fulcy Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 ICK, don't get me started on how shoddy ball joints are... they used those in the newer TF line of figures (Beast wars and anything since) and they either come packaged loose as sin, or wear out so fast, even standing on a shelf, its not funny at all...no offense to the mod, i still love it, but... ball joints... gah BTW i may give this a try, but i bet i fu*# it up royaly if i do lack of tools and knowledge are my worst foes.... 418354[/snapback] To be fair - I didn't use a stock ball joint - I engineered my own. The socket is custom cast into the upper thigh, and the aluminum ball is secured to the swing arm - and I have yet to hear of one of my custom ball joints getting loose over time... Quote
GrimlockCW Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 To be fair - I didn't use a stock ball joint - I engineered my own. The socket is custom cast into the upper thigh, and the aluminum ball is secured to the swing arm - and I have yet to hear of one of my custom ball joints getting loose over time... 418374[/snapback] sry if it seems i was mocking yours, i meant in general experience with ball joints on my parts they've been such, i really didn't widdle through your whole posting... aluminum hmm, that might do the trick, the problem i've seen in ball joints is the plastic on plastic wear and tear factor that causes them to wear out real fast, and often the connection also expands from it beind hard pressed. Quote
Skull-1 Posted July 22, 2006 Author Posted July 22, 2006 That would be the key--finding a ball/socket joint that did not loosen over time. Quote
big F Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 That would be the key--finding a ball/socket joint that did not loosen over time. 418387[/snapback] Well so far the Wave joints have won me they are not bad on price and a tight fit. If you compare them to the joints on the TF Alternators/Binaltech line then they are light years ahead. The TF ones are as random as the Yamie 1/60 joints when it comes to stiffness. I admit I dont paly with them as much as some but the Wave joints i have used so far have had a load of abuse from me being on my development 1/55 they are constantly being moved and unclipped and reclipped, as of yet they are as good as new. I dare say that Skull or someone could design a more techincal wear test and come up with a defined result, but for me they are stronger than the original wobly bootlegs joints. Quote
fulcy Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 Well so far the Wave joints have won me they are not bad on price and a tight fit. If you compare them to the joints on the TF Alternators/Binaltech line then they are light years ahead. The TF ones are as random as the Yamie 1/60 joints when it comes to stiffness. I admit I dont paly with them as much as some but the Wave joints i have used so far have had a load of abuse from me being on my development 1/55 they are constantly being moved and unclipped and reclipped, as of yet they are as good as new.I dare say that Skull or someone could design a more techincal wear test and come up with a defined result, but for me they are stronger than the original wobly bootlegs joints. 418539[/snapback] http://mechaskunk.com/balljoints.htm The Yellow Sub ball joints are MUCH stronger than the wave or kotobukiya ones... Quote
big F Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 I did look at these some time ago and completely forgot about it. Just checked the link to HLJ and they say they are discontinued. Quote
Skull-1 Posted July 23, 2006 Author Posted July 23, 2006 Drat! Gotta' get my hands on some of these... Quote
zanderwitaz Posted July 24, 2006 Posted July 24, 2006 (edited) BTW when you say "bootleg valk" you mean those little 1/100 scale bootlegs that flood on ebay every so often, or is there a 1/55 one?or is this just another jetfire referance i've missed (i'm a newb, i've a license to be retarded) 418275[/snapback] Well the bootlegs fall into two catagories as far as 1/55 is concerned. You have the Joons bootleg which is second only to the original Taka or Bandai, these are the ones you see in the packaging similar to the Taka packing from the 80`s. Then you have the $5-$10 ones that come on a card and blister these are cheap all plastic casts of I think a late Taka. They are made of soft plastic much the same as a Hasegawa kit. Many of the parts are interchangable with the real 1/55`s. The are inferior to all in build quaility but they are great for customs. They cost nothing and can be glued with normal modelkit glue and filled sanded etc very easily. I have four of them that came on different cards two with fastpacks and two with out. You can do all the mods Skull does with the exception of the taper swing bar as they are made of plastic. You can though sub the parts for the metal ones if you have some spare. I have been modding one of these to do a more radical thigh and leg mod. the plastic parts are a god send as if I were to use the metal leg parts from an original it would take ages to file them out as I did in minutes on the bootleg. 418299[/snapback] wait wait, yhis mod doesnt have an advantage in battroid mode? you just gotta expiriment with it man. Edited July 24, 2006 by zanderwitaz Quote
Skull-1 Posted July 24, 2006 Author Posted July 24, 2006 Yeah but it doesn't work as well as I wish it would. I guess I am expecting it to look too "humanoid" when it poses. I like those shots though. Quote
