Gremlins Bathroom Buddy
- Thread starter laellee
- Start date
That's what I was thinking. I had thought about cutting down an original or two and resin or silicone-casting several, but if I can make the price-point make sense then nothing beats the real thingI believe everyone decided Ace 88 was the one.
I got you, still have a list of stuff for you and scarfman. I don't like locking myself into guarantees until I am sure everything is in-hand and at a quality level I am satisfied with (Aspergers/OCD doesn't help at all lol), but here is my 'PLAN' that hasn't changed too much over the last few months.
I have manufactured and collected enough parts and pieces to hopefully offer 5-10 complete kits with an option for finished. If I can offer 10 complete kits, those will be at different degrees of accuracy with what we have available.
As good as we can do version: As many truly correct parts as possible. Correct comb, Proxibrush, unengraved Revlon clipper with file, Ace comb, correct shaver model, red button, toothbrush cap, original correct toothbrush (possibly dyed), original Revlon file with rounded tip, original Johnson and Johnson floss top. The remaining replica parts are all reproduced as close as I can get using commercial (SLS) printing, laser cutting, dyed fabric, and so on. I can confidently say I am not cutting corners on this at all, too much time invested already and it would just be a travesty at this point to not go all in.
VERY good version: I know I can put together a few of these varied kits with most everything above, but the Revlon clipper might have the Revlon cursive on it (or the R), the toothbrush might be an excellent close-enough, the floss top could be a stainless repro. Each kit would have the parts origin documented; I don't want anyone getting a still-not-super common engraved Revlon clipper instead of the correct unengraved model and not knowing that detail. Some people may not care so much, but I do, and an engraved clipper is also a lot easier to find. The nice thing about the Buddy is, just about every part can be swapped/upgraded without damaging the prop, so someone can always build their close-version and then upgrade if/when they hunt down an upgrade (like a REAL correct color CC dental mirror, I wish)
SO yep not what you were asking me lol, but you know how I can go on....
...Besides the above, I absolutely will have extra individual parts available, or can point people in the direction to get them. Some, like the Pink prophy brush with white caps and orange caps, I had to order minimums for the commercial machines, so I will have at least a few extras. Same will go for vanity mirrors. I also have extras of original NOS pieces like the correct Gillette razors (I think I have 30 new in bag ones now lol) that I can offer, and assembly pieces in bulk like the brass pins and vanity mirror hinges.
Finally we have found a lot of really nice close-enough and accurate pieces that are still available with a little hunting and sometimes luck, I'll put together a list for anybody that just wants to find their own parts. It is fun to hunt, but honestly I am pretty burned out both from doing it for so long, and buying multiples. I can't make this up, I bought another correct Johnson and Johnson floss dispenser from Ebay, and when I opened the box on Saturday it had an incredibly well-packaged tiny wicker basket in it, with a separate set of 12 even tinier red wooden apples.
All worked out fine, she had swapped box labels so somebody across the country also now has used dental floss and no apples, but there has been a LOT of stuff like that so I think I'm ready for a break from the hunt for a bit after this 
That's what I was thinking. I had thought about cutting down an original or two and resin or silicone-casting several, but if I can make the price-point make sense then nothing beats the real thing
I got you, still have a list of stuff for you and scarfman. I don't like locking myself into guarantees until I am sure everything is in-hand and at a quality level I am satisfied with (Aspergers/OCD doesn't help at all lol), but here is my 'PLAN' that hasn't changed too much over the last few months.
I have manufactured and collected enough parts and pieces to hopefully offer 5-10 complete kits with an option for finished. If I can offer 10 complete kits, those will be at different degrees of accuracy with what we have available.
As good as we can do version: As many truly correct parts as possible. Correct comb, Proxibrush, unengraved Revlon clipper with file, Ace comb, correct shaver model, red button, toothbrush cap, original correct toothbrush (possibly dyed), original Revlon file with rounded tip, original Johnson and Johnson floss top. The remaining replica parts are all reproduced as close as I can get using commercial (SLS) printing, laser cutting, dyed fabric, and so on. I can confidently say I am not cutting corners on this at all, too much time invested already and it would just be a travesty at this point to not go all in.
VERY good version: I know I can put together a few of these varied kits with most everything above, but the Revlon clipper might have the Revlon cursive on it (or the R), the toothbrush might be an excellent close-enough, the floss top could be a stainless repro. Each kit would have the parts origin documented; I don't want anyone getting a still-not-super common engraved Revlon clipper instead of the correct unengraved model and not knowing that detail. Some people may not care so much, but I do, and an engraved clipper is also a lot easier to find. The nice thing about the Buddy is, just about every part can be swapped/upgraded without damaging the prop, so someone can always build their close-version and then upgrade if/when they hunt down an upgrade (like a REAL correct color CC dental mirror, I wish)
SO yep not what you were asking me lol, but you know how I can go on....
