MΔ - VF-9

[Jasonc]

6 hours ago, Xigfrid said:

That's looking promising Jasonc, I am also curious to see how it will look like once casted. Here is how my Shapeways canopy looks like, and I am receiving soon a 3D printed copy in clear resin that will be much easier to work with.

@Raptor One I wasn’t a fan of the VF-9’s Gerwalk but now that I have transformed it a few times, I surprisedly dig the gerwalk look. -except for the official awkward heel position, I prefer to the the heel in the standard feet position-

That actually looks quite good. That material is nice and sturdy, and if I could get it completely clear, I'd just use it. I did notice that even after using a liquid polish, the material still had what looks like tiny ripples underneath the polished surface. it's probably just a part of the printed resin's characteristics, so I didn't want to go all out trying to fix that if it cannot be. I put the clear gloss coat over it last night, and it's shinier, so today after work, I'll be making the first part of mold. I need to work on a way to make it so that there are no seem lines, but can easily come out and I think I have a way to get a great recast. I'll show you once it's done, as the process will take me into later this week to finish, and I want a full cure time in the mold. Clear resin takes about 3-4 days at least to fully cure, especially if it is thin.

[Xigfrid]

Hi guys, I have begun the Gunpod, that will take a bit of time to complete because I want to use standard plastic as the inside/sliding mechanisms core and High detail plastic for the surface details.

This is a process I have used for my VF-31 speaker pod. I think that the Gunpod is small enough to make the increase of price almost unnoticeable compared to a full standard plastic design.

Also: easier and faster addon! I made the VF-9 fins version 3. It is a more "line-art accurate" fins design for my VF-9 with the following mods: inner flaps removed, less surface detailing and the general shape modified to better fit the line art shape.
This new shape will close better the battroid chest, so this is more like a battroid "lover" addon.

Personally I prefer the previous version (version 2 illustrated on the left side, version 3 on right side) that comes with the standard VF-9 release, but feel free to add it on your next order if you feel so.

 

[valhary]

with every project the Xigfrid skills increase this bird is just too good to be true I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xigfrid]

Thanks @valhary!

I couldn’t resist or I love assembling Macross robots... but now I have a grey VF-9 on the bench too  

I have to admit the HP precision is a little  better than the standard plastic, but a little more flexible. Both plastics are great, but the HP Version closes better out of the box. 

WIP

 

[Xigfrid]

[valhary]

a quick question is there any difference in the textures? or in white is less perceived?

[Xigfrid]

The white is rougher on the surface compared to the HP plastic, thing is my white VF-9 has been sanded 3 times already and it needs only painting now. 

Edited September 15, 2018 by Xigfrid

[valhary]

we also need a transformation manual

[Xigfrid]

4 hours ago, valhary said:

we also need a transformation manual

I am trying to put things up together and make a transformation video.

[Sildani]

Send it to Jenius!

[Xigfrid]

1 hour ago, Sildani said:

Send it to Jenius!

That would be an expensive  trip just for a transforming video except if @jenius feels like buying a pre-assembled one

Edited September 17, 2018 by Xigfrid

[Sildani]

Yes, I know, it was kinda in jest. 

[Xigfrid]

What can be more satisfying than swooshing and transforming a VF-9? Transforming and posing two VF-9 at once!

 

[Jasonc]

The canopy came out exactly as 8 wanted it. I can't be happier with the final result.

Apparently it's quite clear. It really doesn't need any sanding or buffing.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Jasonc
Added pic

[DarkArchon3000]

Yup nice and clear.  That surface is looking smooth on the VF-9.

[Xigfrid]

Looking great Jasonc!

[Jasonc]

13 minutes ago, DarkArchon3000 said:

Yup nice and clear.  That surface is looking smooth on the VF-9.

Thanks. I just scribed the lines again after several bouts of paint and sanding, snd it's quite smooth. I may do one more coat before it is how it's supposed to be. 

4 minutes ago, Xigfrid said:

Looking great Jasonc!

Thanks. I was actually quite surprised how clear it came out. I was expecting to need to do a lot more work, but it is not bad right out the mold, and it fits perfectly. This clear resin is pretty strong, too, so in a few more days, it'll be completely cured. I only used the back as the demos portion, so theres no real cleanup. I'm rather proud of this set. One of my finest works.

[nightmareB4macross]

6 hours ago, Jasonc said:

The canopy came out exactly as 8 wanted it. I can't be happier with the final result.

Apparently it's quite clear. It really doesn't need any sanding or buffing.

