Simpsons vs Dr. Who

Dean (Springfield Punx) draws many of his favourite characters in the Simpson’s style and he has done Dr.Who and has even drawn K-9!

So cute!

Source

Kawaii Bento Club's Robot Love Contest

This is just so cute, I had to post it. What a great combination of my favourite loves - K-9 and sushi! Yet another edible K-9.

K-9 Bento Box

New K-9 Site

The man who is the founder of the R2 Builders Club, Dave Everett, is setting up a new club, the K-9 Builders Club, based on the R2 club. So far there is a website, but there is more to follow. So if you are into K-9, hop onto the site and check it out.

http://k9.replicarobots.net/

Lack of posts

Yes, well it is inexcusable my lack of posts, but I have a collection of items ready to put up, so watch this space over the next few weeks. :-)

Ginger Bread K-9!

I stumbled across this very cool site and just had to share... I am in admiration to the patience of the cook!

Ginger Bread K-9

Tasmanian Sci-Fi Convention 2009

This weekend I am planning on attending the Tasmanian Sci-Fi convention held at the Wrest Point Casino. I am looking forward to it as I will be able to meet some prop builders there that I have only spoken to on forums on the net for a while. I am sure to learn something and see some great builds :)

More distractions...

As you can probably tell from the few posts that my attention has been taken else where... I have been tinkering on K-9 at least once a week, but not enough to show a great deal. There are bits and pieces done and he is coming along. Once I do more I will post a photographic journal of how I got the body together. It will make more sense to post it in one go rather than having little dregs now and then.

And so what is my distraction?

Getting a motorcycle license. :)

I have a blog on that too!

Here is a picture of my bike with its brand new "L" plate!

In the News: K9 Back For Sarah Jane Series Three

From SFX Magazine... Fantastic news!

Thursday February 05, 2009

K9 Back For Sarah Jane Series Three

Sarah Jane Adventures producer Nikki has told Doctor Who magazine that K9 will be back in a big way in the third series of the spin-off show: "We've already got 10 scripts at first draft stage, and I can now announce that K9 is going to make a return to Sarah Jane's attic! He's been locked away in that safe, saving the world from a Black Hole, for far too long now. I can promise that the fun is only just beginning - just wait till he gets to meet Mr Smith properly." He is due to appear in around half of the 12 episodes.

Quite what all this means for the Australian K9 series currently in production is not clear, though clearly the rights situation does allow for K9 to be used in both production. Surely the BBC isn't worried enough to adopt spoiling tactics?

Source: http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=k9_back_for_for_sarah

In the News: K9 Series Producer Speaks

From SFX Magazine...

Wednesday January 28, 2009

K9 Series Producer Speaks

Above: K9 - due for a regeneration

Paul Tams, the co-creator and associate producer on the K9 series that is being filmed in Australia has spoken to The Doctor Who News Page (aka, Outpost Gallifrey) about how the show is progressing. Apparently there will be 26 half hour episodes and K9 will be achieved both as an practical animatronic prop and using CGI. Tams also promises, "I've made sure that hidden in most episodes fans will spot some nod to the past - either a mention or a visual treat." And, much to everyone's relief, he says that the new look K9 will not look like the cartoony concept art that's been seen doing the rounds on the net. The show should be ready to air in Australia later this year.

Source: http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=k9_series_producer_speaks

Face Detail

Here are more stills from Invasion of Time, showing head, mouth and gun detail.

Collar

I have noticed that the collar tartan does change between stories, but using stills from the story, Invasion of Time, I have been able to match at least one collar tartan to the Buchanan Modern Tartan. I have, however, noticed that the Ancient version of the tartan is used in several other versions of the collar. I am not sure if other tartans are used, people with a Scottish/ Celtic background could tell me better, but that is what I have noticed. Also sometimes the collars look faded on the outside, but you can tell the original tartan must have been brighter by looking at the rim and inner part of the collar.
With that information, and tracking down a little shop in NSW (Scottish Accessories Shop, Croydon) that sells tartans, I bought a tartan scarf that I will use for the collar. The scarf is such a lovely woolen fabric I dread to cut it!!

