Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Time Machine

In the 1960 movie "The Time Machine" with Rod Taylor, he was given a scale model of the real time machine, in a beautiful tantalus box. I was recently commissioned to make a scale model of the scale model! It was quite the mental workout. But it was alot of fun and I got to work with lots of different materials.

Here is the little time machine, made of pear and walnut wood and brass. The tiny  seat has turned legs, and I got to turn brass for the gizmo that hooks to the screen behind the seat.


The tantalus box is incredible. As you lift the lid the front of the box folds down. It is attached to the lid with hinges.


The box is mitered but the two sides are made in two pieces and attached with piano hinge.


The sides then fold out to reveal the contents.  The lid is also attached with piano hinge.


The box I made from cherry. It is completely hand painted.


Below are a couple photos I worked from of the real model:


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24 comments:

  1. otterineApril 4, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    Pure genius!!! You do such amazing work!

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  2. JohnApril 4, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    That is the COOLEST miniature EVER! A true work of art and the lucky owner is going to plotz!

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  3. Susan@minicrochetmadApril 4, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    This is without doubt one of the most amazing miniatures I've ever seen! Love it!!!! Love the movie too :)

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  4. CaseyminiApril 4, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    Linda! That piece is fantastic! Great work!

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  5. CatherineApril 4, 2013 at 7:40 PM

    I agree with John. and...I can't believe how you worked out all those problems recreating it so beautifully in 1: 12 scale. How I wish you had made it for yourself. Which might mean I would get to see it in person one day. It is JUST BEAUTIFUL Linda!

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  6. CatherineApril 4, 2013 at 7:44 PM

    I just opened up the first picture in a NEW WINDOW to get a good look at the movie version. Now I am totally BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  7. The grandmommyApril 4, 2013 at 9:37 PM

    Absolutely awesome! You really nailed it lady :-)

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  8. ElgaApril 4, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    It is absolutely amazing Linda!!!! Wonderful work.

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  9. PepperApril 4, 2013 at 11:39 PM

    Really fantastic work. I love how the tantalus box opens.

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  10. mcddissApril 4, 2013 at 11:58 PM

    un trabajo impresionante

    besitos

    Mari

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  11. JosjeApril 5, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    This is gorgeous Linda! All aspects are beautifully done, but I am most impressed by the paintwork and all of the hinges. It must have taken you a long time to make, you did it perfectly!

    I have never seen the movie, but I want to now!

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    Replies
    1. JosjeApril 5, 2013 at 1:36 AM

      PS: I was given one of these cabinets last year for my birthday, exactly the same shape as your miniature one. I did not know these were called tantalus cabinets. I thought a tantalus was one of those stands holding two or three bottles with a locked bar across the top enabling you to see the bottles but unable to get to the drink inside it.

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    2. miraclechickenApril 5, 2013 at 8:05 AM

      Hi Josje,
      Yes it is a liquor cabinet, based on the Greek mythological figure that was sentenced to Hades, standing in water that would recede every time he tried to get a drink. But it is also called Tantalus regarding the Time Machine. I actually remember from Mythology class in 10th grade :)

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  12. FabiolaApril 5, 2013 at 2:34 AM

    It's fabulous!
    Greetings, Faby

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  13. GiacApril 5, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    Hello Linda,
    Fantastic! the time machine i just wonderful and so well detailed...and the box is amazing. I love the exterior detail and the red interior. you are really an inspiration.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  14. Miniature TreasuresApril 5, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    Hi Linda, A truly remarkable piece of work in every sense, Love it!.

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  15. Drora's minimundoApril 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM

    Wow! A wonderful piece, amazing how similar to the big one.
    Hugs, Drora

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  16. stalbertminiApril 6, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    Absolutely wonderful piece, Linda.
    It's always a joy to see what you've been up to.
    Hugs, Maureen H.

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  17. Indy_PoppyApril 7, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    So lovely...it looks fabulous in its case. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. DeboraApril 8, 2013 at 4:53 AM

    WOW, some exceptional miniature. By subject and execution it's fantastic. Get's my mind going to think how much work went into it :) And it's all to obvious the person commissioning it, couldn't have chosen any better miniaturist. Well done both! So much to admire but I'm mostly taken by the hardware in the chest, the hinges are superb!!!

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  19. IlonaApril 11, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    A real masterwork, Linda, it is an exact copy of the real one.
    I love the details, fantastic work!
    Greetings, Ilona

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  20. IlonaApril 12, 2013 at 12:54 AM

    Hi Linda, I thought I wrote a comment here on this post??
    I just want to say this is awesome work!
    Hugs, Ilona

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  21. Fabulously SmallApril 12, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    What a great piece of work, I can understand why that has left your mind working quite a bit. But you did a great job!

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  22. UnknownApril 29, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    Amazing work! I'm totally in awe <3

    Kundryy

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