General Upgrade Kits Thread

Discussion in 'Transformers 3rd Party Discussion' started by ziltama, Nov 30, 2020.

  1. ziltama

    ziltama Mods, molds, and casts. Also full of hot gas.

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    TFSafari listed ZX Grimlock set rather early as well and still not in stock yet, although some of the eBay sellers finally got theirs in stock. TFSafari, though, has missed some prior ZX sets, most notably the ER Megatron kit.

    I was going to ask one of the sellers to ask Go Better about Spin-Out and Cordon. Artfire isn't even out so no chance to even color match yet.
     
  2. ICEPnguin

    ICEPnguin Constructicon

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    Yeah, got the other kit but not super happy. Gonna have to double dip I think. Just wish they made it so the rear wheels tucked into the leg. Oh well.
     
  3. Slimaximus

    Slimaximus Headmaster

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    Only one I've seen is Nonnef, which after tapping some screw holes myself has become much better than it was before without them.
     
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  4. SomethingJ

    SomethingJ Well-Known Member

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    Damn, that does look way better than the one I got... I think I'll be getting this one too. I really love how they handled the new Huffer figure, but most of these figures, despite how good I think they are, could use a little extra to complete the presentation.
     
  5. Max Tower

    Max Tower Well-Known Member

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    I was looking at the recently released Warpath kit, and it's "OK" but it feels like some gaps have gone unfilled with it to me.
    Though I may buy it anyway just for the weapons, I can see the merit of other approaches to the same idea still.

    It looks much nicer for the legs much better fit, I do however think that The Tim Heada (if that is who makes the one on ebay ?) has the nice arm fillers - so I'd like something like those too.

    But thinking of Huffer I just had an idea for a part that might be useful it could be a handle for him to hold his shield straight out or in his hand (which he can not do at the moment) and also on the piece (usually hidden) if could have a ramp connector piece to use the shield as a base ramp (which it look rather like to me).

    --------
     
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  6. Ottertron

    Ottertron Moon-faced assassin of joy

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    The only options out there so far are Nonnef and Taobao, where sellers are also offering clear neck replacements. None have appeared on eBay yet.

    I bought that kit on March 21st and had the same experience. I told the seller I was happy to just wait, but the listing changed to 'shipped' in early May and nothing arrived. I raised it with them and they just gave me a full refund so I suspect it's either not coming out now OR will take a while longer. :S

    I'll hang on, though, as I think the Matrix Workshop Jazz set is pretty crappy looking in comparison.
     
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  7. wheeljackfan16

    wheeljackfan16 Well-Known Member

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    Got some new stuff ready for this Friday! It's basically request week!

    First up, a Matrix Holder for Kingdom Magnus, as requested by @HunterGreen2005 . Don't quite have a definitive price yet, hoping I can get in at $3.99 or lower.
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]


    Next is a set of nunchucks for Studio Series Jazz, requested by @Spekkio . I couldn't figure out a way to make them exhausts like Animated's were, but they are small enough that you can just stuff them under the roof of the car during transformation. Fun fact, these use the same chain links I designed to be used for Devastator's wreaking balls, before I realized that maybe I don't want to sell the scrotum of a giant combiner on my eBay store, so it was nice that the design didn't totally go to waste.
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Again, everything should be up this Friday, probably in the morning. I'll post links once everything is up!
     
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  8. ziltama

    ziltama Mods, molds, and casts. Also full of hot gas.

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    I had no idea Tim Heada did a SS86 Grimlock kit. He did some fillers, but I'm actually curious about the sword (our sword collection is getting too big, though):
    65566_1.jpg qq20210301-0_1.jpg

    ZX is taking the longest to get new kits out the door, even more so than Go Better (but nowhere near DNA Design's infamous delays).
     
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  9. hedcase1

    hedcase1 Well-Known Member

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    The matrix holder is really cool - something I didn't know I wanted until now :) . That's going on the purchase list...now I just need an extra matrix :) 
     
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  10. ziltama

    ziltama Mods, molds, and casts. Also full of hot gas.

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    Go Better Beast Megatron set: Shotgun, gap fillers, toothbrush

    Got this in the mail today. Overall, it's pretty good. Had to make one little tweak which doesn't require any real modding skills at least (last part of post).

