The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1 · Sun May 10, 2015 10:30 am

Thanks for the input. :BOWDOWN:

I still may go forward with hand-sculpting a chest piece, or I may decide to use another base figure. At any rate, I have to track down a BW Starscream ASAP for Nautica... :DANCE:

Sun May 10, 2015 11:56 am

It's funny, but I usually buy WSF Unpolished from Shapeways; the funny part is that after painting, the pieces feel stronger than when I first get them. And being pourous, they absorb colors really well, but even Acrylic paints will take a bit longer than naormal to dry.

Sun May 10, 2015 12:14 pm

Nemesis Maximo wrote:It's funny, but I usually buy WSF Unpolished from Shapeways; the funny part is that after painting, the pieces feel stronger than when I first get them. And being pourous, they absorb colors really well, but even Acrylic paints will take a bit longer than naormal to dry.

Actually this is quite a big deal; painted and sealed pieces really are more resilient than unpainted ones, it helps stop the surface from becoming worn down and becoming more powdery.

Mon May 11, 2015 9:30 pm

This colossal mess and a set of lady robot heads just got ordered for testing.

Normally I'd release stuff as a beta for anyone who felt brave enough to try before I could test it, but Nautica's such an involved (and relatively pricy) set that I would feel very bad if anything wasn't right with it once it went on sale. I should get this before the end of the month, so fingers crossed!

Mon May 11, 2015 10:17 pm

GlauG wrote:This colossal mess and a set of lady robot heads just got ordered for testing.

Normally I'd release stuff as a beta for anyone who felt brave enough to try before I could test it, but Nautica's such an involved (and relatively pricy) set that I would feel very bad if anything wasn't right with it once it went on sale. I should get this before the end of the month, so fingers crossed!

Good luck! Hopefully all is well with the kit.

Mon May 11, 2015 10:30 pm

Good lock, Glaug! I look forward to seeing it assembled!

News Credits: 12 · Tue May 12, 2015 12:55 pm

I look forward to seeing it...

Tue May 12, 2015 5:10 pm

A quick heads up; for those who are interested, Lena81822, an eBay seller, has quite a few BH starscreams last I checked. (note: Lena's items are super cheap since they are figures with slight defects, like a minor paint app). I'm probably gonna pass, I want to see how the kit looks, but just throwing that out there if y'all are interested.

Tue May 12, 2015 5:15 pm

Thanks all! I should get my stuff next week, all being well...

Moosey wrote:A quick heads up; for those who are interested, Lena81822, an eBay seller, has quite a few BH starscreams last I checked. (note: Lena's items are super cheap since they are figures with slight defects, like a minor paint app). I'm probably gonna pass, I want to see how the kit looks, but just throwing that out there if y'all are interested.

I actually bought a few BH Starscreams myself while working on this project, and more than one came from Lena. Although I snagged one or two when they were discounted locally.

Tue May 12, 2015 9:07 pm

Because I have some kind of terrible design addiction despite having just finished Nautica, this is my IDW-style Megatron chest for Toyworld's amusingly-titled Hardbone. I've seen some lovely customs from this mould and I want to make my own, complete with a more IDW-ish chest, new cockpit/turret area, new head and corresponding parts for that. There'll also be two versions of the chest, one with a swappable central plate so you can have a 'bot symbol on one side and 'con on the other!

Also, here's a sneak peek of the Minerva parts together. Sadly her head's smaller than I'd like, but it has to be able to fit in the cavity her transformation leaves.

Wed May 13, 2015 7:11 pm

Speaking of that IDW-style Megatron... Delta Magnus, you might be interested in this.

Ended up having a last-minute blitz before I go back to my usual work schedule tomorrow. This set of head, cannon mount, chest piece, tank canopy and tank rear armour (to cover the head) will hopefully turn Hardbone into an IDW-y Megatron. Also considering modding the head for other moulds... Does anyone have the measurements of CW Leader Megs's neck joint?

Wed May 13, 2015 9:40 pm

I've been wanting a current IDW Megs since last year, and since Mega Steel Granville was announced (though disappointingly was first year IDW 'Tron instead). I am ripe with anticipation in how this project develops.

Thu May 14, 2015 2:10 am

That is one pointy nose.

News Credits: 12 · Thu May 14, 2015 3:00 pm

GlauG wrote:Speaking of that IDW-style Megatron... Delta Magnus, you might be interested in this.

Ended up having a last-minute blitz before I go back to my usual work schedule tomorrow. This set of head, cannon mount, chest piece, tank canopy and tank rear armour (to cover the head) will hopefully turn Hardbone into an IDW-y Megatron. Also considering modding the head for other moulds... Does anyone have the measurements of CW Leader Megs's neck joint?

