(Edit: Now with 100% more faceplate!) While I'm sure I'm not the only one to do this, there'd be too many for me to name as inspiration for this little customization. Simply by using exhaust pipes from a TFP Deluxe Prime figure, I finally gave this poor little guy his namesakes. They swivel fully and do not parts-form. They are anchored via a bit of plastic from the unused bottom of the TFP Prime figure's pipes via a metal pin (paperclip).
I had bought those special "Matrix" edition Optimus Prime figures from some convention or another before I realize the toy actually stunk. I use the pipes from one of them for this. Each pipe has a little peg where it plugs into Prime's back so you can move them back and forth (straight to angled basically). That's what's plugged into Pipes' arms, then I used a section of unused pipe, stuck it in the hollow of the arm and used a hand drill (pin vice) to insert a thin paperclip and then glued all of it together so it can rotate without having to parts-form or anything.
Nice job! I used hte exact same pipes for my own custom with this mold! Don't diss the toy they came from; that little prime is kind of great if you give him a chance!
Thanks! Yeah I mean I guess I just like my Optimus figures larger, I didn't realize he was deluxe scale when I got him but he certainly helped me give this guy his namesake ornamentations. Next up is working on a faceplace for this little blue guy...if I can find my greenstuff that is. ;/
I got some "Greenstuff" and slapped a small blob on there, let it cure and then cut it to shape. Painted it with some water based acrylics and let it dry overnight.
Looks great! If hasbro had given him those pipes and head in the first place, he would have been a must-buy
