I recently visited my friend and fellow Zeroid enthusiast, Andy Shaw, who spends some of his time making and selling robots, including full size Zeroids.
Here's Andy in between Zintar and Zobor, with yours's truly on the end. The robots are pretty much carbon copies of their toy counter parts, and it's amazing how Andy's ingenuity and creativity comes up with how brilliant the robots turn out.
Andy, who lives not far from me, in Biirkdale, a district of Southport, creates his robots in his small workshop in the garden.
His favourite is the bronze Zeroid , Zobor, which was actually the first Zeroid toy he got as a youngster.
That was naturally the first Zeroid he built, which was soon followed by the Zintar, the Silver Explorer.
He has plans to build, Zerak, the blue Zeroid, at some point in the future, although he does have other projects on the go including his popular range of 'Planet Robots' based on the tin plate walking toy, which draws it's inspiration from the Robbie the Robot first seen in the film, Forbidden Planet.
There's even the odd Dalek lurking in the workshop, soon to be shipped off to a waiting customer.
My thanks to Andy for inviting me to visit and take a few photos of his local Planet Zero.
Fabulous full size replicas Scoop.
ReplyDeleteMy fave Zeroid was Zerak, so I look forward to seeing it.
They do look great, don't they, Mish. I know your pal, and former boss, Mike Tucker is a big fan of the mighty Zeroids, so he'd love them.
DeleteWas Zerak one you had, when you was a youngster?
Yes Scoop.
DeleteMy favourite colour was blue, as a kid, so I wanted the blue Zeroid.
Zintar? I had that gray one but didn't know the name and had completely forgotten about it! Did it have some sort of wagon to pull?
ReplyDeleteZintar was the first one I had as a youngster. He's probably my favourite. He came with a red sled. Zobor, the bronze one came with a wagon which attached to a hook on his base.
DeleteI have never seen a hobby project so amazing - full sized toy robots! Absolutely first-class! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThe guy is amazing, and a nice fella to boot, Zigg. Between you and me, he actually finds time to work on another hobby project- a classic American car!
DeleteStunning work. These Zeroids looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do look the part.
DeleteAndy informs me the Planet Robot is radio controlled, walks and when a it detects movement lights flash, and it talks! Zintar is radio controlled too. Zobor is waiting to be motorised.
That Planet Robot looks terrific! Small it's just a Robbie knock off but full size has a presence of it's own. Thank's for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy to do it, Terra. As I mention, the 'planet robot is based on the tin plate walking toy rather than Robbie, which, of course avoids any copyright issues which might arise. : )
DeleteOoooh! I'm VERY impressed! Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteIncredible! Andy is mega talented Scoop! Wow! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome! Did he say how long it takes to make a single robot?
ReplyDelete