GIMLI Customs...

[Wor-Gar]

Looks good. I'd give it a go holding the battle axe to make sure you have the hands positioned where you want them. I'd put the axe in his hands then heat them and put them on over the DiD stumps while he's holding it. That way you're absolutely sure they're where you want them positioned. The downside to using the TB soft is no wrist articulation, so once they're on, they're on.

Good point. But I think I'm gonna leave the gauntlets on loose -- you know, so I can twist them around on the forearm as if the have articulation. They stay on very firmly but still have 'twist' ability. I won't glue them in place.

Who knows, I may get the roto at some point so I want to be able to remove these in case.

He looks a bit monkey-armish right now but I assume that its just because of the short chest now. Once the pants are on and sitting lower to compensate I imagine he'll look like the ones you guys have. That's the goal anyway.

Since I'm waiting on EC's sculpt, it saves me the hassle of painting the TB head.

 

[thenammagazine]

Good point. But I think I'm gonna leave the gauntlets on loose -- you know, so I can twist them around on the forearm as if the have articulation. They stay on very firmly but still have 'twist' ability. I won't glue them in place.

Who knows, I may get the roto at some point so I want to be able to remove these in case.

He looks a bit monkey-armish right now but I assume that its just because of the short chest now. Once the pants are on and sitting lower to compensate I imagine he'll look like the ones you guys have. That's the goal anyway.

Since I'm waiting on EC's sculpt, it saves me the hassle of painting the TB head.

Well, leaving them loose will potentially create another issue. The axes are metal and are quite heavy (a Buck can't hold them up) in comparison to other 1:6 weapons. This could potentially result in a nightmarish scenario of the hands continually popping off and the axe breaking when it hits the ground (mine did this twice while prepping the custom). The handle is wood and has a tendency to break right where it meets the axe head. That's why I'd suggest just positioning them with the axe and giving the gauntlets a good heat and slide them all the way on. They'll hold permanently and you won't have to worry about any of the aforementioned issues. It'll also eliminate the monkey arms. However, you'll lose articulation but that's the cost of using the soft bits vs. the roto's.

BTW, still no Roto for the price you want. It seems pretty much impossible at this point unless there's some miracle sale. You're looking at an increasing market of $36-$45 now and I predict it'll just keep increasing with more and more individuals who're more than willing to fork over the cash for such a key aspect of this build. That said, I'm still keeping my eyes open.

 

[The Josh]

Nice job WG! I need to get off my lazy butt and get a Gimli so I can have Josh work his magic on him.

The problem then lies with getting Merry and Pippin.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Thanks Josh!

And thanks Nam for still keeping an eye out for me. I know those rotos are going fast, I should have nabbed one earlier on when I got the other stuff. But maybe the peak will pass in a few months and some will turn up for less...like the DiD did with that woman. It just takes one seller who doesn't know what he's got. Or a mislabelled auction. Anyway, I might get the stuff I need for EC, except of course the working gauntlets. We'll see how it goes as to the weight of the axes...maybe I'll have him holding the long one more like a spear with the butt resting on the ground. That would also help stability of the figure. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

 

[thenammagazine]

Thanks Josh!

And thanks Nam for still keeping an eye out for me. I know those rotos are going fast, I should have nabbed one earlier on when I got the other stuff. But maybe the peak will pass in a few months and some will turn up for less...like the DiD did with that woman. It just takes one seller who doesn't know what he's got. Or a mislabelled auction. Anyway, I might get the stuff I need for EC, except of course the working gauntlets. We'll see how it goes as to the weight of the axes...maybe I'll have him holding the long one more like a spear with the butt resting on the ground. That would also help stability of the figure. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

Don't mention it. Run into any issues, you know how to find me.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Watching the game and playing with dolls. Great day.

Got him together, roughly...I see a lot of stuff to tweak now.

Head's just sitting on top, not fixed yet.

Mine's a bit bulky. Need to futz a lot more to get good shaping.

I shortened the tunic and chainmaile to get the look like in the pic. Might have gone a bit too short. Might have to let a bit out.

And surprisingly, he seems reall thick in the middle. Must be the clothes because I didn't do much to him to fatten him up.

I might go with the TB shoulder armor (while waiting for roto or EC) rather than the DiD shoulder armor that's on him -- just not crazy about the DiD stuff; the TB has a much brighter pattern, at least you can see it.


Anyway, chime in guys and let me know what I can do to improve him.

Thanks!

 

[The Ringer]

That looks excellent WG!

Also that chainmail looks exactly like it does in that promo shot.

 

[Wor-Gar]

That looks excellent WG!

Also that chainmail looks exactly like it does in that promo shot.

Thank you!

The length bothered me so I always figured I'd hike it up a bit. I think I might have gone too high, but he's also a bit bulky around the middle, so if I slim him a tad, the tunic might hang to the proper length.

I just sticthed a bit around the middle where the belt hides the hem line.

But please, constuctive critisim would be helpful.

Like I know the chainmail is too light, and bunches up too much at the elbows. I have to cut some length off. Also need to cut some chainmail out of the center or realign it where it tweaks.

I'm also really interested now in EC's bigger boots, they look small to me, these TB boots.

And where are you guys putting his 4th ax? Behind his back? I have one on each side, not sure where the other long one goes.

 

[thenammagazine]

Anyway, chime in guys and let me know what I can do to improve him.

Thanks!

Bite the bullet and pick up the Roto.

 

[pixletwin]

WG that looks awesome!

But yeah... Improving = getting the Roto-Gimli.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Bite the bullet and pick up the Roto.

WG that looks awesome!

But yeah... Improving = getting the Roto-Gimli.

I know, I know...

