New Tower

I have the interview all completed,  I just need to insert some pictures.  It turned out to be quite a bit more than I had planned on to be honest.  Originally I thought a few paragraphs, a few pictures...done.  But even with minimal information, there is no way an interview or article on someone is short.  So please bare with me.  I am also trying to adjust to a new computer.  In my personal life, I have no need for a computer.  Yet I need to know how to run one for my hobby.  lol.

CRASHED!!!

Sorry for being away.  My computer crashed big time.  I had to get a whole new terminal.  My motherboard went.  I thought I could just get a new motherboard, but apparently they no longer make the motherboard I had.  So its used equipment or a new tower. 

I asked the tech if I could save anything from my tower.  The answer was a definitive no.  My computer was a DDR1.  This tower is a DDR3.  I have no idea what the letters stand for but I am apparently at least 2 generations behind.  So none of my equipment (ram cards, video cards etc) would be compatible with todays equipment.  So a new tower it is.  But the good thing is that...I NOW HAVE A DVD DRIVE!!!  :~)  I have so many disks I couldnt view that now I can. 

I can finally view the master file of the CGG render Bry did for me.

The down side is that there was an auction...a BK ring on ebay.  No computer means I couldnt get to up my bid on the ring.  So I was outbid and lost it.  But that in itself isnt a very big deal.  I used to have the entire set of 4 Micronaut Salesman Set of Microrings.  I sold them back in 06.  It would have been nice to replace them.  But having only 1 ring when I had previously had the whole set would have been nothing short of a tease.  SO it isnt a total cry in my beer scenario.  Besides...they are just costume Jewellry.  I have the Sterling Silver Super7 Micronaut Chestplate ring.  Its much nicer anyway.

So I just have to configure the computer a bit, add some drivers and I'll be set.

Sorry if I had you wondering, but I have too much too yap about to be silent for very long.

ALSO...I have finally gotten the interview with a Micronut completed and will be up either later tonight or tomorrow sometime.

So my computer is now a-ok and we are back in business and I am finishing the Roboid molds tonight and tomorrow.  Its time to get back to fun.

Like we say here at Homeworld...There's Always Something...just sometimes the Something isnt always a plus.

Casting Will Resume Shortly

Casting will resume shortly.  I had no room to put anything anymore and lack of space has forced me to put up shelves sooner than expected.  So I am pulling stuff out of the closet finally and finsing space in the room and its continual rearranging till I find a setup I like.  I'm hoping to have everything settled this weekend.

A Wall In Progress



Temporary Setup

   I have got my MP Transformers, Magnasaurs, MagnaMen, Ren and Stimpy and more.  But I have no room for all my Battle Cruisers.  Im down to 3 or 4.  I may sell them and just keep the Transfer Fortress.  The Reideen Warbirds were shipped out today.  So hopefully in 2 weeks I will have them.  The shelf above the Hornetroids is where they are going.  I'll have to put those Custom Red Falcons elsewhere. 

New Stuff

I have been engaged in rearranging my room.  I have added a new wall shelf and a new single shelf below it freeing up alot of room.  The thing with setting up the room is that it takes a while for everything to find a place where it fits.  You cant just put something on a shelf.  It has to fit.  It has to FEEL right. 

I have managed to find some Transformer Curtains and a matching Valance.  I should have them both in a few weeks.  I already have the curtains.  I have to have them shortened for the window. 

I have been watching these items on ebay it seems  like forever.  At least 6 or 7 months.  For once I was able to get them before they got sold.  You save and save and save and just when you are able to get them, usually they get sold a week before you get to them.  Well fortunately not this time.  I was able to get the set of 5 Reideen Warbirds or Birdmen.  They will be going on the new single shelf.  I am looking forward to displaying these.  They look very well built and SHINY  :~)  A kind of modified and upgraded Red Falcon style figure.  I expect these in about 2-3 weeks.

Casting Burnout

From what I have been noticing, I seem to go through some kind of burnout with casting.  I'll never stop, but it seems that when I come to the end of a project,  I have a hard time getting motivated to revisit the project.  I want to go on to something new.  There were a couple of Centaur figures I wanted to make yet, but I am hard pressed to make new molds for 1 or 2 figures.  I have some Roboid figures to make yet, but Im lacking the motivation to do them because I want to do something new. 

