TARDIS Keys Anyone?

[Organic Mechanic]

So since getting back to work I've been pretty much MIA. It's hard to plop down in front of the computer after doing nothing BUT for a year and a half after all. :$

Anyway, back in February I decided to start work on what I hoped would be my first casting project. The three uniquely designed TARDIS keys from Doctor Who.

Well after about a week of working on carving the masters...I kinda just stopped. I haven't touched them since.

Today it occurred to me that perhaps if I had an audience it might light a fire under the old rear. So here they are in their current state. All of the rough work is done, and now it's down to refining the shapes and the more intricate details before moving on to finish sanding and my first attempt at mold making and casting.


L-R: Pertwee-Baker, McCoy, McCoy-McGann

And From The Back...

To make these I started by scaling reference photos and creating printable templates which I then used to cut the bodies out in layers from PVC novelty signs with my trusty scroll saw. The Seal of Rassilon and the inner details on the lower portion of that key (still lots of work to go on these portions) required the use of a craft blade and needle files.

They are still far from finished, but maybe posting them will motivate me to "getterdun".


Questions? Comments? Critiques?


***Many thanks to to my fellow DW fanatics. Without the collective research and info sharing of groups like this I'd not have made it as far as I have on this project. :thumbsup

 

[Michael Bergeron]

GETTERDUN!

If you do a run you know I'm in. The only TARDIS key I've got so far is the Yale.

They're looking great!

 

[dbalschi]

Awesome! Been waiting to see your progress since you told me about this!

 

[Organic Mechanic]

Thanks guys! So far, I've found the hardest bit is the whole 'Perfectly reproducing the imperfections' thing. :lol

 

[Gman666]

I would be interested. Can never have enough keys.

Thanks!

Greg

 

[karstva]

If you make these man I am totally in for a set. do it..do it now..doit..doit..now..doit..doitnow!!!now

Karst

 

[Cyber]

Looking good so far, the finished articles should look very nice.
I'd certainly be interested in a set should you ever produce these for sale.

 

[Rassilon]

Hey nice work Dude, very fine detail as well. It's the Aussie way to take a day of sick to finish your props, so don't feel bad if you need to.

 

[The Black Fox]

Nicely done!

 

[mooneye63]

These are great! Nice work. Yes you must carry on!

Could I ask if you do make these, could you make the holes for the chain a wee bit smaller as this always seem to expand with use.

 

[gary]

very nice work

 

[Organic Mechanic]

Heya folks! Thanks for all of the kind words. No progress shots today, but work does continue on these.

Mooneye, I know what you mean in regard to chain hole size, and yes, I can reduce them (in fact, a keen eye will note that the Pertwee-Baker hole NEEDS repaired on these) BUT...

The hole sizes for these were reference scaled just like the rest of the details, and are the minimum size for the chains used on screen. A smaller hole would be less SA, and in the case of the McCoy key, highly impractical as were it any smaller NO chain would fit through it.

 

[osric]

These look fantastic. My Spirit of Light key broke free of its chain a few years ago and I'm finally ready to splurge on a replacement.

Now we just need someone to make the matching locksets for our Tardis builds

 

[Organic Mechanic]

These look fantastic. My Spirit of Light key broke free of its chain a few years ago and I'm finally ready to splurge on a replacement.

Now we just need someone to make the matching locksets for our Tardis builds

Wouldn't be too hard to make it work. Just make a sideways, spring version of the old time lift latches. Something you just pressed into the open position by inserting the key.

 

[Straker]

Heya folks! Thanks for all of the kind words. No progress shots today, but work does continue on these.

Mooneye, I know what you mean in regard to chain hole size, and yes, I can reduce them (in fact, a keen eye will note that the Pertwee-Baker hole NEEDS repaired on these) BUT...

The hole sizes for these were reference scaled just like the rest of the details, and are the minimum size for the chains used on screen. A smaller hole would be less SA, and in the case of the McCoy key, highly impractical as were it any smaller NO chain would fit through it.

Looking good! In an address to the chain hole, maybe you could move the holes down a little so there's more "meat" around the top of the hole to help reduce breakage? Also depending on your pewter mixture you should be able to make the metal pretty hard and resilient. I'd be interested in an 8th Doctor key for sure though! Possibly the other two as well depending on when you're ready to cast these XD

 

[Organic Mechanic]

Looking good! In an address to the chain hole, maybe you could move the holes down a little so there's more "meat" around the top of the hole to help reduce breakage? Also depending on your pewter mixture you should be able to make the metal pretty hard and resilient. I'd be interested in an 8th Doctor key for sure though! Possibly the other two as well depending on when you're ready to cast these XD

You bring up an interesting point. My initial plan for these was to cast them in resin as they are 1:1 sculpts so shrinkage is a concern, and silicone molds are the cheap & easy way to start out in casting buuuuuut...

Lead free pewter, as it turns out, has a low enough melt point that silicone molds are more than capable of handling it, AND the shrink rate for pieces this small is negligible.

So maybe I'll make two sets of molds. :love

 

[Michael Bergeron]

You bring up an interesting point. My initial plan for these was to cast them in resin as they are 1:1 sculpts so shrinkage is a concern, and silicone molds are the cheap & easy way to start out in casting buuuuuut...

Lead free pewter, as it turns out, has a low enough melt point that silicone molds are more than capable of handling it, AND the shrink rate for pieces this small is negligible.

So maybe I'll make two sets of molds. :love

Put me down for pewter then! (who am I kidding, I'll probably get both)

 

[Rebelscum]

You bring up an interesting point. My initial plan for these was to cast them in resin as they are 1:1 sculpts so shrinkage is a concern, and silicone molds are the cheap & easy way to start out in casting buuuuuut...

Lead free pewter, as it turns out, has a low enough melt point that silicone molds are more than capable of handling it, AND the shrink rate for pieces this small is negligible.

So maybe I'll make two sets of molds. :love

Just be sure if you're using smooth-on, you use Mold Max 60 for the pewter mold.

 

[Organic Mechanic]

Absolutely invaluable advice, thank you.

 

[Straker]

You bring up an interesting point. My initial plan for these was to cast them in resin as they are 1:1 sculpts so shrinkage is a concern, and silicone molds are the cheap & easy way to start out in casting buuuuuut...

Lead free pewter, as it turns out, has a low enough melt point that silicone molds are more than capable of handling it, AND the shrink rate for pieces this small is negligible.

So maybe I'll make two sets of molds. :love

Ohhhh, I didn't know you were thinking of resin originally...still, Pewter! If you do I'll definitely take a pewter 8th Doctor key for sure! Not too many of those around and if you get the right kind and it's tough enough that means I can spare my 800-Trekker key any damage XD