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About ShiniGami
Expertise
I can answer any question about Action Figure and Toy Design, Prototyping, Manufacturing and Production Management. Over 20 years in the Toy business with clients including Bandai US/Japan/Europe, Hasbro, Kenner, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, Playmates, etc., and also specialty companies including Toy Tokyo, The Showroom NYC, Kid Robot, Wheaty Wheat and many others.
NOTE: I travel A LOT, so during overseas travel (Japan, Hong Kong, China), I do not check for questions. Thanks.
Experience
Past/Present Clients:
Designers including : Gary Baseman, Ron English, Frank Kozik, Pete Fowler, Futura, Stash, David Horvath. Companies including : Bandai Japan, Bandai US, Dark Horse, Hasbro, Kenner, Lucas Films, Maharishi, Marvel, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, MTV, NIKE, Playmates, Reebok, Sony, etc.
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You are here: Experts > Kids > Kid's Toys and Games > Action Figures > Steps by steps for a Newbie?
Expert: ShiniGami
Date: 10/29/2007
Subject: Steps by steps for a Newbie?
Question
QUESTION: Ever since I was a kid I've wanted to make action figures. In highschool I did a lot of different artwork ranging from paintings to sculptures. And now I've come up with some ideas and sketches for some cool figures. The problem is how to make them. I have the art and designs down, now I need to know where to go from there. I only want to make 3 or 4 at the moment and they'd only be for my personal use/display. I also wish to create them totally by myself from the sculpting to the painting. So my question is do you know of any really good how to create an action figure websites for newbies/novices like me? Preferably with step by step information, pictures and covering everything from materials, accessories, articulation, techniques, etc.
PS. I checked out the Kidrobot forum but a lot of that stuff was over my head since I have no clue what to do yet. Thanks for your time.
ANSWER: There really is no site I know of. This would basically be what's called a custom, and you build it from scratch, or modify an existing figure. Everything I do is entirely from scratch, and evolves everything from building wire armatures, to making pieces out of sheet plastic and stock, to modeling in 3D and have 3D output. Good 3D output can run $4,000 or so per figure. I'm doing the Fox Sports/NFL robot, that was done with 3D output, and I think the master cost around $6,000.
Most of the processes I use aren't anything to start out at home doing. Check maybe some of the 12 inch GI Joe and other sites for "customs". Things can be made from Super Sculpey to ? Masters are then copied with RTV, made into molds, you pull a vacuum on the RTV, then make the mold, mix the PolyUrethane and pressure cast it, etc.
They're all pretty time consuming with alot of learning time, but it can be fun. I started out with Pressure casters, Spin Casters, Vacuum chambers, etc many years ago (Don't use them any more, sold them.), but again, that pro gear isn't cheap.
Maybe do a search for "Custom Action Figures" or Customizing, and you'll find something. Alot of people do these for conventions, etc.
Thanks
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for the timely response, I just had one quick followup question on the super sculpey point. I've been doing some research on it since it seems like the best route to go. I heard it's supposed to be easily workable, but I was wondering about when you bake it what is the end result? Is it similar to art class sculptures where you bake them and they come out hard and ceramic like? I'm wondering because I'd like to make something that's not too rough or easy to break like ceramic item. Is there some material or such I can use that has more of a plastic feel?
Answer
Super Sculpey gets harder the longer you bake it. Just don't overbake, it will burn. I think it gets pretty hard, and carves like wood. (Sorry, been along time since I' ve messed with it.) The way we do it, you make the original, then use RTV to make silicon molds, and then these are poured into with various Poly Urethanes. (Hobbiests call these "Resin.)You can get this to look exactly like injection molded plastic, but can take along time to get the right combination. I had a formula I had custom made that I could get to look exactly like regular plastic. Bright red with a glossy finish right out of the mold.
I don't know, there might be web sites that tell you how to do this. Most people that spend the years it takes to perfect this, don't give out the chemical compositions or various solvents/waxes/dyes/mold releases, etc.
If you have the time and money to spend (Chemicals get expensive quick), you can work on it. If you only need a few done, it'll be cheaper to pay someone $500 to $1,000 to make one exactly how you want it.
Also remember, most of these products are toxic and filled with carcinogens. Wear gloves, face mask, and be well ventilated. The guy who used to make my plastic mixtures never wore gloves or a mask, and was breathing this stuff in all the time. He ended up dying from Cancer from the Chemicals.
Thanks
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