Heavy/Scratch: "Masterpiece" G2 Megatron WIP

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by LizardbotHero, Sep 20, 2014.

  1. JackKnife

    JackKnife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2004
    Posts:
    1,453
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Location:
    ...
    Likes:
    +1,807
    Ambroid is another good one; I think Micromark makes it now and is called "SameStuff". You can find it in most hobby shops.
     
  2. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    I'm going to be taking a couple days off since I'll be out of town, but here are some quick pics of where the project stands as of now.

    I did a LOT more shaving on the arm pieces, and got them to fit together almost perfectly. It's still not all the way in, but after numerous test fittings I believe it should be enough to allow for transformation.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I had to make a new elbow by cutting out the elbow joint from OP's arm and sanding it down to fit in Megs' elbow. I still have much grinding and sanding to do for it to fit, but this is roughly what I'm going for.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Since I want to use OP's hands, I'll need to create a sliding mechanism so it can extend out of the arm in robot mode and slide back out of the way for tank mode. I'll need to do some heavy grinding on here too since there's no room for the hand to fit in the old hand opening as it is now.

    [​IMG]

    And here's where the left arm stands as of now. Quick comparison shot with the unmodded right arm.

    [​IMG]

    For the torso and legs, I did a test fit of where the new leg sections from OP will have to fit into Megs' legs to allow for transformation. This will give me the exact location of where I need to put his new knees.

    [​IMG]

    And lastly, here's a quick shot I took comparing my Megatron with MP-10. Personally, I think the scale for Megatron will be darn near perfect when all is said and done.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2014
    • Like Like x 5
  3. craftsmith

    craftsmith Flying Spanner

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2013
    Posts:
    7,284
    Trophy Points:
    222
    Location:
    North staffs
    Likes:
    +141
    Ebay:
    Wow great work on this so far, but I agree the feet do look rather tiny now. MP10's feet aren't a good match really though, maybe you could source from from another donor figure.. Bionicle feet built up with with styrene may give you betterball jointed feet.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  4. Autovolt 127

    Autovolt 127 Get In The Titan, Prime!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    Posts:
    83,294
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    462
    Likes:
    +2,907
    This is an awesome WIP dude.
     
  5. AE Overlord

    AE Overlord AE Legend

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2007
    Posts:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    46
    Likes:
    +0
    Ebay:
    Looking good, not crazy about the standard G2 head's face but if you shave some off the chin and remove the animated look; and it will look a little more like a masterpiece version of Megs. Looking forward to what you do next.
     
  6. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    Yeah, I'm not sure how much room I'll have for new feet with how tight things will be when it's all folded up. I was thinking of using just the front of Prime's feet, but I probably won't start on those until everything else is done.

    I plan to mod the head, too. Not sure what I want to do with it yet, but it will be one of the last things I work on. Any suggestions on how to make it look more "Masterpiece", or else a different head that would look better?
     
  7. JackKnife

    JackKnife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2004
    Posts:
    1,453
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Location:
    ...
    Likes:
    +1,807
    My suggestions:

    Try outlining the eyes the rest of the way in thin black, for starters. Also, silver paint followed by transparent red for the eyes would help (they look too orange). A few small details like panel lines and vents on the helmet might help. Finally, try repainting the silver parts of the helmet in Testors Metalizers steel, and the face in aluminum, seal it, then a thin black wash to bring out the details.

    Just some suggestions that might help. :) 
     
  8. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    Quick update:

    I bought some Devcon Plastic Welder earlier this week and went to town. The torso sections and left arm (sans hand) are bonded together, and the torso has waist swivel now. I'll probably post some detailed pics later.

    [​IMG]

    I've also been studying some pics of G1 Megatron's head, and I now know what I need to do in order to make G2 Megs' head look better. More on that later...


    Also, does anybody have any suggestions/tips on how I can give ol' Megatron some much-needed shoulder tilt?
     
    • Like Like x 4
  9. craftsmith

    craftsmith Flying Spanner

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2013
    Posts:
    7,284
    Trophy Points:
    222
    Location:
    North staffs
    Likes:
    +141
    Ebay:
    Maybe bionicle ball joints or shoulder joints that slide in for a flush fit in altmode.
     
  10. JackKnife

    JackKnife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2004
    Posts:
    1,453
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Location:
    ...
    Likes:
    +1,807
    CS,

    I would agree, but I've found that after a certain weight, bionicle ball joints start "slipping" and that trying to reinforce them or tighten them with the usual method will only cause them to crack (I had an "SDF-1" kitbash that I tried this on and found out the hard way).

    Perhaps try re-using the shoulder joints from MP-10 Prime?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    I was thinking about trying to use MP-10's shoulder joint, but there just isn't much room for another joint with the existing joint that's used for transformation. I might just have to scratch build the shoulder section entirely with two joints. I'll probably look more into it when I get the other arm and the legs done.
     
  12. JackKnife

    JackKnife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2004
    Posts:
    1,453
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Location:
    ...
    Likes:
    +1,807

    Devcon Plastic Welder is one of my "go-to" adhesives for structural building; it's very strong and won't disappoint you. :) 

    As for the shoulder tilt and foot issues: let me think of what else I can come up with for you. I already suggested the re-use of MP-10's shoulder joint.
     
  13. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    Heeeeyyyy, long time no update!

    I'm afraid I don't have a whole lot to show right now. I took some time off after getting frustrated with the legs, but I finally found myself back at the table.

    I started working on the head. I added a bunch of Apoxie Sculpt to fill in areas so I could grind parts of it down to try making it look more "G1". Take a look:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    • Like Like x 4
  14. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,441
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    You've certainly gotten my interest peaked, and I'll be really pleased to see where you end up with this. It's especially cool that you've been open to sharing your journey from start to finish how you have here.
     
  15. G60Force

    G60Force World Smallest Mini-Con

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2010
    Posts:
    7,973
    Trophy Points:
    197
    Likes:
    +68
    Ebay:
    agreed fun to watch and read goodluck dude! may the matrix guide you
     
  16. craftsmith

    craftsmith Flying Spanner

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2013
    Posts:
    7,284
    Trophy Points:
    222
    Location:
    North staffs
    Likes:
    +141
    Ebay:
    Looking good, hoping to see more soon. Keep up the good work.
     
  17. LastDecepticon

    LastDecepticon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Posts:
    209
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    97
    Likes:
    +243
    Good work sow far . Wish I was crafty like u . I should starty own Custome.
     
  18. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    Thanks guys! I just finished grinding down the other side of the head, and I'm really pleased with how it's turning out. I needed to touch up a few more spots with Apoxie so it should be done tomorrow.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  19. JackKnife

    JackKnife Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2004
    Posts:
    1,453
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Location:
    ...
    Likes:
    +1,807
    Looking good so far; I really like the direction you're taking with the head.
     
  20. LizardbotHero

    LizardbotHero I am a warrior

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2011
    Posts:
    1,528
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +833
    Ebay:
    Thanks JackKnife! Yeah, I'm really pleased with how well it's turning out. I studied the head a lot and compared it with G1 Megatron's head to determine what changes I needed to make. They were so close yet so far away. When you get down to it, G2 Megatron's head just might be the best Megatron head Hasbro has made to date. I may borrow your neck build that you used on your MP-01 to give him some good neck articulation.
     
    • Like Like x 2