Hi Jacko,
billhook301 can😊
https://model-boats.com/blogs/66580#66580
Cheers, Doug 😎

can anybody out there 3d print figures

Hi Guys,
I was thinking about doing the How To guide on this subject.
And looking back through this thread most of it is pretty much covered.
So i think the best thing to do is if you have any questions then i will do my best to answer them.

Martin555.

Hi Peter,
I am not that good.
I just tinker and sometimes it works out ok.

Martin555.

Hi Martin.
A

how to

guide is a brilliant idea. Your skills have no boundaries.
Ship builder.
Doctor.
Surgeon.
Decorator.
Electronics and computing wiz.
Teacher.

Have I missed anything?

Looking forward to seeing the painted finished item.😊

I modified a couple of Mountfleet figures for my last barge and stuck arms back on with Araldite. Perhaps I was lucky. Bought two for my current project at Warwick today, hope they won't need modifying.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Pete, thanks been there, but it seems that the type of plastic that doesn't seem to stick with any type of glue. Even solvent plastic weld.
Cheers Colin.

Have you ever tried a hot melt glue gun Colin? you have to work quite quickly, as the glue goes off fast!
but joints are sealed, and you can carve/sand off the excess.😐

Cheers, Pete

Thanks Martin, ah plastic welding, why didn't I think of it, especially as when I have used hot wire it has melted the plastic.
Just needed to be nudged in the right direction.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,
I have had the same problem in the past.
The only way i got over it was to heat up a scalpel blade that was held in a small vice, then with a pieces of the plastic that had to be joined (one piece in each hand) quickly rub the pieces on the hot blade at the same time and then quickly stick them together.

When set cut, fill, file, and sand until you have the required Finnish.

Martin555.

Delicate cutting, but I find most of the small figures I have don't like being rejoined, I can't find a glue that works.
And so I have been rejoining by inserting a hot wire into the limbs. But its hard to hide the joints.
What's the secret oh master of the miniature limb manoeuvres.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,
This might help to explain what I have been trying to do.

Martin555.

Yes please Martin.

Thank you for your wonderful comment Phil.
I will see if the other members would like me to do a How To.

Martin555.

Hi Guys,
Thank you for your comments i really appreciate them.
It is not easy when you have the shakes LOL!

If you want me to do an How-To Article on this subject
Then let me know.

Martin555.

Thanks for the information Peter.
I think that i will have to make things in 1:35 scale I future as it is easer to get figures.

Martin555.

Hi Peter,
I find the best aesthetic is Coffee taken regularly throughout the operation as it takes quit some time to do.
Not much good for the patient but good for the Doctor LOL!


Martin555.

The Forum subject says it all ! - great one for an "HOW-TO ARTICAL" with summarised hints and tips ?.
Inspiring reminder of what can be done to achieve a satisfying end result !.

Hi Martin, not sure myself, but 'O' gauge is
7 mm to 1 ft –
6.35 mm to 1 ft
Scale ratio various: 1:48 to 1:43.5
if that makes any sense to you!😊

Cheers, Pete

You've done a crackin job there Martin, think I might have a go myself, what anesthetic do I need?😐


Cheers, Pete

Amazing Martin, was just going to let you know about this set, has a load of extras with it, but of course you know that, good value for what's in the box.😐

Cheers, Pete

Hey! Martin, I think your getting there, so far looks good, very impressed...👍

Cheers, Pete

Well guys the operation went as well as could be expected and the patient is recovering.
I may have to reset his right wrist at a later date.
All of the final sanding and filling will be done prior to painting.

I just thought I would post this little operation to give you an insight to modifying figures.

Martin555.(Doc Martin)

The hardest part is holding them whilst you cut, fill, and sand.

Hi Marky,
No I purchased these (see photo) some years ago and have only just decided to make a start on them.

Martin555.

Doc Martin ,at least there's no blood🤣. are they the plastic soldiers you get in a big bag ?(as in toy story).
Cheers Marky

Many a word said in jest Martin,it doesn't even go up with inflation😂

Doc Martin here again.
The second leg required the same sort of treatment, this time to make it more bent so that it will reach the ladder rung.
The upper part of the body is temporarily tacked in place so that I can work out the wedge size.

A LITTLE TIP.
When applying the filler it is best to go over the filler with a small brush with glue on it, this makes the filler more liquid and helps to conform to the contours of the folds and creases of the clothing.

