I'm not so psyched about the open mouth. That one other upgrade head with the smaller smile works better I think, maybe it'll look better in person rather than large on screen. Either way, an improvement over the neutral expression.
The Upgrade Kits Thread
- Thread starter unluckiness
- Start date
I wouldn't even mind a neutral expression, it's just that the one they did looks so grumpy.
I’ve not seen one on eBay or Chinese online shopping, All the arm joints are pinned so it would make it a less enticing prospect to the people wanting to make one. Could make hand held claws but haven’t seen those either.
Saw this from "Hector Garcia" in one of the TF 3D Printing groups on Facebook. I assume the watermark at the bottom is them too. I honestly don't know if I'll bother with the unfolded legs -- not a good look, unstable, gangly anyway -- but something that at least differentiates the robot mode a smidge more might be nice.
Also, found the SS86 Bee head I like; it's from Ambitron. (The less-clean print is from an eBay seller who's stolen the design, I think.)
I kinda want to transplant the Bumper head to my Bumper-from-Hubcap custom, and put this on the Bumper body and not have to buy an SS86 Bee. Or I guess I could just put this on the Retro Bee, whatever. It's just so good either way.
TBH if the same option were available for Retro Brawn (to give him two head options, toy and toon) I'd just drop the SS86 Brawn. The forest green is just so much nicer.
Also, found the SS86 Bee head I like; it's from Ambitron. (The less-clean print is from an eBay seller who's stolen the design, I think.)
I kinda want to transplant the Bumper head to my Bumper-from-Hubcap custom, and put this on the Bumper body and not have to buy an SS86 Bee. Or I guess I could just put this on the Retro Bee, whatever. It's just so good either way.
TBH if the same option were available for Retro Brawn (to give him two head options, toy and toon) I'd just drop the SS86 Brawn. The forest green is just so much nicer.
First pics of Nonnef's kit:
I've had good luck with his kits before, so I'll probably buy a set of these. They're not up on his site yet, being officially unveiled/sold at TFCON.
That looks good. Going to be a bitch to get a set though. Might try to fabricate something myself. Worse comes to worst, I can live with a cartoon head Brawn with the vastly superior non-pea soup green.
I had a Brawn growing up but never really noticed that the claws were shaped so strangely. It's more of a Gamecube logo than the pincers I usually envision.
I had a Brawn growing up but never really noticed that the claws were shaped so strangely. It's more of a Gamecube logo than the pincers I usually envision.
I think he'll eventually have them available on his website, too. I think it was just that they were initially being released at TFCon.
https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/334737
I preordered this one. I didn't need the full set, but that chainsaw and the Decepticon mask are pretty damn cool for $11.
I preordered this one. I didn't need the full set, but that chainsaw and the Decepticon mask are pretty damn cool for $11.
It's probably going to be a hassle regardless since I live on the other side of the world and as I understand it, Nonnef doesn't even sell directly to Canada.
Ahhh, ok. Wasn't thinking about the international shipping end of things.
Achai’s prowl bumper is up for sale.
Achai Studio ABS Casting Replacement Chest Upgrade Kit For SS86 Prowl | eBay
Design and Production: ACHAI STUDIO. Applies to: For SS86 Prowl. 3D DIY Waist/Knee Upgrade Kit For Studio Series SS86 Devastator Accessories. 3D DIY Energon Universe Style Upgrade Kit For SS86 Magnus Head Sword Gun.
ebay.us
Got my Nonnef feet and wheels for DK-2 Guard today. Wheels took longer than they should because I charged in w/out looking around for directions, but I got them figured out eventually. YouTube helped.
Feet need more sanding, and I need to make another attempt at gluing on the taillights. Getting closer with this project, though.
Feet need more sanding, and I need to make another attempt at gluing on the taillights. Getting closer with this project, though.
My Achai Bumblebee head came in today but haven’t beeen able to install it yet. Looks like a bitch to get the stock head off.
Saw these pop up while checking my item status. Disappointed that there’s no Optimum Pride UR UERGH UAH UAH UAH one.
Acrylic US Comic Style Special Effect Parts Upgrade Kit For Action Figure TF Toy | eBay
YYW-54 Weapon Armor Upgrade Kit For Legacy United Bludgeon Accessories. 3D DIY Filler Cannon Tail Spoiler Upgrade Kit For SS Devastation Wheeljack. 3D DIY Filler Cannon Tail Spoiler Upgrade Kit For SS Devastation Sideswipe.
www.ebay.com
Saw these pop up while checking my item status. Disappointed that there’s no Optimum Pride UR UERGH UAH UAH UAH one.Acrylic US Comic Style Special Effect Parts Upgrade Kit For Action Figure TF Toy | eBay
YYW-54 Weapon Armor Upgrade Kit For Legacy United Bludgeon Accessories. 3D DIY Filler Cannon Tail Spoiler Upgrade Kit For SS Devastation Wheeljack. 3D DIY Filler Cannon Tail Spoiler Upgrade Kit For SS Devastation Sideswipe.www.ebay.com
Those ARE kind of amazing! I don't know that I need them, but I respect the hell out of the idea.
They remind me in a good way of the Studio Series gamer edition health and ammo bars.
Got my SS86 Bee head off. Had to cut the slot in the back of the head and it pried off easily after. I can still plop it off as a regular balljoint head at least. Achai’s color match is great and the sculpting is top notch even if the open mouth smile isn’t my preference. I think how it’s a smidge smaller than the stock head helps the proportions a lot. Eyes are a bit light though and the nose gap annoys me somewhat.
Got my SS86 Bee head off. Had to cut the slot in the back of the head and it pried off easily after. I can still plop it off as a regular balljoint head at least. Achai’s color match is great and the sculpting is top notch even if the open mouth smile isn’t my preference. I think how it’s a smidge smaller than the stock head helps the proportions a lot. Eyes are a bit light though and the nose gap annoys me somewhat.
Last edited:
All BB needs now is a third arm and he could be Zaphod Beeblebrox from Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
Better view of Nonnef's Brawn Claws:
The Nonnef parts look to swap the entire arm below the shoulder chunk. Just as well do you have a fully silver arm. Wish he'd gone and redone the shoulder too (it's a ball joint, iirc; idk if that's easier or harder to design for) to be more evocative of the door panel shapes. But then they do have to fit in altmode and that's probably a bigger headache than needed? In any case, it looks best when it's most distinct, which is in bicep curl position -- holding the weapon it blurs and becomes not terribly distinct from just the regular fist.
It's kind of mystifying how they've done so many Jazzes and Bumblebees in the last 5-10 years and they tend to not have pleasant expressions (TR Bumblebee does, to be fair).
Sweet damn that costs a lot. I mean, I was thinking $15 was steep but doable...Achai’s prowl bumper is up for sale.
Achai Studio ABS Casting Replacement Chest Upgrade Kit For SS86 Prowl | eBay
Design and Production: ACHAI STUDIO. Applies to: For SS86 Prowl. 3D DIY Waist/Knee Upgrade Kit For Studio Series SS86 Devastator Accessories. 3D DIY Energon Universe Style Upgrade Kit For SS86 Magnus Head Sword Gun.ebay.us
I wish the Ambitron head were more widely available in this quality. Really like Achai's work, but there's something low-key derpy about the execution on this expression that I can't get on board with. Which is a shame, because I'm surprised by how much I like the SS86 Bee mold.
It's kind of mystifying how they've done so many Jazzes and Bumblebees in the last 5-10 years and they tend to not have pleasant expressions (TR Bumblebee does, to be fair).