SDCC08 - Dr WHO Replicas!
- Thread starter RKW
- Start date
-
- Tags
- doctor who
Walter Neff
Well-Known Member
Dang I have got to get into Doctor Who replicas. Great stuff!
Clutch
Master Member
So my wife gets a call from fedex asking about the screwdriver. She had to explain what it was. Tracking shows it in the state. I ordered MINE before she did and my tracking still says in somewhere, GB and Improper or missing international paperwork, contact Customer Service!!!!???!?!?!?!?!
greatwazoo42
Master Member
Face it; your wife is cooler than you are.
Jack T Chance
Sr Member
We better not have to! I never have in the past when I've ordered things from Europe and the UK, so if I have to this time, I will be BEYOND angry! :angrySame here, stuck at custom. Got the call early in the am.
Did someone say tax? I have to pay customs tax?
WTF????
drk
Got mine today.
Gotta confess, it's a GD thing of beauty. NUTS how nice it is.
I've gotten a lot of prop replicas in my time. Many from artisans, many from professional companies. I would say I've been stunned silly by about three pieces. Henry Wayne's forever sonar-rang comes to mind.
But this thing raises the bar. It's just THAT good. I haven't done an EXCRUCIATING examination of the screen used sonics, but I'd say I'm pretty familair with them. This thing is a home run.
I think the only place that people will find room to complain is the packaging. *I* Personally don't care AT ALL what the box looks like that it comes in. I don't need custom cut foam with pretty liners and artwork. For me, it's the destination, not the journey
It does come in a very simple little box, wrapped in a ziplock Which I think is just cool, since that probably saved 40 bucks off the total price.
But yeah, it's a great piece. For those of you who ordered, I don't think you'll be disappointed. This is a precision crafted piece of proppery. Excellent work done by everyone involved in the project. I hope you make a million bucks.
Gotta confess, it's a GD thing of beauty. NUTS how nice it is.
I've gotten a lot of prop replicas in my time. Many from artisans, many from professional companies. I would say I've been stunned silly by about three pieces. Henry Wayne's forever sonar-rang comes to mind.
But this thing raises the bar. It's just THAT good. I haven't done an EXCRUCIATING examination of the screen used sonics, but I'd say I'm pretty familair with them. This thing is a home run.
I think the only place that people will find room to complain is the packaging. *I* Personally don't care AT ALL what the box looks like that it comes in. I don't need custom cut foam with pretty liners and artwork. For me, it's the destination, not the journey
It does come in a very simple little box, wrapped in a ziplock Which I think is just cool, since that probably saved 40 bucks off the total price.But yeah, it's a great piece. For those of you who ordered, I don't think you'll be disappointed. This is a precision crafted piece of proppery. Excellent work done by everyone involved in the project. I hope you make a million bucks.
Dude, relax. It's a prop. It's a few bucks. Life is short. Way too short to get "Beyond angry" over something like this. Honestly
protokev DMD
Sr Member
hmm, mine hasnt even been shipped yet. im extremely jealous
mfxreplicas
Official Licensee
Looking for some help here from the collective brilliant minds of the RPF members.
I've noticed a lot of people are getting sonics stopped by customs looking for a better description of what the package is. Has anyone a good idea of how better to describe the sonic on a customs decleration form that will get it through easier? the description we're using was the one the Fed Ex folk in the UK suggested as being appropriate.:confused
We describe it as a "replica prop tool made from metal and plastic!" I mean, how else can you describe this thing in a way that does actually describe it (and in a couple of very short lines on the document)??? If we're, ahem, selective with the truth all that will happen is sonics will get held longer at customs if they think it doesn't match the description and we'll get trouble with our Fed Ex account!
I think a problem is many packages going in to the US go through Xrays and the sonic, with it's mix of metals and unusual appearance, (to the uniformed observer) must stick out a mile!
I want to get these things to customers with as little fuss and as much speed as possible so all ideas very welcome.
Thanks for the positive reviews. I can't quite believe we got there in the end, it's been a long hard slog but I'm delighted with the results and delighted with the responses as I know you guys are the toughest critics.
Best wishes
Neill
I've noticed a lot of people are getting sonics stopped by customs looking for a better description of what the package is. Has anyone a good idea of how better to describe the sonic on a customs decleration form that will get it through easier? the description we're using was the one the Fed Ex folk in the UK suggested as being appropriate.:confused
We describe it as a "replica prop tool made from metal and plastic!" I mean, how else can you describe this thing in a way that does actually describe it (and in a couple of very short lines on the document)??? If we're, ahem, selective with the truth all that will happen is sonics will get held longer at customs if they think it doesn't match the description and we'll get trouble with our Fed Ex account!
