Optimus Prime Transformer - in Maple

[David Bowes]

Having been a youth in the early 80's, I have always been a fan of the toys The Transformers. When the new round of movies came out a few years ago, I thought it would be fun to build a fully transformable version of the quintessential Autobot - Optimus Prime.
I started by buying the toy ($80???), taking it apart, and modeling each part using the engineering design package Pro/Engineer. I then built each part out of maple. Every part was machined by hand. He is finished using dyes and spray lacquer.
He fully transforms from a Mack-style truck into the robot. In robot mode, he is about three feet tall. He sits on a maple base that rotates on a Lazy-Susan, for easy viewing. Even the Autobots logo built into the base is made from maple. I would estimate that I have between 500-1000 hours into this.

[Keith Westfall]

That is way beyond amazing!!

Very nicely done.

[frank shic]

wow, what a refreshing break from cabinets and furniture lol. that's incredible and yes, unfortunately, any original toy is now considered a collectible and therefore commands top dollar

[Rick Huelsbeck]

That is all I can think of to say, just WOW, that is really kewl, great job.

Having been a youth in the early 80's, I have always been a fan of the toys The Transformers. When the new round of movies came out a few years ago, I thought it would be fun to build a fully transformable version of the quintessential Autobot - Optimus Prime.
I started by buying the toy ($80???), taking it apart, and modeling each part using the engineering design package Pro/Engineer. I then built each part out of maple. Every part was machined by hand. He is finished using dyes and spray lacquer.
He fully transforms from a Mack-style truck into the robot. In robot mode, he is about three feet tall. He sits on a maple base that rotates on a Lazy-Susan, for easy viewing. Even the Autobots logo built into the base is made from maple. I would estimate that I have between 500-1000 hours into this.

[gary Zimmel]

Patience is really an understatement on this project....
Very unique and very well done David.

[Derek Gilmer]

This may be the coolest woodworking project I've ever seen... but then I'm a child of the 80s and loved the transformers as well.

[Lupe Duncan]

Pretty sweet!!!

Great job and a great amount of patience.

[Jason Roehl]

That is sweet. Pat yourself on the back, and crack open a brew. If you're ever up towards Lafayette, give me a heads up and I'll buy you a beer.

On edit: I hadn't yet looked closely enough at the pictures--I see you already have a beer open, and it looks like a "real" beer, too!

[Rick Markham]

Your's is FAR cooler than the original! That is incredible!!!

[Logan William]

Amazing work!

[Matt Meiser]

Wow........

[Scott Gibbons]

That is incredible. do you think you will take on Voltron next?

[Tony Cox]

That is awesome. I would have to enter that in some woodworking contest. Can't imagine it wouldn't be a winner.

[Todd Crawford]

Awesome work!!!

[Doug W Swanson]

I grew up in the 70's so by the time the Transformers rolled around, I never really got into them. This one is just amazing though.....