Modified Pressure Pot

Its one thing to explain this.  Its another to show you.  1picture = 1000 words.

Metal wear on the lid from lid clamps

The clamps that hold down the lid are made of cheap pot metal.  But they are metal.  And when you tighten the clamps, the metal against metal marks up and damages the lid.  Eventually, you will wear through the lid.  This pressure pot is normally close to $200.  I would hate to have to buy one every couple of years.

New threaded Pin for clamps

This is what I was describing earlier.  The clamps I have on my lid are a 10 mm x 1.5mm thread pitch.  So I took some aluminum bronze and machined it to 10 mm in diameter and then I machined a 1.5 thread pitch on the length of bar I just machined.  This bar will replace the threads on the lid clamps.

The threaded bar that will replace the clamp threads

Here is the length of threaded Aluminum bronze I made that will replace the threads on the lid clamps.

Clamp threads replaced with spring pin installed

First I cut the threads off  of the butterflies. Next I drill a 8.5 mm (tap drill size equals diameter minus the pitch.  It's easier in metric because in Imperial you have to convert the fraction to decimal form and then you are working with 3-4 decimal places instead of whole numbers.).  Then I put some lock tite on the threads and thread it into the butterfly.  Then I drill a 1/8" hole in the butterfly in a position that is right in the middle of both the threaded aluminum bronze bar and the butterfly.  Next I install a 1/8 spring pin.

Finished Clamp with new threads

The aluminum bronze is soft.  Its a cheaper viable option to brass.  The reason I did this is that now, the threaded aluminum bronze will mushroom.  We want this to happen.  Because it is softer it will mushroom and wear instead of the pressure pot lid.  When the threaded aluminum bronze  becomes too mushroomed and no longer works, I will punch out the spring pin and replace the threaded aluminum bronze pins and drill a hole in the same place through the new aluminum bronze threaded pin and reinstall the spring pin.

Close up of finished clamp

Now I realize not everyone has a lathe to machine the 10 mm x 1.5 pitch or whatever thread pitch your lid clamps may be.  You might be able to get some brass  bolts or cap screws.  You can use these just as well.  You just need to cut off the head of the cap screw or bolt. It took me 1 hour to drill and tap the holes, install the new threaded pins and drill and install the spring pins.  All in all a couple of hours and our pressure pot should now live longer than we will.  :~)

And if worst comes to worst, you cant find the parts or you don't feel comfortable doing this...drop me a line at gold_dober@yahoo.com   I'll do it for you for a VERY reasonable price. 

Now the only thing on our pot that will need replacing is the seal every so often.

Washing LEGO

After using the LEGO a few times to make molds, they do get dirty.  Some of the clay sticks.  Some of the silicone gets into the inside.  Plus you have the sealer mold release that leave traces as well.  How do you clean it up?

In regards to the silicone, you basically rub and pick it out.  For the clay, sealer and mold release,  your best bet is to just wash it. 

I have heard stories from others about various methods of washing LEGO.  The one that sticks out the most is when someone put their LEGO through the dishwasher.  Even tho LEGO is injection molded, it is still plastic.  At about 170 F it starts to melt.   212 F is the boiling point of water.  And if steam is achieved, it can get reach even higher temperatures.  If you use boiling hot water, you will warp all your LEGO. 

The best way is to hand wash them in warm soapy water.

Modifying The Pressure Pot

I'm cheap.  I wear a $35 pair of runners till they fall apart.  I got a great deal on the pressure pot.  And I know things don't last.  I guess its a matter of personal position where you stand on this post.

Before you do something, you have to ask...Is it worth it?  Do I spend the time/effort to make something last or do I just go out and buy another one and throw the old one out?  I prefer to milk what I have till it turns to dust.

So I modify my pressure pot.  Not the design, I basically replace certain parts.  If you rub steel on steel, eventually it will wear.  That's why I put coppercote on the threads that lock down the lid.  To keep the threads from binding.  But when you lock down the lid, the lid top gets marked up.  So we replace the thread.  Drill out the handles.  Tap them the same size as the threads that lock down the lid.  We use Aluminum Ready rod.  Cut it to length.  Thread it into the handle.  Then you drill through the handle AND the screwed in Aluminum Ready Rod and in that hole you install a spring pin.  This allows for 2 things.  It secures the Ready Rod from coming out and it also allows for you to be able to simply knock the pin out and install a new Threaded bar when this one gives out.  We use Aluminum because then it wears and doesn't gall the lid.  This helps the lid to last longer.  Coppercote the new threads and you're ready to go.

