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Building the dome is the second most difficult part of building the entire Dalek, as well as a good place to begin. The approach taken here was to first sculpt a dome in
plastacine on top of an old CD (which just happened to be a handy size). A profile of the dome was taken from the plans and then used in building
up the shape. Using a stanley knife (the main tool used throughout this project), the slit for the eyestalk was then cut out, with two "jabs" made in the plastacine to assist later
drilling of holes for the dome lights (in this instance 10mm LEDs, and clips therefore, as purchased from Maplin. The final plastacine
dome is shown in the first picture above. Once the basic shape had been created (with any imperfections left to be removed later in sanding), cardboard shuttering was wrapped around the dome and a plaster of Paris cast taken (as in the second picture above). This was then coated in UPVC sealant (hence the reflection showing in the picture) and then sprayed with grey primer (both to serve as a release coat). Finally another scrap CD (thanks again, AOL), was fastened on top and securely attached with masking tape (picture three). Next, some fibre glass resin was poured into the mould and carefully rolled around inside it for about 15-20 minutes until it had set (the final dome thickness being about 5mm). The plaster was then carefully removed(!) to leave a very solid dome as in picture four. With a little filing, sanding and filling (with Humbrol model filler) and then sanding again (or twice!) a final dome was completed. Using some aluminimum rod and some 1mm plasticard, an eyestalk was created (oh how easy to say), all as shown in picture five. Finally, the dome light holes were drilled (another easy thing to say!), the 10mm LEDs and their clips fitted, the eyestalk attached with superglue, and the LEDs masked for painting (picture six). In addition to the above, a 2.5mm brass rod about six inches long was later cast into the centre of the dome to allow it connect to and the shoulders (as detailed in the next section, and as clearly see in the picture of the different parts on the first page). |
CONTINUE TO BUILDING THE SHOULDERS
RETURN TO MODELS AND PROPS HOMEPAGE
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