DO YOU HAVE IT!?!?!
That was the question posed at the start of every episode of the Nickelodeon Television program “Guts”. The idea of the show was to have 3 contestants competing in several different types of events, ranging from field sports to pool sports where they accumulated points. The fifth and final event, the Aggro Crag (later renamed to the Mega Crag, and finally the Super Aggro Crag) ultimately decided the winner.
The player with the most points after all five events won the game and received a gold GUTS medal, as well as a glowing piece of the Aggro Crag, or “radical rock” as Mike O’malley so eloquently put it.
Like many kids my age, I watched the 3 bumbling contestants thinking, “I would be way better than that kid!” I guess when you’re sitting on the couch eating cheetos in your pj’s it’s easy to imagine kicking everyone’s ass. I would have given my left nut to have been the one on top of the podium holding up that glowing green shard of plastic. Unfortunately, the show ended in ’95 and I never got the chance.
12 years later, I started working for a liquid plastic company where I had access to a lot of different urethane plastics and rubbers. This gave me the opportunity to make my own models and replicas, specifically, the coolest trophy to have ever been held above someone’s head.
I made the pattern from sheet wax and clay. I added a texture to the wax by heating it up with a hairdryer and pressing it against a plastic tool box.
For this piece to glow I mixed a phosphorescent powder into a clear urethane resin and cast a sheet of it. Then I cut out the rough shape so it had 1/4″ clearance from the first mold I made.
That glow in the dark piece was then suspended in the larger mold while resin was poured around it. Sort of like making your own Popsicles, but would likely give you cancer if you ate it. Once that was cured, I attached the black plastic base(made in a separate mold) with 5 min. epoxy.
The final touch was adding the logos, which involved some precision cutting and more epoxy. Below are the pictures of the final result.
Creating this replica definitely gave me some closure on one of my biggest dreams growing up in the early 90’s. The response from other fans of the show made me realize I was not alone in my quest for a glowing piece of the radical rock. I’m currently working on a 6″ tall replica. If you would like to purchase a customized Aggro Crag key chain, they are available here.
any pointers on the plastics you used? whats the best way to buy them, home depot, craft store, internet? I’m trying to make one for my buddy a joke wedding gift
Hi Shawn, I personally use Hapco resins. Their website is http://www.hapcoweb.com. Their quality and consistency are great if you want to get serious and make items for resale, but to make a simple model for a joke gift you can probably get away with Cast n’ Craft clear resins from Michaels or another craft store. Just make sure it’s 2 component(a resin and catalyst based system) The key is in making the pattern that you cast your mold off of. For that you can use anything(clay, wax, etc.) The end result will usually only be as good as the pattern. The mold was a liquid rubber from hapco called Hapflex 566. They are a line of 2 component urethanes that cure flexible. You want a 45A – 65A for the mold. Before you cast the resin in the mold, make sure you spray a release agent in the mold. otherwise the resin will stick to the mold. There are many other considerations so it’s a good idea to do as much research as you can through youtube vids and other resources. Expect failure, have fun and good luck!
Best regards,
Dan
Hi. Where can I buy your replica global gut rock?
Hey Jennifer,
Unfortunately I am out of stock for the miniature crag replica. Once things slow down at work I will try to make a few more. Each piece is hand made and takes about 3 days from start to finish. I will certainly send you and email when I have a few more. Thanks for the interest!
Best regards,
Dan
I would have never guessed that was Mike O’ Malley, he looks so young! And that hair!! Love it. Meanwhile, Moira Quirk sodnus like she should be a long lost cousin on Mork and Mindy
I would totally buy a full sized one. How much would you charge for one? Please, I have to have this!!! It is a matter of life and death.Thanks.
-Cody
Cody,
I can definitely appreciate your desire for the crag trophy. I’ve been busy as all hell recently, but I’m sure the day will come when I craft a full scale replica. I will keep you posted.
Best regards,
Dan