A few Conversions..... (1 Viewer)

[Scott]

Turning TSSD Farmer into a regular infantryman

 

[Scott]

TSSD's Union wintertroops are some of the best figures out there! One soldier has a non-existent 4-barrel band rifle. Fixing 4-Banded rifle on TSSD winter Union soldier.

You can also change heads if you have multiples of this figure.

 

[binder001]

Very nice work - the TSSD figures are a great deal of fun to modify and convert. I do mostly WW2 so it's fun to see what others can do with the Civil War stuff.

Gary B.

 

[Scott]

I like their WW II figures but I'm trying to stay between 1600 and 1900. I have used the lower bodies of the GIs and Marines to plug Civil War bodies on top of. The Russian female sniper serves with a sculpted skirt with my Mexican peasants.

 

[kilted vampire]

A lot of times TSSD will have replacement weapons on hand or included in their sets.

 

[Scott]

Yes. I've ordered tens of rifles w/bayonets from TSSD. (I need some more too) I've bought loose TSSD figures from the Hobby Bunker, sometimes just to cannibalize for heads and weapons.

 

[PolarBear]

Scott

How do you attach the new parts that replace the ones you cut off? Will Crazy Glue work?

Thanks,

Randy

 

[eborris]

Crazy glue will work, but I usually pin them too.

 

[Scott]

I use 1/16" plastic rod as pins and Zap A Gap. (It's a thicker Crazy Glue) A pin vise with 1/16" drill helps. There's enough "slop" to allow the 1/16" rod into the 1/16" hole.

 

[eborris]

I've used a variety of things, I usually use a push pin with the plastic ends to make the initial hole then I insert a rod, pin or part of a small paper clip for the pinning, don't have a drill so I improvise , works pretty well for me.

 

[binder001]

On my conversions I use brass wire that I keep on the workbench for many model projects. My favorite is from Details Associates and it's sold for model railroad detailing. It comes in a number of sizes and I size the wire to the joint - arms don't need as much support as bodies, etc. I'm lucky enough to have a Dremel that slows down enough to use with plastic and a drill a pilot hole. Many times I use ACC (super glue) but where I need strength I use 5-min epoxy.

THere are other ways to do it, this is just my approach

Gary B.

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks Guys.

What's the safest way to remove a head without cutting oneself? I've used an X-Acto knife with 1/72nd scale but now were talking 1/32nd or 1/35th with the larger figures. How do AIP plastics cut?

Randy

 

[eborris]

I always use the X-acto, some cut easier then others, sometimes I emerse in really hot water for a few seconds before cutting if they are the pvc type plastic like Conte's Mexicans. Never tried to cut an AIP figure never cared for them. Some folks use a small hobby saw when cutting something like BMC.

 

[Scott]

Thanks Guys.

What's the safest way to remove a head without cutting oneself? I've used an X-Acto knife with 1/72nd scale but now were talking 1/32nd or 1/35th with the larger figures. How do AIP plastics cut?

Randy

When you figure it out let ME know. I've had one trip to the ER from an Exact-O knife. Very thin jeweler's saw blades on a coping saw work great for cutting plastic, but you have to get used to NOT getting the blade stuck in the friction melted plastic. I use an Exact-O knife for heads, hands, and arms if there is nothing in the way such as a rifle. I trim the neck to the coat collar and drill a hole in the neck. Then I hollow out the neck a bit so that the new head sits a little inside the coat collar. I also have a ring-light with the magnifying lens also called a mag lamp from LUXO, so I'm right on top of the work.
AIP figures cut well but some of the newer figures have plastic that splits easily if you are changing hands. Sometimes it depends on the color plastic used. Heads come right off as I believe a different (better) sculptor does the master heads and they are plugged into the master bodies just before the molds are made. I've bought multiple boxes of the Berdan's Sharpshooter/US Marines AIP figures and tossed 1/2 the figures just to get the excellent Kepi heads for other figures.

 

[Scott]

I'm going to try the hot water! Never thought of that expect to get the bends out. AIPs are light plastic versions of the old Britains hollow cast. Kind of stylised. They are great for building a huge "play army" of un-painted figures. I haven't tried painting them in detail.

 

[PolarBear]

Scott

Here is an AIP Royal Navy officer from the Zulu War painted by me. They paint up very nicely.

Randy

 

[Scott]

The detail on the AIP figure is good and you don't have to do much shading. Nice. The Zulu is nice too! I like your use of back drops. Thanks.

 

[PolarBear]

The detail on the AIP figure is good and you don't have to do much shading. Nice. The Zulu is nice too! I like your use of back drops. Thanks.

The Zulu is stock WB and it works well with the AIP figure I think.

Randy

 

[Uthred]

Thanks Guys.

What's the safest way to remove a head without cutting oneself? I've used an X-Acto knife with 1/72nd scale but now were talking 1/32nd or 1/35th with the larger figures. How do AIP plastics cut?

Randy

I know some of you may not believe me, but I use a metal thimble and it makes a great X-acto stopper! I actually got one from my wife after I had a nasty accident with an X-acto knife and lots of blood ruined the shirt I was wearing.


It works, believe me! Give it a try.

 

[NEVINSRIP]

After years of cut fingers, I have found the a single edged razor blade is the way to go. You can buy them in Home Depot in a one hundred pack very cheaply. Much cheaper than Xacto blades. The single edged blade gives you something to grip and if you cut AWAY from you fingers you will never cut yourself. I also find that on a lot of plastics you only have to cut about half way through on the heads. A little pressure and the head will come right off without further cutting.....Bill