fulcy Posted July 24, 2006 Posted July 24, 2006 http://www.hlj.com/product/YLSPPC-T06 http://www.hlj.com/product/YLSPPC-T05 The big ones look to be a good size for the hips - though I haven't gotten my hands on them - yet... Quote
big F Posted July 24, 2006 Posted July 24, 2006 http://www.hlj.com/product/YLSPPC-T06http://www.hlj.com/product/YLSPPC-T05 The big ones look to be a good size for the hips - though I haven't gotten my hands on them - yet... 418797[/snapback] I gues I`ll be getting me some of those. As far as Batroid posing is concerned you have to think slightly differently the Gerwalk and Batroid have different requirement for mobility in the joints. You can do the middle ground but to get the best for each would make it not good in the others mode. Quote
Jasonc Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 In the first of second page of this thread, someone posted about using BIC pen holders as the swivles. I'm surprised I didn't post in here earlier, but I was actually trying this process out before I saw this. I have been working on it for the past 2 days, and so far, the feet stay solid inside and connected. I will have to do some more strenuous testing, but so far, this idea to connect seems very promising. The fact that it keeps solid, and doesn't get floppy is a great sign. I'll post a how to if it works well. Updates to come very shortly. Quote
Skull-1 Posted July 26, 2006 Author Posted July 26, 2006 That was my idea. Yep. I haven't followed up on it in practice because I still have a few of my swivels left and one of the guys offered to cast some for me if I need more. I can't wait to hear what the BIC Pen Principle produces!! Keep us POSTED!!!!!! Quote
Jasonc Posted July 29, 2006 Posted July 29, 2006 That was my idea. Yep. I haven't followed up on it in practice because I still have a few of my swivels left and one of the guys offered to cast some for me if I need more. I can't wait to hear what the BIC Pen Principle produces!! Keep us POSTED!!!!!! OK, My digital camera is dead right now, but good news. I have solidified all the extra parts, anchored in the pen pieces, and with great success, the pen tops work. Not only just work, but they are really solid, hold tons of weight, and only swivel if I want them to. Skull-1, it seems as though we may have thought of this idea around the same time. I had just finished my Ostrich custom, and was looking for Elintseeker parts to do extra mod work, when I was drawing out some designs with a bic pen, twisting it while thinking of a swivel mechanism. The idea of using the arm pieces I read in here are great, but knowing how solid and durable the pen tops are, I had to try that. It was only recently that I stumbled onto this thread, and realized, hey, a good idea and nobody's trying it. So, I have put the pen top test to work, and I can say as a very picky customizer,,, "SUCCESS"!!! I'll get some pics up very soon, as I need to charge my camera up. This may spark some others to try it, or to at least get the brains moving again in customizing 1/55s. Shoot, my 1/55 Bandai now moves like an MPC "Veritech", but doesn't have floppy leg syndrome. Quote
Skull-1 Posted July 29, 2006 Author Posted July 29, 2006 (edited) May have. If you didn't do it first you can take solace in knowing you arrived at the conclusion independently. Here's my original post on the subject of BIC Pens: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...indpost&p=33478 The thought train rolled off at some point shortly after this. I was thinking for awhile on whether or not to post it. But I am known for using paperclips so why not BIC pens? LOL http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...ndpost&p=362500 At any rate I cannot wait to see your results. I think that is going to ROCK big time. Edited July 29, 2006 by Skull-1 Quote
big F Posted July 29, 2006 Posted July 29, 2006 (edited) May have. If you didn't do it first you can take solace in knowing you arrived at the conclusion independently. Call it parallel evolution. I have some more progress on my total posable conversion mentioned eairlier in this thread. Skull do you want me to post here or shall I start another thread ( dont want to step on your toes). Edited July 29, 2006 by big F Quote
Skull-1 Posted July 29, 2006 Author Posted July 29, 2006 Post it wherever you like. You *MIGHT* get more exposure in a new thread.... But I am not getting my toes stepped on if you post here. Quote
big F Posted August 5, 2006 Posted August 5, 2006 (edited) O.K have set up a new thread for my custom. Covering some old ground that I have posted here but also theres alot more that I have done since. Check my sig for the link. Edited August 5, 2006 by big F Quote
Skull-1 Posted September 30, 2006 Author Posted September 30, 2006 BIC PEN TEST COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY!!!!!!!!!! THE BIC PEN WILL WORK TO MAKE A SWIVEL THIGH WITH LESS EFFORT THAN MY PREVIOUS MOD!!!!!!! Photos to follow shortly................ WOOT! Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 1, 2006 Author Posted October 1, 2006 (edited) Bic Pen Inserted in Thigh: Edited October 1, 2006 by Skull-1 Quote
