Desktop Decepticon: A Transformers Maquette

Desktop Decepticon: A Transformers Maquette
Here is another little project I've been working on for a while, I've just got around to finishing it finally! 

After really enjoying the first Transformers movie, I wanted to try and make a little Transformer model but didn't get round to it. Once the second movie came out I thought it was about time to follow through on the little sketches I'd done ages ago.

The idea came from the scene near the end of Transformers 1, where a phone gets fried with some Allspark energy and turns into a Decepticon. Now I'm not a diehard Transformers fan but I did grow up on the 80s cartoons and I have to admit, while the movie renderings of the Autobots was incredible, I was dissapointed by the unrecognisable, spiky decepticons. So, here is my little interpretation of what I think the Decepticons could have looked like in the live action movies.

This little Decepticon is made from an old Motorola V600. Before I go any further, I have to say that unfortunatly, this model does NOT transform back into a phone! It's got a bit of articulation, but that's as far as it goes!
 
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Step 1Gathering Parts and Planning

Gathering Parts and Planning

When it comes to a project like this, one made from re-using existing components instead of starting from scratch, it's important to try and figure out what you want to achieve with the basic parts you've collected, before you start cutting and gluing. This particular phone was a lucky choice to use, as it has an aluminium shell, and lot's of separate components, perfect to hack up into bits of transformer "armour"

I had a couple of VERY basic sketches and knew, for example that I wanted to use the phone's keypad as the breastplate for the transformer.

That said, once the basic skeleton was conceived, the rest of the time was spent making bits up as I went along! You'll notice the evolution of the head as the photos progress, he had at least three heads until I settled on one I liked! 

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61 comments
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May 31, 2011. 12:46 AMTape-structable says:
My try:
No articulation, I didnt plan well, and just used some glue to add everything, with the exception of the thighs to the hips, I used glue plus some screws to keep it somewhat stable.

Very messy. The glue didnt dry clear as I'd hope, but next try i'll be prepared! I have about 4 more old phones ready to transform.

I used pieces from the phone, earbuds, and a bent coat hanger for the internal support.

Thanks for this instructable! Very inspiring, but mine is nowhere near as good as your robot. Still was very fun.
DSCN0408.JPGDSCN0410.JPGDSCN0411.JPGDSCN0412.JPG
May 30, 2011. 5:06 PMtrans4mation says:
Now set it up with your phone company and put it on speaker. A TALKING ROBOT YOU CAN TALK BACK TO! :D
Oct 24, 2009. 7:18 AMtcollt says:
That is sweat!
Oct 24, 2009. 1:44 PMarthur.nudge says:
If you mean 'sweet' I totally agree. Awesome work.
Feb 17, 2011. 5:18 PMbadideasrus says:
lol! i don't care if it is a comment from two years ago, that still made me laugh.
Dec 13, 2010. 3:00 PMsurvivletroop says:
no, thats the motocon!
Sep 30, 2010. 6:43 PMnichodo says:
Wow! this is so cool.


Note: i found this on seibertron.coms energon pub forum for custom transformers.
Jun 30, 2010. 11:06 AMsculptur says:
i attempted to make one but yours is much better
Photo on 2010-06-30 at 14.05.jpg
Oct 26, 2009. 6:57 PMyokozuna says:
Excellent work, 5 stars.  I assume the 2, 5, and 8 are underneath the armored breastplate?  Is it made entirely of phone parts, or are there a few other bits and pieces snuck in to help? 
Dec 9, 2009. 1:02 PMQeubek says:
(removed by author or community request)
Jun 14, 2010. 9:55 AMtaterkiller says:
how much would it cost to make me 3 of these
Oct 29, 2009. 7:15 AMWuLongTi says:
 Excellent job!  You just need to replace the Motorolla logo for a Decepticon one ^_^
Mar 29, 2010. 2:24 AMKahlZun says:
lol.. whats the difference?
Mar 15, 2010. 2:39 AMmnmc10 says:
superglue heats up a bit but quickly cools down too.


Oct 26, 2009. 5:48 PMdagenius says:
Woah! Awesome! Were the parts hot glued together, or some other method?
Nov 5, 2009. 5:24 PMdagenius says:
Really? Painful..
Doesn't superglue get really hot when it dries? I used it to try to fix my glasses frame, but it melted the edge of the lense.   :(
Nov 6, 2009. 6:45 AMGoodhart says:
cyanoacrylate or superglue bonds to most anything (except oil) and does so, so well, it is very hard to remove without VERY concentrated Acetone (fingernail polish remover will break it down enough to get most of it off, but that will also dissolve many plastics).
 
Nov 7, 2009. 6:46 PMdagenius says:
Yeah, I know that part. :)
But doesn't it get hot in the process?
Mar 15, 2010. 1:41 AMDaleburden says:
Superglue does not get hot at all. Like alot of glues that bond plastic it actually chemically desolves the top layer or the plastic and then when it dries it lets the two layer "melt" together and solidiffy.
Nov 7, 2009. 8:10 PMGoodhart says:
I have never experienced any heat after having gotten it on my hands....I don't know about more sensitive parts of the body.  :-)
 
Nov 11, 2009. 1:20 PMdagenius says:
Oh, snap!
Nov 11, 2009. 3:38 PMGoodhart says:

?

Jan 21, 2010. 11:26 PMmagiccowy says:
any superglue i get on my fingers comes off within a day generally? although i use really cheap stuff
Jan 22, 2010. 6:20 AMGoodhart says:
It normally takes a few days for me.....but I guess it depends on how much one does with their hands.  At my age, I don't do much manual labor anymore.. .
 
Dec 30, 2009. 6:06 AMmagiccowy says:
awesome i wanna try something like this but im snowed down with projects atm =) i'll post an instructable with credit to you if i get around to it
Jan 21, 2010. 11:23 PMmagiccowy says:
yea built it but not really what i was thinking lol still looks good =) thanks for the inspiration
Dec 13, 2009. 1:50 PMIW5 Industries says:
Amazing work! 5 stars and favorited!
Dec 8, 2009. 6:42 AMjobergy says:
i wonder if u take a model of a new 2008 camaro u could probably make bumble bee with the time and skill u have! future project maybe

Nov 17, 2009. 1:03 AMlokiwon says:
Being a fan of both movies and the original cartoon...i totally love this!
Nov 16, 2009. 9:54 AMweasel999 says:
demel?????   Dremel or rotary tool
Nov 8, 2009. 2:05 PMWaffle2 says:

hi! i really like that! but i am only a kid so i cant make one sadly. :'( but i was wondering if you could make me one? or if i could maybe buy one from you?

Nov 4, 2009. 7:05 AMMissStephie says:
Great job! I love it!
Oct 29, 2009. 5:03 PMastrong0 says:
do you know how cool it would be if it went back to the phone... FRICKING AWESOME
Oct 29, 2009. 6:11 AMCatskinner01 says:
You forgot to list one critically important construction component: artistic talent.
Sadly, that's something I can't order online.  Great work, though; I'm jealous.
Oct 28, 2009. 2:31 AMmanimalito says:
very nice , I can see it transforming back into a normal cellphonbe!
Oct 27, 2009. 8:48 PMSinAmos says:
I appreciate this build.  This is right up my alley. 
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Author:gingerpete50(Standing Stone Studios)