"Sculptors/Scratch-Builders: A CHALLENGE (28mm Spiders)" Topic

This is it:

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Here they are, 56 seconds into this trailer:
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These are the characteristics I really like about those Minority Report "Spyders" . . .

1) On the photos, they seem to be about the size of a human hand, a burger, or better yet a small round portable CD player.

2) They are very sleek, circular and semi-flat, with very little or nothing in the way of protrusions.

3) What I really, really like is the long, almost flowing, legs that come out of the back of the device.

Jeremey tried it: TMP link

I tried it: TMP link

But the real question is . . . can YOU do it? Can YOU scratch-build or sculpt them (three of them, at least), and then share your findings with the rest of us here?

This is the largest photo I could find:
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The challenge is ON!

CC

Above I make mention of modern portable CD players. This is what I'm talking about:

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Now, imagine that with three flexible legs coming from behind it, and you get the picture.

For 28mm-30mm figures, I guess that the spiders should not exceed 5-6mm in diameter, or they would look too out of place (which is what happened in my attempt).

CC
TMP link

Sounds like a fun challenge!

Don't get me wrong.

I wouldn't ask others to try something I wouldn't do myself. I'll be trying again too. :)

CC

To have it in 28mm scale, those legs would have to be 20ga wire or smaller. Difficult to work with, fragile, and probably too weak to hold up whatever you use for the body.

The bodies are easy, though, just get some appropriate beads from the craft store.

Anything, as long as it was smaller than what I did, would be fantastic, even if it was not exactly to scale:

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CC

if you want to cast them after you will face the too small to cast reaction. ;)

Actually, I'm hoping for something that everyone else here could duplicate (with some wire, putty and/or the right bits).

Even if they come up to waist-high on a 28-30mm figure, standing around the 15mm mark, it would be an improvement over what I did.

But if they come up to knee-high on a figure, now THAT would be quite an accomplishment!!!

The 3-model minimum in this challenge is to prove that all the effort was not spent on a single prototype . . . to prove that it can be repeated over and over again, by anyone, because of its simplicity.

CC

Jeremey's are about waist-high on a GZG 25mm figure . . .

minigerm.co.uk/spider.html

That's the best results so far.

CC

Time limit?

Dunno if there should be a time limit. The first ones to come up with results will certainly set the standards to beat. So, the sooner the better.

However, if you must have a deadline to feel motivated (like many of us who work best under pressure), let's say . . . 3 weeks from the date of the challenge, which would make it August 15.

Judging will be up to the readers and contributors – your peers. As they see photos and explanations of your work, comments and criticism will definitely be offered by all.

So . . . do you think we can overcome the size barrier?

And, most importantly, are your results repeatable (can others easily follow and duplicate your steps)?

CC

First, I tried the green stuff method. I used very thin plastic broom bristles, which worked okay but was no smaller than other peoples attempts, and wasn't what I'd call easy.

My second idea was much better, and I think it hits all your criteria. So easy its sick, and also very quick. I had three made, painted and based, photographed, and uploaded within an hour and 15 minutes.

I used a hole punch (a 1/8 hole, purchased at a scrapbook store…smaller than the standard office punch)to punch out some disks from very thin plasticard. One could use cardstock I'm sure. I then snipped off a piece of braided picture frame wire, which I unraveled. Its very thin, and durable. You can bend it back and forth numerous times without snapping it. I made several small "S" curves.

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I used a small bit of superglue to attach legs to the underside of the disk and positioned them.

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Based and painted. The "eye" is just a black dot followed by a white, then blue, then a very small white dot.
Next to an older Copplestone Grenadier Future Warriors fig (now available from em-4).

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Next to a more recent Copplestone fig (which I think are bigger 28mm).

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Mathias,

Those look fantastic. Perfect size too.

I just bought a few flat beads this week, drilled small holes on one side and was planning on attaching the legs. However, your idea is simply brilliant, and brilliantly simple!!!

Very inspiring. Many, many thanks.

CC

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Fun challenge…it's not something I'd have ever considered doing otherwise. I may even use the lil' suckers in a game!

"I may even use the lil' suckers in a game!"

Mathias, please do, and let us know what rules work best with them.

I'll try to complete mine in the next couple of days (I was slightly set back with other things – tents) and post photos.

I hope mine turn out half as nice as yours.

CC