Interest check: I, Robot CP’s (accurate reproduction)

joemagiera

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Interest check: I, Robot CP's (accurate reproduction)

I am in discussions with a plastic molding company to have accurately reproduced I, Robot control panels. These would match the original in shape, size, contour, texture, color, color tone, holes cut, etc. The one difference would actually be better. The original was Kydex (or some similar material from that time). The repro would be ABS plastic. I'm told that ABS is much stronger and more durable. If they are the same in color, texture, etc., and ABS is stronger (and cheaper!) than Kydex, why in the world would anyone want to have it repro'ed in Kydex? FYI: CP decals are not being included in this effort.

The difficult part is cost. Vacuum formed parts involve having a mold made. Right off the bat, many thousands of dollars. Then the material, labor, etc. Our rough estimate right now is $275, plus shipping. And honestly, that's not making anything on this. It's totally for the game and getting my own cabinet to have a nice, uncracked, original looking CP. Based on the mold cost and material and labor, I'd need to be able to sell 50 of these just to break even.

I really hate "interest check" and "pre-order" threads. I do understand completely though why they are done. It's a hobby for most of us, and we're not (at least I'm not) out to lose thousands of dollars on something. So as much as I don't like it, I am doing an interest check thread here. Please respond here if you'd buy one at this price point.

FYI, this is an expensive endeavor for both making them and I realize the price is high and expensive to buy one too. But if there is enough interest, I'd have to do a pre-order too. It's one thing to say "yeah, sure, I'd buy one". It's another thing to actually pony up the money for it.

An early timetable is, if 50 pre-orders are made, is 5 months after the minimum pre-order payments is complete
.

If the interest check is good, I'll do a pre-order.
 
I'm interested (as per my on-going WTB thread).
But I don't think you'll get anywhere near 50 orders.
Also, would Takeman (or someone else) do the metal framework for the CP? EDIT: I can do the metal but I need a sample with which I can draw up the 3D files.

(Decals are available from AS)

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Most molds are just clay, I've seen tons of nerds make some awesome stormtrooper costumes using the same process. Take your cp and make a clay mold then get on utube and make a vacuum form jig and hook up the shop vac. I will be doing this soon and I feel anyone wanting to try this should, if you screw up you throw another piece in the oven and try again. my goal is to do pole position dashes without cigarette burns.
 
Most molds are just clay, I've seen tons of nerds make some awesome stormtrooper costumes using the same process. Take your cp and make a clay mold then get on utube and make a vacuum form jig and hook up the shop vac. I will be doing this soon and I feel anyone wanting to try this should, if you screw up you throw another piece in the oven and try again. my goal is to do pole position dashes without cigarette burns.

This might be the funniest thing I've read in days. :D

No, you can't make quality, durable CP's using a clay mold shop vac, and kitchen oven. :rolleyes:
 
i think you would have a hard time selling 10 @ $275 each unfortunately

I tend to agree. But since I want one, I have to try.

Can't believe you actually typed you hate preorders and interest threads then post one for yourself.

Just being honest. Like I said, I completely understand why sellers do it, they don't want to risk (possibly) thousands of dollars, and I don't either. Still doesn't mean I like it. But it's the only way I have a shot at this.
 
I tend to agree. But since I want one, I have to try.



Just being honest. Like I said, I completely understand why sellers do it, they don't want to risk (possibly) thousands of dollars, and I don't either. Still doesn't mean I like it. But it's the only way I have a shot at this.

And that's why sellers like me have used it. Just hypocritical of you.

Good luck.
 
Just being honest. Like I said, I completely understand why sellers do it, they don't want to risk (possibly) thousands of dollars, and I don't either. Still doesn't mean I like it. But it's the only way I have a shot at this.

My 2cents.

I have created several INTEREST CHECK threads (tempest cocktail glass, robotron CPO and bezel, Atari brick metal and underlay, MH metalwork etc). I am NOT a seller. I'm a COLLECTOR. Like you I need random parts to complete my games. I create these threads to do simply that - check if there is enough interest - and then this gives a low risk to the REAL SELLER / ITEM ORIGINATOR to go ahead with the PRE-ORDER.

I personally see nothing WRONG with creating an INTEREST CHECK thread.

On the flip side, I recently made some Quantum glass retainers. I did not do an interest check thread, just a sign up thread. I went ahead and made some quantity of the metal (without upfront money) because, like you, I needed a couple for myself. The rest I sold to the sign-up individuals. BUT, some of those backed out later thus leaving me with excess. As time passed, most of that excess was later sold.

My point? Interest check and pre-order threads are a necessity if you don't want to lose $$.
 
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BTW, wouldn't it be more appropriate to put this thread in the "Trading: New Products, Mods and Services " section? :p
Where's the THREAD MANAGER? LOL
 
Oh, have you discussed this with markrl and visionik?
I think the latter would probably buy a few as he's an I,Robot maniac. :)
Needless, only up to ~6 so far?

INTEREST CHECK LIST

1 joemagiera
1 vectorcollector
1 frogger
1 Atarimania
1 bdn103
1 Ordyne
1 komodo
? Visionik ?

TOTAL: 7 ?
 
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you made portables with bondo :)


And your point is? Apples and Oranges.

You can't make a high quality durable control panel using abs plastic/ a home oven / and a shop vac.

And my portables were made from professionally made plastic cases, with bondo used for aesthetic not for strength purposes. Abs cement was always used to bond the plastic together. And my portables were not made for 7 year olds to bang to death like and arcade control panel ;)
 
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And your point is? Apples and Oranges.

You can't make a high quality durable control panel using abs plastic/ a home oven / and a shop vac.

And my portables were made from professionally made plastic cases, with bondo used for aesthetic not for strength purposes. Abs cement was always used to bond the plastic together. And my portables were not made for 7 year olds to bang to death like and arcade control panel ;)

Hey my portables look like trailer trash compared to yours lol :) But I doubt whoever is buying these is going to let children play them "big boiz only fooz!!!". Didn't moddedbybacteria make cases solely using vacuum forming? He was really good at modding too.
 
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