More drying time required now before I can continue with the operation.
Before I continue I will have to give him a bit more anaesthetic as I don't want him to suffer any pain.

Martin555.

Tried amputating bits for the Miami Martin - could never get them back on - used a soldering iron in desperation - Had to bury those afterwards...... Good thing I was never a member of the Medical profession.......
Then thick superglue worked .....
So the rest look not too bad - if I could find them again.....

Hi Guys Doc Martin here.
Well the anaesthetic has worked and he is out for the count.
I started by sticking him together with blue tack to give me an idea of what position he starts of at and what I have to do.
The plan is to have him climbing a ladder.
So the first job Was to cut off his legs.
The first leg needs to be straightened and twisted.
Small wedges cut from sprou was then glued in.
Now I need to wait for the glue to dry then a bit of sanding and filling is required.

Will post more as I go.

Martin555.

Marky you are only saying that because your pocket money is still the same as it used to be. LOL!

Martin555.

A lot dearer than when I was a boy🤣🤣

Hi Peter,
I am not sure but i think that "O gauge" railway figures are the same as 1:48 scale.

Martin555.

Be prepared to go back in time Marky, just found these Swoppets on Ebay..... a time warp!

Cheers, Pete

Martin found these on Ebay some weeks ago, and ordered a set, took about 3 weeks to come, but the are OK, says 1/40, but they are more like 1/48.
There are some military figures on the market, that have variable body parts!😁 in 1/48 & 1/32.😐
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-40-Layout-Workman-Action-Figure-Model-Toy-Figurine-for-Scene-Building-DIY/253863194521?ssPageNam
Cheers, Pete

Martines!😊

That sounds good to me Marky.
I think I will cancel the operation and just take the anaesthetic and stay in bed. LOL!

Martin555.

Dr Martin 👨‍⚕️ As long as you use plenty anesthetic on the patient ,or if the worst comes to the worst on yourself (but only in small doses)🤣

Hi Marky,
The scale is 1:48.
Tomorrow if I feel up to it I will do some more surgery on another German soldier.
He is booked in for surgery at 9.30am.
It is a long and complicated operation and has a 50% success rate.

Martin555.

Martin, remember in the Good old days you could get swappits where you could swap heads ,hands and arms,torsos and legs on the cowboys and indiansyou could also change their hats and headdresses you could also change the weapons they carried,also remember getting figures in cereal boxes .
By the way nice modifications to your figure ,what scale is he?.
Cheers Marky

Thank's Jb,
It is annoying that there are not many manufacturers that make model figures for our scale ships/boats.

Having to make sailors from solders is a right pain.
I suppose i will have to call them Marines LOL!!

Martin555.

Nice bit of work Martin

Hi Peter,
I know what you mean.
I try to get them doing something but unfortunately you cannot modify a lot of the plastic figures without doing major surgery.
If i had lots of figures i can then swap limbs and heads and cut and fill the gaps.
Some figures are so difficult that you actually have to grind arms/legs off completely and use wire and bits of sprue to make a new arm/legs.
Sometimes it seems more trouble that is worth but when you finally achieve it you look back at it and say it was worth doing.
It is a bit tricky to do i can quite understand why many modellers don't bother with it, but on larger scale models i think that it looks more complete with a few crew onboard.

Martin555.

I had some crew on my Yorkshireman, in relaxed poses, but Doug told me to get them of their B***'s!
difficult to do, when you can't get figures in working poses.😐


Cheers, Pete

Hi Ed,
Yes he is, although he will be sat on some boxes chatting to other members of the crew stopping them from doing there jobs.

Martin555.

Hi Peter,
Eventually he will be sat on some boxes talking to other crew members.

Martin555.

Thank's Colin,
I have a few more to modify.
If i can i will try a take some photo's at different stages.

Martin555.

Looking for crew to man a couple of the Thames Barge models I have built, I have found that modification seems to be the only way to get the figures you want, doing the things you want.

Nerys

Hi Martin,

Nice job on the modification!

Is he the one that sits around while everyone else work?
I remember there were a few on my first ship.
That did the same thing!

Cheers, Ed

What's he supposed to be doing Martin?😐

Cheers, Pete

Lovely bit of modelling repurposeing.
Just a joy to see a master craftsmans work.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers Colin.