An Antenna Is Raised

Well...it's a very floppy antenna...but it's an antenna.

I didn't realize until I held the actual monkbot...but the head is made up of moving metal parts...cover in a loose faux "fur." I tried to keep the antenna lightweight...using a wooden dowel and a wooden bead and a wooden "foot." But, ultimately, it didn't matter. Because the antenna is only attached to the fur and not to the metal head...it wiggles...a lot.

Here's how I created the antenna: (This whole process took me about three hours...yikes.)

Using a utility knife, first I cut the dowel to the length desired and whittled down the end that would insert into the pre-drilled bead.



Next I covered the whittled end of the dowel with wood glue and fitted it into the wooden bead. I then used wood putty to fill in the top of the hole on the bead.



Using the smallest nail I had around the house...I nailed the wooden foot to the end of the dowel. This was my first problematic step...as I split the dowel with my hammering (you can see in the picture below). Fortunately, wood putty covers a multitude of sins (I wish it helped with thighs).

So I used the putty to smooth out all the cracks and splits...let the putty dry...then sanded it all down.



I gave about three coats of paint to the antenna...let it dry...then affixed an adhesive dot of Velcro on the bottom of the antenna and on the Monkbot's head (after giving him a little haircut).



The end result looks pretty good...but wobbles like CRAZY! Oh well...at least these will be photographs and not movies. I hope y'all aren't expecting perfection.



Next step...shivers with nervousness...THE VISOR!!

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