I'm hoping Entropy Chiecken will come thru with the shoulder armor and the boots (plus that wicked headsculpt) and then I'd be set.

That, and I don't want to spend $45 on the roto. The whole Gimli you see above cost me less than that ($30 to be exact).

 

[pixletwin]

I really love what you did with where the pants meet the boots. Looks very much like the prop photo. Did you do anything special?

 

[Wor-Gar]

I really love what you did with where the pants meet the boots. Looks very much like the prop photo. Did you do anything special?

Thanks! Nothing special. Just tucked them into the boots a bit and bunched 'em up around the boot and tried to balloon them out a bit. Pretty much just tried to copy that ref pic more or less. He has a bit of a 'Santa' thing going on there.

 

[Entropy]

I know, I know...

I'm hoping Entropy Chiecken will come thru with the shoulder armor and the boots (plus that wicked headsculpt) and then I'd be set.

That, and I don't want to spend $45 on the roto. The whole Gimli you see above cost me less than that ($30 to be exact).

Can't beat that! Awesome work!

I'd darken the chainmail a tad. Maybe a grayish black wash with silver drybrushing. But it's your call. He looks fantastic now!

And I'll be mold making on Monday.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Can't beat that! Awesome work!

I'd darken the chainmail a tad. Maybe a grayish black wash with silver drybrushing. But it's your call. He looks fantastic now!

And I'll be mold making on Monday.

Thanks! And good news on Monday!

I'm definitely going to paint the chainmail. Just have to get it futzed right first. Once it's set and I know just what's showing, I'll brush away.

I was planning on getting a set of proper chainmail but the one I had my eye on disappeared before I could order it. Still looking. But maybe with some paintwork this DiD will serve its purpose. It's not too bad really on the elbows bunched up.

 

[El Skutto]

Okay, I've finally started work on my Gimli and I have three questions for those who've already completed theirs.

1) What's the best position for the soft TB head on the DID neck peg? Should the head be flush with the base of the peg, or should it ride slightly higher? I'm worried that having it stuck flush with the base would place the head too low on the torso, like he has hunched shoulders or no neck at all.

2) What's the best way to cut off the gloves from the Ignite chainmail hauberk so that the material doesn't come unraveled at the sleeves?

3) What's the best way to build up the shoulder articulation? The shoulders seem to have become looser since I separated the torso halves, and I'd like for him to be able to hold poses over time. I haven't glued the body back together yet, so is wrapping up the shoulder balls with plumber's tape (or something similar) the best option?

For those who haven't started theirs yet, I found that the easiest way to separate the torso halves on the DID body is to simply place the tip of a flathead screwdriver against a seam and give it a couple of good whacks with a hammer. No drilling or cutting required. The hardest part was definitely getting the soft TB boots off. I ended up just drilling out the hole (that's what she said).

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I'm going with the soft TB head, helmet, gauntlets and boots (I prefer their larger size); the DID modded body, outfit and weapons; and the roto shoulder pads. All that with a fat suit and the Ignite mail hauberk. I think I'll use the Lothlorien cloak that came with a soft TB Legolas figure that I got in a lot auction with the roto Gimli until I can find something better.

 

[thenammagazine]

Okay, I've finally started work on my Gimli and I have three questions for those who've already completed theirs.

1) What's the best position for the soft TB head on the DID neck peg? Should the head be flush with the base of the peg, or should it ride slightly higher? I'm worried that having it stuck flush with the base would place the head too low on the torso, like he has hunched shoulders or no neck at all.

Did he have a neck?! When in costume Gimli often did the "Batman" deal to look up.

2) What's the best way to cut off the gloves from the Ignite chainmail hauberk so that the material doesn't come unraveled at the sleeves?

Take a steel straw, tuck it inside the sleeves and melt the mail at the edge. That's what I did and I don't have any issues with unraveling.

3) What's the best way to build up the shoulder articulation? The shoulders seem to have become looser since I separated the torso halves, and I'd like for him to be able to hold poses over time. I haven't glued the body back together yet, so is wrapping up the shoulder balls with plumber's tape (or something similar) the best option?

I tucked some plastic into the sockets while I had him apart to prevent that from happening. Post reassembly, I believe Marc used a rubber band on them.

For those who haven't started theirs yet, I found that the easiest way to separate the torso halves on the DID body is to simply place the tip of a flathead screwdriver against a seam and give it a couple of good whacks with a hammer. No drilling or cutting required. The hardest part was definitely getting the soft TB boots off. I ended up just drilling out the hole (that's what she said).

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I'm going with the soft TB head, helmet, gauntlets and boots (I prefer their larger size); the DID modded body, outfit and weapons; and the roto shoulder pads. All that with a fat suit and the Ignite mail hauberk. I think I'll use the Lothlorien cloak that came with a soft TB Legolas figure that I got in a lot auction with the roto Gimli until I can find something better.

Good luck!

 

[Wor-Gar]

Re-FUTZED my Gimli today -- fixed a few things that bothered me:

Pics are a bit blurry, sorry. No light.

I let out a bit of my stitching on the tunic so it would hang a tad lower. Picky, yes.

Also, I didn't like the way the tunic flared out, so I folded the back into flaps similar to like Jack Sparrow's coat, thus slimming the sides down below the belt line so it hangs better.

Minor nitpicky stuff, but I think it helps.

What do you guys think about height? About right to a Hobbit?

 

[pixletwin]

Very fine indeed. Can you take pics of what you did to get rid of the tunics flare?

 

[The Josh]

Nice job WG! That TB Gimli looks fantastic.

Edit: Just won one on ebay its in the ROTK box and then once it gets here off to Josh for some work.