Today was one of those not-so-rare-for-me-but-nonetheless-wonderful tipping points between builds, where I allow myself the luxury of choosing a new project to work on. I've been racking my brains all day trying to decide what to build next, so in the end I checked my "Doctor Who Props Booklet", which contains an ongoing list of as many Doctor Who props as I can think of, ranked by the episode in which they appeared.

And there, listed under the Third Doctor, was the famous Metebelis III crystal. I've always wanted one of those, and I think it's about time I expanded my collection of classic-Who props.



The first step in my build was to draw out a net for the crystal, to be cut out of cardboard. All the measurements are based on my SketchUp model and template posted over here: http://tardisbuilders.com/index.php?topic=7722.



I then assembled the net using my trusty hot glue gun.



Finally, to add a bit of weight to my replica, and to make it feel more like an actual crystal than just a hollow bit of cardboard, I lined the insides with modelling clay. As the brilliant E.L.O. once sang, the Sun is Shinin' in the Sky, so I've left the crystal outside in the hopes that it will set quicker in the open air.



I'll leave the crystal until tomorrow then glue the two halves together and give it a few coats of blue paint.

Kind regards, The14thDr

looking good so far, all the best with it. 

**TIP** To give it a nice shine, (If you didn't already know), give it a couple of coats of PVA glue. I found it dries clear & shiny.

Chris.

Thanks Davros Skaro. I've also found that PVA glue is good for sealing the paint as well, to stop it from chipping off as easily. Thanks for the tip, hopefully I can get round to assembling and painting the crystal this evening.

Kind regards, The14thDr

Good start.
Always wanted one of them, ever since I saw Planet of the Spiders as a nipper.

Good job I never got a real one though, as I was bound to use it for nefarious purposes....


Regards,

Russell

Quote from: russellsuthern on May 24, 2017, 07:59 am
.... Good job I never got a real one though, as I was bound to use it for nefarious purposes....

That's exactly what I have in mind or this one - World Domination! Wait, who said that? I said nothing..... nothing to see here, move along.


The clay on the inside of the crystal has had just over 24 hours to set now, so I went ahead and got glued the two halves together.
I then started painting the crystal with some metallic blue acrylic paint, so this should hopefully give it that nice crystalline appearance.



More updates soon.
Kind regards, The14thDr

Hey WOW, that's looking really good, I think mine is a bit too long, but yours just right. nice job.

Chris.

Quote from: russellsuthern on May 24, 2017, 07:59 am
Good job

I have to agree with Russell. That's looking great!

Quote from: russellsuthern on May 24, 2017, 07:59 am
I never got a real one though, as I was bound to use it for nefarious purposes....

Says the man who believes there can never be too many Daleks in the world. What else would we expect from you?

Dino.

Three coats of "Ice Blue" metallic paint later and this little prop is completed.




And altogether with the rest of my tiny Third Doctor collection.

Hey, That turned out really great, looks real cool! Well done!

Chris.

That looks blooming brilliant well done!!!!

Thanks guys! I'm quite proud of how this one turned out, even if I do say so myself.

You can't really see from the photos but the metallic paint makes the crystal shine slightly when the light hits it, so you wouldn't even know it was cardboard.

Brilliant!! I ended up buying a "wand-end" from eBay that was totally the wrong size and shape, but this reminds me of my usual process. Cardboard, toilet paper, paint and PVA -  Anything else is showing off.

Quote from: bearded4th on Jun 12, 2017, 09:22 am
...
but this reminds me of my usual process. Cardboard, toilet paper, paint and PVA -  Anything else is showing off.

Yeah, that's how 99% of my props are made. I think, if anything, it just goes to show that you can still make a good-looking prop with a zero budget.