1/60 VF-1 replacement shoulder hinge

[VF5SS]

So are you happy with the product, overall?

[t040484]

http://i.imgur.com/0Qd9P.jpg

Shin came back to help Sara

oooooo is that replacement for the vf-o problematic shoulder?

if it is, everyone hail veef!!!

[Loute]

Mine will be getting here anytime. Can you upload some pics to see what you are refering to?

Not tonight unfortunately but I'll have them ready within 24hours, I really have to go to bed right now, don't worry you won't be disappointed, the shooting went fine but it's not completely over yet.

So are you happy with the product, overall?

To be honest I was afraid when I first saw the parts. I washed them in water and "sanded" the with an old toothbrush (within the water). After getting my "Super Oyster" right arm repaired, all I can say is that they are strong and well shaped parts (whatever they're slim or fat), this work of yours (and your friend) deserves respect, everyone will be able to verify that soon. Good job Veef, we all owe you one I guess

[VF5SS]

Probably should have just posted this to show the durability

[xrentonx]

I'm liking that. Very encouraging. Do us all a favor you guys who already bought these...post pics if you can. The more feedback, the better for everyone.

[Loute]

Ok, I'm still working on my photos and when I woke up this morning I thought it'd be nice to post some picture that could reassure you, hesitating people.

Here are the 6 pairs of hinges.

You may notice the fat pieces are on the left (Edit: sorry, I meant the "other left" T_T")

DO NOT FEAR their size difference, it truly doesn't matter!

So far I used a "fat balled one and a slim complement" and it went fine (picture will be posted tonight) and I'm planning to use a regular balled one with a fat complement for the other arm (I still have to take the pin out from the original hinge)

Edited February 28, 2012 by Loute

[Evilware]

Now, the next project would be to get those 1 or 2 seats, on the home page news, that go behind the head. We all already have the figure but not the seat. I think the head moves forward like and has a hole where we can insert the seat, can't we?

It would be awesome!!!

[VF5SS]

http://collectiondx.com/blog/vf5ss/i_never_liked_it_when_my_toys_broke

not that you guys need it but I made a blog post with all the videos and shop link

[Renato]

Now, the next project would be to get those 1 or 2 seats, on the home page news, that go behind the head. We all already have the figure but not the seat. I think the head moves forward like and has a hole where we can insert the seat, can't we?

It would be awesome!!!

I thought EXO had already done that ages ago...

[Loute]

Ok guys, here are the photos.

I've finally had quite a hard time inserting the original rod in the new hinges parts for the second arm, I believe some of will have to polish them a bit, even use paper clips' bits but hey, it works and it's definitely worth it.

Here how the thing happened @ home:

those were playing gently together until...

And so...

U mad? LoL!

The offender was arrested and so began the fixing journey...

Circled in red, the place where the screws are so you can release the backplate (wings/tail/...)

Screw places on the verso, not that it's complex or Veef hasn't said how to do that but it's always better to know what you're doing

Arms and hinges:

Comparison, you may notice the sandy aspect of the one from shapeways

I got the original hinge rod so I could reuse it with the spare parts (well I meant Cyclos did)

I was desperate on how I could set the rod in the new parts when Queadluun, probably bought off by Veef came with a brillant idea.

And soon the problem was settled (actually I used a quite heavy clamp on its flat side, it was much more efficient)

Then Optimus came to give a help with the arm reassembly

And soon the right arm was repaired

Griffin shocked by the super Ostrich's story decided to give a hand for the left arm that was about to follow the same path as the right one

Followed by one the Kamen riders (Raiden or Zero I don't know)

Soon both hinges were replaced by solid ones (note: do not draw the screw too tight or you won't be able to move the hinges "freely")

And so everything went fine again

I can't swear this is exactly how everything happened but I can say the spare parts are solid enough, maybe you'll need to reduce their size or plane them down a bit (had a couple that were too fat and the articulation wasn't working properly) it won't take long to figure out where the problem is and solve it.

Overall, it's a good quality product, veef and his friend did a great job here, Shapeways.com did also something good yet perfectible, that maybe the actual limit of 3D printers VS molds.

Still, glad I was able to repair my Super Ostrich!

Thx Veef (and friends)

Edited February 22, 2012 by Loute

[VF5SS]

Oh you French guys and your Goldorak

Ok just to clarify, you did indeed buy a bunch of the 5 mm single hinges in addition to several of the 4 mm two hinge sets correct?

