Disassemble it Yourself Optimus Prime

Today I'm sharing the eight inch version of Optimus Prime from The Loyal Subjects series one. First off, this toy was primed before I took the pictures, which is a straight work in progress shot this time. I took this toy apart using a hair dryer for about a minute per socket. The sockets are grossly over sized and lots of trimming was needed. The  oversized sockets are scale from the three inch version- which will be a future blog.

Disassemble it Yourself Noobz

Not just for beginners. Today I took apart this guy. This is a Noobz from Blizzard. It's a pretty cool toy, but it's toys like this that inspired this series.

First off, I used a blow dryer to soften up the joints then pulled them out. It took less than five minutes to do. Looking at the mushroom sockets afterwards; I would definitely trim them before reattaching. 

After taking this guy apart around some sockets were globs of greasy goo. I'm not sure if it was mold release or due to the tight sockets the manufacturer had to lube them up before putting them together. Definitely creates the cause to wash them before working on them though.

Disassemble it Yourself Tequila edition

The second installation of this blog theme comes from Muttpop's Tequila. This behemoth stands over eight inches tall. The head is the only articulating part, however, there is more to take apart!

I used a hair dryer for about two minutes and pulled it off with some force. The Tequila is glued at the arms and waiste. I used a hair dryer here too. The glue gave way and with a little force the parts came free.

When reattaching I would trim the mushroom socket on the head. For the arms and waiste I would use PVC cement. Just make sure the connect points are clear.

Disassemble it Yourself

 There are many toys out there. Do it yourself blanks and full fledge production runs. Both are fodder to be reworked. I have struggled over the years to take these guys apart. Sometimes very successful sometimes there are broken parts. 

The goal of this blog and a few others are to talk about and show what these toys look like when they're apart.

The first issue is to consider why we want to take them apart. 

1) cleaning, there is always mold release may still hang around. Not getting that grease off my screw up your paint.

2) ease of handling

What to use when you want to start taking it apart.

1) Boil in water

2) hair dryer or heat gun

3) brute force

Boiling is slow and a tad messy. The hardest part is finding a pot you designate only for toy deconstruction.

Heat gun or blow dryer- the fastest way to soften up vinyl and pull them apart.

Brute force, the curiosity method of just pulling the parts out. This method may result in broken parts.

 

The first toy I took apart is a Fonzo by Fonzoworld.

I've always wanted to painted one of these but I've often felt the price was high. Thanks to @martiantoys I got them cheaper.

The head and arms came of with a few seconds of exposure to a hair dryer on high heat. Afterwards there was some light trimming around the sockets to make them fit in easier after the painting is done.

A long time coming

Since September, I have made over 15 tunics for folks in and around Amtgard. It's been awesome having a lot of creative freedom making garb. However, as spring approaches up here in Minnesota spray painting weather is upon us.

What does that mean?

It's prime weather to spray primer on toys! Which means toy creation is around the corner. Keep an eye out for new ideas. Here is a guyI dabbled with during my Xmas break in Texas.

I'm reinventing nature with a lantern fish.

There goes Halloween!

Halloween has come and gone. These toys were made for a Halloween party and now they are up for grabs super cheap! Twenty five bucks for the seven inch toys and $125 for the Mega Munnys. They have all be primed, painted and finishedenjoy and thank you for looking!

The theme for the party was "A Nightmare Before Christmas" and I took it a bit far going with some toys theme simply around Tim Burton characters or concepts such as Beetlejuice, Frankweenie etc. etc.

You can find these guys on sale over here: www.ricstroh.storenvy.com

Beetlejuice!

Frankenweenie

Jack Skelingtor

Duck Decoy Toy

Zombie Tweedle Dum

Zombie Tweedle Dee

Halloween Town Cyclops

My Undead Neighbor Totoro

Pew Pewter Pewtersby (Mega Munny)

Vampire Teddy Bear (Mega Munny)

Majora's Tiki Reign!

This guy among eight others are at Dream in Plastic for a show. He was rushed and will probably be reworked when I have more time. They stand at about ten inches tall.

Jimmy the Devil hits the streets

This is Jimmy, he has a devil suit today. He suit was layered with multiple layers of reds, browns and pinks. It is also black light reactive. Jimmy is cute and has a mischievous smile on his face to show his bad boy side. 

This toy was painted with acrylics on a 7 in Foomi form by Kidrobot.

This guy is available o. Either store, etsy cyclopeangenome or ricstroh.storenvy.com

Storenvy!

That is correct! I will be making the transition to storenvy. It is primitive right now, but functional.       ricstroh.storenvy.com         Enjoy!

Pennies from Heaven

In the spirit of giving I give Bomberman Pennies from Heaven! This is an hour marker study for another mash up that's down the pipe.

The Etsy Store

Today was the Japanese Lantern Festival at Como park. I had a great time sharing my art with many of you today. As promised here is a link to my Etsy store and hope this finds you well. Thanks again for showing an interest in my latest art endeavor.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CyclopeanGenome?ref=search_shop_redirect

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Munny Munth came and went. I entered as per the rules three forms: a four inch Kracka, a seven inch Foomi and a Mega Munny.

Through a lot of hustle over the media we call social networks I managed the top spot in the People's Choice category! Thanks to my sweetie who was supportive as I focused my energies to get my Mega Munny entry all the votes I could muster. A big thanks to my friends who took the time to vote too!

I present the Angry Critter from Mystery Island! Fun and simple, the way I like things to be. 

Soon...

He will rise...

Lets go vote!

Hey gang, lets shoot for a total of 700 votes this weekend. The weekend is long and votes can be fruitful. 

I appreciate everybody's support and time!

http://bit.ly/ZRgYym

Exciting times for art!

http://bit.ly/ZRgYym

I'm currently running the riggers of promoting my Munny Munth creation. The People's Choice award seems attainable this year!

Munny Munth is upon us, must defeat all zombies!

http://bit.ly/ZRgYym

Good morning, I'd like to take this time to ask all who are reading this to please vote on my mega munny. A quick note, "likes" are not votes. I thank you all for the "likes" but you can vote every day. I know I will.  

Munny Munth is upon us. I have this monster entered and would like to achieve the "People's Choice" award. That means voting, and if possible daily.  I am excited to participate in Kidrobot's yearly competition. 

Hail to the Juggers...

A goblin team of juggers. Weapons will soon be added. This fierce team of cempetitors will stand on pedastools and given as awards for a future competition. May the best team win!

Eaters of Mystery Islan

It seems like the list of creatures that are found on Mystery Island continues to grow! This speciman towers 18 inches tall. His nuerological proccessing is exposed to the elements. This evolutionary development may not be the greatest, but visually shows off some old fashioned talent.

The Forrest Guardian of Mystery Island says...

YUM YUM! To Thanksgiving and all the tasty things in the near future. Give him some candy! He may not have a visible mouth but that doesn't stop the good times. 

Dave the Divine

Meet the divine embodiment of all that is Dave. He rests upon a layer of clouds with all that is mighty: a saw fish bill, the terrifying albatross, ribbons, splatter guys and the sacred tentacles from outer space. Dave is quite surene in his environment. The Mega Munny stands 18 inches tall.