    Forgot to take a pic with everything separated and the gap fillers not installed. The shotgun comes in 3 parts: main part, scope, and stock. I'm normally annoyed by large white handles, but in this case, due to the massive dino kibble on his left arm, the handle actually hides pretty well and isn't really noticeable. The handle fits well. The scaly texture effect on the shotgun is really well done. There's also a toothbrush and 3 gap fillers: 2 thighs, 1 left forearm. The paint on the toothbrush is not scuffed in this pic; that's just lighting.
    gb5.jpg

    Comparison of Go Better vs Shockwave Lab gap fillers. Go Better fillers cover more area and are properly color matched.
    gb1.jpg

    All 3 gap filler pieces installed...and toothbrush.
    gb2.jpg

    The shotgun has a nice feature where it opens up. No 'shells' included, obviously. The white handle hides fairly well.
    gb3.jpg

    Hard to see from the photos but the white bristles part of the toothbrush is actually textured.
    gb4.jpg

    The handle is not centered underneath. Despite that, other characters can still hold the shotgun.
    gb6.jpg

    The shotgun is not blast effects compatible. However, the barrel has a proper 3mm hole. One could use a 3mm rod as an adapter or use Bandai 3mm effects as shown here (Gundam 30 minute missions effects sets have 3mm pegs; they also come with 3->5mm adapters but the 5mm side is oversized and must be filed down to avoid getting stuck in TF 5mm ports). As a result of the shotgun being able to open up, the only real negative is that the barrel droops a little bit from the sliding assembly. There is an easy way to fix that, though.
    gb7.jpg

    There's an area underneath the barrel where one can see a slight gap in the sliding mechanism opening. The arrow points to a spot on the underside of the barrel (part of the sliding assembly) where it looks like a thin, small hollow box. Easiest method to fix: Put 2 layers of electrical tape there and call it a day. Alternatively, a more permanent fix would involve gluing a properly sized spacer into that small box area or filling it up with epoxy (purposely overflow a little, have surface tension create a 'dome', and then shave down to size with a razor after it cures).
    gb9.jpg

    The fix seems like it shouldn't do much, but it was enough to keep the barrel from drooping.
    gb8.jpg

    Overall, like the set a lot. Their upcoming Huffer set can't come out soon enough.
     
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  11. Shattered Trousers

    Shattered Trousers That thing Ratchet needed.

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    A small update from the seller of this kit.

    The seller emailed me today and explained that the designer of this kit has only completed three copies, which have been mailed to customers who placed their orders earlier than mine, and the seller does not know when or if any more will be produced.

    I have been offered an apology, a full refund and a discount on the kit if it becomes available and I decide to re-buy it.

    Despite me not getting the kit in the immediate future I applaud the seller for good communication and for doing as much as possible to make the situation right.

    I'm not in any hurry to buy the Matrix Workshop kit instead, despite having quite good experience with their kits.

    ~L~
     
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  12. HunterGreen2005

    HunterGreen2005 In-Stock

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    My ER Optimus is keeping his Matrix... Do you have Studio Series 86 Hot Rod? I'm using the Matrix that came with him for Ultra Magnus. I feel Hot Rod doesn't quite deserve it yet. :p 

    Actually Hot Rod's Matrix doesn't need to sit in a ziploc bag anymore if I don't have him holding it in my display! :D 
     
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  13. Strife

    Strife Well-Known Member

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    These look great! Will be buying that Matrix holder for sure.

    If you're doing requests, where's a few ideas:
    - A bracket to allow the mounting of guns / cannons to ER Optimus Prime's trailer (either in gray for the Powermaster look, or black for the G2 look). Should be good demand for this since a G2 Prime sticker is coming for the black Nemesis Prime trailer from Toyhax soonish.
    - Maybe a somewhat more substantial sword for Kingdom Dinobot?
    - A orange mouth-cover for the grey bits on the planet mode maw of Haslab Unicron. You could corner the market on this if you act soon! Some people have done it on their own for Radicons, but no one is selling it as an upgrade kit:
    Heavy/Scratch: - Trunkkey's Customs Corner
     
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  14. Shattered Trousers

    Shattered Trousers That thing Ratchet needed.

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    Oh, yes, I like that! :D 

    I have to bundle my purchases, because shipping to Australia is so rough, but I'll definitely be looking at placing an order when this piece becomes available.

    Very cool!

    ~L~
     
  15. Requiem Prime

    Requiem Prime Well-Known Member

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    That was my thinking. I figured out you can stuff it inside his chest in both modes, but he's only carrying it on orders or whatever. He's no leader. He knows it. Team knows it. Matrix knows it. ;) 
     
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  16. Rakzo

    Rakzo Peruvian Transformers Fan

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    Those are pretty cool ideas, especially the Matrix holder.
     
  17. Maximus Danz

    Maximus Danz Trying to achieve something

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    Awwwwesome my man! I can't wait to get those nunchucks!

    If your doing requests, seeing that he is getting a reissue, any chance we could get some wheeljack sets like wrenches and a shoulder canon?
     
  18. Rakzo

    Rakzo Peruvian Transformers Fan

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    @wheeljackfan16 Can I suggest a way to make weapon storage for the Earthrise Arcee mould? The mould is a mess and can use all the improvements it can get.
    What, seriously? That's fine but I was hoping for a set that turned it into Shattered Glass Optimus' trailer.
     
  19. itMFtis

    itMFtis Well-Known Member

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    What do you mean? Her weapon stores in at least 3 different places (under hood above her head, and 2 slots on topside of hood).
     
  20. Rakzo

    Rakzo Peruvian Transformers Fan

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    I mean for other stuff like swords, guns and so. Basically adding 5MM ports.