Climbing Zoidberg
Intro: Climbing Zoidberg
Doctor John A. Zoidberg is one of my favourite TV characters, largely for his resemblance to Curly of the Three Stooges.
I'd never thought of a Zoidberg instructable, though, until Marc-FR made a passing comment on my Climbing Gorilla necklace:
A Dr Zoidberg version of this gorilla should be awesome! =)
That was it - a couple of hours researching poses, drawing and creating DXF files, then time playing with my laser cutter, and here he is, the Climbing Zoidberg:
STEP 1: Creating the Cutting Files
You can skip this step if you want, since I've done the work for you, but in case you are interested...
I spent some time browsing the web for the pose I wanted, and ended up grabbing a screen-shot of an animated gif/.
I drew over the image, then copied & edited the drawing to create the four layers I needed (see the diagram I drew of the process).
The SVG and DXF files I created are attached to this step, as well as a PDF version for those working by hand.
STEP 2: Cutting and Construction
If you've already seen my Gorilla necklace, this step is familiar to you.
Once you've cut the pieces*, lather glue (I used PVA woodglue) on the plain back layer, and add the layer with the legs, and the tips of his claws.
Then glue the back of the lab-coat layer, press it into place and clamp it for at least an hour to make sure the claw tips are firmly fixed in place (they take all the load of the climbing motion).
Finally, add Zoidberg's face and clamp that as well.
As you add each layer, any excess glue that oozes out can be easily wiped off with a fingertip or cloth.
(*and dismantled the innards of the laser cutter to find the claw-tips which fell through the honeycomb layer and all the way through to the inner gubbins of the cutter...)
STEP 3: Ready to Go
Again, I used about a metre and a half of 1mm black leather thong, threaded through his claws and knotted (I decided not to add the beads I used on my Gorilla - I don't know why, they just looked wrong on Dr Zoidberg).
Hang him around your neck, then tug on each end of the thong in turn:
Enjoy!
.
STEP 4: ...and There's More!
I realised that the climbing mechanism doesn't actually need arms to work, and I also used it in this heart pendant - the molecule design is theobromine, the caffeine-like molecule that makes chocolate make us feel good.
Even better, in time for Valentines, I now offer this for sale on my Etsy shop.
20 Comments
ThatsHowYouDoIt 8 years ago
animeguard 8 years ago
this will be fun to play, thanks i will try to make it
Kiteman 8 years ago
Post a picture when you do!
jbarrington3 9 years ago
Thanks for posting the gorilla and Zoidberg instructables! Simple and cute. I would like to make the Zoidberg as a gift, any chance you could post the cut-outs in pdf file format? Giving you two likes for updating a classic whimsy!
Kiteman 9 years ago
Are you planning on cuting them by hand, or by laser?
jbarrington3 9 years ago
jbarrington3 9 years ago
Thank You for your response!
Rose Barrington
Kiteman 9 years ago
Oh, that sounds interesting!
Can you post pictures when they're done?
Kiteman 9 years ago
(Here you go!)
Brooklyntonia 9 years ago
The gorilla was cool but the Zoidberg is perfect!
Kiteman 9 years ago
Thank you!
iceng 9 years ago
Best of luck on the contest.
Love, Joy, Health, Peace and
Time to Savor each in abundance !
A....
Kiteman 9 years ago
Thank you!
Marc - FR 9 years ago
you did it, perfect pose! and the video with the woop woop sound is so funny ^^
thanks for sharing, merry christmas by the way =)
Kiteman 9 years ago
Best of the season to you too (the sound effects are from the original Three Stooges films, not Futurama).
stechi 9 years ago
Like it! Voted!
Kiteman 9 years ago
Thank you!
M.C. Langer 9 years ago
Zoidberg is my favorite, too! Awesome project, Kiteman! You have my vote! :-)
Kiteman 9 years ago
Cool, thank you - love your robo-planter as well!
M.C. Langer 9 years ago