I think a problem is many packages going in to the US go through Xrays and the sonic, with it's mix of metals and unusual appearance, (to the uniformed observer) must stick out a mile!
I want to get these things to customers with as little fuss and as much speed as possible so all ideas very welcome.
Thanks for the positive reviews. I can't quite believe we got there in the end, it's been a long hard slog but I'm delighted with the results and delighted with the responses as I know you guys are the toughest critics.
Best wishes
Neill
mfxreplicas
Official Licensee
Hmmm, 'novelty torch' might be a good one! Bit derogatory but might make more sense to customs officials. would explain the batteries, bulb and metal body!!!
Primrodo
Sr Member
Remember though, in the US/Canada, Torch can mean open flame...so Flashlight would be better
mfxreplicas
Official Licensee
Flashlight - of course, I'll keep that in mind. Those little UK/US English variations that can make a huge a difference. I know people in the US are always amused to find we call cigarettes 'fags'.
Primorodo I just posted a long reply to a question of yours on Gallifrey Base!
Neill
Primorodo I just posted a long reply to a question of yours on Gallifrey Base!
Neill
Primrodo
Sr Member
Saw that! Appreciate it
For those not on GB, I was asking about the brass exposed bit you can see here:
The versions of the sonic I have ever seen had that painted.
I totally understand that some props has differences, I mean look at Star Wars discrepencies!
I personally would have liked it painted, but if I can find out what colour to match, and if it can be taken apart okay, I would be happy to do it myself
FedEx assures me the package will arrive tomorrow, and for the record (aside from Duty), my package in Canada had ZERO problems. Could be the vast difference between US and Canada
Fags is one term thats fun...I know for you, the fact we call Trousers 'pants' is fun!
For those not on GB, I was asking about the brass exposed bit you can see here:
The versions of the sonic I have ever seen had that painted.
I totally understand that some props has differences, I mean look at Star Wars discrepencies!
I personally would have liked it painted, but if I can find out what colour to match, and if it can be taken apart okay, I would be happy to do it myself
FedEx assures me the package will arrive tomorrow, and for the record (aside from Duty), my package in Canada had ZERO problems. Could be the vast difference between US and Canada
Fags is one term thats fun...I know for you, the fact we call Trousers 'pants' is fun!
mfxreplicas
Official Licensee
There's a care sheet that comes with the sonic that explains lots of things including how to re-paint it if you have to. The body is Brass which, being a non ferous metal, is trickier to paint. The actual props are frequently repainted which is why I imagine that little brass spacer sometimes gets overlooked. One of my prototypes was borrowed by the art department for a photoshoot with David when they realised that all the ones they had had so much paint chipped off they wouldn't hold up to a major publicity photoshoot and there wasn't time to get them re-sprayed. It was explained to me that David had a habit of picking at the crackles glaze on his sonics so they where frequently in a very poor state.
The paint used is a readily available decorative coating by a company called Plasti-kote (www.plasti-kote.com). We use the base brown followed by the 'heritage gold' for the crackle (not sure why it's described as gold as it looks greeny/yellow to me!). To make the finish more durable the bodies are thoroughly cleaned and degreased before an etch primer is sprayed. After 24hrs drying the base brown and heritage gold crackle are then applied and allowed to dry for a further 24hrs before a clear lacquer is applied. It's fairly resilient but brass is a bugger to paint so don't treat it too rough. We explored industrial coatings that would look the same but there just isn't anything that comes close so we've stuck with the mantra of doing it as close to the actual prop as possible.
Best
Neill
The paint used is a readily available decorative coating by a company called Plasti-kote (www.plasti-kote.com). We use the base brown followed by the 'heritage gold' for the crackle (not sure why it's described as gold as it looks greeny/yellow to me!). To make the finish more durable the bodies are thoroughly cleaned and degreased before an etch primer is sprayed. After 24hrs drying the base brown and heritage gold crackle are then applied and allowed to dry for a further 24hrs before a clear lacquer is applied. It's fairly resilient but brass is a bugger to paint so don't treat it too rough. We explored industrial coatings that would look the same but there just isn't anything that comes close so we've stuck with the mantra of doing it as close to the actual prop as possible.
Best
Neill
mfxreplicas
Official Licensee
Er, click the link. There's a North American distributor on the website!
Nx
Nx
Risu
Master Member
I've been to the site before, it just leads you through a giant maze of links that ultimately ends in an automotive paint store that doesn't stock anything in the crackle line. Is their online store hidden somewhere I haven't found yet?
EDIT: Hold on, I think I actually found it. This is the best day ever!
EDIT: Hold on, I think I actually found it. This is the best day ever!
Last edited:
