Post by Zoidmagnite on Jan 3, 2010 22:38:56 GMT -5
I wanted to do something in a short amount of time, and I thought up a quick and simple project. I'm calling these projects my 45-Minute Custom Projects, as they are something that I can customize, and tidy up the majority of the project in about 45 minutes (give, or take, 15 minutes).
We're going to use some very basic tools that won't break our bank to own. Eventually, I will put these projects up on my website (once I can get my website actually going....), but for now, I'll share them here, mainly because I want others to enjoy their Zoids as much as I do.
That said here we go!
45-Minute Project #1: Peg Extensions! Make CP-14 fit Command Wolf Like It Should.
If you have Zoids Customize Parts CP-14, Viking Lance Unit, you will see that it is supposed to be able to fit Command Wolf (RZ-009, RZ-024, or RZ-042 and etc.). The problem is that it doesn't really fit Command Wolf, and once you actually get it to go onto the Wolf, it is floppy--and of course don't breath on it--or it will fall off.
So let's fix it!
I think CP-14 needs peg extensions to fit Command Wolf properly. You can get peg extensions in CP-19 Bind Container Unit, but then you have the extension tied up on Command Wolf. So, let's make our own extensions to put CP-14 on Command Wolf and put it up on display for a while, or maybe forever.
The first thing I need to construct a peg extension is a machine shop.
Well, I don't have a machine shop, but I got some Zoids parts, some Zoids sprues, a drill, a file, a saw. M'kay, I can make that work. I started with a Junk Salamander and located some perfect pieces to make the socket portion of our peg extensions.
So I will use those hollowed out sleeves that are normally for putting caps on as my sleeve for my peg extension.
Next, I need some material to make the peg portion of my peg extension. So I'll use a piece of that left over Zoids sprue. Now, Zoids sprues look like their about 2-3 standard sizes. The fact is, they are not. And after checking some different sprues, I found one that will be large enough to make a peg out of with very little extra work. In this case, one of my Hammer Rock sprues just happened to work. Yay!
So I'll cut off a small piece of sprue. I estimated a length to fit into the sleeve of the peg extension with just a little bit of sprue sticking out to make the peg. Now, I don't want to cut it too short, cause I can always file it down later.
With the sprue cut, the next step I used was drilling out the sleeve on the Salamander part before I cut it off. It turns out that it is easier to work with by leaving it on the part first.
Once I had the sleeve drilled to snugly fit the sprue I cut the sleeve off and test fitted the assembly.
I made sure that the sprue didn't go too far into the sleeve since I wanted enough room to fit the sleeve onto Command Wolf's Peg. Doing that now, meant I didn't have to do too much drilling later on the sleeve portion that would mount onto Command Wolf. Once the fit-up looked good, I glued the two parts together.
With the two parts glued, the next step I performed was cutting the sprue off slightly longer than necessary to make the peg. I figured it was always easier to do a little filing at the end of the project as opposed to trying to make the sprue longer (bad idea!). Since my Super Glue works really fast. I was able to cut the sprue off in just a couple of minutes.
With the sprue cut off I did a little finish sanding on the newly fashioned peg so that it will slip into the CP-14's socket smoothly. If I'm lucky, this will be a quick process.
Now it was time to test fit the peg extension in the CP-14. Luckily all my careful checking paid off and the sprue extension slid in snugly.
In looking at the initial fit-up, I decided I wanted to shorten the peg extension for the Lace Unit of CP--14. So, I took my file and 'slowly' and patiently ground the peg extension's sleeve portion down.
I repeated the process and made a second peg extension for the Shield Unit of CP-14. Once it was fabricated, I did a test fit of both peg extensions on Command Wolf. Again, I wanted the peg extensions to go on smoothly. If they didn't go on smoothly, I used a drill bit to widen the holes. I was careful and very patient during this step. If I drilled and made the hole too big my peg extension would be useless!
Once both peg extensions were tested and fitted it was time for the grand finale. Mount CP-14 onto Command Wolf and enjoy my efforts!
Once I had CP-14 mounted on Command Wolf I went ahead and did a quick pose to see the final result. The great news is that you CAN WIND Command Wolf up and he walks just fine with CP-14 hanging off his shoulders. Success! 45-Minutes of work for a great end result. CP-14 is now fitted to Command Wolf!
I hope this little project was useful. I did do a little bit more fitting up and I'm probably going to paint the sprue extensions black to match Command Wolf's legs, but the majority of the work is done. Hope you enjoyed this!
I hope these posts won't waste anyone's time with my little ideas. I have a bad habit of wanting to share my ideas and have some fun. MODERATORS: Please let me know if I need to take this project down.[/a]