Im going to see if I cant kick start myself tomorrow night after work.

The New Shelf

I have the new shelf up.  Im slowly filling it in.  Its funny how it goes.  I'll probably rearrange that shelf a 100 times before she feels right.  I'll put something in one spot only to move it somewhere else.  The room aligns itself.  I just move things around in it till it feels comfortable.  Not alot of wall space left over.  The Ken Kelly prints will definately have to go in another room or the ceiling.








I also got my TF Curtains. I have to have them shortened and some backing material added to block out a bit more light.  This will change the atmosphere of the room for sure.  :~)

Still Digging Out

 The garbage truck got stuck in the back alley. I got up on the roof and at one point was up to my belly button in snow. We have more snow on the way. Nothing like what we got in the last 2 weeks tho. But for today we get to finally see the sun. I think the whole city has cabin fever. I made a promise to myself to ride the bike more this year.


This snow has kept me busy.  I still have to shovel the driveway again.  So I have been somewhat drained energy wise and time is now a premium.  So casting has been on hold for the last 2 weeks plus work is picking up.  I'll be HOPEFULLY finishing the molds tonight for the new Roboid figures.

I am also going to pick up some glow in the dark resin and see about making a GITD Roboid.

Snowed In

 Its getting bad.  Its getting real bad.  It wont stop snowing.  Its one lane traffic no matter where you go and hope noone is coming your way.  I would be grounded if I still had my Ranger.  This is insane.  I took some pictures.  In the one the truck is half hidden

. 

New Shelf Up

Well that actually went easier than expected.  I have the new shelf up, now its just a matter of figuring out which figures to put on it.  I have this philosophy that the room actually designs itself.  Im just the guy that moves things around in it.

Its STILL snowing...I have never seen this much snow before.  Our roads resemble the small cobblestone roads that run through the villages.  Some are now inpassable for buses.  This is insane.

New Shelf Slowing Things Down

Ok...I have a new shelf.  Its exactly like the other shelf on the other wall.  Its an IKEA shelf.  I have it put together in minutes...The problem is getting it on the wall.  Im still not sure EXACTLY where on the wall I want it.  Then I have to lay out the wall...then I have to transfer the measurements to the back of the wall shelf and then hope like hell everything works.  Im expecting it to take all day to put this whelf up by myself as there are spacers that have to be put on that go between the back of the shelf and the wall.

I have an interview with a  Fanatical Micronaut Collector coming up in the next few days as well as the Rocket Tube Diaries.  I am also about to embark on a new escapade...GLOW IN THE DARK RESINS.  I wonder how Roboid would look with gitd hands/head and chest piece?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It...STOP!!!

Man...the last time I saw this much snow I was 14-15 and me and my $10.00 shovel musta made close to $1000 that winter.  1982. ...30 years...wow...has it been that long?

 I have a 6' high fence.  The snow piled up against it is almost at that level.  Im getting home a little later than usual, so its too dark to take a picture of what it looks like outside.  I have snow drifts hanging off the side of my garage.  Man am I ever glad I dont have that little Ford Ranger right now.  I would be screwed without my 4 wheel drive.  Im driving through the windrows (thats the snow plowed to the side or middle of the road) on the side.  Once someone sees someone else has driven over more to the side, they are more likely too as well.  It helps widen the road cuz its getting tighter than...well lets just say I would really hate to be a bus driver right now.  I have buried the nose of the truck in snow on the passenger side, but she hasnt gotten stuck yet. 

 And whats really funny is its hard to grade roads people are parked on and that is creating more bedlam.  Sure the guy gets plowed in, big joke there.  But now the windrow is 2 feet more than the width of his car.  So thats an extra 2 feet of road width lost.  If you factor in that the vehicle is already parked 2 feet from the curb because of previous snow, then that is anywhere up to 6 feet of road width lost if you include both sides of the road.  8 feet if 2 idiots park in the same spot across the street from each other.

As if that wasnt enough, we are getting nailed with really cold temperatures.  -23C  to -29C.    0C = 32F  
We just get thru one snowstorm and another hits us.  But you sure get to know your neighbors.  I think I met everyone of them on the weekend.  If we werent shovelling snow out of our driveways and back alleys, we were getting vehicles unstuck in the street.  Everyone had bad backs Monday morning at work.  SNowblowers have sold out across the city.  And those that are available are being scalped.  Age old Supply and Demand.

