WGP's Classic Star Trek: ***-You-up Kirk pics

[William Shatners Toupee]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Want. Those. Boots.

The ones you have sculpted looks awesome and I'd want several pairs for various figures. There must be other who feel the same? C'mon guys? For my part, I still think "beets" (boot/feet) are the way to go, to get that nice, tight-to-the-calf look. Anyone else have thoughts?

For that matter, the tricorder you have sculpted would rock as well!

These?

The Tricorder is printed. We just need to do fine tuning to the doors.

Okay, as someone who hade pre-purchased several Trek heads from day one (a-hem! ), I love this idea, but I would ask that you pm these "loyal customers" a bit in advance of its anticipated release, so funds could be budgeted accordingly?

That makes sense.

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Got Kirk and Rand today. Very nice sculpts. And they are at least drilled.
Unfortunately the neck is, again, too long for Dragon bodies and the drilling will not even accomodate a DML neck. Rand will also need another drilling [wait!! that doesn't sound right] because, while the neck area was drilled out, there was no drilling for the neck stud which would hold the head on.
I still support WGP, but waiting a year + would be so much more worth it if the product was actually useable once it was finally received.

 

[sdabbs]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Got Kirk and Rand today. Very nice sculpts. And they are at least drilled.
Unfortunately the neck is, again, too long for Dragon bodies and the drilling will not even accomodate a DML neck. Rand will also need another drilling [wait!! that doesn't sound right] because, while the neck area was drilled out, there was no drilling for the neck stud which would hold the head on.
I still support WGP, but waiting a year + would be so much more worth it if the product was actually usable once it was finally received.

Hey Ironman

Always good to get your feedback buddy (even if it is about 'drilling' Rand!) Me and Rick, along with our moldmaker (who is a Trek fanatic) and a few other people have been back and fourth about the length of the necks (see previous posts) we went for longer necks to accommodate the shape of the uniforms (which often make regular sized necks too short) HOWEVER, we are always striving to bring out the best product possible, so I would like to take your observations and throw them to the public vote - please shout out if you feel that:

- Rand needs the additional drilled out stud hole
- the Necks of any of the Trek heads are too long

If the majority of the people interested (from the first page) agree with you then of course we will make the aforementioned changes

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Hey Ironman

Always good to get your feedback buddy (even if it is about 'drilling' Rand!) Me and Rick, along with our moldmaker (who is a Trek fanatic) and a few other people have been back and fourth about the length of the necks (see previous posts) we went for longer necks to accommodate the shape of the uniforms (which often make regular sized necks too short) HOWEVER, we are always striving to bring out the best product possible, so I would like to take your observations and throw them to the public vote - please shout out if you feel that:

- Rand needs the additional drilled out stud hole
- the Necks of any of the Trek heads are too long

If the majority of the people interested (from the first page) agree with you then of course we will make the aforementioned changes

Hi Sean,
The neck [like it was with the BSG heads that I showed the comparison of to a true Dragon sculpt] is about a 1/4 inch longer than a DML neck. The uniform allowance argument, which was also used for the BSG sculpts, is worthy here as the Trek uniforms don't ride up as high as the Colonial Warrior uniforms, which really didn't need the extra length anyway. That notwithstanding, the drilling of the neck only fits HT type adapters and not a DML neck. Granted, while I have over a hundred Dragon figures, I only tried it on about 20, but it did not sit properly on any of them.
As for Rand, if she is to be mounted [again, sorry ] on any HT, CG, etc type body the head does not just sit on the neck, it attaches to the neck stud to hold it in. If someone has a body that doesn't attach that way, the extra, smaller hole would not hurt the height, or the way the head appeared, but only be of use to those that do.

 

[thecapn]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

I'll preface this by saying that I haven't gotten my Kirk head yet, which is mostly my fault, since my office moved since the original payment and it slipped my mind to let Rick know.

Honestly, the neck length isn't a problem to me. It doesn't take long to Dremel down a neck a quarter inch (only 5 mins or so really). And if for any reason you need that extra length, it's easier to get rid of than it is to rebuild. I didn't get the Rand, but I can understand that one - drilling out heads is an annoying task and hard to do.

