TWEAKING Enemy or Savior?

[RavennaAl]

Off track slightly, but the best bases I've seen that run pretty straight and fast without having to do anything to them is the Miggle rookie strong bases with a flat front. I have quite a few on my teams that I did nothing but mount them up and away they went. Also, the new Miggle rookie bases work really well with just a slight pinch on the prongs. I was shocked at the speed and straightness I was able to get out of the last batch I ordered. You have to trim the extra plastic flare off of them, but other than that they are a great base that doesn't take a great tweaker to be happy with.

[Electric Coach]

Unlike any other aspect of the hobby, base tweaking is essential. Let’s face it. Hobbyists don’t have to paint, sculpt, detail figures, make videos or build stadiums to play this hobby. Hobbyists must tweak their bases or have someone tweak for them to play. “Untweaked” bases could result in erratic team performance. Having said that, base tweaking is the foundation of the hobby.

Although I have never ruined bags of bases, like some guys talk about; I have ruined some. If I had to say an exact number, I would say I ruined about twelve bases. I have learned from those mistakes. I learned to not be so bold in handling the base for the first time. Start small as you begin to tweak. I am in the middle of working on my next video. I will try to make a video depicting my approach to tweaking.

Maurice
The Electric Coach

[RavennaAl]

To me there's 2 kinds of tweaking. There's basic tweaking, where you basically do what you can to get a base to move where you want it to. And then there's competition tweaking, which is mostly about all out power and speed. From the remark that 'tweaking is ruining the hobby' I would venture to guess that a person who would say such a thing is probably stuck in an arms race with their fellow league mates and isn't winning very often. It would be very easy to say enough is enough and want to leave.

It's sort of like drag racing. Not everyone has what it takes to keep up with the top fuel alkie dragsters out there. But there is just as much fun in street stock racing. Sure, you may not be burning 10 second quarter miles, but dialing in at 15.07 and hitting it on the head 4 times in a row has it's own rewards.

So it is with tweaking. Everyone should learn how to do the basic pinch and pulls needed to be able to straighten out a base that is turning small circles. They can have just as much fun playing against others that also do basic tweaks. It's trying to keep up with the Jones' out there that can be frustrating.

[canadatabletopgames]

As long as you do as some artists says about twaking, it should'nt been a problem.


That's my 2 cents


Benster

[Coach K-LO]

Having been one od the piooneers of the Tweaking age of EF, it is a simple process that requires time and patience to achive "players" at the end of the process.

tweaking a base is more than what is being applied.... you have to treat each base as a new beginning... a new player that has yet to be developed...
... care must taken to use the right "tweaking disipline" for the base you are about to start...

... okay let's say you have all of the tools available

- Narrow pliers
- wide pliers
- candle warmer
- lighter or torch
- sand paper (lots of grades and styles)

now let's check the bases that you are about to start...

... Miggle color TTC
... Super Prolines
... DDB
... NON miggle color TTc
... rookies
... red pegs
... r/l's

Well, you are not going to use the same tweak style for each type of base, you need to do things a little differently for each....

next thing to keep in mind.... you can use the same figure to tweak a base with to gain some experience with the process, but always tweak for the player you will have on the field and what functions you want him to carry out... THIS IS A MUST

[sweetka]

But here's my thoughts. When I do business I have guys send me their players. Then I tweak them to their specifications. No marks, initials, insignias or cartoon charactors that I wish I were. For those who are willing to pay for the time I put into it there are no complaints.

The tools only work if you work them that's why my post was titled the way it was. I found a tool that worked, for me, on SP's. I never stated that there was a "magic" tweak tool. They are all magic when used properly. I spoke on that tool for the excellence it brought to my table, my board. Of course, we must all truly beware of those that have a vested interest with insuring SP's are not tweaked to compete with first runs.

I have nothing financial to gain nor lose by tweaking SP's to a level for people who are learning the hobby. I just believe more people will join the hobby at lower cost.

Now tweaking is a godsend. Finally coming out of the bobble-tango is the first thing that comes to mind right along with customizing. The biggest problem is see now is not tweaking but a guy not being able to compete with a stock team as teams are customized with "tree branches" to stop receivers by wrapping their limbs around their heads or sticking out so far sideways to get up under the hook in the arm.

Vince came to Miggle with a "MAGIC" tweak tool that is no longer magic because he selflessly allowed others to find tools to duplicate it and it works. Karim saw to that with his blessing. People seemed, to me, afraid to stand toe to toe with this guy and tweak like I did on that program from the Miggle Convention. Tweaking rocks but you have to be patient. Each base took about a half hour to tweak and then a touch up the next day. Nothing was done in five minutes.

Just my thoughts.

[GrandMasterKC]

in Kansas City was it 05 or 06 NEFL Playoffs and you shared your wisdom freely I am still here and was inspired to continue to get taught more about the art of base tweaking by other greats. remember the round tip tweezers

[detroitchild]

Back in '08 when I purchased that ill fated 620 from Miggle, it arrived with a DVD. That DVD was very basic, more like an introduction to the hobby, but it showed very basic playing and tweaking techniques (and I mean basic). It was enough for me to get my figures running decently. It also showed passing and various formations. I'd probably laugh at it's simplicity compared to the real tweaking I've seen and learned over the last couple of years but it got me started! Perhaps a more advanced DVD or accessible video discussing how tools could help would go a long way in helping the beginner or intermediate hobbyist. Something that has a somewhat professional feel to it like Miggle's DVD. Make it free and/or downloadable for all. Perhaps working with Miggle to include it with their boards. Guys that use EF with kids can pop in the DVD and work along side the kids in using tweaking techniques.

If we want our hobby to be taken seriously then we have to help present it in a serious manner.

What say you all?