" I have been wanting to build a model of
THE TIME MACHINE ever since seeing the 1960 film as a kid. I had to wait until
I was 52 to actually try it. Building a model from scratch is not easy as anyone
who had tried would tell you. Once I captured images from the movie onto my
computer I went to work. The base made of Bass wood was fairly easy to cut.
The bulbs on the console, handle and back near the engine were actually bead
crystals you find at most fabric stores. The rails, since not being able to
find real brass wire that size, was made with 10 gauge. electrical wire stripped
of its plastic insulation and bent to the desired shape. The decorative loops
I made from smaller wire and soldered the frame together. I then painted the
rails, etc. with bright gold paint to simulate a brass look. The brass pivot
for the dish from the engine was actually a drawer pull cut in half. Other brass
fittings are from decorations you would find for wedding favors. The chair I
had found inexpensively at a flea market selling doll house furniture. I upholstered
the chair with padded red velvet and pins driven into the wood to simulate an
upholstered look. The engine and base were parts of wood decorations found at
most Michael's stores. The console was a wood dowel cut and shaped. After painting
the model I went to my computer to design the graphics for the console and the
dish. I then printed them on label paper carefully mounting them to the proper
places. The small disk behind the head rest and disk on the large dish were
actually coat buttons. That's it! I guess this took me about 12 hours total
to complete. It was enough fun just trying to find pieces that I could use.
Next time I'll have to build a life size model like Don Coleman's. It's fun
not growing up! "
—Larry Sanderson—
Contact us at: The Time Machine Project
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