Steps to making a custom pose.

[Taylor]

I have the following figures: Buzzball Mag 7, Footballfigures.com figures, and Fab 5 figures. What are stwep by step instructions to make a custom figure. What do you look for in a custom. If you cut off an arm, and you want it at a different angle, how do you mold it like that?
Thanks for any responses.
Michael

[Reginald Rutledge]

that explains step-by-step to making anything from Quarterbacks, 3-pt. linemen, to safeties and wide receivers.

Reg

[Taylor]

can anyone tell me on the chatboard what materials I need and what to do to make a custom pose, just to get me in the right direction.

[Michigan Joe]

Micheal,
A custom pose is usually just a reconfiguration of the figures you already have. Usually thats done by dismembering the figure and reattaching it in a new pose. Also, a common technique is the use heat to bend the figure's arms and legs into different positions. Latly, you can use various putty or sculpting clay to add features such as kneck braces, special pads, etc. The clay can also be used to smooth or fill in gaps when reconfiguring the arms and legs.

The FF.com are a great figure to start customizing and the customizing video is what got me started. Customizing is really more of an artform and there are many techniques used so if you were to try it be patient and you will get better at it. Also, if you are dismembering a figure I want to absolutely stress that at your age you should not do this without adult supervision. I say this because dismembering a figure usually involved cutting the figure with a blade. Always direction the cut orientation AWAY from yourself, never towards yourself or you WILL cut yourself.
Joe

[Taylor]

I knew what a custom pose was, I just wanted to know what makes it look like it came out of a factory. I have made a few attempts at it, and I came up with a Bo Jackson pose, but my glue wasn't strong enough (I attempted using modge podge, crazy glue, super glue, and I used elmers craft glue, but none seam to hold) and I couldn't get the legs and arms to stay in one place (without going back to normal position.) I also know about what to do when cutting, because my dad is a farmer, but I have supervision.
Thanks for anymore responses, Michael

Hiya Michael. Being a farmer's kid will prolly clear up a few of the disclaimers since you're prolly tough as nails!!!

I have found that the cleaner the cut, the better and faster the glue will stick and dry in place. I use Krazy Glue and barely have to hold stuff in place. I have also learned when to cut and when to bend using heat and ice water. Some arm and leg positions can be accomplished easier by bending than cutting. I figured that out after about 5 chop-shop trials!!! You've prolly heard "measure twice, cut once!" before, right? Same with customizing figures. STUDY your figures. Hold each stock figure up to the picture you're trying to emulate. Find the figure that is closest to the pose and then make minor adjustments. My first custom - Devin Hester last year - took me an hour to cut and glue. I can make him out of a stock fig now in 5 mins!!!

Use ice water!!! If you ONLY use heat to soften the plastic, then you will literally have to hold the figure in place for a long time while it cools at room temperature. Ice water will GREATLY aid you in this.

As Joe has stated in other posts - hope you read 'em all!!! - a quick dunk in the blue flame (cooler than the orange flame) will not charbroil your figures (ff.coms). I overbend mine and drop in ice water. I've seen Joe hold his in place while dunking them in water. Either way works fine. Pull 'em out, dry 'em off and see if it's what you want. Repeat if necessary.

As for sending your figs to the chop-shop, I use the red-handled Exacto with a #17 or #18 blade. These give you great control and maximum leverage. It is also the safest way to cut - down and away from your face!!! Plus, you should be able to get ONE clean cut, which will greatly aid you in reattaching it with minimal amount of KG and holding time.

It takes time to perfect YOUR system, and ya gotta mess up a few until you figure out the best way, so be patient. Oh yeah, Thomas Edison had 99 failures before his 1 success when inventing the lightbulb!!! At least that's what the History channel said.