The Energon Pub

Just letting everyone know the next Renderform products up for order are the Hawk Saber and Giga Blaster, a G1 Metalhawk and Overlord inspired weapons.

These were first teased at BotCon 2012 at the Captured Prey 3P Party. Full details of the various versions and preorders are up, and going up at a couple retailers. A limited amount of the two pack set is available at Renderform.com, perfect for international customers who want to save shipping costs. Otherwise, you can order from great guys like Captured Prey and AgesThreeAndUp!

RW-012 Hawk Saber – This stand alone release is casted in a metallic gray, and features a 5mm peg, compatible with various figures! This release is limited to 200 pieces, and comes with a numbered collectors card.

RW-013 Giga Blaster – This stand alone release is casted in a dark purple color, with a tint of metalic to help stand out. Compatibility with the ROTF Bludgeon, Banzaitron, GDO Megatron allows it to be connected to the turret or cannon in tank mode! The gun features a 5mm peg ensuring compatibility with various other figures. This release is limited to 150 pieces, and comes with a numbered collectors card.

RW-012 + RW-013G Two Pack – This two pack features both weapons. The RW-012 is the same color as the stand alone verison. The RW-013G features a 80-90% color matched purple to the Gigatron figure. This set is perfect for those who want to complete the look for Metalhawk and Gigatron with their trusty weapons. This special two pack is limited to only 300 sets!

RW-012A – Red Fire Hawk Saber – Exclusive to AgesThreeAndUp.com, this translucent red Hawk Saber is a very limited run. It comes with a numbered card. Preorder yours today!

RW-012C – Purple Hawk Saber – Exclusive to CapturedPrey.com, this translucent purple Hawk Saber is a very limited run to only 50 pieces! It comes with a numbered card. Preorder yours today!

Check the link for full details:

RW-012 Hawk Saber + RW-013 Giga Blaster | Renderform.com

Done. You rock Venksta!

Purple and red!!! and I'm going to give them to Black Shadow and Thunder Wing that was to cool of a combination.

Pre-ordered. Now if he could just make a Robot head for Metalhawk...

These are pretty cool, Venk! I'm going to budget for a set.

Hm, not really convinced these days by Rendeforms output, not when you have the much more on point productions from the good Dr Wu and such like!

Bland, clear plastics which just dont seem to enthrall the way newer, more in touch, newer 3rd Party production houses are heading.

Sometimes extremely limited, hugely overpriced, poor distribution on occasions, I feel Renderform should get with the mainstream a little more.

I am happy to see more 3rd Party blasters and melee weapons coming through, but what was once a minor snapping at Renderforms heels, now sends him whimpering, tail between his legs!

robotmel wrote::-?
Hm, not really convinced these days by Rendeforms output, not when you have the much more on point productions from the good Dr Wu and such like!

Bland, clear plastics which just dont seem to enthrall the way newer, more in touch, newer 3rd Party production houses are heading.

Sometimes extremely limited, hugely overpriced, poor distribution on occasions, I feel Renderform should get with the mainstream a little more.

I am happy to see more 3rd Party blasters and melee weapons coming through, but what was once a minor snapping at Renderforms heels, now sends him whimpering, tail between his legs!

There is a difference between Venksta and Dr Wu. Venksta crafts each item personally (to my knowledge anyways) whereas Dr Wu does chinese labour.

Also I've never heard of poor quality with Renderform, and Dr Wu seems to be kind of hit-and-miss.

They're just different groups doing things differently.

The sword is kinda meh, the gun on the other hand is nice.

Mkall wrote:

robotmel wrote::-?
Hm, not really convinced these days by Rendeforms output, not when you have the much more on point productions from the good Dr Wu and such like!

Bland, clear plastics which just dont seem to enthrall the way newer, more in touch, newer 3rd Party production houses are heading.

Sometimes extremely limited, hugely overpriced, poor distribution on occasions, I feel Renderform should get with the mainstream a little more.

I am happy to see more 3rd Party blasters and melee weapons coming through, but what was once a minor snapping at Renderforms heels, now sends him whimpering, tail between his legs!

There is a difference between Venksta and Dr Wu. Venksta crafts each item personally (to my knowledge anyways) whereas Dr Wu does chinese labour.

Also I've never heard of poor quality with Renderform, and Dr Wu seems to be kind of hit-and-miss.

They're just different groups doing things differently.

Yes, Renderform products are not 3RD Party class material. Each item is to be viewed as a custom piece, as I have to hand finish everything myself.