Aside from the hobgoblin nose I am LOVING that head! If you can adapt it to work with the Cybertron Defence Scattorshot (or in my case Universe Dropshot) mold I will love you forever.

Thu May 14, 2015 3:20 pm

I've had a lot of comments about the nose, but Megs (like most of the MtMtE cast) has a very serious case of Milne-nose going on.

Although looking at a better 3/4 profile, his is evidently much more straight at the bridge, so it does need a little tweaking...

Still not there yet. Blarrgh.

Thu May 14, 2015 6:25 pm

Right! All done, I've separated the eyes for light piping, only remaining work is to resize him and add necks as appropriate. Anyone want to give me detailed measurements and pics of the CW Leader Megatron's neck?

Thu May 14, 2015 9:41 pm

I don't have Leader Megs, but if I did, I'd be sorely tempted to get this. What are the odds you'd make this for Voyager Megs?

Fri May 15, 2015 1:49 am

Nemesis Maximo wrote:I don't have Leader Megs, but if I did, I'd be sorely tempted to get this. What are the odds you'd make this for Voyager Megs?

Which Voyager Megs? The '07 Classics one? I have the toy so it's not too big a deal to make a version to fit it.

Tue May 19, 2015 4:04 pm

Naturally, I'd get these the day after the Beelzeboss set is announced (so I have no inclination to finish the axe I had planned), but it's nice to see another satisfied customer's Chromia. I'll be getting my own set of these along with Nautica's parts, which hopefully arrive this week! Plus, my CW Ankle joints, Minerva parts, and revised pieces for MtMtE Brawn...

Tue May 19, 2015 6:38 pm

GlauG wrote:
Nemesis Maximo wrote:I don't have Leader Megs, but if I did, I'd be sorely tempted to get this. What are the odds you'd make this for Voyager Megs?

Which Voyager Megs? The '07 Classics one? I have the toy so it's not too big a deal to make a version to fit it.

I could see the Henkei/United version working well enough - you just have to take off the wings and fusion cannon and makes a rough approximation of the current model in MTMTE.

Also, you've got a kit for a MTMTE Brawn? Somehow I missed that one - what figure is the basis for that?

Tue May 19, 2015 6:56 pm

Inaction wrote:
I could see the Henkei/United version working well enough - you just have to take off the wings and fusion cannon and makes a rough approximation of the current model in MTMTE.

Also, you've got a kit for a MTMTE Brawn? Somehow I missed that one - what figure is the basis for that?

I'll dig out my Classics one and modify the head soon then.

And yes! MtMtE Brawn is based on BH Bulkhead. Previous version had some tolerance issues which prevented transformation. Should all be better now.

Thu May 21, 2015 6:36 pm

Guess who turned up today

Apologies for the flash photography, but the fancy circular bulb in my desk lamp has blown...

Nautica has some obvious flaws I need to correct (and I rather unhelpfully forgot to order her feet) but she's looking good enough to make this all feel worthwhile.

Things I've learned:

Her wings are getting smaller and the rotors are becoming integrated.
I screwed up a measurement on the chest which is making things difficult right now.
One of the 3 head designs is worse than the other two, since it broke. >_>
WSF prints badly when sprued in a box. Flat layout in future.
I need to not forget her feet.

This guy is pretty much exactly as I'd hoped. One or two VERY minor tweaks and he's good to go.

Minerva's got a head based on Nautica's which meant I ended up also creating a balljoint mount for the Generations BB mould. She photographs poorly but I think I am happiest with her out of all the bits I got today.

Some last-minute tweaks and then I will put these up for sale...

Fri May 22, 2015 11:43 am

Looking good! And Brawn looks better up close. Can't wait to see him painted.

Mon May 25, 2015 7:51 pm

Just a small update, I'm very happy with Minevera overall but before I painted her I should really have test-transformed her... There are some minor fit issues that need correcting. x.x

Sat May 30, 2015 5:11 pm

Got some more parts yesterday, one last set coming next week sometime.

With this piece, Megs's chest can be switched in and out. Almost as if you wanted to put two different symbols on his chest and couldn't choose...

I'm noticing that the clear heads photograph really badly, alas...

This one's kind of ironic...

The new shoulder cannons and slightly reworked chest and head make Thunderclash look a LOT better. I've started stripping this one down to repaint properly.

A scene I don't expect to see in MtMtE #42...

Tried some different lighting to show off different details. Will look better painted, I hope!