ROTF Leader Megatron WIP: Ratchet Arm, Non shaking head....

TonyzCustomz · 04-07-2009, 02:02 AM

Ok so I had this guy for a while now with this done but thought that people could care to see how the arm would look with a ratchet joint and not a Ball joint(not a jab at F_r) as from the get go I wanted a ratchet arm because I thought it would be a better suited joint for such a large arm and I am sure it will be even heavier once painted up. Sliced the arm off right where the axe hinge is and the part looks over lapped. Took the first screw out of the arm and glued it together and drilled out a hole big enough for the Ratchet joint hole plug to fit in(Many thanks to Ptitvite for spilling the beans on these great connector pieces, so durable and easy to work with.). The bottom portion of the arm is kinda difficult as where you have to drill out the spot is where the mechanics are for the cannon noise button which is activated by the same piece that shoots the weapon. So when cutting make sure to stay high and not totally disconnect the pice thats in there and when you glue, make sure you fix it to the top portion of the arm as well and not to gunky as you could end up locking the firing mechanism as well.

I did shave off quite a bit of excess plastic so the joint has better range of motion but I think I need a little more still and I will be doing some major cleanup so ignore all the extra glue. lol Thanks for reading and hope this is of any help.

iDarkDesign · 04-07-2009, 04:14 AM

that's really cool. Remind me of revoltech joints. But these seem bigger. Where do you get them?

iDD

wwoptimusprime · 04-07-2009, 08:25 AM

I believe there Lego Exo-Force Joints. I have about a dozen of these and plan on doing the same when I get mine at Botcon, most likely. They Are quiet stronge, I used them for my Lego versions of Movie Prime, Nemisis, & Magnus back in the day. Great idea useing them instead of a ball joint. I think that they'll hold up a bit better this way (no attack on F_R idea thou.).

Satomiblood · 04-07-2009, 08:26 AM

I think the ratchet joint might work better.

And I'd also like to know where you got them.

frenzy_rumble · 04-07-2009, 08:49 AM

I'll chime in/opinion since this is a variation of the (same) mod I did with ball joint. Like I said in the other thread, the hollow forearm is hardly something to worry about overpowering the ball joint type I selected. Good ball joints are very tight. The arm freely moves into unlimited position. Another important factor is only from the front of my Megatron's arm can you see any cosmetic difference. The ball joint/socket is small and discreet enough, and does not lengthen the arm even a millimeter. But in the end, I suppose it's a matter of personal preference. I'm glad to see I've inspired the mod however, it's so necessary

I have other ones I'll be posting soon.

0R10N P4X · 04-07-2009, 09:29 AM

You're taking too much credit man, I and several others thought of that mod well before seeing your pictures.

frenzy_rumble · 04-07-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0R10N P4X

You're taking too much credit man, I thought of that mod well before seeing your pictures.

hehe, I've technically thought of every mod possible, but haven't had the chance to execute 99% of them...yet.

0R10N P4X · 04-07-2009, 09:33 AM

One little thing that bugs me is the head. It turns, but the Mechalive mecanism recenters it automatically. Would need to find a way to make the head independant from the gimmick.

Also, had to fix the spring for the blade, it was kinda weak. Now the blade fully extends with a snap!

frenzy_rumble · 04-07-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0R10N P4X

One little thing that bugs me is the head. It turns, but the Mechalive mecanism recenters it automatically. Would need to find a way to make the head independant from the gimmick.

Also, had to fix the spring for the blade, it was kinda weak. Now the blade fully extends with a snap!

yeah, I stare at that head trying to figure out if it's worth independently articulating, and how complex the mech alive connected to it really is. Plus the electronics in there, looks like a can of worm that doesn't want to get opened. You're right though, it needs help.

You happen to put your ROTF meg next to the original ldr megs? Amazing how much better and larger this newer one is. The original looks like like poop next to this guy.

Tanker · 04-07-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenzy_rumble

hehe, I've technically thought of every mod possible, but haven't had the chance to execute 99% of them...yet.

O.ô