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Collecting => Customs => Customizing Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: ThePerennial on February 7, 2006, 11:07 PM

Title: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: ThePerennial on February 7, 2006, 11:07 PM

 I need somebody who can do this for me. Can anyone do this and if so, can I see pics of the result? I need my captain typho head, which is a peg jointed head, to be fully articulated as a ball-jointed one for a custom. Can someone do this for me or give me a tutorial on it if it isn't very hard?

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: Clone Commander on February 7, 2006, 11:41 PM

Yeah i've been wondering about that for a while now.
I think that you would use a dremel drill(obvious).

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: Phalanxx on February 8, 2006, 10:16 AM

I have recently being experimenting with this and it has worked out pretty well.  I used it on my Jedi Zoran Erida. I converted a pegged head to fit on an ROTS Red Leader Obi-wan.  The Figure can be seen here. (http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=10386.msg196767#msg196767)

Here is what I did.

With the head warm (either from  boiling water or a hairdryer). I used an exacto knife and cut a "V" shape alone the jawline and the hairline as shown below.

(http://www.phalanxxdesigns.com/misc/cut.jpg)

Then holding the head upside down with a pair of piliers, I drill a small pilot hole up into the head at the point on the "V" with my dremel.  Then I use a 1/4" tapered bit (http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-detail.htm?H=188537&G=66237&I=66264) on my dremel to hollow out the head.  Dremel also has different sizes of cutting bits depending on the size of the hole needed.

I would recommend practicing on a few spare heads first.  I also want to thank chewie for walking me through the process the first time I tried this mod. 

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: ThePerennial on February 8, 2006, 11:18 AM

Thanks! I'll have to try that! although, I am very noobish at dremelling. So noobish, in fact, that I'm going out to get one today because I've put it off for too long :P

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: Ryan on February 8, 2006, 03:30 PM

I've actually just done this on about 7 or 8 heads in the last week or so, with pretty good results so far. It really isn't as bad as it may sound. Like Phalanxx said practice ona spare head first so you don't mess up the head you are trying to use.

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: BrentS on February 8, 2006, 04:17 PM

I've also done this a few times and practice definitely helps.  One thing I can add, is that working with a small head is very nerve-racking (or at least it was for me).  Its very easy for the dremel to slip and I've always worried I'm going to grind my fingers to the bone  ;)  So far no major injuries.

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: Nirvana on February 8, 2006, 04:28 PM

Wow, nice tutorial! I just used your instructions to dremel out a BBi sculpt to fit a clone neck post, and I got it done on my first try. Thanks alot, this opens up new ways for me being able to use heads with the peg ruined to fit on a ball joint head.

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: CHEWIE on February 8, 2006, 04:46 PM

Yes, excellent tutorial Phalanxx!  That's how I do that method too, though at times I'll still cut off a torso's neck ball knob and drill into it.  Either method can work.  Definitely try this on junk figures first though.

 :P

Title: Re: Dremeling peg heads into ball-jointed heads.
Post by: Nirvana on February 8, 2006, 04:57 PM

Well, I didn't, but I was very careful and continuously making sure the ball wouldn't be too big. It's really cool, I'll pics soon. My camera's fixed now.