Non Star Wars Handmade 1.7m Stargate in progress

Being a massive Stargate fan I've wanted a gate to sit on my wall for years, couldn't buy one so I had to make one.

I'd been planning this for ages but never got anywhere until I got together with my girlfriend, she'd done some model making at university and showed me how it could be done, what materials to use and that it was possible to do it without any machinery at all. Our gate is entirely made by hand!

We've been working on it for, oh ages now... my lovely girlfriend has done more on it than I have, all the fiddily bits : ) but it has been a joint project from the start.

We hope to get it finished in time for the release of Continuum next month so look out for more updates over the next few weeks. We're heading out of London in 4 weeks time to resin cast the 9 sections... fingers crossed it all fits!

The size was partially dependant on how we made it, we couldnt make it any smaller due to the stupid amount of detail on the gates surface and the fact that this all had to be hand made (I honestly think they couldnt have picked a more rediculous shape). Thats why its 1.7m diameter... plus a near 2m Stargate on the wall will look awesome! : )

You can see how we made it from a few photos I've posted.

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip1.jpg]

I 3D modeled it in Maya, exploded it so that we could print it off and here you can see us putting in the initial framework. The maths involved in printing off the curved circular pieces flat was a whole side project in itself (good job my girlfriend had also done further maths at A-level!)

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip2.jpg]

After much experimenting we found the only way to do the detail was stamping into Sculpty Clay - my idea! : )

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Even then we found we had to create each of these hoop details as individualy stamped units, then painstakingly mount them onto a back board before afixing them to the base.

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Our multi coloured gate : ) My girfriend hand carved one of the square details from 4mm plastic card which was then cast in resin multiple times.

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip5.jpg]

Big leap! lots of work in between but as you can see we are working on the final touches, the chevron and symbols (nightmare!)

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip6.jpg]

Makes me want to hum the theme tune : )

Stay tuned! Hope you like it.

 

update!

My girlfriends had the day off work Slight, but important adjustments to the chevron.

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip7.jpg]

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip8.jpg]

 

Wow! It looks great! Great attention to detail!

 

VERY nice!
I want to take a model making course like the one your girlfriend did. That sounds really freaking cool

 

Woh! Impressive. Can't wait to see more.

 

Thanks guys, we are casting the 9 sections in 3 weeks time. Im excited and nervous I will post more photos then.

 

* jaw drops through floor *

Wow doesn't even begin to cover it.

 

That is freaking awesome!

- Bill

 

Thanks guys! Another busy weekend, I made the back piece while my girlfriend tided up and adjusted the chevron / chevron base. We are planning on spraying another coat of primer tomorrow once the new pieces are glued on. 2 weeks and counting : )

Still on target for the release of Continuum on July 29th

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip9.jpg]

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip10.jpg]

 

Update, its getting there...

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip11.jpg]

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You are, without a doubt, one of the luckiest people on the planet:
To have so much talent... wow.
To have some one in your life who shares your passion... Wow.
To have that person be talented as well... (envy/hate you) WOW!!!

That Gate is looking awesome!

 

I was curious.... does the gate wheel move or is it stationary?

- Bill

 

Thanks guys, glad you like it! I should have loads more pictures on Monday.

Unfortunately the wheel is stationary, we do have ideas about making the chevrons light up however.

 

Seeing those chevrons lit up would be pretty cool!

Excellent work, so far. You skill amazes me.... and makes me a bit jealous!

- Bill

 

IT WORKED! *relief*

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gatewip20.jpg]

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Sevv,
you and your girlfiremd have done stellar work. Amazing job. Keep posting pics and good luck on getting it ready by July 29th.

With your smaller version, are you two going to craft a DHD?

WHo knows, maybe you two may try a full sized gate. Although that'd take up a LOT of space.

 

Just got back from the London Film and ComicCon at Earls Court were we got our first completed 9th signed by Claudia Black.

We have been working our arses off trying to get one 9th finished for this weekend, quite a few late nights! We were worried we had ruined the mould last weekend but luckily the pull was successful.

Im pretty darned pleased with the outcome, learnt alot so hopefully the rest of the gate will be even better.

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gate30.jpg]

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gate31.jpg]

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gate32.jpg]

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Hope to get the whole thing done in a few weeks.

 

Update! We have started to cast the 9ths, they havent been sanded or tided up so they dont yet fit perfectly together. However you can get an idea of what it will look like.

I must confess, its looking alot bigger than I originally thought it would be

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gate40.jpg]

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/gate41.jpg]

 

Been a while since I posted an update, so I thought one was due. Still not finished ... getting there though!

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/circlecomplete.jpg]

[image=http://www.bluealert.co.uk/images/photos/gatewip/paintedgate1.jpg]

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Holy (expletive deleted)! That's (expletive deleted) awesome!!

 

Oh My! I love Stargate!! (the 3 stars - SW, SG, ST)

This is great!