So I have a 3mm ball neck joint (FoC Vortex) and a head that I want to use for a custom. The problem is the head was designed to accept a 5mm ball joint.

The way I see it, I have three options:
1. Layer some material on the 3mm ball joint to thicken it up
2. Layer some material inside the 5mm socket to make it fit on the smaller ball
3. Replace the entire ball/rod neck assembly with a 5mm ball and socket joint you can find online (i.e. HobbyBase).

Given the thin piece plastic the neck joint in the Vortex mold uses, option 1 or 2 gives me the best chance at not screwing up my figure. I think the gap in sizes is too much for the old joint tightening standby trick using nail/floor polish to work, but I could be wrong.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do?

 

The first thing that comes to my mind is that rubber dip stuff for tools. I just don't have any experience with it to know how thick it comes out.

 

Yeah, I don't know either but I would be curious the end result of what ever you try.

Maybe using Green Stuff or some other clay thing will work? I'm not sure.

 

From what you're describing, the ol' hot-glue and vaseline trick should be just the thing:

https://www.figurerealm.com/viewcustomtutorial.php?id=87

(surprised TFW doesn't have a proper tutorial on this technique posted.....add it to my to-do list....)

 

That's a pretty neat technique.

 

Wow, so the Vaseline prevents the hot glue from sticking to the ball?

 

man...that's pretty neat!! I'll have to remember this one!

 

That is an ingenious idea.

 

Yup Vaseline prefents the bond without altering the dimensions, works well.

Glad the technique roll-a-dex in my head continues to be of use  

 

Man.... I am amazed you guys did not know that! Marvel Legends customizers have been using it for YEARS since Hasbro like to change ball sizes on a whim!

 

I'm always surprised by how many of these tried-and-true techniques are a mystery to the masses  

 

This forum is really my only resource for customizing. I only really customize Transformers. I don't even know anywhere else I could turn other than google for advice.

 

Same here. Not all of us belong to several customizing websites, or have been customizing as long as others.
Cut us a break. It doesn't help me to read that tons of other people already know this.

 

I only read of the superglue and baking soda method a few years ago. I know that's been a hobby staple for a long time.

 

Just to be clear, no offense meant by my comment above about being "surprised", which was just a statement of fact, and not a judgement. I'm more than happy to share anything gathering cobwebs in my head that might be useful.

That said, while TFW IS a wonderful customizing resource, if you are interested in learning the art, it's VERY worth your while to explore outside of Transformers'dom. I use techniques from not only action-figure stuff, but also model railroading, doll making, scrap booking, trinket sculpting, and who knows what all else.

For any design intent or problem, there are always a RAINBOW of possible techniques and solutions.

But no matter your experience level, glad you guys are at it, and happy to help any way I can. Just ignore us huffy old codgers when we mutter into our beards about what our experiences are  

 

Thanks! Maybe someday, I'll check out those other places, it's just a matter of time is all. I'm the same way with comic books. I like them, but not as much as TFs. Since I come here often, and there's a comic forum here, I'll go check out that one. But I don't have the time or desire to go looking into a bunch of other sites.
I'm a TF fan first, a customizer second  

 

No offense taken here. But if you feel like sharing other useful techniques I know I'd appreciate it.  

 

As things pop up, I certainly will. It's one of the reasons I lke hanging out in Creative GD.

 

just buy a 5mm ball joint from an online hobby store and replace your 3mm ball.