John Connor head sculpt conversion commission

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #1 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:02

I was recently commissioned to convert a Hot Toys John Connor head sculpt from it's original full neck form into a muscle body compatible form. Below are some pics of the process with narrative here and there.

I will say that this was one of the scarier projects I have done as I was flying by the seat of my pants and basically making it up as I went along with one of the more expensive HS's out there. Next time out I will at least know before hand what the game plan is. Thankfully I was able to garner and reinforce some ideas from the input if other OSWers in this thread:

(RemoveNeck) MARCUS WRIGH Hot Toys Terminator 4

Thanks for looking and best regards, Mike

Oh, any comments and or questions are always welcome and appreciated.

The first step was to mark out the cut line. I chose to air on the side of caution by drawing the line an 1/8 of an inch or so below where I projected the cut to end up.

This pic might be enough to make some folks soil their Dockers. Let's just say that this was the point of no return

In this pic I have Dremelled my way up to my original pencil mark. After this I slowly retraced my lines, removing small increments of material so as not to overdo it while still maintaining symmetry.

Next it was time to harvest a suitable neck gasket to allow the Connor head to lock onto the muscle body neck ball. I felt a little reticent to hack up any HS, but I have had this Rambo head for long enough that I knew I wasn't going to use it for anything else. Sorry Sly.

After much cutting, grinding and routing I ended up with steps or demarcations withing the HS to allow for it to both fit the muscle body neck and to play host to the gasket ( socket ) which I took from the Rambo HS.

I used both my index finger and the muscle body to keep tabs on the fit and feel of the HS socket cuts. Depth of cut, circumference of cut and smoothness of cut all had to be monitered.

This is where I decided to say done.

Here you can see the socket all tucked in place. A ran a bead/smear of super glue along the outer edge of the gasket ( socket ) from Rambo to hold it in place. Make sure the fit is good before committing to glue. After this I used a small scrap of 32o wet Dry sandpaper to clean up that edge. Being VERY careful not to futz with the paint.

The results on Mr. Brian Sullivan's clever and very cool interpretation of John Connor - great use of the muscle body and the kit from the original figure Brian

J3D1 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:09

Looks truly awesome!
Is that from the Rambo body?

dic07046139 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:09

Awesome job! He should have looked like this in the movie!

gaiagear · #4 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:10

Damn nicely done brotha. Very clean conversion.

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #5 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3D1

Looks truly awesome!
Is that from the Rambo body?

Thank you very much

It is the Rambo body. I was happy that the color on the one Brian sent was so close the Connor HS. The Rambo muscle body I have is like the color of a pencil eraser.

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by dic07046139

Awesome job! He should have looked like this in the movie!

Thanks much

I am sure he could have - seems like most actors these days are built like athletes - not so in the old days ( you wouldn't have seen Carey Grant or Humphrey Bogart all jacked and tan

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaiagear

Damn nicely done brotha. Very clean conversion.

Thank you Leo

Man, I was nervous I was going to blow this one and owe Brian a new HS

I am happy that it turned out.

MediumMack · #8 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:26

Damn fine job there sir. I have done a few very similar head sculpt mods, and one thing I learned is that the Dremel is in fact a wee bit unnecessary. I did that the first time too, and it looks just fine. It's easier to start with an exacto blade, and cut at an angle so you can hide your cuts underneath the head sculpt, then refine your edges with the Dremel and some fine grit sand paper. But, that is what I love about this forum, you can find five unique ways of achieving the same end result. I think it looks way better than the stock Connor, by far. I also always wondered why John Connor would never wear body armor, never made sense to me.

SVantley · #9 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:35

Wow that's just amazing.

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #10 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by MediumMack

Damn fine job there sir. I have done a few very similar head sculpt mods, and one thing I learned is that the Dremel is in fact a wee bit unnecessary. I did that the first time too, and it looks just fine. It's easier to start with an exacto blade, and cut at an angle so you can hide your cuts underneath the head sculpt, then refine your edges with the Dremel and some fine grit sand paper. But, that is what I love about this forum, you can find five unique ways of achieving the same end result. I think it looks way better than the stock Connor, by far. I also always wondered why John Connor would never wear body armor, never made sense to me.