I think this year, I am going to put some miles on the bike.  Rain or shine is still better than cold and snow.

Transformer/Marvel Crossovers

One area of my collection is motorcycles. Not static bikes. Transformable bikes. Motorcycles than transform into robots . Knock offs, Microman, Transformers, and a few others.

Transformers has done a Marvel hookup and made a few crossovers.  So I picked them up.  The Spiderman TF Crossover, The Venom TF Crossover and my personal favorite, The Ghost Rider TF Crossover.  For the most part, I keep mine in Bike mode. 

Biotron added for size comparison

Riley Says No

The table is finished.  It looks ok and its functional.  The only thing missing is a chair.  I made the table for a 28" height.  Your basic desk height.  I have a nice leather chair and ottoman that I sit in.  Its not made for computer desk use, but it works well and is comfortable.  The old computer chair (a basic adjustable height, swivel desk chair) gets used as a foot stool.  When I am allowed to use it that is.

Its also Riley's chair.  Its where he sits when I am on the computer.  When I finished the tabletop for the room I pulled this chair in to check how everything worked.  And it worked as I had hoped it would.  So I left the chair in my room.  The next day, I am on the computer and Riley comes to sit with me.  Except the chair is gone.  He sat where the chair was and stared at me.  I picked him up and put him on my lap.  A few minutes later he left.  The following day, Im checking emails and he comes in and goes to where the chair used to be and sits his butt down and stares at me.  I look at him.  I remember saying," You have got to be kidding."   But he wasnt.  I got up and went and got the chair.  He hadnt moved.  As soon as he saw me bring it back, he moved enough for me to set it down and hopped right into it seconds later. 

So, I cant believe Im saying this...I still need a chair for my room because my dog wont let me use the one I have.

On the room front...I have bought a set of Transformer Curtains.  I had also bought a TF Valance for it on line, but they apparently werent the same and didnt match. These curtains are too long and will need to be hemmed up, so I will use the extra material to make a valance.  I will have the curtains in a couple of weeks. 

Im hoping to pick up another wall shelf this coming weekend.  Then I can organize the rest of my magnos and bring the remaining ones out of the closet.  Then I'll know how much wall space I have for artwork.

Then all I will need is a chair. 

I Found Some...

You can only go so far with Vintage and Palisades Micronauts.  Its inevitable that if you are a collector, then once you run out of Micronauts to collect, you will add "other" figures from other lines.  If you branch off Micronauts you find out they are second cousins to the Transformers.  And Transformers make so pretty cool stuff.  So I inevitably collected some Transformers. 

In setting up my room, I wanted it functional.  It had to be more than just  a display room.  So I added a bed.  I have the only known Micronauts Sleeping  Bag.  When unzipped, it covers the twin bed perfectly.  But this sleeping bag is over 30 years old.  Im not keeping it out on the bed.  Next thing I know a little wet and dirty dog jumps up on it.  Uh...no.  So I bought a Transformers Sheet/Comforter/Pillowcase set.  I also picked up an extra TF Pillowcase sold separately.  Perfect.  Now if you look at pictures of my room there is 1 thing missing.  Curtains. 

AND...I just picked up a set of TF Curtains with Tie Downs and matching Valance.  They should be here in a few weeks.  Of course no room is complete without a TV.  The only place I will have room for one is in the closet....but I can get a 51" LCD in there.   :~)

But now the "FEEL" of the room will be complete even if the rest of the room (walls) still need to be figured out.    This is the room I would have killed for as a kid.   :~)

I still have plans of duplicating the pattern on the sleeping bag so sheets/pillowcases and curtains can be made for Micronauts.  But the TF stuff is here and now and readily available.  The Micronauts pattern will need more work than looking thru a flyer.  lol.

Italian Magno Ads

Recently, I came across these Italian Magno Ads.  I am not sure why, but I have been adding "paperwork" to my collection.  The German Airfix brochure, these Italian Magno Ads, the Rocket Tube Blueprints/drawings, artwork, salesman ad sets are just some of the stuff in the collection.  There are of course books, magazines and comics.

