Hey all- I was thinking about a minor alteration I'd really like to see on an Alternator & am surprised it hasn't been done yet. And I thought maybe someone here might have the abilities to make it a reality.

I'm talking about adding a faceplate to Alternators Tracks' head to make it look more like the toy incarnation of Tracks. The though came to me of having the faceplate to make a Road Rage custom. I'd also like to have an extra or two for my Trackses.

Is there anyone on the board that has the capacity to add the faceplate and then possibly make a mold and a resin cast? I know I've seen some really nicely sculpted heads (Len's Sideburn comes to mind as well as TFMaster I think?)

Anybody? I could even supply a Tracks head to work off of if you needed it.

pike

actually, all you need to do is use a little sheet-styrene, and you have track's face plate. his face plate, if memory serves, is kind of like prime's. All you have to do is cut a couple of small pieces of sheet styrene, and glue them in place temporaraily with elmer's glue. Then, you can cast the head in resin without ruining the original. For this, Alumillite makes a complete molding and casting system that can be found at better hobby shops.

I actually have one done (faceplate on the Alt Tracks head). Although I cut off part of the sides and the top antenna pieces. I was attempting to sculpt a head for my Alt Storm Shadow custom but ended up using another sculpt.

Yeah I know about alumilite and all, but I've never done any resing casting or any work with Styrene, so I was hoping someone with some experience under their belt might be up for it. I can paint well, but in the past when I attempt modifications it usually ends up with a ruined toy and me with some kind of wound on my hands/fingers.... =) Or sometimes my fingers end up glued together. I did try a faceplate for Tracks once, with plastic sheets and hotglue to see what it looked like, but I couldn't cut the pieces just right, because I don't have many cutting tools other than razors/exactos. I'm definitely more of a repainter than a kitbasher.

And to VP how'd you do the faceplate? styrene? Too bad you cut the crown off... hows it look otherwise.


And I'm just thinking aloud now, but if someone where to make resin cast heads for Alternators (from other similarly sized TFs, or modifications of existing Alts) it would be a boon to kitbashers- I mean thats the main sticking point as to why I don't do more repaints- the heads don't match the characters.

ah well. a man can dream!

pike

Pike

Yes, I used styrene for the mouth plate. I used putty to make the mouth plate for my Soundwave head though. The Tracks head doesn't look too bad, but it doesn't look like Tracks any longer. I have an extra tracks head so I might try to put a face plate it for you and cast it. And on the subject of casting, that's what I do for my scuplts. I cast them after doing the basic sculpt. I then fine toon it off of the resin because its much easier handling resin then the the plastic. I'm working on an Arcee head right now to do an Alt Arcee. If it turns out good I'll think about offering it to anyone who wants one.

Hey I'd get both if you offered them =) I'd really appreciate if you did a Tracks head- And as mentioned in the first post, I could supply a tracks head (from a custom made from a prototype Tracks) I've always been more of a toy fan, so Tracks for me has always had a faceplate. As for sculpting- I haven't done any in probably 8 years or so, and I wasnt so great then anyways. I mean, do you remember my Runamuck custom? Thats about as extravagent I've managed to get when it comes to modifying a face.


pike

Okay, I can understand why you're hesitant. First off, casting in resin can be a tricky business. And working styrene isn't an easy thing either. But for tracks, all you would need is two small pieces of styrene. I largely use sandpaper ans a small pair of scissors to cut and shape small pieces.

As for getting hurt by the processs, I think it might be because when you cut, you're trying to force the blade through the plastic quickly. I used to make the same mistake (with very similar results!). If you take your time and work carefully, it shouldn't be too bad.

All the same, this isn't to try pushing kitbashing on you. If you don't feel comfortable cutting and shaping parts, then by all means DON'T. I apologize if I seemed a little pushy in my last post, and I would rather you enjoy your craft.