The Upgrade Kits Thread

[unluckiness]

With the advent of 3D printing, there are now dozens of operations cranking out parts, gizmos and doodads for your favorite plastic money sinks. Saw something cool? Wanna ask how that thing that caught your eye is? Want to give feedback? Maybe just wishlist? Start the conversation in this thread!

[Pre-Order] New Bee Factory NB-01 Energy Universe The Killing Arm Upgrade Kits for Transformers SS86 OP

Introducing the New Bee Factory NB-01 Energy Universe The Killing Arm Upgrade Kits for Transformers SS86 OP, crafted from ABS material. A must-have for collectors to improve the details for toys.

showzstore.com

I saw this kit and I’m interested in it mainly for the head. The new comics are good but I don’t care for the arm since for me, it’s more or less the same level as the random junk they pack in with MP figures to recreate that one time the character did that one thing. The new head looks fantastic and allows for more movement, particularly looking up which is cool. The sculpt is great too, not that the stock head is bad but this is better. Other options generally just downscale the MP-44 heads which end up looking small and/or skinny due to transformation clearance and Commander OP being bulkier all around. Whoever did this head properly accounted for the base toy’s proportions. The kit is completely injection molded which is pretty much a requirement for anything that has to move IMO. I’ll probably try to pick the kit up if it proves not too expensive.

 

[unluckiness]

An interesting Kingdom/Studio Series Galvatron cannon popped up, made by Achai, who probably has modified more than half that toy by this point. While it's apparently 3D printed (unlike his other releases for whatever reason), the cannon shorter than the stock cannon in robot mode but is able to open up to extend for alt-mode. While not strictly G1, it's a definitely something to consider. Opaque orange isn't my personal preference but I do like the value of Galvatron being able to put his arm to his side without the cannon scraping the ground since I mount the cannon on the forearm port.

 

[Stepwise]

So - Nonnef van feet kits - how's the quality, how difficult is the installation? I've been thinking about getting a DK-2 Guard to be my Ironhide, but I'd want those, too.

 

[unluckiness]

Nonnef's stuff interests me but the hoops of getting the stuff means Ive never actually tried any of them. Being hard plastic insted of 3D print is a huge bonus.

 

[lastmaximal]

I don't know about that Galva cannon, although I like that the inset panels no longer raise like they did in the prototype (or maybe they CAN still but you opted to leave them). Looks better that way. Maybe if it were all the same color, interior included; the animation model does seem to transform slightly with the curved forward half on a longer, narrower back half and the extended mode here has that vibe. I got and love the Galvatron head Achai made, and am waiting to get the back spire and feet bits. There's some good stuff from this one maker -- that Blurr head in particular looks great -- and it all not being 3D printed is a huge plus. I am oddly unmoved by the Rodimus Prime head, though. It's better than the He Looks Like I Feel original, but idk, it's still just off enough. I think it might be that the face ended up too narrow and pointy for the helmet?

I've been curious about Nonnef's stuff for a long, long time, and have been eyeing the van feet (how has no one bothered offering something like this? The closest are partsformering ones), the Metalhead upgrade, and maybe the Lambo spoilers. More than either of those, though, I want the new Bludgeon skirt and chestpiece that took him a year or so to finish designing and getting around to making. What do you mean by hoops? The ones I was thinking of were shipping to a forwarder and then shipping to here, unless there are other complicating factors I'm not aware of since I've never ordered from him.

 

[unluckiness]

I suspect the cannon simplification is due to it being 3D printed. That would need tiny little hinges to move the panels like in the concept art and being 3D printed might make it difficult to mass produce. As for why it's 3D printed when Achai usually does plastic parts is a different story. Either way, it's currently only available in a set with the Generations Selects toy Galvatron head so I'll have time to decide on it. Hope he gets on the Studio Series Bumblebee head. I'm sort of getting used to grumpy bee but still...

Since Nonnef doesn't do international orders, I have to get a third party shipping service to send the parts, have it sent to my relatives who will send it to me or bring it to the Philippines when they make the trip here or have them keep the things if I go to the States. It's a lot of hassle for things that are nice to have but not really essential to the toys they upgrade.

 

[lastmaximal]

Yeah, that's what I was planning too. I'm glad someone has that combo of "not 3D printing" and "useful parts I actually want instead of just gap filler", but that part does give me pause.

I can pass on the cannon as a while back (long before Achai came onto the scene) I bit the bullet and tried out a Dark-Ism head for Selects Galvatron, which has worked out kinda nicely. (Before shipping costs, also maybe $5 cheaper.) Bit odd, the bundling. I imagine there'd be enough appeal for each to be on their own.

I think Achai's working on a Prowl bumper next, which I might get as it'll be cleaner and more durable than the resculpting I did on the Dying Prowl one. Considering that Bee head as well just to finally have a non-grumpy Bee, but I don't even have the SS86 mold, so IDK. (Maybe if they make it so that it also fits the Earthrise/WFC one, but eh.)

 

[Gizmoboy]

Is there a link the sets you are all referring to? I'm not finding them.

 

[unluckiness]

ABS Casting Head/3D Print Cannon Upgrade Kit For GS WFC-GS27 G1 Galvatron | eBay

FDM 3D Printing Calf Centering Upgrade Kit For Studio Series SS86 Devastator. 3D DIY Arm Cover Upgrade Kit For New Ver. Studio Series SS86 Perceptor. 3D DIY Arm Upgrade Kit For Studio Series BB Core CONCEPT ART Rumble FRENZY.

ebay.us

Here's the Galvatron toy head and new cannon. The Bee head's still WIP and I believe Nonnef has a dedicated website.

Vacuum Metalizing Parts Upgrade Kit For Age of the Primes STAR OP PRIME | eBay

3D DIY Back Armor Upgrade Kit For The Last Knight BERSERKER Accessories. GALAXY TOYS DP-01 Orange Scene Building Board ABS Background Plate For TF TOYS. FDM 3D Printing Calf Centering Upgrade Kit For Studio Series SS86 Devastator.

ebay.us

Saw this while looking that one up and I'm definitely interested. Star Convoy needs his bling bling and will probably help him fit in better with Star Saber and Ginrai.