But this time it was the Magno ads hat caught my eye.  Of course the ad was in Italian and I dont read Italian...yet.  I am studying spanish however.  So Im sure everything was spelled out in the auction. Ijust didnt understand it or ask or anyones help in translating it.

Emperor and Megas.  The Emperor of all Micronauts and his Stallion.  With a lot of transformation.  It's getting bigger and bigger the world of 'the micronauts'.   

 Thanks to Mind Domain for the translations. 


What arrived were 4 of the ads I bought.  There were others, but my collection has Magno's as the focus.  So I only bought these 4...BK/FC on one ad.  Emperor on another.  Green Baron and King Atlas on one and Red Falcon on the last one.

New from planet Magma.New from planet Floron.  "In the universe of Micronauts enter Red Falcon the winged prince".

First transformation:  Great Parade. High Court outfit.  Second:  Interplanetary Cruiser. With hypersonic missilelauncher.  Third:  Stellar mode for light fight.  Fourth:  Great Parade.  Galactic Divisions Command.



They are approx.   6"  x  4".  Very Delicate.   They are on very thin paper similar to that of an ate 70's comic book or a flyer.  It appears these were ads from something.  They were cut into individual ads.  I would guess 4 ads to a page front and back.  The back of these Ads feature ads from other stuff kids might like.  Barbie, fruit cakes, childrens keyboards.  And these other ads are a perfect fit to the cut for the Magno ads on the reverse side. 

Now I have to get them framed.  And I dont have any wall space for them.  Hmmmm...

One Last Look at Roboid

There are roughly enough parts to make 2 "FUN" Roboids.  Mostly pink parts.  Parts with shade issues. 

I made this figure because I didnt want to waste the parts.  This is green tint alone.  But I accidentally used too big of a pin drop and it made this a very unusual dark color.  In the pictures it shows a deep clear blue. 

But its a blue with a green tinge to it.  Like a deep aqua marine.  Its weird.  It looks better than it photographs.  I made all the parts in this color, but thought I might as well make it somewhat cool.  Blue and red Roboids might be ok in one clear color.  Not this one.  So I made a few clear parts to go with it.  I tried my best to capture some of the color without a light behind it.  No such luck. 

But in this picture if you look at the bottom of the chest piece on the left hand side you can see the blueish green I am speaking of.  It isnt much, but so far its the best one I have.  I dont know why its showing a deep blue in the other pictures.  It is green tint only. 

And without a light behind it, it just looks almost black.  Its the one in the middle.  Weird huh.  The blue in the pictures above would  lead you to think its the one on the left.  But it isnt.  C'mon summer so I can take some outside pictures.  :~)

Now I start making some figures from the new molds.  These figures will be slightly superior than the ones I just made for myself.  The rivet hole in the hip will be filled in so you wont see it at all.  A nice clean smooth hip.  Plus a few other 'little' things I can touch up for a nice clean looking figure. 

Room with New Table

Well its slowly taking shape.  I have the table done.  I currently havent moved anything out from underneath it yet.  I will as soon as I make a couple of little hidden storage shelves underneath it.

 Here you can see where I have marked it out with a string trying to achieve the right radius.  I eventually said screw it and drew it out by hand.  Not having a a proper saw I had to drill the radius out in  several spots and them ground it flush with a burring tool I used in my drill.  I ten used that edging that you just iron it on and cut.

This is the leg mount I made. It gets screwed to the bottom of the table top and then the table legs screws onto the the matching machine thread.

Here the leg mount is screwed to the back of the table tob with #8 Tex Screws with added rubber washers.  The middle nubbin is the threaded nub that the table leg screws onto.

Im very happy with how this table turned out.  I made the table leg mounts, modified some old stainless steel legs.  I used the veneer board from a corner unit and I had this idea.  I never throw screws etc away.  And i had these #8 tex screws from my sheet metal days 25 years ago and I had the siding screw from my old trailer still.  The siding screws had nice rubber washers on them.  So I took them off and put them on the #8 tex screws which made them the exact length I needed to get maximum depth and strength without screwing right through the table top. 

Once I get another Magno wall Shelf Unit, then I will put a couple of smaller wall shelves around the desk.  Here's a view upon just stepping into the room.  The bed is against the far opposite wall.  Its a small room!  lol.