SportBEC Switch-mode Battery Eliminator Circuit

I have a battery, I have the motors, I have a speed controller, but I need something that can get power to the the servos efficiently and without frying them. I have chosen to go with the SportBEC option. Here is a little about it... And it is a tiny part, I must say!!!

SportBEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit) powers your receiver and servos much more efficiently than a standard BEC. As many as 8 servos can be powered without worrying about an overheating BEC. SportBEC works great up to very high voltages, and is especially suited for "sport" aircraft and glow conversions. SportBEC is usually a necessity at 4s and above when running high torque or digital servos.

SportBEC's output is selectable between 5V/6V using a small slide switch. The 6V setting gives more speed and torque to the servos, and is especially useful for helicopter flyers. A red LED indicates when 6V is selected.

We use these BECs in our robots for powering our control systems that have high current demands. We will hook up IP cameras, wireless bridges, microcontrollers, etc. and the BEC has no problem with the current demand. Great source for servos too. Since its a switching supply we eliminate the need for multiple batteries, we run everything off of a single 24V source using the BECs for the control and servos instead of having a separate battery or batteries.

Because it is an efficient switching regulator, SportBEC can supply its full rated current of 3.5A all the way up to 33.6VDC.

Many design hours were spent on SportBEC to ensure it does not create radio interference. It uses a shielded inductor and optimized layout, so you can use it without fear of glitching.

SportBEC installs between your ESC and receiver, so you don't have to modify your speed control to disable its internal BEC.

For best results, ensure that the SportBEC is installed at least 2 inches away from your receiver and antenna.

Additional notes: If you are using small servos make sure they can run at 6v. Some sub-micros, notably the Hitec HS-50 and Futaba S3154, can be damaged by a 6v supply.

For even more information about the SportBEC go here or here...

I have uploaded some information about the SportBEC, including the manuals, so it doesn't vanish like so many things on the web do...

A Beginners Guide to Switching Regulators.doc

A Beginners Guide to Switching Regulators.pdf

SportBEC FAQ.doc

SportBEC FAQ.pdf

SportBEC Manual.doc

SportBEC Manual.pdf

Using an External BEC on multiple models.pdf

Neck Tube

The neck has been a bit of a problem for me for a while, and reading the forums I knew that it would be an issue. The original diameter was 5 1/4". There is a couple of stories of what the neck material is on the hero prop...

The usual one the you hear is that is a style of ducting tubing.

The second, and more recent that I have heard, is that it was a rubber gaiter from a tractor. This is a quote from a recent post on the Doctor Who Prop Builder Guild... Thanks Phil!

"I was talking to Matt Irvine at the NSC a couple of months ago and he said the original prop used a gaiter from an old tractor or bit of agricultural equipment - he wasn't sure which as he didn't build the original prop." - Phil

Knowing that they used a Mini steering boot for the tail bushing, it is very possible that the latter is true. However, the former is easier to get hold of... At least for now...
I headed off to the Purple Pig (a place in Hobart that probably sells the largest range of hoses) and bought a half meter length of rubberised ducting tubing that the guy at the shop thought was the closest to my reference images.
Sadly it is only 5" in diameter because they have stopped making the 5 1/4" ones many years ago, but that 1/4" shouldn't make too much difference. The chap ended up giving my a trade discount because he liked the idea of the build so much! :-D
A big thanks to Sarah for holding the tube during the photos!

Let There Be Light

Another thing I bought recently was the Knight Rider LED kit that came in a little while ago, well actually two kits from Active Electronics. I have also bought the coloured high bright LEDs from Oatley Electronics to replace the dimmer red ones that come in the kit. From Jaycar I bought LED mounts for 5mm LEDs. I have started building one already...
As mentioned before, one kit is destined to light up the control panel, the other one will light up the false panel that I am planning.