A run of stunt models, what do you want??

[racprops]

The qestion has come up about doing a run of low cost stunt Blaster models..

Interesting...

OK Question, would you rather have a more accurate to the real stunt prop model (which my old stunt model looked very much like...)

OR a stunt copy of a Worldcon model??

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[kaiburr]

I would prefer the Worldcon version. My two cents...

nathan

[nyreaper]

for me...i'd like a stunt worldcon.
been hunting something like that for a while now

[BR12819]

worldcon please
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full tilt boogie baby

[Murderermarv]

worldcon, sir.

[Noeland]

Worldcon copy.
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I don't have enough blasters!

[andy]

I vote also a stunt worldcon. Something along the lines of a Wilco models in complexity (or lack of it), but with the larger grips and new butt plate. Mostly resin, but a few small metal greeblies would be a huge plus. I would also suggest just the removable magazine to allow for electronics as an option only, an upgrade perhaps. Something bare bones that people would not be afraid to paint up in experimental concept versions, and also be willing to cosplay with.

Wilco seems to be still selling their gun at $50, but most people dislike the small grip, and lack of ability to put in electronics. Not to mention the fact that it is a recast of a recast.

Some good painters could turn something like this into a top notch display piece. Like Mark Raats did with his Rick Ross PKD. Something that can be sealed into a display case and nobody would know it was resin (see Mark's use of graphite in his painting process).

Andy

[racprops]

Dummy or working features, the old stunt model has a spring loaded trigger and removable ammo clip with leds in it on a delux version.

Under or around $100.00 would have to be a total dummy...

Under $200.00 and working trigger and LEDs in the ammo housing and even perhaps even in the side rod can happen.

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[andy]

Non working triggers are cool with me. It is in the spirit of what the stunt guns were. They were only one piece. Only Deckards stunt had the clear cast grips added to it afterward. Maybe even cast the magazine in a single piece of clear or red resin so you can mask out the lights and use a single light source to illuminate it. The idea is how can we make this as simple and affordable as possible? That is the market niche' we need to fill.

Andy

[racprops]

I will go with the working triggers, too many are broken by friends who pull them unthinkly...

It is easier to cast a black dummy clip and let you drill and add leds than to cast a red trassparent one.

I will look into doing this.

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[andy]

Actually I think solid triggers with no give at all are less likely to be broken off. The working triggers seem to break easier, because of the thin material around the pivot pins, plus people seem to want to pull them until they hear a "Click" (or a "Crack"). The whole idea here is to make them as low cost as possible too, a static model since that is what most of these end up being anyways, not a toy, but cheap enough to replace if broken, or at least not cause serious heart ache.

Andy

[racprops]

Sooner of later all triggers can be broken, but I seen more solid ones snapped.

I started a thread in the propshop on this:

http://www.propsummit.com/viewtopic.php?t=2550

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[nyreaper]

i like the solid trigger idea myself

rich...would you offer it in kit form? 'cause then it could be up to the owner / builder to have the triggers move or glue them in place.

[andy]

Rich,

I know you are stuck on the idea that the movable triggers will break less, but this is the exact opposite of what I have seen. Except for the super thin front triggers in combination with the movable back trigger, all the broken triggers I have seen are in your models at the pivot point. People seem to stop pulling on something that has no give, but keep pulling on something that moves until they get a feedback like a "click" or a "snap". I have yet to see a Wilco with a broken trigger. Using a good durable resin like they do may also be their secret.

I say start with the lowest cost simple concept and just add just enough extras to help make the model look good, but stay away from anything that will add any real cost, and also invite people to play with and therefore break. I know this goes against what you based your prop making career on, but a static display model at under $100 is what almost everybody really wants. At least those who can not afford a fully functional metal or cap firing gun. You always told people your earlier models were to be pretty much static props too, not to be played with. A display piece only. Since lights are part of a display, I understand their necessity.

I think we need to rethink the whole concept of these, and tap into a totally untouched market (except for Wilco and Coolmodels). Doing a kit with functional parts is still retreading old steps that have failed for you in the past, and I don't understand why you are stuck on it. Give it some time to hear what the people here want before you decide what is best for us. Try to re-invision a new concept, and tap into the market of the current discount mentality. The fewer parts also will mean people with low model making skills can assemble it, and in black resin with clear grips and a couple metal greeblies, it will look good with little or no painting (again like the Wilco). If this is not what you decide to make, I too will have to say not interested. I already have enough of those other style of guns from Rick Ross.

Andy

[Bassnoir]

...count me in for one....solid triggers work for me...
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...the future is not all it's cracked up to be...

[racprops]

I can not make enought at under $100.00 to be worth the time.

And with the working triggers I was planing on using my metal triggers...

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[andy]

Then I guess we will have to keep waiting until Rick does his again, or even Matsuo, and or the Japanese make one. Rick sold his full kits here for $75 and $90. I know he made enough money to help with his medical bills doing it. Not sure why yours cost so much more. The price point and the market exists for cheaper truer "Stunt" versions. If you are unwilling to fill that market, I am sure someone will sooner or later.

BTW here is a thread showing how good an all resin kit can look...
http://propsummit.com/viewtopic.php?t=723&highlight=

Andy

[racprops]

One I have to commite a $600.00 to $1200.00 line model, one I could sell for that, to make it, and them spend about a week making the mold box, claying it is and doing a couple of molds.

Then spend another week to set up and run off the parts...

IN 2011 and I pay for all my stuff, RTV and plastic.

And do all the work casting and cleaning up the parts and throwing away the bad castings, and I am doing this instead of building a bunch of $1200.00 models.

It is like ebay I have found it is not worth the time to sell a thing for under $20.00 and that is even a waste of tiem with packing and shipping it...

I once bught a 64 Chevell wagon for $25.00 out of a guys back yard, I can say I will never do that again. ( and I rebuild the motor for $600.00 and got it running...)

That same car would cost $2500.00 now.

Things cost more, a hell of a lot more now a days.

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[racprops]

Right, by using the old stunt model body which is 90% accurate to the worldcon....

With a little work on the grip frame I can fit it to my newer grips...

So under $100.00, OK $95.00 kit.

AND I figured out how to do the working LEDs in the rod.

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!

[racprops]

I hear what you saying, but I need something that can sell in all markets, making it with these parts broken down makes it possible for someone to add LEDs and make it a great looking model.

A total dummy has limited appeal, a dummy with possible upgrades make it more fun.

And it lets me make it into a great looking build up model as well.

I hope you can get behind this.

Rich
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I never have enough time to do all I want to do!