...Besides the above, I absolutely will have extra individual parts available, or can point people in the direction to get them. Some, like the Pink prophy brush with white caps and orange caps, I had to order minimums for the commercial machines, so I will have at least a few extras. Same will go for vanity mirrors. I also have extras of original NOS pieces like the correct Gillette razors (I think I have 30 new in bag ones now lol) that I can offer, and assembly pieces in bulk like the brass pins and vanity mirror hinges.
Finally we have found a lot of really nice close-enough and accurate pieces that are still available with a little hunting and sometimes luck, I'll put together a list for anybody that just wants to find their own parts. It is fun to hunt, but honestly I am pretty burned out both from doing it for so long, and buying multiples. I can't make this up, I bought another correct Johnson and Johnson floss dispenser from Ebay, and when I opened the box on Saturday it had an incredibly well-packaged tiny wicker basket in it, with a separate set of 12 even tinier red wooden apples.
We need to buy you a gift. Maybe an Ebay gift card. The work you have done on this is insane.
Oh no way. You guys are the ones that have kept it going too. My gift is when I have these doneWe need to buy you a gift. Maybe an Ebay gift card. The work you have done on this is insane.
Well that's a horrible pic... When the rest of the next shipment comes in, I will get proper pics.
Just a quick update, I've now got orange buttons, black buttons, and prophy cup brushes in hand. Overall I'm very satisfied, although the prophy handle and orange buttons need recoloring. Not a huge deal, the dental mirrors were re-colored as well so I am confident I can get great results.
Also on the way are the 22mm mirrors for the CC mirrors, that outfit also cut me the thicker vanity mirrors for the door. Hoping to see those by next Monday.
For the zebra fur, I settled on a white velboa short-pile that looks very good. I worked up acrylic stencils to match the original zebra patterning, and will hopefully have a couple dyed by next week. I can't foresee any problems as these are all processes I've done before, but I'm looking forward to having physical pieces done and in-hand to be sure.
Last hurdle, the correct toothbrush. I do finally have several correct models in-hand, although they are not in the transparent red-orange. I considered modeling them and having them manufactured in tinted clear resin, but I think I'm better off molding and casting them here in the shop instead; I can adjust tints and finishes on the fly to get the results I want, rather than paying a not-insignificant amount for maybe 20 manufactured pieces with no guarantee of the color, transparency, and overall quality. The new toothbrushes will be pre-drilled to accept the tubing, and also have fresh bristles installed in the heads. It's probably going to be the biggest pain in the a$$ of the whole project, but I am actually looking forward to putting these together.
That's all for now, I should hopefully have another update next week. If anybody is looking for 20mm round mirrors, let me know. I have THREE HUNDRED of them to go with the 80+ wrong nail clippers, cuticle clippers, files, and various other casualties of the parts hunt
When the rest of the next shipment comes in, I will get proper pics.Just a quick update, I've now got orange buttons, black buttons, and prophy cup brushes in hand. Overall I'm very satisfied, although the prophy handle and orange buttons need recoloring. Not a huge deal, the dental mirrors were re-colored as well so I am confident I can get great results.
Also on the way are the 22mm mirrors for the CC mirrors, that outfit also cut me the thicker vanity mirrors for the door. Hoping to see those by next Monday.
For the zebra fur, I settled on a white velboa short-pile that looks very good. I worked up acrylic stencils to match the original zebra patterning, and will hopefully have a couple dyed by next week. I can't foresee any problems as these are all processes I've done before, but I'm looking forward to having physical pieces done and in-hand to be sure.
Last hurdle, the correct toothbrush. I do finally have several correct models in-hand, although they are not in the transparent red-orange. I considered modeling them and having them manufactured in tinted clear resin, but I think I'm better off molding and casting them here in the shop instead; I can adjust tints and finishes on the fly to get the results I want, rather than paying a not-insignificant amount for maybe 20 manufactured pieces with no guarantee of the color, transparency, and overall quality. The new toothbrushes will be pre-drilled to accept the tubing, and also have fresh bristles installed in the heads. It's probably going to be the biggest pain in the a$$ of the whole project, but I am actually looking forward to putting these together.
That's all for now, I should hopefully have another update next week.
If anybody is looking for 20mm round mirrors, let me know. I have THREE HUNDRED of them to go with the 80+ wrong nail clippers, cuticle clippers, files, and various other casualties of the parts hunt
Not needed at all.... I am just going to be happy when I have ONE Buddy, completely done, on a slow-rotating acrylic stand.Holy good God you are amazing.
