Been trying to maintain constant output of ideas, builds, processes, crafts, and so on. But that has kept me from updating this site with the progress I have maintained. So, here’s me catching up on that. Descriptions and details will be brief, but only so as to not slow down my efforts in uploading the few pictures and media that I did capture and gathered here.
New 6×6
With front-mounted spiked drum sweeper that spins up to about 500rpm with a body housing an N20 reduction motor connected to a 3mm threaded rod and multiple (10+) Wartenberg neuro pinwheels. Not pictured here is the modular weapons loudout system in the truck bed. With two guiderails for slide-in and -out action, the goal is to standardize the size and scope of future projects to attach to vehicles. This way, any system I build can just bolt onto a 2″x3″x⅛” aluminum sheet that then slides in over a dropped/latching tailgate. It’s secure, standardized, and (most importantly) wobble-proof. This will make a great base for my dream of one day mounting a working harpoon gun to launch thin lines across a great chasm on which my figures can then zipline across. Making real what the action figure commercials of old would have had me believe was the case, but could never have delivered.
Swords
Have gotten into making scale swords, mated with sheaths and saya to slot into, some of which have an integrated spring actuation for a fun ¼-length release of the sword. The one below was made from a random serrated cheese knife I found one night inside a tool drawer. The saya for the Wakashazi (slightly shorter katana) is made from segmented brass rounds that were squished, squeezed, and cut down to size, then soldered back together. The kashira is made out of stamped/hammered copper. The menuki is made out of 1mm rhinestones. The tsuba is made from styrene. And the tsuka is made out of some old linens I found that were particularly soft.
Treadchair 2.0
I have been wanting to play with size of scale and engage in a fun, unanswered question with some of my builds, “Are these figures of an imaginary scale world? Or are they very realistic toys that have come to life with their scale vehicles, but can also create scale vehicles of their world from the above-world’s leftover and forgotten bits?” So, here my treadchair, made out of PLA, 11-speed bicycle chains, broken servos (circuitry from which are used for electronic speed controllers for the drive wheels), and the battery/electronics from found vapes throughout Philly. Also, I’ve begun utilizing a one-handed transmitter for simpler creations so as to promote accessibility for those that two-handed operations/dexterity may not be an option.
Hot Glue Skullz
I make use of skulls a lot, which I usually print in resin, then meticulously paint with bases, details, highlights, and washes. Well, I haven’t made that process much easier—since I have yet to set up my resin printer after rearranging my basement—and instead made a 3D mold from some two-piece forms to inject a hot glue gun into and pump out some sick skullz. I use a little coating of petroleum jelly inside the form to coat the PLA for longevity/uses and ease of removal afterwards.
Micro Jetboat
Looking for materials while working on a different build the other night, I found this little RC speedboat that I’d forgotten about. I decided to derail that night’s current project and instead begin building an animatronic micro Jetboat over the course of two evenings. Spent one night building out the driver’s seat area by jamming styrene sheets and solvents into a cutout—filling in gaps while I went—and one additional night painting it with a hyro-dip process of inks, paints, and other chemicals that began to hurt my nostrils after a little while. Pictures to follow with the finished painting. (Hopefully?)
Neon Genesis Evangelion Shoes
Not necessarily toys, but relevant in regards to “things I’ve made recently.” These are my new shoes: White slip-ons from Target, drawn on and all over. They are made to replace the Cowboy Bebop shoes I made last year, which were made to replace the My Neighbor Totoro shoes that Tomi made me the year prior. I’m quite proud of how well they turned out, especially the face of Unit 01 on the left foot. Though, I’ll concede that the red, shadowed image of Unit 01 on the right foot may have been a bit too loud. Oh well.
New Figures
I have made several new figures since my last update. Some are revamped old ideas that have been streamlined or made better; others are brand new ideas that either succeeded or failed at their prescribed intent; and some updates I wanted to share are the little accessories I’ve made for certain figures that I threw together on a whim, but seriously loved once they were installed (I’m speaking, specifically, about my little wrist-mounted grappling hook made out of some 40K greebles, a needle, brass rod, and surgical thread). In no particular order, here are some images of them, all of which have some level of animatronics built in, with circuitry involving video, A/V feeds, and one with a light-up eyeball made from fiber optics.