Because that's why some are fatter. They were designed that way.

Edited February 22, 2012 by VF5SS

[Loute]

Oh you French guys and your Goldorak

Ok just to clarify, you did indeed buy a bunch of the 5 mm single hinges in addition to several of the 4 mm two hinge sets correct?

Because that's why some are fatter. They were designed that way.

Nope, I only bought 6 of the second item. they came more or less fat as you can see on the other pictures where I put them side by side, by the way I had 7 "fat parts".

(what's wrong with Frenchies and Grendizer? The Italians are almost worst than us with that mecha )

[VF5SS]

That might be a factory error. They could be producing the 5 mm hinges by mistake. According to shapeways plastic they make has a 0.1 mm degree of accuracy.

[Loute]

that could be an explanation.

Edit: also explaining why the size's irregularity are so regular, I mean I have two sizes for each piece, not 3 or 5.

The best combination so far is a 5mm "balled" part and a 4mm complement.

Edited February 22, 2012 by Loute

[VF5SS]

My Queadluun-Rau does not bring mallets. It brings U-Teneritas

[Loute]

My VF-1A still brings chocolates, you can't win against that unless you come with a spare parts project.

... Oh wait...

[sf648]

Veef these look great! Would it be reasonable for you to enable them for production in white strong, flexible polished?

[VF5SS]

I'm not sure how they'd behave in the polished plastic but I can enable it as an option. You may have to use some friction enhancing coating.

[Evilware]

I thought EXO had already done that ages ago...

Really? Where? I could not find any links or info about them. Are they also available in Shapeways?

[ultraman zoffy]

Nice to see folks installing the new hinges... I removed and shaved the pins on all my "problem" valks way back and reinforced the original hinges as much as possible, so I'll only be using my shapeways hinges as emergency backups. Feels good to have insurance on hand though!

[Evilware]

I finally got them and they look great! Now, what should i do next? This granny feeling will disappear after a while or should I polish them somehow? The pin hole is really small ( i got the first release of them) i wonder if it fits...if not i can put some paper clip portions i do not mind. Thanks again for this!!!

[Loute]

That feeling won't disappear unless you polish the item but I think it is somehow pointless (unless it prevents the parts from working as they should wich shouldn't happen since they've been well designed) and since the hinge is mostly hidden.

I too felt the pin hole was too small but the original pin perfectly fits in it.

Basically, all you have to do is to remove the old hinge, get the pin, assemble the new hinge with the original pin, install the new hinges (see veef's videos or my photos up the page ).

... And profit.

Edited February 23, 2012 by Loute

[Evilware]

I started working on them....it was really easy to put the original pins. I used a thin screwdriver to widen the holes a little bit and then I used a small hammer to get it in place. I was afraid of braking it but I realized it is extremely hard. My hinges did not sit in place perfectly, so I flattened the part that goes screwed to the chest using an exacto knife. I will try to use them just like that with doing anything to them but I think I will be having issues specially in fighter mode.

[VF5SS]

I think it may be for the best to have more material to work with than less. I don't think you will have fighter mode issues if you follow my videos.

[Evilware]

OK. Thanks . As I said before, it is hard so it took me a while to flatten the surface. So next pair, untouched. Regards.

[VF5SS]

Well I don't mean you shouldn't modify them but I know for a fact they work even unflattened. It's in the third video.

[HG Blows]

So are more people getting the 5mm or 4mm?

[VF5SS]

We're moving to the Zero testing stage. Stay tuned.

[Jasonc]

I usually order my parts in the WSF Polished, and it maybe a good option to have, or at least try. It's polished a bit, but still has a little grittiness to them. So, is anyone planning on dyeing their parts to color match?

[VF5SS]

I added all the different colors of plastic for the hinges so you guys can go nuts.

[robodragon]

You saved my vf from the garbage bin. thanks. It installed perfectly.

[Phalanix]

Gonna pick up a few sets - can anyone confirm whether the 4mm or the 5mm is preferred? Anyone have experience with the durability of the polished version?

[VF5SS]

From what I understand, the polished is the same material just put in a tumbler to smooth it out a bit.

[VF5SS]

Got help from my wingman

[claude grant]

Naw man, seriously thank you! My VF-0A came out the box with 2 broken shoulders, but you've given me hope that he may display like brand new once you get the tweaks worked out. So thanks again for this Veef!