Thanks GI Eddie! Fantastic...did some CAD tonight, here's the pics:

Fist caps for Exgraver, L/R (same part for simplicity)




The cover for Neckbreaker. Very complex to get it to fit in there. It's secured by the notches behind the grill and the two little notches on his chest just under his face. It is locked by both the treads and the grill...I think it will work well. Note the 5mm holes for connecting weapons and such:



More will be in the works this week...

Cheers,

Echo

 

That rocks!!!

 

That piece for NB looks intricately beautiful!

Love how the cab for EX will be raised up making it a little bit more noticeable with the fist cover...

 

this is so cool mr. echo!!!!cant wait to see thisin reality   keep the works posted  

 

Hey guys,

Parts arrived today. The big news here is that they are polished! Most importantly, let's start with some pictures:







Impressions:

-Overall I'd say these are noticably better surface quality than standard finish
-definitely better than what you can get with sanding
-still full durability
-closer to production part quality, almost look molded
-still some stepping, especially on heavy transitions
-fit is good...if anything, a bit tighter than standard finish, so in some cases this is too tight

Which leaves me to the big challenge...will there be variance batch to batch? How tight will the thighs be? Should I offer a special set for polished with all the fitments adjusted? Seems like such a pain...

I'm willing to privately list a polished set of the current CAD...anyone willing to be a beta tester?

Cheers,

Echo

 

Go ahead and just add the Polished version as an option. That way, people have more choices.  

 

^^ Yeah but the fit will almost definitely be too tight in places...really want to make sure they don't damage their Hercs, especially at the connectors. I'm not sure where it will be too tight and where it will be too loose, and I'm hoping someone can help do some testing!

That said, I can make the wing extension and crane extension kit available right away...having tested it tonight, it's tight but still works well enough to release.

It's the thighs I'm most worried about...

 

So does the polishing take any of the detail?...by that I mean, does the polishing soften the edges?

Anyway, I'll test them out...I can make modifications if necessary for fit...I also think I may have got the purple down...but it's something that will only work for me since I drybrush them too...

 

Detail is very nicely preserved, and although the edges aren't as sharp, they look more appropriate. They loose that sandy look and feel. The unpolished parts almost seem to have a 'lip' or ridge on all edges whereas polished looks like a typical injection molded part. Aesthetically they are far superior, I wish my pictures were better but I don't have a macro lens...

I think they build the whole part slightly larger to account for the smoothing of the material---for example, an internal peg hole was supposed to be 4.9mm, but the result was 4.6mm. An external peg was supposed to be 5.1, result was 5.2..so it seems the polishing removes less from internal details, which makes sense to me.

 

Get me a link and I'll order a polished kit...

I'm not really interested in the crane relocator as I like the crane on Hercs shoulder, clearly indicating what Cranks alt mode originally was...but the rest I'm up for...maybe make a set w/o it?...unless the cost difference is rather negligible, in that case I'll paint it and see if anyone wants it...

 

Echo....just wanted to say you're doing a fantastic job. Thanks for fueling the awesome Herc and keeping the fans stoked. Great work.

 

Thanks David!

@ GI Eddie--sent you a PM with a link to purchase.

Cheers,

Echo

 

Here ya go echo. Lemme know if ya need more?

 

^^ Thanks Mirage. I'll compare mine, it looks like there's just enough variation to make it loose...I think I need to add the crush ribs.

To all:

I've been super-busy painting, casting and modelling new parts. I wanted to make a new annoucement tonight, but with paint still drying, it looks like it will have to be tomorrow. Delays, delays.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a few pictures!  

FIRST AND FOREMOST: Better attempt at colors. After the dying experiment, (and not liking the purple jeans look), I decided to sand and prime the thighs and try metallic silver (instead of dark silver) and WHOA, I'm so happy with the result. I also tried a better purple for the wing extensions with Testors Acrylic (nuts, still too dark) and a black crane mount.




Next up, the results of part casting. I am able to cast low quality parts with my primitive tools. No vacuum chamber, some have bubbles. I've been learning a lot in the process. BTW--if you can guess what those odd larger parts are in the photo, you'll know what I'm about to annouce....




Lastup, I did a big groupshot tonight...so much fun doing this...can you believe how much the 3rd party has filled out our Decepticon ranks? Amazing...



All for now...

 

Shoulder guards? Man, I'm salivating...  

 

Echo, I finally got around to painting my parts tonight. I used Tamiya Gunmetal X-10 for the thighs. Model Master Sublime Green for the crane part. I used Game Color Violet first on the wing extensions, but changed it to Tamiya Purple X-16. And plain ole Flat Black for the forearm pieces. I'll post pics tomorrow, if you or anyone is interested?

 

Okay, they're done. Those parts are leg caps for HEGEMON. Yep, Hegemon.

Have a look:









I made these as alternative to painting the back of the legs black, and if there is interest, I will make them publicly available on Shapeways.

I've started another thread so as to keep these on Hercules (sorry for the OT)  

 

Those look great!...really clean him up

 

WANT!!!  

Parts-former or do they have another use? Please post the link to make it easier... Or make a main thread that has all your SW parts.