thing that travels around to different places to, well, promote 'Doctor Who'.

Dino.
"What's wrong with being childish?! I like being childish." -3rd Doctor, "Terror of the Autons"

evil bob

I like that their "hero" prop is bent and dented.

blizzard

Ok these are great starting points and directions to pick from. Now I just have to make a choice. Thank you guys very much for collecting and providing all this.

-Heath

galacticprobe

Jul 14, 2012, 04:47 am #37 Last Edit: Jul 14, 2012, 04:48 am by galacticprobe
Quote from: evil bob on Jul 13, 2012, 10:58 am
I like that their "hero" prop is bent and dented.


The Doctor is well over 900 years old. (He said he was 953 just after regenerating into his 7th self - I'm guessing like most of us older guys he's lost track of exactly how old he is.) The TARDIS, in Idris' body, said she was already a museum piece when he was young, and he did "borrow" her from a repair yard. So with all that in mind, I think the Old Girl is entitled to having a few dents and dings here and there. She's earned them well! ;)

Dino.
"What's wrong with being childish?! I like being childish." -3rd Doctor, "Terror of the Autons"

evil bob

And the Gardman top is made out of REALLY thin metal... ;-)

The Vashta Nerada

Jul 15, 2012, 10:31 am #39 Last Edit: Jul 15, 2012, 10:34 am by The Vashta Nerada
I have been hunting around the web for the best part of today, looking for that one perfect lamp with would require next to noting done it. This I found is called a "Hanover Avalon Series 9030 Outdoor Post Lantern" and it's not cheap, but maybe worth it depending on your budget and location........ Here's a link below

http://searchlighting.com/Products/Hanover-Avalon-Series-9030-Outdoor-Post-Lantern__HAN-B9030.aspx




Quote from: cathlyn847 on Mar 28, 2010, 06:34 pm
I just stumbled across this large lamp by Avalon and thought it might be useful to someone.
It comes as a hanging lamp or a post top.[attachid]Fresnel.jpg[/attach]fresnel2.jpg

http://www.nextag.com/Lawn-Garden--zzlarge+fresnel+lensz2700407zB6z5---html


best wishes to all, Cathlynfresnel.jpg

galacticprobe

Jul 15, 2012, 03:26 pm #40 Last Edit: Jul 15, 2012, 03:27 pm by galacticprobe
Wow! I think this one has been posted on here somewhere a while back. It's no doubt a great-looking lamp, but that 9 3/8" diameter is a bit wide; the average diameter of the lamp is between 5.5 and 6.5 inches. You'd still have to hack that top off (the straight cylindrical part of it) and find or make a large cap to top the lamp with. And like you say, it is pricey.

For price (and depending on your location for shipping), I think the one offered by Blockade Runner, and the one in the link that blizzard posted, are the best for the money, and each is very close to the size of the actual screen-used TARDIS prop lamp.

Keep poking around the net, though. That's how some of our best discovery for parts sources have been found: looking for one thing, and stumbling across another!

Dino.
"What's wrong with being childish?! I like being childish." -3rd Doctor, "Terror of the Autons"

evil bob

Jul 15, 2012, 08:46 pm #41 Last Edit: Jul 15, 2012, 08:47 pm by evil bob
I just ordered the Blockade Runner lantern and when it comes I'll compare it side by side with the Anchor lantern I got from eBay.

newpic34.jpg

galacticprobe

Jul 16, 2012, 12:13 am #42 Last Edit: Jul 16, 2012, 12:18 am by galacticprobe
I'd be very curious to see the comparison. (Even if there is some difference in dimensions, which there probably will be, Blockade Runner is still another possible, and economical, source for a Matt Smith TARDIS lamp, especially for US members that can't get or afford ones shipped from the UK.) Ebay is a great resource for parts, but sometimes you get outbid. Sometimes you constantly get outbid and it gets frustrating. (I've been outbid on 5th Doctor "Brainy Specs" every single time, to the point where I've stopped bidding.) Also, those anchor lamps aren't easy to come by, and sometimes on ebay they go for well over $100 US. You had some good luck on your side with that ebay purchase, evil bob! You did quite well there.

Dino.
"What's wrong with being childish?! I like being childish." -3rd Doctor, "Terror of the Autons"

blizzard

Evil Bob I look forward to seeing the compare as well. I found several on Amazon that look close to the one you got on ebay. I like the Blockade Runner lantern as well but the picture on the site does leave a few things to question on  how much modification will be needed on all the hanging parts and the top. i will wait to see what you find before I make my final call.

evil bob

It says Wednesday for delivery, so I'll take pictures and post them.