big F Posted October 1, 2006 Posted October 1, 2006 Bic Pen Inserted in Thigh: Sounds painfull. Seriously Great work Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 4, 2006 Author Posted October 4, 2006 Sounds painfull. Seriously Great work Hahahaha yeah that came out wrong. 1/55 modders unite indeed!!! This is the easiest method to convert a 1/55 leg that I have seen and it works GREAT. Quote
big F Posted October 5, 2006 Posted October 5, 2006 Hahahaha yeah that came out wrong. 1/55 modders unite indeed!!! This is the easiest method to convert a 1/55 leg that I have seen and it works GREAT. certainly is the simplest method Ive seen. Once Im done with the super posable all my others will get the Skull1 mod treatment. Quote
KingNor Posted October 8, 2006 Posted October 8, 2006 has anyone thought of a good solid way to give the "feet" more flexibility? this thigh mod looks pretty sweet, but with out a good foot mod i'm not intrested in opening up my valk. the methods i used for my bootleg valks require a light valkyrie, my re-issue brownie would be too heavy. Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 8, 2006 Author Posted October 8, 2006 I don't have any foot mods that I am willing to try yet. I am not confident they will hold up so I haven't implemented them. KidKorrupt has one and there are others... Even without the foot mod the thigh mod looks awesome. Quote
big F Posted October 9, 2006 Posted October 9, 2006 The mod I thought out for more posable feet works in theory but when put into practice does not give you that much more movement over standard feet. I could give it more movement by sanding down the width of the feet parts a few mm more than I did but this was something I didnt realise untill Id painted them. When I do a super posable Gerwalk this will be adressed. I think you could adapt my idea to allow you to use it on a transformable 1/55 with a little bit of refabrication in the hidden area inside the leg, akin to what Fulcy and Kid Kurupt did a while ago. Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 11, 2006 Author Posted October 11, 2006 Where's the mod that Fulcy did? I can't find it................... Quote
KingNor Posted October 11, 2006 Posted October 11, 2006 that bic mod is looking tight skull-01 i'm going to have to try it when ever i find another boot to modify. Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 11, 2006 Author Posted October 11, 2006 that bic mod is looking tight skull-01 i'm going to have to try it when ever i find another boot to modify. Thanks bro. It works even better than my previous mod. It also allows you to remove the leg should you need to for storage or maintenace.... Or just to make the think look like it crashed. Quote
Razor x Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 (edited) has anyone thought of a good solid way to give the "feet" more flexibility? this thigh mod looks pretty sweet, but with out a good foot mod i'm not intrested in opening up my valk. heres one... http://www.happymoonasia.com/ great website!! Edited October 12, 2006 by Razor x Quote
Jasonc Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 Tested methods for both of these together have already been done by yours truly. I did the pen top mod awhile back, and yes, it is a great way to mod the legs. simple, yet sturdy. The diagram that Razor has posted is another mod I am currently doing, and it has worked. I made some slight modifications to it, like working some styrene around the back of the foot. The gap of the back leg to give the valk that angle is pretty spacious, and so, with that, I'm filling in the gap so that it doesn't look so "modified". So far, it seems to be working ok, and will have pics up once i find my camera charger. Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 12, 2006 Author Posted October 12, 2006 heres one... http://www.happymoonasia.com/ great website!! This isn't the mod I am looking for though. Didn't Fulcy do one that allowed the feet to move laterally so they stood flat when the legs were flared out? I have done this foot mod and it didn't add much to the toy's poseability in my opinion... It wasn't a waste of time necessarly, but it just didn't do much... Quote
promethuem5 Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 While interesting, ti doesn't really seem like it would add the degrees of motion the toy is missing... what you really need is a ball jointed ankle above the two-piece hinge joint. Quote
Skull-1 Posted October 12, 2006 Author Posted October 12, 2006 While interesting, ti doesn't really seem like it would add the degrees of motion the toy is missing... what you really need is a ball jointed ankle above the two-piece hinge joint. Yeah getting that thing to swivel laterally is going to be a b*tch...... I am completely out of my league trying to solve this problem. Nothing comes to mind. Maybe a spring of some sort........ Thinking out loud here..... Quote
big F Posted October 12, 2006 Posted October 12, 2006 I have lost the link to the Fulcy mod (dam!!!) The mods pictured above is somewhat similar to the one I have done (it gave me the ideas) I have put the ball joint in the middle but the movement is only slightly more than stock as I posted eairlier. I did try and work a way to put it above the whole foot assembly but couldnt find a way. This is something I will have to come back to. Also I will try and locate the fulcy mod it may be on a back up image of our works server. when I get chance I`ll look and post. Quote
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