Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

--NOTE-- The completed custom will be in a seperate post right at the bottom. I will be changing the current images to links to save this thread from being too pic heavy --

Evening folks!!

Earlier this evening I started another custom/extensive mod.. Rodimus Major.

I cant say he's really based on any past Rodimus's (Rodimi? lol) other than a doodle I did a couple of years ago.. That and I figured the suffix of Major would suit something that will be as bulky and armed-to-the-teeth as this guys going to be

Concept Artwork

I've used Energon Rodimus as a base and reworked the transformation to some extent.. mostly the arms and shoulders.

Just bear in mind that my progress so far is the bare bones of the figure I have in mind. The end result will differ from my doodle somewhat but he's definatley going to be quite beefy and hopefully dangerous looking

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3032.jpg

Like I said.. Theres ALOT more work on this to be done, but I figured seeing as I'd made more progress on it tonight than I thought I would, I'd get some pics up now.

I know its not much to look at for the time being, but if any of you have any thoughts let me know!!

------EDIT/UPDATE-------

Just a quick update.. figured it warranted one after working on it nearly all day -_-" lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3033.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3035.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3038.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3036.jpg

Spent most of the afternoon working on the forearm guns/smokestacks, I'm quite pleased with how they came out, very heavy duty looking

I know there should really be 3 barrels but using 2 kept the barrels the same width as the forearm and just made it look that bit neater I think.

Also added some parts to the top of the torso to make headlamps for his robot mode (a la Optimus Primes) as well as a piece to extend the neck slightly.. though I'm not sure if its too long now.. still tinkering with that.

I've given him a swivel joint in the waist to though it still needs a little work. I always thought Energon Rodimus was kinda squat looking in robot mode. So I sawed the lower waist panels apart and placed them a little more spread out.. again, still not sure if I'm 100% happy with it so I may well end up tinkering with it tomorrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3042.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3043.jpg

Added some parts to the back to create a backpack in robot mode. This part also doubles as exhaust pipes underneath the vehicle mode. I'm quite pleased with these.. I'm aiming to make this custom quite bulky and menacing looking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3041.jpg

Just a photo to show a height comparison to my War Within Ironhide (Energon Inferno).. As you can see, Rodimus Major is a hell of alot taller than he was!!

Tomorrow.. I'll be working on finishing the chest and arm details.. trying to work in some more joints to the legs and finishing off the feet so they arent as hollow.

Once thats all done hopefully I can start painting it!!

Hey that's not bad!
What did you use for the arm guards and the backpack, self made or from another toy?

I'm looking forward to seeing this completed.

SWEET! It is way better than normal Rodimus.(Which I found in my storage but when I opened him up I immediatly put him back)
I want this alot.

Dead Metal wrote:Hey that's not bad!
What did you use for the arm guards and the backpack, self made or from another toy?

I'm looking forward to seeing this completed.

Heh! Thanks Dead Metal! ..my aching fingertips appreciate your comments

The arm guards/cannons/smokestacks are made from parts I salvaged from a Zoids Hammerhead kit and a Zoids Command Wolf (Irvine Type)

The barrels and covers are from the Hammerheads main guns, and the pipes in the back are from the Command Wolfs exhaust pipes. Theres also a random piece out of my bits box in there just to fill a gap at the back.

As for the backpack, thats entirely made from the Hammerhead Zoids additional cannons. (just as well he had so many to spare!! )

Seibermore wrote:SWEET! It is way better than normal Rodimus.(Which I found in my storage but when I opened him up I immediatly put him back)
I want this alot.

Wow.. I'm actually quite flattered someone would want to own this thing!! lol..

Unfortunatley this wont be for sale.. Though it would be pretty cool if I could reach a level of skill where I could start taking commissions!!

Hopefully I'm gunna be able to finish off the knee/thigh work and some extra bits of detail tonight, then I can start painting it.

I'll post again later tonight with an update when/if I've finished the building work

Thanks again for your comments guys!!

Phew... that was a very long day/afternoon :\ lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3052.jpg

Finally finished the building work on Rodimus Major though which is good! lol..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3056.jpg

Of course, he still needs painting,.. I'm making a start on that tomorrow

Heres some more pics of afew extras I threw together this evening. I mean, what Transformer is complete without some kind of weapon?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3049.jpg

I tried to go for something similar to the original Hot Rods pistol, something simple but fairly detailed..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3054.jpg

I'm quite pleased with how it came out It was made using a MSIA Wing Gundams forearm, Zoids Hammerhead tail gun and a peg from Energon Infernos cannon.