Remember this is an EXTREMELY small room.  Im looking at some Curtains to really finish it off and then clear the closet a bit, because thats the only wall space or space period of any kind for a TV is inside the closet.  I cant believe I have a bed and a corner desk and chair with half my collection in this one room.

This is the vies from me standing in front of my closet and on the bed. 

I really need to start renovating the basement...    :~)

Custom Magnos All Done Except...

Well I made some new pewssurized Magno heads to replace the first set.  I sold those a few months back, but never got around to replacing the heads I needed.  The unpressurized Magno Heads I made were actually pretty good.  But I want it as close to crystal clear as I can get it.  So I finally finished off the Red Clear with Black set of four Magnos. 

The Red Clear with White set of four Magnos. 

The All CLear with Black Set of Four Magnos ...

and the All Clear with Red Set of four Magnos.   I need 3 white Force Commander adapters to finish off the WHite with Black Set of Four Magnos.  The White with Red Set of Four Magnos is complete.  The Blue Chrome Set of Four Magnos is completed. 

The Magnos I have yet to finish are the Purple Chrome Emperor and The Copper Chrome Emperor.  Also, thinking I wasnt going to get the Copper Chromed Magnos done at all, I wasnt prepared.  I didnt have the Magno figures to do it.  So I used my Shadow Magnos for Copper Chroming.  So I need 4 Baron Karza's to turn into a Set of Four Shadow (All Black) Magno's.

 I also need 4 Baron Karza's to make the Black with Red Set of Four Magnos.  So thats whats on the Magno front.  All I need now is a weekend to finish my Magno Leg. Its a bit more custom friendly.  :~)


Now that I have my table made, I can get another shelf like the one I already have for the other Magno Figures.  The Red Falcons, The Knock Offs, The Palisades Prototypes, The Fantanauti and the JEAG's and the few other Custom Magnos I have.  I'll get the rest of the Magnos'd I have in here so they are all in one place.

Happy New Year

Well Happy New Year.  Wow...another one.  Im pretty excited about this year.  We'll see how it goes.   I have half of the final Roboid figure before I start making from the new molds.  I should have it done somewhere in the next 2-3 hours.

I made the tabletop to my corner unit I am putting into my tiny room.   I am surprised at how big this really is when I look at it.  I rounded a sitting area into the top so the chair would sit closer.  Man...if you only knew how I got it done...LMAO...I know I am sometimes doing the slow thing on purpose...but somedays, I just get screwed.  lol.

I can do  anything with metal.  I can machine to 1-ten thousandths of an inch.  I know steel.  Wood...thats a demon unto itself for me.  I get it done and it looks great...but it always takes me 10 times longer than anyone else.  I dont know wood.  I take my time, make precise cuts and its...crooked.  Im useless with a skill saw.  Cant cut a straight line to save my ass,  and I always get it stuck.  Even with a guide.   The reason...I dont have any woodworking tools.  So when something needs doing,  Im monkeying around with makeshift tools.  Except the skill saw.  Bastard.

I dont have a hand saw...I have a drill, carbide burring tools, a small round file the size of a pen, an assortment of hacksaw blades and a small blade holder so I can cut long straight lines...yup...I cut the booger with the hacksaw blade and a guide.  I couldnt draw the right radius into the tabletop with a string, so I freehanded it and got it right away.  I have always been good at geometric shapes.   I drilled out around the radius and using the carbide burring tool in my drill, I basically ground the radius out and filed it nice and smooth with the small file.  I can get the trim that irons on for the edges.  I picked up some proper screws and caps for them for that IKEA look.  Total time:  Dont Ask! 

I just need to put some mounting braces on the wall for the tabletop, screw the table leg mounting brackets on and she's ready togo.  So since Im dealing with wood once again...for anyone else, it would be an hour.  Since this is me...5-6 hours tops.  Hmmm...then again it took me 12 hours to put up that shelf in my room.

Welcome to 2011.  I have some interesting things planned.  I have the Rocket Tube Diaries Mini Series coming soon,  some interesting advertisements out of Italy,  A closeup look at the German Airfix Brochure which features a White Baron Karza  and an interview with one of the most creative Micronaut fans I have ever known.

Pics of my wood working heroics will be coming when I have something proud to present.  lol.