Thanks for the help.

[Surface]

Things were pretty slow in the fall of last year. When I was approached by a prop/replica maker to develop a product for him, I jumped at the chance, even though it was a little out of the ordinary.

Although I consider myself a pretty skilled MC user, this project held some unusual problems. Over the months of development, I requested help from this forum on topics ranging from geometry creation, to casting-shrinkage allowances, to engraving on a sphere.

Your help made this little project possible, and I just wanted to say thanks to those who offered their expertise.

The results can be seen here

[Slixmix]

WOW! That is some cool stuff. Were they made out of a solid piece of material? Great work.

[Slixmix]

Ahhh, castings. I checked out the web site for the seller of these pieces of art.

[Roger Peterson]

Very Cool! Looks like a lot of fun. But, what's a Voyager and what's an omni?

[A-ron1286490684]

Who said machining is not an artform.

 

We've got some parts around here that the studios could sprinkle around and pass off as shrapnel -whad'ya think?

[Surface]

Voyagers was a T.V. show from the early 80's. In the program, a man and a young boy would travel through time via this hand-held gizmo. The program was enjoyed for its entertainment value and for it historical accuracy (educational). Sadly, while playing with a prop-gun, the star, Eric Hexum, was killed with a small ball of cotton wadding and the program was canceled after 13 episodes.

The casting pattern was machined from solid alum (8% oversize) and lost-wax-investment-cast in brass.

This project has taken over 8 months to see it to this stage, primarily because "work which pays" kept creeping ahead of this replica.

[A-ron1286490684]

Surface, saw a good forensic science show about the deaths of both Brandon Lee and John-Eric Hexum. Both stranger than fiction.

 

I'm curious, how does a prop maker justify spending that kind of money for a relic of a show that went off the air in the 80's? I'ts a truley bitchin' looking piece of art/part but are there that many fans of a long gone show ready to fork or are they coming out with a big screen version of voyagers? Why now? Or are the demands purely for it's asthetic value?

[Surface]

A-ron, I don't understand people's facination with anything non-alcoholic, but I recently spent $80 on a bottle of wine, which I plan to turn into a memory. I guess for others, collecting is a hobby.

Even now, I don't understand the demand or why people would want a replica. I took the project because it looked like something fun to do while the economy was in a downturn.

Another maker was selling Voyagers-omni(s) for $1000. I couldn't afford one, but for those who have yet to discover the "demon drink", mine was suposed to be a cheaper alternitive.

[G Caputo]

quote:

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I don't understand people's facination with anything non-alcoholic

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LMAO

 

Tink - Tink

[Chris Rizzo]

WOW! That's some nice work Surface!

 

It's great to have your work showcased as a true art form. For the millions of esoteric parts that are machined, I am always psyched to see people enjoying machined parts for their intrinsic quality and precision. Sure we all scratch our heads at collecting some of this stuff, but it's a great showcase for your skills. People certainly don't appreciate the same skills used in manufactuing all the other nameless and faceless stuff our machines produce....gears,cams,brackets,molds,widgets,gizmos,etc.etc.

 

Personally, I collect stuff with two wheels and internal combustion engines that go fast!

 

P.S. I've always found doing work for cottage-industry types to be interesting and challenging, but usually "less than fulfilling" financially.....how about you??

[Thad]

Nice job Surface! Way to go.

 

Thad

[A-ron1286490684]

quote:

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Another maker was selling Voyagers-omni(s) for $1000.

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Did they look as good as yours?