I find it funny when people compare Renderform to Dr. Wu. I've seen a lot of negative feedback for their resin stuff. They only produce in resin or diecast. And their resin stuff doesn't have good track record, from what I've seen on various boards. Not saying Renderform items are free from problems. The only major issues I've seen people complain about in regards to my stuff, was the missile launcher from the Red Alert kit and the Goldbug kit's head being loose for some people. As well, the long wait period when ordering. That last part now being taken care of by offering products through online retailers like BBTS, and Ages Three and Up, which is a plus and negative on how you view it.

As for pricing, I feel I've kept within 3rd party standards, even though I can charge for more based on recasted resin parts others sell, and what Shapeways would charge to produce my items (Hawk Saber would cost $35 at the cheapest through shapeways in a translucent material before markup).

I've seen a Dr. Wu kit for half a face, and a small little bomb retail at $19.99 at BBTS. The face is just recasted from the original toy, and then resculpted to have a mouth instead of a face plate. Compare to a full upgrade kit like my Hubcap kit where you get a whole head consisting of 4 parts, and 2 unique guns, all original designs by myself for $29.00, and limited to less than 500 sets. I can also compare the Gold Bug kit I made to Beezleboss. Both cost $30. Theirs was probably a run of over 1000, or 2000 pieces. I ended up making around 600 kits between four color variations, released at the same time. Both kits came with a head, and two guns. Beezleboss kit's gun were both the same design, where as the two guns in the Renderform kit were unique designs, not the same.

I don't mind if people don't like my stuff. I obviously don't like everything out there. But if your going to go out of the way and bash me and my works, please be constructive and use facts, then I can make improvements, where I feel are needed.

Thanks for posting Venksta !

That's a personal touch we'll never see from any of these 'big third party' companies like Dr Wu .

xyl360 wrote:That's a personal touch we'll never see from any of these 'big third party' companies like Dr Wu .

Venk continues to add that personal touch, whether on the fan boards or through his own website/social media outlets. It's a huge credit to a one-man show, and yet another reason why I like to support Renderform (besides the primary objective to arm my collection to the teeth).

As outlined by Venksta and others, there are other alternatives to the "add-on" scene to choose from. I have 5 pieces from Renderform (including the Goldbug set) and I'm not disappointed in any of them. You just have to be patient...

Everything I've gotten from Renderform has been top notch and a big plus to my collection. He can be a bit pricey on some items, but that is the cost of the limited runs he produces. But, you pay for good quality!!

I don't mind if people don't like my stuff. I obviously don't like everything out there. But if your going to go out of the way and bash me and my works, please be constructive and use facts, then I can make improvements, where I feel are needed.

Hi Venksta love the Gun for Overlord! could you make us a new head for him? possibly a little smaller? that head is way too big. Thanks!!

Venksta wrote:

Mkall wrote:There is a difference between Venksta and Dr Wu. Venksta crafts each item personally (to my knowledge anyways) whereas Dr Wu does chinese labour.

Also I've never heard of poor quality with Renderform, and Dr Wu seems to be kind of hit-and-miss.

They're just different groups doing things differently.

Yes, Renderform products are not 3RD Party class material. Each item is to be viewed as a custom piece, as I have to hand finish everything myself.

I find it funny when people compare Renderform to Dr. Wu. I've seen a lot of negative feedback for their resin stuff. They only produce in resin or diecast. And their resin stuff doesn't have good track record, from what I've seen on various boards. Not saying Renderform items are free from problems. The only major issues I've seen people complain about in regards to my stuff, was the missile launcher from the Red Alert kit and the Goldbug kit's head being loose for some people. As well, the long wait period when ordering. That last part now being taken care of by offering products through online retailers like BBTS, and Ages Three and Up, which is a plus and negative on how you view it.

As for pricing, I feel I've kept within 3rd party standards, even though I can charge for more based on recasted resin parts others sell, and what Shapeways would charge to produce my items (Hawk Saber would cost $35 at the cheapest through shapeways in a translucent material before markup).

I've seen a Dr. Wu kit for half a face, and a small little bomb retail at $19.99 at BBTS. The face is just recasted from the original toy, and then resculpted to have a mouth instead of a face plate. Compare to a full upgrade kit like my Hubcap kit where you get a whole head consisting of 4 parts, and 2 unique guns, all original designs by myself for $29.00, and limited to less than 500 sets. I can also compare the Gold Bug kit I made to Beezleboss. Both cost $30. Theirs was probably a run of over 1000, or 2000 pieces. I ended up making around 600 kits between four color variations, released at the same time. Both kits came with a head, and two guns. Beezleboss kit's gun were both the same design, where as the two guns in the Renderform kit were unique designs, not the same.