My biggest urge here is to consider making a neckless Kirk sculpt. First off, I for one am trying to make him in his green wraparound, which won't look good with a neck. Second, even on a uniform, Kirk had a very pronounced slouch which is hard to show on a neck-mount body. Most of the neckless sculpted bodies though (not HT - but Solider Story and Enterbay) are easily slouched and look better for the Captain. Just my two cents. Carving down a neck isn't the easiest thing in the world to do.

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Carving down isn't easy and neither is dremeling off 1/4 inch for some either. Its not the time but the ability to be able to do it properly and evenly.
As I've said before, for the cost [not just WGP] of most custom heads, they should be "ready to use" when finally received.

 

[sdabbs]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

I'll preface this by saying that I haven't gotten my Kirk head yet, which is mostly my fault, since my office moved since the original payment and it slipped my mind to let Rick know.

Honestly, the neck length isn't a problem to me. It doesn't take long to Dremel down a neck a quarter inch (only 5 mins or so really). And if for any reason you need that extra length, it's easier to get rid of than it is to rebuild. I didn't get the Rand, but I can understand that one - drilling out heads is an annoying task and hard to do.

My biggest urge here is to consider making a neckless Kirk sculpt. First off, I for one am trying to make him in his green wraparound, which won't look good with a neck. Second, even on a uniform, Kirk had a very pronounced slouch which is hard to show on a neck-mount body. Most of the neckless sculpted bodies though (not HT - but Solider Story and Enterbay) are easily slouched and look better for the Captain. Just my two cents. Carving down a neck isn't the easiest thing in the world to do.

a neckless kirk is also a good thing to consider and is very easy for the moldmaker to do - shout out if you want any of the heads neckless

 

[sdabbs]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Carving down isn't easy and neither is dremeling off 1/4 inch for some either. Its not the time but the ability to be able to do it properly and evenly.
As I've said before, for the cost [not just WGP] of most custom heads, they should be "ready to use" when finally received.

I guess the main issue with the customizing scene is that most people making these bashes are able to perform a certain amount of customizing themselves, so the little guy who cannot do any sanding etc and is just looking for a ready to assemble toy is often overlooked. I am not saying that that we shouldn't be providing a completely finished and ready to use product, but with so many variables to consider (which body a person uses, which neck connection, a neck or no neck, height of the neck, height of the actor compared to the body being used etc etc and above all personal preference ) , and only the odd person speaking up about it, it is not surprising that these things do not get attention. Unfortunately we have to cater for the majority, if we spent money on every mod a person suggested then we would have been bankrupt a long time ago - though that is not to say that we don't try and have everybody happy.

I tell you what - Next time you order a head from us specify what body you will be using and if you would like a bit off the neck or no neck or whatever - then we will instruct the moldmaker to amend the cast accordingly

 

[thecapn]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Carving down isn't easy and neither is dremeling off 1/4 inch for some either. Its not the time but the ability to be able to do it properly and evenly.
As I've said before, for the cost [not just WGP] of most custom heads, they should be "ready to use" when finally received.

I didn't mean to be rude, honest. Just giving my 2 cents I personally would rather have it too long than risk having it too short, but that's just my personal thought. YMMV

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

I understand the complexities of getting everything right in a way to please everyone. The height issue aside, the necks appear to have been drilled out for an HT style neck adapter. If the necks were at least drilled to fit ALL the existing bodies with built on type neck it would be a start. Everybody can't afford HT bodies for every figure they want to make.
Example 1:
Kirk on a Headplay adapter [and coincidentally the WGP necks are as long as Headplay necks]

Example 2:
Kirk on a Twisting Toys type body

Example 3:
Kirk on one of the recent popular ebay bodies

Example 4:
Kirk on a Dragon body

Example 5:
Kirk on a Sideshow [hint, don't even think about it] which I show presuming that Spock will wind up drilled similarly and he needs a thinner, slightly taller body

You'll notice that there is a gap between neck and full head placement to varying degrees.

