Heavy/Scratch: Upgrades/Character Conversions for Gen. Goldfire/Nightbeat/etc. (Shapeways)

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by johnbonhamatron, Nov 9, 2014.

  1. Crim

    Crim Well-Known Member

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    You know, along with that Elita 1 suggestion Arcee would be an awesome mod too! Another idea, you think with increasing the height might allow for a headmaster version?
     
  2. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    I swear, when you mentioned Elita-1, I thought that exact same thing. :p 

    I'm not sure about doing an Elita-1 head for this figure, though, 'cos I'm not entirely sure it would physically fit in the space inside the chest (so it'd pretty much have to be done using the torso conversion kit as well). S'an interesting idea, though.
     
  3. BScorpinok75

    BScorpinok75 Squadron X #1 Consultant

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    A head for Elita One could be done similar to Universe 2.0 Sunstreaker...where as all her robot buns and antanae compress into the head...or all those bits could be minimised...
     
  4. Crim

    Crim Well-Known Member

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    I can totally see a Punch/Counterpunch in this guy!
     
  5. cheetor71

    cheetor71 Autobot

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    For those who will do customs with thjese parts, Trim the existing chest down. That way it won't look like just a piece hanging on the chest.

    Nice job on all your designs. Can't wait to see the heads completed.
     
  6. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    Hmm, aye, that could work.

    Hmm, aye, that could work, too. :p 

    Good call on the chest, and thanks very much! :) 
     
  7. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    I completely forgot that I'd already taken a pic of Minerva's head in situ, just before I broke it...

    [​IMG]

    Basically, expect the heads to be like this, but with a bit NOT snapped off the neck joint (which I've now tweaked)... :p 
     
  8. Spyne98

    Spyne98 Host of the Rock Nerd Radio Show

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    Very cool!
     
  9. HokieKen

    HokieKen Well-Known Member

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    Man, you've done a fantastic job capitalizing on a crappy mold that was in desperate need of some fixes/upgrades ('specially since there are 3 decos of it!). These parts are brilliant in their simplicity and effectiveness. You've made parts that are cost-effective and easy to install that make a world of difference in the figures. And, kudos for the thorough testing you do before putting them up for sale! Great work here and on your other models in general. I've always admired your parts, just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know:thumbs2: 
     
  10. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    Thanks very much! :D 

    And now I'm blushing... :p 

    That means a lot, thanks! :D 

    To be honest, doing this has given me a whole new level of respect for the mould; the way Hasbro engineered it proved to be the perfect storm of "factors that allow me to upgrade it", what with the waist and neck joints not being pinned in, and the chest having that notch at the bottom that's perfect for slotting a peg into.

    I don't honestly believe this is the case, but it really does feel like Hasbro made it that way deliberately, to let some enterprising sort have a crack at this kind of thing. :p 

    But yes, simplicity was what I was going for (although I did try, and fail, to replace the entire chest assembly in my first attempt): it made it a lot easier for people to install the parts, and when I didn't have to worry about clearances and tolerances, I could focus on just making the chests look right!

    And yup, quite apart from them needing to be tested to submit them to SuperFanArt, I wouldn't feel right selling something if I don't know that it works. I plan on doing that with everything I sell, including the full Action Master and Pretender figures I'm working on now. It costs more in terms of R&D, but it's the only way I can guarantee that customers are getting a working product. :) 
     
  11. Crim

    Crim Well-Known Member

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    Dude. They look AMAZING! My Nightbeats are in town so I'll have them in hand later today, soon I'll be able to order a couple of sets! :D  (Minerva is calling out to me. lol)

    Damn. I just realised that this could make for a pretty cool Generations like Barricade too!

    It's a pretty amazing mould that, with a couple of tweaks, can be turned into many different characters. That's pretty great to me! :) 
     

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  12. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    Cher-ching! :p  :D 

    Y'know, I seem to remember seeing someone did make this mould into Barricade, and... it really, really worked!

    ETA:
    Found it, it was leobreaker1977.

    He's a versatile little bleeder, and no mistake. The sheer number of ways you can pose the shoulder kibble, for one, allows for drastically different silhouettes.

    It's another one of those moulds that works better as everyone except the first figure it appeared as... :p 
     
  13. BScorpinok75

    BScorpinok75 Squadron X #1 Consultant

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    So...does that mean you're considering doing an E1 head...I just want to know so I can jump up and down screaming like a little girl...if you do make a E1 head for this frame I hope you consider making her weapon Transformers Legends game and a energon melee weapon or two (energon sais or nunchaku)...

    300px-Episode_Elita_One's_Weapon.jpg
     
  14. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    If I do make one, I can't guarantee a timescale on it (since I'm heavily into my Action Master and Neo-Pretender builds, plus my Windblade-to-Nautica kit), but I have to admit that it's tempting, if only for the challenge involved...

    So, for the moment, no. Once I've got the engineering figured out on these big projects, that might possibly change to a yes, though...
     
  15. Cheetimus Prime

    Cheetimus Prime Lost Spark

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    My Nightbeat chest arrives in the mail tomorrow.
    I am hyped.
     
  16. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    So... basically... someone whose work I've admired for years (and whose custom Nightbeat inspired me to try and do the same to my 'Bee, before they announced the official Nightbeat), has bought one of the chests I designed.

    I, er, may have just squee'd... :D 
     
  17. Cheetimus Prime

    Cheetimus Prime Lost Spark

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    I inspired this? Well now you just put a smile on my face as well!
    You're doing great work here. I plan on showing mine off and posting links to your stuff when I do.
     
  18. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    Welp, that just made my week, thanks very much! :D 

    ETA:
    Also, I'm dying to know, did you ever finish off that AOE Nightbeat out of the Crosshairs mould? 'Cos that was inspired. Last I saw, it was still a WIP.
     
  19. Cheetimus Prime

    Cheetimus Prime Lost Spark

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    Nah, it never went any further. It actually became spare parts, I just wasn't happy with it.
     
  20. johnbonhamatron

    johnbonhamatron RIP

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    Fair play to ya, I know that feeling; hell, I've started one of the current projects from scratch three separate times till I got it more or less working how I want. heh