Tomenosuke, new amber grips.

[spinner 44]

That drawing is just brilliant! You are on the right tracks!

Now if you want to be totally accurate you need to make the grips asymetrical. The day I was checking the diamond pattern on the stunt copy for you I noticed they seemed to have been made kind of pressing two squares of clay on both sides of the gripframe, then a right hand would have squeezed it and left a ergonomic impression of the fingers.

As a matter of fact the grips are only for right handed people.

My stunt copy is casted in black. If you want me to email you photos to show you this "ergonomic form" just let me know your mail via pm, I gladly help in all i can.

[Skin-Job]

So, some progress!

Here are the diamond textured panels generously supplied by our own Dave Goldberg.

http://www.karlderrick.com/hosted4/index.html


I'll mould these, cast thin resin sections out, cut them to size and shape and let them into the tops of the new grip models.

We're getting there

Many, many thanks to Dave for his kind help with this.

Karl

[joberg]

Thank you DaveG and Karl; eager to see all of it placed on the gun

[VFX Freak]

I haven't even been able to open my kit yet and already I'm excited about replacing the grips. This isn't a hobby, it's a sickness! Nice work so far!
_________________
"I shoot better when I move." - The Sundance Kid

[Skin-Job]

We'll get there.

I'll have updates as soon as any progress is made.

Work's a bit hectic.

Karl

[Skin-Job]

Dave G has machined the grip texture panel masters and I have them in hand.
The work is beautiful, clean and crisp. Exactly what we'd expect from Mr. G

I have a bit of deck clearing of my own to do before I get to the new grip master models, but there will be more news soon.

Karl

[Bucky Cat]

Not much to add here except excitement and a promise to buy a set once they become available.

Ted.
_________________
In space no one can hear you scream. But you can always text.

[joberg]

Yep, eagerly waiting to see the results

[hirohawa]

Yes looking forward to the results too.

[joberg]

I like the trick one of the guy at the RPF did with his Tome kit:
Sand the back of the grip and use a red Sharpie to apply the colour.
Since the grip are now too red, take a cotton ball and alcohol and rubb gently to achieve the colour you want/need.

It works very well it seems

[Skin-Job]

Anyway,

The grip texture panels Dave kindly supplied are very clean and crisp indeed.
Laser sharp.

My plan is not to age and weather the grip texture on the new masters, as I don't want it 'baked in' for those who want a 'factory issue' finish to their model.

Karl

[DeckB26354]

Sounds like you are really pulling this project together nicely, Karl.

Please keep up the good work, there are many excited members watching this project unfold with drooling anticipation. Thanks you for the updates.

I still don't get the clear grip thing........

[Ozwepaie]

Not sure how many of you are aware of this?
Trooper Trend posted a really simple and effective way of altering the
current grip color.

http://www.therpf.com/f9/blade-runner-blaster-news-model-kit-version-tomenosuke-blaster-coming-174014/index26.html

Scroll down a little & check it out. I even have to admit. That his idea is
great. And looks great. But is also 100% reversible. If you don't quite
nail it the first time around. Follow the page to the bottom. As he makes
a few changes along the way.
Also some great comparison photos. This looks so good & is so easy.
I'm going to give it a shot.

Note to Proper:
If this proves to be an viable solution to the color issue. I'd once again
encourage you to consider doing the "Clear".
You mentioned that if the Amber proved profitable? You might continue,
on to the clear. But if you want make money?
.... I'm telling you, the clear is the way to go. You will sell tons of them!
_________________
Que la Force soit avec toi

[joberg]

Oz, I got you beat on that info by 3 posts up on the page

I think what Trooper Trend posted on the RPF opens a door on many ways to colour your grips...and experiment with many gun models we have available here: from Coyle, to Rick, DaveG, Tome, Off-World.

The transformations and variations are almost endless

[Ozwepaie]

[Skin-Job]

Joberg,

The red sharpie method is a variation of my Frankenblaster method using dark inks to tone down the orange of the Sidkit grips.

It does work.

If this method is what people prefer, then there's little point to making new amber grips.....
I don't want to spend a whole lot of time and money on something that won't sell.

So, I've started an interest thread for amber grips. Just amber, not clear.

It's here:

http://www.propsummit.com/viewtopic.php?t=4166&highlight=



Karl

[Skin-Job]

Thanks for the support, you guys.



I'm sure we all have busy lives and we all know how hard it can be to make the time for any of these 'Hobby' projects.
So, the support and understanding is much appreciated. Thank you.

I haven't had the time to start my Tomenosuke build yet.
I noted on examining the grips in the kit, that there is a 'spare' hole in the back of each of my piss-yellow grips, and two in the back of each of my black grips.

Anyone know what they're there for?


Karl

[racprops]

They were to help mount the grips, on the real Bulldog there is a pin in the handle frame that the original grips mount on.

I think they were going to use the same pin and idea BUT found that A) the real pin was now too short with the add on extra frame and that B) it was not worth the time to custom fit a new pin.

BUT by then they had already drilled the holes into the grips.

You can see them in some of the photos of the real prop.

I and they are including them as part of our super detailing.

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

[Skin-Job]

Thanks Rich.

So, they have no practical function at all in this model?

From certain angles, the ones in the clear grips just look like a flaw or bubble. I'll leave them out....

Thanks for the input Rich,

Karl

[racprops]

Your welcome Karl.

And for anyone wanting them just mount one grip and use a #30 (or a 1/8th) drill bit though the rearward hold in the Bulldog Grip and drill about 1/16 to 1/8 inch and you've got it.

Flip to the other grip and drill.

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