I don't mind if people don't like my stuff. I obviously don't like everything out there. But if your going to go out of the way and bash me and my works, please be constructive and use facts, then I can make improvements, where I feel are needed.

Hi Venksta.
I wouldnt say Im going out of my way to bash you as you put it, I just offer opinion like everyone else who use fan forums which encourage debate on new items posted for review?

All I have to go on when I see a new weapon or figure is any pictures or description given, usually from the production house behind that product, where I would then offer an opinion should I actually be interested in the company, new or old, behind it and their previous output, which usually helps when a comparison can be made?

I can not fault the points you made, being a sole business man, designing and hand finishing your pieces, no one could ask for more when it comes to that personal touch.
I have seen a few items on your website which I have in my Favourites list which look very nice, so my comments where only focused more so on these particular new weapons, not everything you produce.

I felt the swords looked a little unwieldly, oddly shaped too, but I guess Im somewhat of a tradionalist sometimes?
I wasnt really taken by the gun/rifle either, but hey, its all down to opinion in end!

We all know that some of these new pretenders to the crown 'borrow' designs from Shapeways or rip an entire head, making a small percentage of changes and call it their own, but these things can turn up some types of awesomeness, sometimes for the wrong reasons. They can be so bad it makes them good!

Regarding pricing with not only yourself but other 3rd Party producers, it can be all over the place, sometimes inconsistant?
I dont agree with the pricing of some 3P items, they just seem ridiculously overpriced for a little piece of plastic, painted or not.
That will always be there, no matter who makes these add-ons.

I dont go out of my way to flame, bait or generally upset any of the contributors to these forum pages, so sorry if my, sometimes on-point, often crazy blatherings cause irritation?
I come with an special tube of cream which should be applied before use!



Hey Venksta, I have both your website and Facebook page on my Favourites list, but neither (especially the website) seem to be updated very regularly?
What are your first ports of call when it comes to promoting new products? Fansites; Twitter; Facebook...?

Its all for the love of giant transforming alien robots!

Might have a surprising update on these by Monday. Stay tuned.

robotmel wrote:
Hi Venksta.
I wouldnt say Im going out of my way to bash you as you put it, I just offer opinion like everyone else who use fan forums which encourage debate on new items posted for review?

All I have to go on when I see a new weapon or figure is any pictures or description given, usually from the production house behind that product, where I would then offer an opinion should I actually be interested in the company, new or old, behind it and their previous output, which usually helps when a comparison can be made?

I can not fault the points you made, being a sole business man, designing and hand finishing your pieces, no one could ask for more when it comes to that personal touch.
I have seen a few items on your website which I have in my Favourites list which look very nice, so my comments where only focused more so on these particular new weapons, not everything you produce.

I felt the swords looked a little unwieldly, oddly shaped too, but I guess Im somewhat of a tradionalist sometimes?
I wasnt really taken by the gun/rifle either, but hey, its all down to opinion in end!

We all know that some of these new pretenders to the crown 'borrow' designs from Shapeways or rip an entire head, making a small percentage of changes and call it their own, but these things can turn up some types of awesomeness, sometimes for the wrong reasons. They can be so bad it makes them good!

Regarding pricing with not only yourself but other 3rd Party producers, it can be all over the place, sometimes inconsistant?
I dont agree with the pricing of some 3P items, they just seem ridiculously overpriced for a little piece of plastic, painted or not.
That will always be there, no matter who makes these add-ons.

I dont go out of my way to flame, bait or generally upset any of the contributors to these forum pages, so sorry if my, sometimes on-point, often crazy blatherings cause irritation?
I come with an special tube of cream which should be applied before use!



Hey Venksta, I have both your website and Facebook page on my Favourites list, but neither (especially the website) seem to be updated very regularly?
What are your first ports of call when it comes to promoting new products? Fansites; Twitter; Facebook...?

Its all for the love of giant transforming alien robots!

Hey Robotmel, sorry if my reply came off harsh. I just get annoyed with compared to Dr. Wu, and the numbers never add up that poeple try to claim. But like I said, I don't mind it, as long as what people state are true.

And no worries about your personal opinion on the sword or any designs. That is your right to not like it. One of the reasons its great to be able to make such a lower production run as I can offer things to people who 3P companies can't afford to do.