.....however.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3046.jpg

We all know that silly overcompensating guns are where its at

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3045.jpg

This was made using... -deep breath- Energon Hot Shots rifle, minus the scope and missile, a couple of random bits from a Wing Gundam Zero model kit (the ammo belt feed box on the side and the target lense).. Energon Infernos missile, an MSIA Gundam Deathscythes forearm, the end of the barrel from House of M Ironmans cannon and the ammo belt is from the same figure. ...phew.

It was great fun to build though.. I like to think of it as Rodimus Majors prefered weapon

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3053.jpg

I think it looks even more impressive being held by him

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3055.jpg

One last pic just of him holding both weapons.

I'm really really pleased with how he's come out.. cant wait to start painting him tomorrow

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3059.jpg

I managed to snag two pics of his vehicle mode before my cameras batteries died on me..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v343/zero_axis/TF%20Customs/DSCF3058.jpg

I've had alot of fun working on this kitbash, its been hard work in places.. -coughlegscough- ..but overall I've really enjoyed it

Tomorrow! Painting!! :p

Evening folks!!

Took me a little longer to finish than I would have liked, due to running out of red paint...

Anyway.. here we go (get comfy cos I may have gone a little overboard on the pics ..heh)

First off, The Rifle..







I'm pretty chuffed with how this looks painted especially the ammo belt... bendy vinyl plastic is hard to keep still!!

-Vehicle Mode-











-Robot Mode-











-Robot Mode detail-





-Weapons-

In the words of Larry Graham and Graham Central Station... POW!! I GOTCHA!!











Theres a couple of spots that need touching up here and there that I've only just noticed... but overall I have really enjoyed building and painting this

Anyone who views/reads this, I need your opinion on something.. flames.. Do you think Rodimus Major really needs them? Either way, let me know what you all think!!

WOW! What an excellent custom, i have always felt that the Energon Rodimus figure has enormous potential for great customs' such as this. If only you could beef that neck up a bit and get some awesome flame decals on the chest and hood of the truck, for me, that would finish this off beautifully.

Maniac23 wrote:WOW! What an excellent custom, i have always felt that the Energon Rodimus figure has enormous potential for great customs' such as this. If only you could beef that neck up a bit and get some awesome flame decals on the chest and hood of the truck, for me, that would finish this off beautifully.

Thanks Maniac23 I'm glad you like it! The neck has been bothering me to.. I might just add a little plate or something just to cover up the neck mount. It kinda needs to be that high though so it turns without scrapping against the lights on the top of the chest.

I'm gunna have a bit of an experiment later on and try and make some stencils for the flames.. If I can pull it off I'll update this

Thanks again Maniac23!

i'm really diggin' this bash. makes me want to make one.

what non tf parts did you use when constructing the bot?

STPrime wrote:i'm really diggin' this bash. makes me want to make one.

what non tf parts did you use when constructing the bot?

Thanks STPrime! I'm flattered that someone wants one for themselves

Lemme see.. the majority of the kitbash was from Energon Rodimus (obviously).. the thighs are from Classics Rodimus, as are the little hip armour pieces. The grey round parts on top of the thigh were I think the tips of the exhausts from Energon Rodimus and some parts from my bits box. The shoulder lamps are the tips of a Command Wolf Irvine Zoid's exhaust pipes. The back pack is entirely made from a Zoid's Hammerhead kits cannons (the ones from the fins). His neck is from Movie Overcast, as the ball joint fits Rodimus' head perfectly, the forearm exhausts/cannon covers and tips are again from a Zoids Hammerhead kit (the cannons in its hammerhead sections) and the pipes leading to them were from the same Command Wolf Irvine kit, just trimmed to shape.

Theres lots of other bits here and there that you cant see, like some MSIA Wing Gundam's forearms filling out the inner shoulder and a couple of bits from a 1/140 (I think) scale Wing Gundam kit that I used for the waist joint.

The large rifle is made from Energon Hot Shot's gun, with the tip of the missile sawn off, House of M Iron Man's cannon tip and ammo belt, a MSIA Gundam Deathscythe forearm for the scope, and a 1/140 scale Wing Gundam Zero vernier piece for the ammo feed. The wire and scope lens were again, random parts out of my bits box.

The smaller rifle was very easy, all I used was an MSIA Wing Gundam forearm with a peg attached (the one from Energon Inferno's fire hose cannon if I remember correctly) and the gun/key from the Zoids Hammerhead kit.

Phew..