 

[sdabbs]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

That's cool - thanks, but kinda useless without the costume on - could you snap some pics with the costume on?

 

[JMW326]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

I understand the complexities of getting everything right in a way to please everyone. The height issue aside, the necks appear to have been drilled out for an HT style neck adapter. If the necks were at least drilled to fit ALL the existing bodies with built on type neck it would be a start. Everybody can't afford HT bodies for every figure they want to make.
Example 1:
Kirk on a Headplay adapter [and coincidentally the WGP necks are as long as Headplay necks]

Example 2:
Kirk on a Twisting Toys type body

Example 3:
Kirk on one of the recent popular ebay bodies

Example 4:
Kirk on a Dragon body

Example 5:
Kirk on a Sideshow [hint, don't even think about it] which I show presuming that Spock will wind up drilled similarly and he needs a thinner, slightly taller body

You'll notice that there is a gap between neck and full head placement to varying degrees.

I am starting to think that you are just one of those people that aren't going to be happy with anything and complain just to complain.

I understand about not being happy with the delays but everything else seems like nitpicks.

When doing custom figures you have to expect to do some of the work yourself. That's part of the fun in doing them.

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

That's cool - thanks, but kinda useless without the costume on - could you snap some pics with the costume on?

By your command
On Dragon

On Sideshow

I am starting to think that you are just one of those people that aren't going to be happy with anything and complain just to complain.

I understand about not being happy with the delays but everything else seems like nitpicks.

When doing custom figures you have to expect to do some of the work yourself. That's part of the fun in doing them.

Wow, such insight.
What's fun for YOU may not be the fun part for everyone else. Assembling the figure is the work I have fun doing.
Doing the work that was part of what I paid for is neither fun nor expected. You seriously think the image of Kirk on the Sideshow body is nitpicking? And being as you mentioned the delays, you don't think that something ordered and paid for a year or so ago should at least arrive ready to use? Please explain how a head that does not fit the body is nitpicking?
I sincerely hope you don't work in customer relations.

 

[thecapn]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

While I don't think JMW326 said it well, he does have a point in that I've bought a lot of custom unpainted cast heads over the years. Some have holes, some don't have any. Some are too loose, or too tight, some are too big, some are too small. Some have long necks that need trimming, some are too short and need lengthening. The point is that the maker makes them based on a certain need, and a lot of times it's necessary to fudge them a bit to fit yours.

While I agree with you that the length of time it has taken to get the heads has been far longer than anyone expected, it honestly is only a very minor inconvenience to widen the hole. I wouldn't say it's "fun" lol! Not by a long shot. But it only takes a few minutes! You can't expect them to drill it to fit every possible adapter, can you?

I think sdabbs has it right - if it's important, they could drill it to fit the specific type of body you'll use right at their end.

I'll say it again, YMMV, and everyone's "fun" in customs is different. I for one enjoy painting. But I know not everyone does! But this is pretty minimal stuff. If you had to drill it out completely, I'd understand. If you had to do some extreme amount of work, I'd get that too. But it is really minor in the grand scope of things. Just saying. Not trying to be rude.

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Capn, I understand what you are saying. And, no, I'm not saying to drill the head out for each and every type of adapter. What is possible though, is to drill each head deep enough to accomodate a Sideshow neck piece and wide enough to fit the Dragon/Twisting Toys type neck piece or even the HT adapter. That would make the head accept just about any neck piece. It wouldn't make up for the longer necks which, quite frankly, I don't understand unless you're outfitting your figure in a turtleneck, but at least the head would fit on the body.
Like you, I have bought many heads over the years and I can't tell you the disappointment I have every time I get one that is not drilled. Its one of the main reasons that my Firefly crew has not been assembled.
Sean, I apologize if being critical is deterrent to your thread. I didn't mean anything but to expect to get what I paid for.
I won't post anything further and just wait for the rest of my items.