As for pricing, I've been in the 3P scene since Fansproject started, by helping them, and working with various other 3P companies, pricing is always based on production run sadly. Most factories seem to require a minimum of 3000 pieces, for a new tooling. Repaints and remolds can be lower runs after. I think its possible for some factories to do as low as a run of 1000 pieces, but they are the factories companies don't want to deal with, haha.

I suggest to watch the Renderform Facebook page. I update that frequently. Just that there are time periods where there is no news, so you won't hear anything. I also have a little window on the Renderform.com site that links to the Facebook page for updates. I will also be posting here directly when new items are ready for preorder at sponsor sites, like BBTS and AgesThreeAndUp.

Totally agree with the comments on Dr. Wu's quality control issues. I find that a lot of their die-cast weapons are unwieldy and certain parts don't align well, which ruins the appearance of the weapon (take the star saber, for example.) I really like your work, Venksta. Please keep it up. However, with the Hawk Saber, I think it's a "specialist" weapon that will only look good in the hands of the toys it was designed for. For those who don't have such toys, the saber seems out of place. Take, for example, the shot of Leo Prime wielding the Hawk Saber...It looks awkward, which brings me to my next question:

Can you please, oh please please please sometime in the near near future procure a saber befitting Leo Prime/Thundertron? Preferably a set of matching sabers with angled 5 mm ports that would plug well onto the "hips" of Leo Prime/Thundertron??? That would be EPIC!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

roBROmanceFTW wrote:Totally agree with the comments on Dr. Wu's quality control issues. I find that a lot of their die-cast weapons are unwieldy and certain parts don't align well, which ruins the appearance of the weapon (take the star saber, for example.) I really like your work, Venksta. Please keep it up. However, with the Hawk Saber, I think it's a "specialist" weapon that will only look good in the hands of the toys it was designed for. For those who don't have such toys, the saber seems out of place. Take, for example, the shot of Leo Prime wielding the Hawk Saber...It looks awkward, which brings me to my next question:

Can you please, oh please please please sometime in the near near future procure a saber befitting Leo Prime/Thundertron? Preferably a set of matching sabers with angled 5 mm ports that would plug well onto the "hips" of Leo Prime/Thundertron??? That would be EPIC!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Hi roBROmanceFTW, keep an eye out for when I make the announcement for the next Renderform item. I'm sure it will interest you.

Renderform.com orders have begun shipping! Any order paid to date, will be shipped by Monday!

I'll begin shipping to retailers next week. Some of them should have these new items in stock before the end of the month.

Venksta wrote:Renderform.com orders have begun shipping! Any order paid to date, will be shipped by Monday!

I'll begin shipping to retailers next week. Some of them should have these new items in stock before the end of the month.

I must admit, I'm impressed with the speed. You rock dude!

Mkall wrote:

Venksta wrote:Renderform.com orders have begun shipping! Any order paid to date, will be shipped by Monday!

I'll begin shipping to retailers next week. Some of them should have these new items in stock before the end of the month.

I must admit, I'm impressed with the speed. You rock dude!

Thanks man! And if your lucky, you might be the first one to get it in the mail, and maybe even on Monday, if Canada Post is good about it.

Venksta wrote:Hi roBROmanceFTW, keep an eye out for when I make the announcement for the next Renderform item. I'm sure it will interest you.

Will do, sir. Will do.

I got my set yesterday and it is truly awesome. I was very happy to find out you get 2 swords with the set plus the gun. One sword is smaller and fits perfectly with the deluxe sized Metalhawk. The other sword is the large one which I will use for a voyager figure. Thanks Venksta !

Rated X wrote:I got my set yesterday and it is truly awesome. I was very happy to find out you get 2 swords with the set plus the gun. One sword is smaller and fits perfectly with the deluxe sized Metalhawk. The other sword is the large one which I will use for a voyager figure. Thanks Venksta !

Glad to hear you got your order already!

The smaller sword is a bonus only for Renderform.com orders. Its the original prototype shown at the Captured Prey 3P Party.

Venksta wrote:

Rated X wrote:I got my set yesterday and it is truly awesome. I was very happy to find out you get 2 swords with the set plus the gun. One sword is smaller and fits perfectly with the deluxe sized Metalhawk. The other sword is the large one which I will use for a voyager figure. Thanks Venksta !

Glad to hear you got your order already!

The smaller sword is a bonus only for Renderform.com orders. Its the original prototype shown at the Captured Prey 3P Party.

This is why I always order direct from Venksta, he always hooks us up. Transparent weapons are nice, but the occasional surprise piece is awesome. I suspect mine arrived too, but alas I won't be home until the weekend.