Twi'lek smuggler looks excellent, I used the same head for a realistic Hera Syndulla.
I thought about doing the same. And honestly I'm fine with this custom figure as a Syndulla stand-in; it looks close enough to how she might look just before or just after the Rebels series.
Both are great updates. That Smuggler Gal is great. Love the pistol harness she has. Wish Hasbro would make that is bulk.
What glue do you use to make sure the new head ball stays put?
Off to share your update.
That would be CRAZY COOL if Hasbro sold parts of figures and/or just accessories (like Marauder Task Force does with military figures).
The glue I use is Pacer Technology (Zap) Zap-A-Gap
(https://www.amazon.com/Pacer-Technology-Zap-Zap-Adhesives/dp/B00SXJJ2QI/ref=asc_df_B00SXJJ2QI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312184153387&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5650440374127107249&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029683&hvtargid=pla-326675147958&psc=1), but it's more complicated than just glue. I'll get some pictures next time I do one of these ball-joint swaps, but I'll try to explain it now. If you have a head with a hole that's too small for your ball joint usually you can just dremel the hole bigger and make it fit. If you have a head with a hole that's too big for the neck ball you have a couple options. First, I know people have used hot-glue to fill the gap, but when I've tried that I've had poor results. Second, you could use a two-part epoxy to build up the ball joint. Seems like a lot of work so I've never tried this. Third, you could replace the ball joint. To replace the ball joint first you need to find a ball joint that will fit the head you're using (best if your donor figure is the same figure the head came from 'cause you know those will fill together well, but often you can find one that will fit and take it from a crap figure). Cut off the ill-fitting ball joint on the recipient figure, set the new head on the neck and evaluate how high or low the head will sit on the neck and shoulders. You may need to cut off some of the top of the neck to mount the donor ball lower, or you may need to plan to bring some of the neck with the ball joint from the donor figure. Next using a pin vise (
https://www.amazon.com/Pin-Vises/b?ie=UTF8&node=2225064011) drill a small hole down into the top of the neck, then drill a matching small hole up into the bottom of the donor ball joint. Next, using a scrap plastic rod from some previous project, or using a styrene rod cut a post that will fit down into your neck, and up into the ball. Glue the post into the neck, allow the glue to set, and text fit the ball on the neck. You may want to re-evaluate the height, but definitely make sure your post is long enough to fit into the ball, but not so long that the ball won't sit flush on the neck. Then add glue to the post and the ball and mount it. The post won't be seen once your custom is assembled because it's inside the neck and ball, but having that post inside your new joint adds a lot of strength to the joint. Without the post your ball joint is likely to come off inside the head when you're trying to turn the head.Again, I'll get pics next time I make one.
And here's a link to styrene rod.
https://www.megahobby.com/products/025-rod-10-evergreen.html Also, a note about ball donors. I NEVER throw away a ball. If I've stripped a figure and broken the torso (or if I KNOW I'll never use the torso), I'll cut off the ball (really, the whole neck and ball) and keep it for possible future use.
Twi'lek smuggler looks excellent, I used the same head for a realistic Hera Syndulla.
Love that head one of my favorite's they have ever done.
CHUCKLES This custom looks amazing.
Thanks! One of my favorite heads too. I've had the head in a "Primary Project" bin for years waiting for the right project.
Now, I wish there were such figure-fan meetups around here...maybe I should start one! Neat finds there! Your female smuggler looks sharp! Nice combination of colors there!
That local meetup is really damn cool. I feel pretty lucky to have that. It's mostly GI Joe fans, the guy who hosts is a big Joe fan. Also, when I say he "hosts" I mean that! He has access to a conference room, his wife makes lunch for everyone who shows up, and they hang out there from 10am to 7pm. I usually pop in around noon and stay for a couple hours. Mostly I just hang out talking with these guys, but there are always a few Star Wars things to find. And actually, now that I've gotten to know the guys better they'll sometimes hit me up about local SW store-finds! A few of them also do custom figures, but again; GI Joe. If anyone here is in Utah let me know and I'll get you invited!
And one last note about styrene. I'll get some pictures later, but I have made a couple lightsabers using the colored styrene rods (links below), may be worth looking into if you haven't tried it!
https://www.megahobby.com/products/1-16-blue-fluorescent-acrylic-rods-10-plastruct-supplies.html https://www.megahobby.com/products/1-16-red-fluorescent-acrylic-rods-10-plastruct-supplies.htmlhttps://www.megahobby.com/products/1-16-green-fluorescent-acrylic-rods-10-plastruct-supplies.htmlhttps://www.megahobby.com/products/1-16-yellow-fluorescent-acrylic-rods-10-plastruct-supplies.html