Thanks much Mack

I was surprised out how much material had to be extracted form inside the HS - and especially under and along the jawline. It was a happy accident for me that I didn't mess this up

man, after that damn hairdryer incident I had I am a little gun shy.

I haven't seen the movie yet - so he doesn't wear body armor? That is odd. Must have been a wardrobe choice ( no on set military/tactical advisor to call them out on that ).

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #11 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVantley

Wow that's just amazing.

Thanks much

Definitely my current favorite HS

I am thinking I may have to pick one up for myself.

zebraten · #12 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 17:24

You are a brave man. I've done something like what you did...but I used a generic DML headsculpt. Yours turned out very nice indeed.

steve74 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 18:26

how about awesome!!!! damn you for having so much skill while I have so little!!! really outstanding work.

steve74 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 18:36

I'd like to see you do a project with the damaged Marcus hs with the light up eyes like Albert Wesker.

iampoch · #15 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 18:39

hahaha you were right, the pic with the dremel made me cringe!

But the end result is worth it! You've done a really great job!

By the way, would the same technique work if you want to put that HS into the newer S2 bodies? Or would that employ a new technique altogether?

MediumMack · #16 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 20:49

Ya know, I never saw the movie either. I have not heard very good things about it, but whatevs. I am basing my perspective on Connor's body armor just off the two figures released, neither one has body armor. If I was out fighting scary ... robots, I would have some serious ballistic protection.

MediumMack · #17 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 20:50

@iampoch - Yes, that would totally work on an S2 body. All the conversions I have done were to an S2 body. I used mostly DML heads tho, but it is the same basic concept. Mr Flip Flop's socket/gasket for the ball joint is much prettier than mine tho, I just created my own from apoxie.

JokersWarPig · #18 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 21:03

Looks great

MediumMack · #19 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 21:14

^HAHAHA, RayGun get's me every time, haha^

Davinator65 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-26-2009, 21:42

Nicely done.

jessica · #21 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 00:38

Wow that is awesome and mighty brave.

MediumMack · #22 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 00:57

RayGun, what the hell is that ball pendant? Or did I just answer my own question?

da Bronx Commando · #23 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 01:03

Great job. Thank you for solving this problem for us!! I will have to try this out someday!!Now you have to figure out how to get decent hands on the Jakks Maximum Aggression figures!!

J3D1 · #24 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 03:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Eaton Flipflop

Thank you very much

It is the Rambo body. I was happy that the color on the one Brian sent was so close the Connor HS. The Rambo muscle body I have is like the color of a pencil eraser.

Yeah they seem to vary in color, my Nam seal looks more orange than anything and they are the same bodies!

Jediguy · #25 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 06:51

you the man!! Very courageous of you!

mgbb · #26 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 07:26

Great mod, man!

PR0WL · #27 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 13:35

What skills (and balls)!!!! Just the thing I needed to see to convince me to try converting my Blaine headsculpt done by Lonnie to fit Chris Redfield's body. This tutorial looks like a lifesaver!

pukingdog · #28 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 13:47

Bold and resolute endeavor on your part as well as your client's. As good as you are, fickle fate still can play a part, but you won out. Impressive humility only betters the success.

FirefighterUK · #29 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 15:00

Simply 1st CLASS work as usual Mike!!! Never cease to amaze me with the various projects you attempt and successfully complete to such a high standard. Well done mate.

Sir Eaton Flipflop · #30 (**permalink**) 11-27-2009, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebraten

You are a brave man. I've done something like what you did...but I used a generic DML headsculpt. Yours turned out very nice indeed.

Thank you very much

Speaking of DMLO headsculpts, I have some I selected yesterday to experiment with. i am thinking of doing the paint strip thing on them to get them down to that semi translucent urethane like plastic that makes HS's look so lifelike. I had not thought of converting one to an articulated neck format though. Great idea you have to play around with those as they are plentiful and some very nice sculpts.