 

[thecapn]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Capn, I understand what you are saying. And, no, I'm not saying to drill the head out for each and every type of adapter. What is possible though, is to drill each head deep enough to accomodate a Sideshow neck piece and wide enough to fit the Dragon/Twisting Toys type neck piece or even the HT adapter. That would make the head accept just about any neck piece.

Ahhhh gotcha. In that case I understand your point.

The Firefly crew were one of the hardest to get done. Funny (sad?) story? About 2 years ago, I was trying to drill out the Mal boots that Trevor made to actually fit on feet - that was hard! I lost track of how far I was drilling and ended up drilling through the bottom of the boot and right into my index finger. I would have gone to the emergency room, but it was right in the middle of a bad snow storm that had me cooped up in the house for days. I still have the scar

 

[William Shatners Toupee]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

NECK HOLES

Just for me to weigh in here, we've always said these were going to be made for Hot Toys. These would look positively atrocious on a Sideshow body because they weren't made for them. Maybe use the Captain America tall boot pegs to make your characters taller like for Spock if that would work? And the slim body for shorter characters?

Our caster Lonnie called me and re-iterated he is happy to mod the head to a different neck type for just $5. If he doesn't have the body you want to do it to, you'll just need to send it to him, so we can accommodate anyones wishes.

We've been specific on Hot Toys because we needed to be specific when deciding what body to make the sculpted male boots for because they need to be so tight, (which will be boots the bodies foot peg pops into.

Speaking of which, we want to cast the boots soon. Can I please have people chime in through PM or on here if they are still interested and how many they may want? Ballpark price will be $30 with discounts on multiple pairs. Which bring us to...

RAND BODY QUESTION

I have somebody lined up to make female Starfleet costumes for us for our Rand and our future Uhura figures. I am not really up on female bodies though. Since she wears nylons she would definitely look better on a body with rubber legs as opposed to a TTL type of body that has joint kneecaps you can see.

What I don't know is if the HT (or whomevers) rubber will make it impossible to dress the nylons on. I remember early reports of rubber bodied figures being very difficult to dress (from a long time ago). Can anyone chime in so we can commit to a body and buy one for the seamstress?

What we are doing about female boots is still being decided.

We are now moving on to getting the tri-corders ready for molding and working on the door peg mechanisms.

Thanks gang!

 

[Spartan Rex]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Dare I ask about the Phaser rifle progress?

 

[William Shatners Toupee]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Ask away! (laugh)

I'll be straight with you and say at Warriors Gate we have a lot of different projects that we love to choose between and only in Trek do we have two other customizeres also making things we need to compete against in sales.

While we take interest lists, we generally want 16 people interested in something before we can go ahead, and in the case of Trek, we see the same peoples names on our list for the same weapon someone else might be making. It doesn't give us confidence to take the time and energy to make a lot of Trek things because we feel like we may not make a return if we make them if the other person makes theirs first.
That could be time spent making something else with less risk instead, from another show with no competition you know? Plus, we also really wanted to get the freaking heads out before we pursued any accessories as well (laugh).

Now of course the irony is no one ended up putting out Trek things at all in the time it took us to get these heads out. So now we are talking about producing the boots and Tri-corder, and as talked about a few posts earlier, taking deposits on some of the larger things to guarantee commitment/interest. We can always do that for the phaser rifle too.
Keep shouting out accessory and head wants gang so we know you still have interest and we'll see what we can make happen.

 

[Ironman1188]

Re: WGP's Classic Star Trek (being cast now)

Sorry, I said I'd stay out, but I just reread the first 120 posts and it says about the ordering info and prices and when they were supposed to be ready but it says nothing about Hot Toys.
I have hundreds of spare bodies and no intention of needing to buy head specific bodies and then buy "taller" boot pegs? If the heads were drilled in a way similar to how I indicated one sculpt would be useable on all the bodies that use heads with necks and adapters.
I have several of Lonnie's hero heads offerings and none had this problem. I certainly don't expect to pay more to have it done as it should have been in the first place.
You guys ask about how to restore faith? Send out a product that doesn't appease one [HT owners] group. A product that can be used on several bodies is better for everyone. Even HT made heads can be used on other bodies.
Again, sorry.