Mold-A-Rama shout-out to my Seattle, Wa peeps.

[Tothiro]

Howdy,

Do any of you folks live reasonably close to the Pacific Science Center?
I'm a Mold-A-Rama nerd and just found out that the SC has not just 1, but 6 MARS machines... Five of which I don't own!

I looked up pricing and it's similar to the Museum of Discovery and Science down here, so not worth paying $18 just for access to the MARS machines. I have a good relationship with the MODS peeps here and I go in on occasion free of charge just to run the two machines they have, but with 6 MARS scattered about a large building that's kind of impossible to swing.

So. IF anyone has kids and IF they are in the area and IF they're planning a trip - hook a brother up IF you can! I'll cover all cost and/or try to toss some Mego love back.

Machines currently in the location:

Butterfly (Purple)
Astronaut (Dark Grey)
Science Building with Arches (Dark Green)
F-16 Fighter Jet (Dark Grey)
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Blue-Green)
Naked Mold Rat (Pink)

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I betcha the Fighter Jet and the T-Rex are the most popular. I never knew of those machines until we were in Michigan and visited Greenfield Village. I am the proud owner of the Oscar Meyer Wiener-Mobile

[Tothiro]

I betcha the Fighter Jet and the T-Rex are the most popular. I never knew of those machines until we were in Michigan and visited Greenfield Village. I am the proud owner of the Oscar Meyer Wiener-Mobile

I have one of those - it's great!
They used to sell these at an old style mom & pop animal Aquarium attraction nearby called Ocean World that closed years and years ago. I remember getting some dolphins and sailfish when I was really little, and my sister and I collected them, so we were very aware they were around... Actually, one of the original MARs (a sea otter, I think) from Ocean World ended up at my sister's friend's comic shop on random display behind the register - Buried Under Comics in CT.

You can still get a pair at the Museum of Discovery and Science about ten minutes from where I live (they have the f-16 in a different color right now as well as the T-rex)
There was a thread a little while ago in which someone mentioned designer molds (it might even have been out in Seattle) being worked on for pop-artist pieces. I'm currently trying to find a good priced refurbed machine for a friend to run in their shop, actually.

Worst MAR story - I drove three hours out of my way going to Clarksville, Tn just to go to Weeki Wachee Springs in north Florida - they had a unique mold of a mermaid riding on the back of a seahorse. I got there, and the park was closed, off-schedule mind you, with the parking lot empty in a complete National Lampoon Vacation moment. I heard they re-opened a week later, and had pulled the machine before they did, so you can't even get that mold design anymore.

[SeattleEd]

Yeah, There are a lot there....WHEN THEY ARE WORKING!!!
Every time we go there about half of them are broken:

Butterfly (Purple) BROKEN MOST OF THE TIME
Astronaut (Dark Grey)
Science Building with Arches (Dark Green) SOMETIMES BROKEN
F-16 Fighter Jet (Dark Grey) BROKEN MOST OF THE TIME
Tyrannosaurus Rex (Blue-Green) BROKEN MOST OF THE TIME
Naked Mold Rat (Pink)

Another thing, sometimes it takes your $3 and doesn't give it back. My friend from Portland wanted to get the the T-Rex and ended up putting $5 bucks and still nothing. There is a number to call and you need to go to the entrance to tell them, which means waiting in line. He just said "Screw it" and we left.

This is based on when we go there. We are members there so we frequent that place a lot. Our membership ran out this month but we are going to renew it next month since when you join to can bring friends and get 6 tickets to any IMAX movie. We want to see Tron 2 so looking forward to that. Not to mention we live 6 block from Seattle Center so we are there ALL the time.

How soon do you need or want them? If you can wait I can get you all of them in due time, or when they fix them.

I have to admit, the Butterfly one is the best and have yet to see that one fixed!!!!

Ed
Seattle

[SeattleEd]

Hey Sandy,

Those wax statue making machines. Remember those. The smell of hot paraffin in the air while you watch the machine make statue for you and having the warm finished product in your hands.

[TEXASFETT]

Okay now I understand.....I was clueless like Sandy. Boy I thought San Antonio Zoo was the only one that had those machines. They just look really vintage looking. My favorite was the gorilla but it was mold different. Loved the way they smelled when coming fresh off the machine,thats just me.

[SeattleEd]

Robert,

Just saw your posting on the Moldarama forum.
Did you see that thread of the guy contacting the Pacific Science Center to have them ship him the statues?
Might be worth a shot in case they are broken. That way they can fix them.
That astronaut is new and I might have to get that one now.

[SeattleEd]

That astronaut rocks! Love that Hollywood Buddha.
I had the Manns Chinese Theatre one in Jade when I was a kid. Got it when I saw Star Wars in '77.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I like that there was a "Flipper" one at one time. The butterfly is very cool, too.

[HardyGirl]

I'm ressurecting this thread, b/c I'm in Seattle visiting my family, and my niece and I went to the Pacific Science Center today, and I got a T-Rex and a butterfly. They don't have the astronaut anymore, darn it. But, I had never seen a mold-a-rama machine before, and I thought of you guys when I saw these.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Sounds like a fun vacation! I wish they had those near me. My experience with them is from visiting relatives in MI. The Henry Ford museum in Greenfield Village had them (at least it did 7years ago).

[SeattleEd]

Sharry, there are a few more you need to get. The mole rats is on the south entrance and don't forget the Arches! The Astronaut should still be there by the IMAX entrance.

Good luck!

[rchatlin]

my favorite was the 3 Monkeys - Deaf, Blind & Dumb from the LA Zoo.

r
o
b

[HardyGirl]

I didn't like the naked mole rats, or the arches or the Space Needle World's Fair engine. We didn't go to the Imax theatre, so I guess I missed the astronaut. And at 3 bucks a pop, I can wait til next time I visit.

Sharry, there are a few more you need to get. The mole rats is on the south entrance and don't forget the Arches! The Astronaut should still be there by the IMAX entrance.

Good luck!

[SeattleEd]

There is also T-Rex located in the Dinosaur area by the video screen in the back. As for the World's Fair engine, that one is rare since the mold is on loan from Bill at Moldville so at the end of the year, it's gone(Highly sought after). As for the arches, that one sells a lot on Ebay since collectors realize it's a unique mold made especially for PSC, not a generic mold that you can order from MAR. Rare too. Might be worth a second look and it's a cute reminder of Seattle.

The only two we are missing is the World's Fair Engine and Mole Rats. Every time we walk over there they are broken. Waiting for tourist season to die down so less chance of them being broken.

Did you go to Archie McPhee's in Wallingford on 45th and Stone Way?