That looks really good. Would you mind casting me canopy?  Xigfird has done an amazing job on this and I want to get this kit and build it.

[Xigfrid]

Haha! That's exactly what I was thinking :) Jasonc let me know if the canopy is still workable to be assembled on the opening mechanism (I know the hole will need to be drilled again), if yes I would love to have a few recasted canopies (about 6x) for me

[DarkArchon3000]

I'm interested in one of those canopies.

I also need to get the magnets but can't find ones in the proper dimensions.

[Xigfrid]

1 hour ago, DarkArchon3000 said:

I'm interested in one of those canopies.

I also need to get the magnets but can't find ones in the proper dimensions.

Hi, I remember trying to find these magnets on Ebay but couldn't find one. At the end I had better luck sourcing them locally. Here is the website where I did order mine. https://superaimants.fr/blocs-neodyme-fr/5-x-2-5-x-2-mm-ni-cu-go-fr/ I don't know if they would want to ship to USA, but you can try.

I think you can have a better luck trying to find these magnets with magnets specialists directly. Or you can glue 2x cubes of 2mmx2mmx2mm and use it as one block. 2mm magnet cubes are really easy to find on Ebay. You can also try to find 4x2x2 mm rectangular magnets, that would be easier than the weird 2.5mm width

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Xigfrid

[Sanity is Optional]

Generally I use McMaster Carr for all my hardware needs, they have a lot of springs, pins, shafts, bolts, magnets, etc and a nice website to look through them.

[Tage]

Wow that looks like a great website for anything and everything Sanity is Optional. Thanks dude. 

[Sanity is Optional]

Just now, Tage said:

Wow that looks like a great website for anything and everything Sanity is Optional. Thanks dude. 

Warning, they aren't the cheapest, but they probably will have what you need.

[Xigfrid]

Nice shop indeed @Sanity is Optional, thanks for helping here :) Unfortunately I couldn't find the specific size of magnet (2mm x 2.5mm 5mm) required, perhaps this is possible to call them and ask to pre-order these ?

@DarkArchon3000 and the others, after 3-4 assemblies, I made a short list of parts and I put them into a single 3D model. These spare parts that you may want if you plan to grab a spare canopy for instance. It contains 4 small parts that can be usefull to have in double / spare.

They are colored in red.

If you find another parts to be sensitive, let me know. For instance,  I know the last portion of the wing is a bitch to assemble, and you may be cautious when you try to rotate it, if you do it wrong you may put an excess of stress on the pins. I will try to explain this clearly in the "transformation video"

[Xigfrid]

first page updated with following content:

SEPTEMBER 2108 UPDATE

Link to the upcoming addons and upgrades for my VF-9:

https://www.shapeways.com/shops/xigfrid3dshop?section=VF-9+addons&s=0

This section will contain the options and upgrades available for the VF-9 such as:
-optional landing gears
-display adpaters
-Nose fins (version 3)
-set of spare parts
-future Gunpod

[Xigfrid]

whoohoo, transformation video is up at youtube, sorry sound is a little too low.

 

[nightmareB4macross]

You sir are AMAZING!

[Sanity is Optional]

14 hours ago, Xigfrid said:

Nice shop indeed @Sanity is Optional, thanks for helping here Unfortunately I couldn't find the specific size of magnet (2mm x 2.5mm 5mm) required, perhaps this is possible to call them and ask to pre-order these ?

I doubt they can help you there, they mostly sell to companies rather than individuals.

You could get some smaller ones and stick them together, or get one slightly undersized and add some plaplate?

[valhary]

Having in hand totally changes the perspective feels very solid and and I have not even assembled

Its like any DX or Yamato/Arcadia is so impressive that for a moment you forget is a "fanmade" 

Xigfrid you've really outdone yourself

I hope this will be the first of many valks that the "official companies" deny us

[Xigfrid]

Thanks for the comment! I can bet you will even love it more once assembled with screws and pins 

[valhary]

And you would win because the most of the parts assemble so good that not even be necessary the pin or the screw

I have not start the assembled because don't want force any part 

you know why;)

[Mommar]

21 hours ago, Xigfrid said:

whoohoo, transformation video is up at youtube, sorry sound is a little too low.

 

Son-of-a-bitch, that’s incredible!!!

[valhary]

I have a doubt about this part

[Xigfrid]

I don’t know exactly what you don’t understand, but basically the small printed part comes with a 1mm x 3mm rectangular hole where you can insert a small sheet of transparent plastic to simulate the visor screen (also call “head up display”)