Now like I said, I paid $ 70 on sale for my pressure pot.  Its regularly closer to about $150-$200.  And in just over a year I have had to do maintenance.  So I figure 2-3 years to the pressure pot without preventative maintenance. 

Some of you might choose to just buy a new one.  I'm cheap.

REIDEEN WARBIRDS

Well I think they are Warbirds.  Its Japanese Anime.  There are 5 different figures that turn into birds similar to the Micronauts Red Falcon.

The Warbirds have a great deal of chrome and are extremely detailed.  They are very nice figures...EXCEPT...

These are not toys.  They are not designed to withstand play.  Like the MP Megatron, they are top heavy and want to lean forward.  If you have new figures this is not a problem.  They are nice and tight.  I would not want to own these figures if they were played with.  Once they loosen up they become like marionettes with cut strings.  No stability. 

They are also not meant to be played with.  They are not as durable as the Micronaut Magnos.  They are sturdy, yet delicate.  They are meant to be posed and displayed.

They are roughly the same size as magno figures.  I'll take some pictures tomorrow.  I need more natural light.  With all the chrome, they reflect the flash and show up either in a different color or very dark.

All in all, I like these figures very much.  Im very glad I bought them and glad they are nice and tight.  The boxes come with display windows in them.  I may just display them like that.  You dont get to see the whole figure, but it sure looks cool.

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. 

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.

Sept 18/14 EDIT
  Officially I have completed the chromed magno figures I set out to have chromed with the exception of a similar colored steed.  The Purple Chrome and Copper Chrome magno figures were assembled and finished yesterday.  All production color schemes were made for each "set" of magno's as well as black and white.  The All Black Magno Figures are not being made.  I have completed my Magno Collection with the exception of a few more customs here and there.

They can be found under the right side Label "Chromed Magno's"

MEGO Salesman Sheets Found

Fortunately we arent dealing with a bank.  The missing sheets have been found and will soon be here.  As soon as they arrive I will be posting them.  The seller was extremely nice about it.  Im so relieved.

Im sure most of you have seen them already on ebay, but I'll give you a closer look.  There are some very ccol shots you just dont see these days.  Remember these are the salesman sets.  So there might be some photos that might vary from the actual final product.  At least thats what I am hoping. 

Just like the German Airfix Toy Brochure.  You know the one in every Micronauts Toy set.  Well I just picked up one off ebay that features a WHITE Baron Karza and a Transfer Fortress in it.  After checking around it was told to me that it was probably more a matter of parts missing for a photo shoot and so they adlibbed as opposed to a suggested alternate color scheme.

Copper Chrome Force Commander

Im still dieing to put this beside the Gold Force Commander and take some pics.  However its late and Im tired, so it will have to wait till tomorrow for the dual pic.  Plus it will be the first chance this week I will have had to take some daylight pictures.   So I will take pictures of the two of them tomorrow afternoon.  By 5pm its already dark out now. 

 But I was able to get a good picture nonetheless of the Chrome Copper Force Commander.

Now that these have been done.  I am more determined than ever to get a metalizer and do this myself.   I know the theory behind the processes and having never chromed a piece myself, it was my suggestions and recommendations that figured out for the chromer how to hold these in a manner that would allow them to be able to chrome them without damaging them.

Being a machinist for 25 years has only made me more of a perfectionist and I truly believe that I can do a better job because I am more familiar with these figures.

You'll notice the pooling of color in the eyes.  Also, the coloring is slightly inconsistent.  Its still a fantastic looking figure none the less, but it could have been better.  The reason is the chromer is after all this time and a trip down to see him,  is still unfamiliar with the figure.  He has no knowledge of the Micronauts or other figures in the line so he doesnt know what is really important and whats not.

I had hoped to have a metalizer this year, and probably would have if I had not bought this new truck.  So next year Im getting rid of the truck for a cheaper one that will allow me to be able to afford a small metalizer so that I can do this type of work myself.  All in all, I had 14 magno figures chromed plus the Palisades Baron Karza/Andromeda set.  The cost of chroming these figures alone would have bought a small metalizer.  Considering how much chroming I want to do for myself makes this a practical purchase plus I will then be able to provide this as an additional service.

It makes a huge difference when you get someone to do something and they are familiar with the pieces.  Its like asking Robert Bateman to paint a picture of a Micronaut figure.  He is unfamiliar with the line and in all likelihood wont be able to grasp the essence of the figure in the painting as say Ken Kelly would or Dave Doorman.

I can do a bit better of a job and I know it.  If my advice helped them,  then maybe I should seriously consider just doing it myself.