Limited Run Doctor Who 8th Doctor Alternative Sonic Screwriver 3d Printed Model Kits 2.0!!!

[doctorwholittle]

Yessssss!!! Thanks again for everything!!

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

Just a check in and a small update. Still in production but they estimate a March 10th shipping date so I'll see the package within a few days of that (assuming the PO doesn't send it to MA instead like last time) and pack them up to send out to everyone within 3 or 4 days after I receive them. I'm going to test the fit of the core on each one and look over all of the pieces for defects because if something went wrong with the printing, it's better that I catch it first. Once it's on the way to you, there's nothing SW can do to fix an issue!

 

[The Valeyard]

Thanks for the uodate. I wonder how long they will take to get to the UK?

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

Thanks for the uodate. I wonder how long they will take to get to the UK?

That depends on your customs. Probably less than a week of actual shipping from the US to the UK and then who knows how long. I'm doing my best to prepare the international packages so they pass through without issue.

Also just checked the order status, 4 of the files have finished production which means the rest should follow shortly!

 

[The Valeyard]

That depends on your customs. Probably less than a week of actual shipping from the US to the UK and then who knows how long. I'm doing my best to prepare the international packages so they pass through without issue.

Thanks. I know it's not entirely up to you though!

 

[doctorwholittle]

Each day is one day closer to awesomeness!!!

 

[Zaphod]

Anticipation is making me wait.

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

Only four files left in production! We might be seeing an earlier ship date than March 10th!

 

[Zaphod]

Problem solved! Silly me, I thought the previous version of the file I uploaded was the same as the new one but I had made changes to strengthen the emitter without considering the extra cost of material :facepalm I made changes to bring the cost back down but kept thicker walls on the lower half of the emitter so it'll be stronger where it clips into the fin assembly and where the wires line up with the three larger holes.

So the order is placed! If Shapeways doesn't screw it up (fingers crossed), the estimated date to complete the order is March 11 - a it later than I had hoped but some last minute folks wanted in on the run and I couldn't turn them away! I'll keep you posted in a few weeks when the order ships to me.

I had a few members email me inquiring about the cost to paint and finish the kit for them and the price I determined that would make it worth the time it takes wasn't very appealing to them in particular but I figure I'll post the offer here in case anyone else is interested and has some extra tax return money to burn. While I do enjoy the prospect, it takes quite a long time to complete - around five days to let coats dry properly and to do all the fine details, weathering, etc - but if I do a number of them at once it will take less time per sonic.

I can offer a fully painted sonic for an extra $150 each but if I can get five or more people interested, I can do it for $120 instead. It will be similar finish to the prototype but a tad nicer since I have the experience and knowledge from doing the first one, plus you'll have a choice of a painted or dyed emitter. It'll be a week or two turn around time from when I get the kits from Shapeways and I'll send them to you in pieces to be assembled like normal. Along with the painting offer comes cleaning, of course, and proper fitting of the pieces so it will essentially be the completed prop that you'll have in your hands when all is said and done.

If anyone's interested, give a shout. It's not a commitment by any means, I'm just throwing it out there for curiosity's sake.

I'd be in for $120.

 

[doctorwholittle]

How's the schedule from Shapeways?

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

How's the schedule from Shapeways?

I should be seeing the kits arrive on my doorstep by the end of the week. Once I get them, I'll inspect all the parts and make all the wood grips - I wanted to get them done beforehand but in making that first set for the prototype, I found it best to use the actual 3d printed body to gauge the drill holes instead of just measuring. Being off by as much as a mm changes the fit drastically so I'm waiting until I have the kits in hand to fashion those.

After that, I only need to separate the parts into their separate shipments, print the labels and schedule a pickup. The 'in States' packages are easy since I ordered a ton of flat rate boxes for those but I'll need to find shipping supplies for the International ones.

I'm hoping to send them out early next week so some of you may see them arriving as early as March 19th or 20th if all goes according to plan. I should already have enough wood for all the kits that include the wood grips but in case I run out, that will only add a day to get to the craft store to acquire more and cut/drill them. Any that don't require those wood grips will go out as soon as I've had a chance to inspect the parts for quality and proper printing.

 

[doctorwholittle]

You rock like The Who!!

 

[aaroncreaser]

I am looking forward to this

 

[greatwazoo42]

You rock like The Who!!

For that he needs the shirt I love to wear: http://cdn.teehunter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/the-whos-t-shirt1.jpg

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

Go figure, Shapeways goofed up the order. This seems to happen every time I put in a massive order, the quality assurance goes way down hill. Half of the smaller pieces are missing entirely from the order and some of the larger pieces straight up broke in half along the exact z plane - suggesting a problem with their printer calibration.

Any way, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but since just about everyone's orders are affected, I won't be able to send anything out until I clean up the mess that SW made. I'm emailing them to point out all the issues with the order - hopefully they oblige without issue and I can get the replacement parts printed ASAP.

Hang in there, people...

 

[The Valeyard]

Thanks for the update.

 

[doctorwholittle]

That's an enormous drag regarding Shapeways' mishandling of this. I would hope they'd knock a good chunk off your tally for such a sizeable faux pas.

Sorry for your frustration and here's hoping the successful resolution is sooner rather than later.

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

That's an enormous drag regarding Shapeways' mishandling of this. I would hope they'd knock a good chunk off your tally for such a sizeable faux pas.

Sorry for your frustration and here's hoping the successful resolution is sooner rather than later.

I heard back from them, more of an initial followup but they seem to agree with everything I've pointed out. I think they're just looking into the best way to resolve the situation before getting back. In the past, they generally have just refunded the full cost of whatever files were messed up and I reprint them using the store credit, however it all works out.

Stay tuned for more...

 

[cirens]

Sorry to hear the bad news and the extra hassle that has given you. Thank you for remaining patient and knowing we all trust in you and know you're doing your best for us beyond the call of duty.

On a more positive note please could I be the first to ask please for some of the broken bits to be sent to me so that I have some to practise my awful painting technique on!

Every cloud...

 

[Doctor Octoroc]

On the bright side, I had a moment of joy before discovering these things and snapped this photo of all of the kits when they first arrived. So many pieces...