The Energon Pub

by **Retread** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:35 pm

Didn't think this would be my next project, but I've been wanting to get back to my alts for a bit. Had a few that would have been easier to finish, but Rumble managed to sneak his way to the top of the pile.
I was originally planning to do viewfinder/reflector, but I can't think of anything to do with the rest of real gear spyshot if I steal his lense. I still need to work out the mods (new head, arms and a flash on one shoulder). Still I can get started on most of the painting without that being affected too much.

Got kind of lucky. Figured if I painted him clear blue he'd look almost black with a touch of purple depending on the lighting.

by **Retread** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:13 am

Alt skids head fit on Rumble's neck better than I thought, so no modding needed there. I'm thinking about going with swindle arms. I think there'll be space for them behind the seats. Just hope they don't look too long depending on where I have to attach them to the drivers.

It's a little tough getting an even coat with the clear. It seems to want to pool in certain places. The flash pic shows it more, doesn't look too bad in person. Bleeds under the masking tape a little easier as well, will have a bit of clean up to do later.

Still have one problem screw to deal with before I get to his other arm and leg.

by **clay** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:16 pm

Interesting use of clear paint. Seems to work out, though!

Are you going to give him arms?

by **Retread** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:21 am

That reminds me, I should have another look at your arm tutorial for some tips.
I think Swindle arms will suit the scale of the bot, but they likely won't slide up into the piledriver shaft at all. Subaru arms might be an option too. Guess I don't even need the piledriver shafts at all, which could give me some other options to attach them.

by **clay** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:16 pm

I've gotten arms from the Viper and Scion to fit. Don't think Jeep arms will work - they're too big to fit in the pile driver shaft without major work.

Arms from the Acura might work too, but I've never needed to try a set of those (also, I don't have surplus Acuras!).

If nothing else, I'd recommend sacrificing a Skids because the arms are both small enough and also have rotating shoulder joints that will still work when mounted to the Civic.

If you need a Skids, I can probably help you out - there's one at a local thrift shop for $15, unwanted and alone.

by **Retread** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:16 pm

Well, I've got a plan in theory. Seems like it all should fit, just by eyeballing it. :lol:

Gonna chop the piledrivers in half and glue in bionicle ball joints. Fit the ball socket onto the Jeep arm's pivot point and it should fold up without having to go into the shaft. I just need to chop the inside of his arm, where the back seat would be.

Might need a stop tab in the shaft, but should hang down to about there when I'm done.

Thinking about doing something with a flashing led, but I should stick to dealing with the arms first. The chest area is the other question mark.

Thanks for the offer Clay. I actually could use another skids for another project, but I should try and cut back my transformers spending (at least untill I clear up my backlog some). If its still there in the new year... :twisted:

by **TM Devastator** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:12 am

Nice mod, and nice fingernails! I've to tend to hold certain parts while I spray them down and end up with painted hands. Paint will come off of the skin so easily but it really sticks to the nails. I've ended up with some really neat designs before.

by **Retread** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:11 pm

Lol, yeah I usually get the best coverage on my thumb. A little douse of rubbing alcohol and a bit of scrubbing usually gets most of it. Toughest spot is around the cuticles.

Thinking about the arms a bit more, I could probably just cut a longer bionicle piece to size and save the pile drivers. Much easier to replace if I screw up too.

by **Retread** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:26 pm

Got some more work done on the arms. Just need to make sure all the peices will fit where I want them and slide at the right height. And instead of a lens chest I decided to go with a flash bulb on the shoulder. The edge is pretty rough tho, I should try to find something to give it a lip.

by **REDLINE** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:19 pm

just cut you a squared donught from a piece of sheet styrene. A square with rounded corners that you'd just glue to overlap your seam would look really good once painted.

by **Retread** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:39 pm

Well, it didn't quite work out as planned and haven't had a chance to work on it for a while.

The arms fit height-wise where I expected them to. But because of the slope of the roof, they sit too close together for his head to fit. I've still got an idea or two to squeeze them in. A lot more mod work than I'd initially planned tho. I should probably just go with a smaller pair.