Thanks guys!  I'm flattered that you all like my stuff. 

Hehe, I stole the Gree backpack idea from Chewie and DD.  I probably wouldn't have even thought about using my BBI or GIJoe stuff for customs had it not been for them.  I cut the lower half of the BBI backpack off and used the extra plastic to glue around his leg holster.  The holster also came from the BBI figure, I just carved it up a bit with an Xacto.

The exact figure is the Navy Seal Breacher.

Again, thanks for the help, advice, and warm welcome!

B

Thanks Gregorbian, you are too kind.    Of course, without the help and advice of all you guys here, they'd surely look a lot worse.

I think you're right about Gree...it seems he's a difficult clone to master.  Right now I'm working on filling out a squad for Gree - a bunch of spec ops guys for him to command.  They won't be like the biker scouts, though.  I'm thinking a cross between the Republic Commando and Gree might look kinda cool.  I'm just fleshing out their weaponry right now.

Everyone and their dog has done clones, but I'm new to all this so I had to try my hand at 'em.  I've been experimenting with different types of tape, paint, and pen with all these figures, so please bare with me and gimme some feedback. 

Aerial Clones





Gree and Co.









And of course...






To see all the photos I took, as well as different sizes, go here

Oh I've never had so much fun and frustration at the same time.  Some questions for all you vets out there:

1.  Sculpey use  for custom armor, accessories, etc.  I purchased some sculpey so I could mold some pieces to "update" the helmets and also give extra armor to my Republic Commando custom.  4 questions come of this:

• A - Is sculpey a good product to use for such a thing?
• B - How do you remove a sculpey piece intact so you can bake it?
• C - Do I really put them in the oven to bake them, and if so, for how long?
• D - Is there a good sealant for sculpey that'll keep it from getting brittle, cracking, etc.?

2.  Taping questions (again)

• A - Has anybody ever tried using the kind of tape that auto-body shop guys use?  I got this idea from watching American Choppers, and seeing the paint guys apply, twist, and bend this tape w/o any breakage, and an apparently good seal to the material.  It could be that the tape just seals better to metal than it does to plastic, but it could be that the tape is just better.

[li]B - I've been doing Shock Troopers, and I'm on my 3rd now.  I still have problems with getting good, clean straight lines when I pull the tape off.  On my 2nd and now 3rd Shocktrooper I began using an exacto knife to cut along the edge of the tape prior to removal, and it helps a little bit.  Is this what you guys do?[/li][/list]

3.  Gluing, etc.

• A - I got this ultra-stinky, nasty epoxy from Lowe's at the recommendation of one of their employees, and it didn't work too well for repairing broken lightsabers.  I've found that plain ol' superglue works best, but should I be concerned about durability?  I'm thinking of using superglue to attach soft plastic armor and accessories to figures, but if something else is better, please share.

4.  Casting my own molds - DD I'm looking at you! 

• A - What items does one need to successfully make custom heads?
• B - Do you sculpt a head out of sculpey or clay, then brush on the molding material?  I guess I could really use a tutorial on your whole process, DD, if you have the time and inclination.  I've read through ffurg.com's section on this, but I'd like a first-hand account, if possible.

As always, I submit humbly to the Gods of Customizing for guidance.

B

A few questions, but first: 

Awesome customs dudes!  Someday, hopefully I'll be as skilled.

K, with the questions:

1.  What's the BEST tape to use for straight lines on figs?  I've tried blue and regular masking tape, electrical, duct, but none seem to do the job.  Perhaps it's in the application of the tape, or how long to let the paint dry?

2.  When to sand?  Before, after each coat of paint?  I always sand and clean w/windex prior to painting a fig, though.

3.  DD mentions white spirits and someone else (Chewie?) mentioned mineral turpentine as great ways to remove stock or acrylic paint from a fig without damaging the plastic.  Where do you guys get these items?  No one at hobby stores,  or craft stores around here (Utah) knows what I'm talking about when I ask.  Might they be at a hardware store?

4.  Some of you dremel out helmets so you can give clones/ARCs a head.  I have a dremel, and before I go to buy some more bits/sanders for it I'd like to know which ones work best for this task.

Any help would be appreciated

bjardkerr