Suffice to say that Zoids and Gundam kits are a veritable gold mine for parts!! Hope that answers your question STPrime!

thanks for the list.

i'm confused as to what these are though....
they gray pieces you used for pluggs/balljoint sockets to move his sholders.

you got 2 more of those?

have you played around with a combined mode yet? if not, i've got something boxed up i had been working on that i think would make b'dass fusion. he's not done by any means, but you'll get the general idea.

i'm finishing my final paper for class right now, all nighter, but when i get done, i'll pull him out and take a pic for ya.

stp

Great job! that toy looks awesome!
nice color scheme by the way.
hey, can it still powerlink with other figures with the powerlink ability?
any way, how did you do that? you must have alot of time!

STPrime wrote:thanks for the list.

i'm confused as to what these are though....
they gray pieces you used for pluggs/balljoint sockets to move his sholders.

you got 2 more of those?

have you played around with a combined mode yet? if not, i've got something boxed up i had been working on that i think would make b'dass fusion. he's not done by any means, but you'll get the general idea.

i'm finishing my final paper for class right now, all nighter, but when i get done, i'll pull him out and take a pic for ya.

stp

If you mean the blue rectangular pieces with the gray hook/clasp/things in them, then they are (I think) MISA Wing Gundam Zero's forearms. They were put in there for two reasons,.. one, to give the shoulder ball joints more clearance, and two, I originally intented to have extra weapons that could clip on using those gray parts. The second was scrapped after adding the backpack and reducing the clearance for those clips to zero.. heh.

Unfortunatley Powerlinking with Rodimus Major is not possible. I did alot of work to add a joint at the waist and the extra smokestacks on the backpack. Though further down the line I wouldnt mind trying my hand at a trailer/super mode armour for him

primusprime22 wrote:Great job! that toy looks awesome!
nice color scheme by the way.
hey, can it still powerlink with other figures with the powerlink ability?
any way, how did you do that? you must have alot of time!

Thanks primusprime22 I'm glad you like it! I still want to come back to him at some point and add some much needed flame details

As I mentioned above to STPrime, Rodimus Major is no longer able to perform Powerlinx.. shame I know, but a sacrifice for more mobility.

..and yes, I have a silly amount of spare time on my hands at the moment :\ lol. The joys of trying to find work whilst dealing with a back injury!!

Thanks again though guys!!

zero-kaiser wrote:The neck has been bothering me to.. I might just add a little plate or something just to cover up the neck mount. It kinda needs to be that high though so it turns without scrapping against the lights on the top of the chest.

What about a boot, like from a switch or button?

You mean like the surround for a button? I'm not huge on electronics so I'm not 100% certain what you mean Skyfire77... does sound like an idea though!!

Exactly. Should be able to find something at Radio Shack. (or the U.K. equivalent )

Well the U.K. equivalent would be Maplin's ...fortunatley theres an absolutely GIGANTIC one just opened not 10mins down the road!

Thanks again Skyfire77!! It's appreciated!!

Just a reeeeally quick update for anyone who's interrested. I actually reviewed this custom on my YouTube channel back in March.. dont know why I didnt add a link already,. but then again I've had alot going on lately.. heh.

Anyway, as I said, if anyones interrested in checking this guy out in all his full motion glory.. go here.

Also.. if STPrime is still watching this thread, I'm still curious to see what you had 'boxed up that would make a badass fusion' ..even though Rodimus Major cant Powerlinx anymore.. but still!! I would like to see it!

Great work! I've always loved the Energon Rodimus design except for the "empty back" problem. Your Rodimus Major does everything right that Hasbro/Takara did wrong.

Convotron wrote:Great work! I've always loved the Energon Rodimus design except for the "empty back" problem. Your Rodimus Major does everything right that Hasbro/Takara did wrong.

Thanks Convotron! I have to admit.. I'm a little surprised that this piece is still getting views/comments/peoples interrest!!

I am really happy with how he came out though of course theres still some stuff I want to add to him... such as flames on the chest and legs and an Autobot insignia on his chest... maybe one on the vehicle mode hood to.. but that'll be further down the line yet

Thanks again Convotron!!

It's work like yours that inspires people like me(interested in customizing but a little wary) to dive into customizing. Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Convotron wrote:It's work like yours that inspires people like me(interested in customizing but a little wary) to dive into customizing. Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Wow... heh.. I'm truely flattered Convotron!! I hope you do get into customizing sometime soon.. I find it a thoroughly enjoyable hobby, just a shame lately that I dont often have the time to do any work on the stuff I've already started.. ahh the joys of being in a new job and flat.. Thank you again Convotron.. I'm really quite flattered!!