We really need to get you a group gift.
Let us know your wishes. PM if they are saucy
**** ALSO ***
Did anybody ever try to polish off the Revlon or "R" script on their clippers? I have thought about it before, but those stampings are pretty deep; I'm assuming it would be a process with a wheel, sanding, then polishing/buffing. I might need to try that.
Not needed at all.... I am just going to be happy when I have ONE Buddy, completely done, on a slow-rotating acrylic stand.
**** ALSO ***
Did anybody ever try to polish off the Revlon or "R" script on their clippers? I have thought about it before, but those stampings are pretty deep; I'm assuming it would be a process with a wheel, sanding, then polishing/buffing. I might need to try that.
I am pretty sure it won't come out well. The chrome is very thin. Even if the R was not deep it still would take the chrome off.
If I find my bag of parts I will try it just for fun.
Yeah I tried wet/dry sanding, files, etc, just a total waste of time. I knew those scripts are stamped pretty deep, but HOLY CRAP maybe 1.5mm? Anyways I'm not going to sweat it, I'll just keep on the lookout for either exact ones (still need a few) or engraved ones (have a few). The nice thing about the Buddy is that the parts are easy to switch out/upgrade....
SO.... WHERE ARE WE? For custom parts, here's where I am sitting:
- Proffy 'mystery' tool handles are now correct pink shade
- Orange buttons done. I didn't like the dull finish on the orange buttons, so they are now an improved orangier lol
- Dental mirrors are done, finally got correct mirrors custom cut and fitted into the handles. They look badass
- Vanity mirrors have been custom cut
- Vanity zebra fur is here, it's white Velboa. Just experimenting with dyes for the stenciled-on black patterning
- Vanity doors are templated and I have 3d printed versions, but I think I will just upgrade to laser cut wood.
- Black buttons are done, although I may re-paint them (the manufacturer's paint is OK but could be better)
- Toothbrushes are set to be delivered in less than a week, then they get tinted and re-bristled
CREST TOOTHPASTE CAPS
I can either cut down caps, or also partially fill the caps with resin to make a solid 'bottom' (so they have a good mating surface to the body). We've always assumed these caps are just cut down, that seems like an easy way to knock these out.
ACE COMBS
I've got a dozen, but they have the 'ace' logo on one side. I don't think it's a deal-breaker and I believe I can just sand it right off. Otherwise it would be visible on the 'nail clipper side' of the Buddy.
THE BUDDY BODY
I've mentioned this before, but the Buddy is smaller than you'd initially think. We do have known measurements (everything from the razor to the proxbrush, clippers, toothbrush, floss, etc) that I was able to apply to the body size using photogrammetry. Having said that, I have reached out to anchoredprops to see if he can confirm my sizing. I'll get the base finalized, and also work up a more 'routed' version that has the rough rounding out of the cutouts that the original shows. I had originally thought to just supply a base body with all the cutouts in resin that the owner could then hand route more, but that seems like a dumb idea in hindsight now. If I can knock out those steps on my end, then people don't have to do that stuff on their own. I DO plan on casting the finals in a tinted resin, so any additional wear or routing could be added if somebody wanted to customize it more without worrying about exposing a finish/etc...
I'm probably forgetting a bunch of stuff, but yeah things are moving along well. Outside of the hard-to-find items like the EXACT clippers, the last hurdle will be that toothbrush. I don't want to be too confident, but I think those are going to be amazing (well let's check back when I am dying them and gluing in 500+ bristles lol). Paying to have them manufactured on industrial equipment still saves me money in the long run, never mind the time, money and headaches associated with transparent casting.
I'll try and get some more pics up before the end of the week. I can ALMOST see the finish line lol.
I should have put a V1 pink proffy handle and orange cap next to these, but I think you get the idea. A million times better looking. Also there are my Ace combs... They are supposed to be re-popped "88"s, does anybody have any measures on a their 88 just to be sure? These are just listed as 7 iinch combs, max width is right over 1 3/16" with a max thickness right over 1/8".
(Ignore the prototype body, as scarf man had to remind me, that is the 'parts-fitter', so there is little to no shaping/routing)
(Ignore the prototype body, as scarf man had to remind me, that is the 'parts-fitter', so there is little to no shaping/routing)
OasisSupernova
Sr Member
I made some things from Gremlins this year. Not my best work but they were fun to do. Lol
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OasisSupernova
Sr Member
I really didn't have a spot for them when making them so I through them all in the Christmas section. Lol
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Love it! Where did you find your Peltzer ashtray? It's on my to do list, I have a boatload of pictures of the screen-used prop.
