Universe Grapple

[frenzy_rumble]

Finally got around to finishing this guy up.
He started as a Universe Inferno (awesome figure) I started by replacing the hands with Alternator hands. Next up was finding a proper crane. I used Mudflap (awesome for parts and ratcheting joints) The crane attaches to his back with a small clip and back up rare earth magnets. It attached the same fashion to the alt mode. I made the gun for his left arm more easily removable.

The fun started getting out of control when I added the LED lights. I removed the interior of the cabin to accommodate the power supply, wiring, etc. Then removed the lights up top, drilling small holes where the 3mm LED bulbs stick up out of. There's a button on his side window which controls these lights. There are 3 settings, independent flashing, in sync flashing, and always on.

The bulbs are red, and I painted the interior of the light fixtures with translucent red also.

I painted Grapple with an enamel yellow/orange. 2 thin air brushed coats, not as difficult as I thought. I wanted Grapple to be more modern looking so I steered away from the 'over the edge' orange of his original. I top coated the yellow/orange with a thin coat of metallic "Amber yellow" (awesome color) then final coated with "tequila sunrise" lacquer from House of Kolors. This color actully is pearl/iridescent. In person, if you were to look at this paint close up, you can see a slight alteration of the hue from certain angles.

A video demonstrating the lights in action can be seen here:
I suck at creating videos, and unsure how to change the dark gray to black on his borders, also, the compression seemed to make him very orange :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZJIJ6Hv8fA

or here:

grapple on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://flickr.com/photos/accardi1/3330674553/)

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[chans formers]

that bot rocks!!why cant hasbro/takara do this???? i may have to do this when they finally show up here in ctown and i may use yours as a perfect example!!i totally love how you worked in the chunk from mudflap.it looks/fits much better on here!!!nice job!!!!!(i was kinda looking at the original g1 grapples crane but it seemed to small:()

[Badgertron]

Awesome job. I was actually thinking of doing a movie mudflap into Grapple (probably would have been a simple repaint, really) Might I ask why you didn't go this route? Was it just to keep the inferno/grapple aesthetic?

[frenzy_rumble]

Awesome job. I was actually thinking of doing a movie mudflap into Grapple (probably would have been a simple repaint, really) Might I ask why you didn't go this route? Was it just to keep the inferno/grapple aesthetic?

yeah, i wanted a more "universe/classic" feel to him. I love mudflap, but only for his parts. the joints / articualtion on that fig are awesome, but the bot mode with the aweful crane on his arm is blah to me.

[QuadESL63]

You are the man! :cool:

[Ultra Maverick]

Great concept, fantastic figure!

Outstanding work!!!

[JaySmith]

Jesus Christ! I absolutely LOVE your work, and sincerely wish I had the money to purchase everything you create. Hopefully Hasbro sees this beautiful repaint, and decides to release one of their own.

[Crobot91]

I see this being a Botcon exclusive one day... :)

[Optimus_Prime]

Great work! Hasbro should do this, but it wouldn't come out this detailed, of course.

[Pascal]

Excellent job, but I still don't like the painted windows, it kinda ruins an otherwise awesome paintjob...

Can the crane arm stay attached to the arm in robot mode Ã* la Mudflap?

[frenzy_rumble]

Excellent job, but I still don't like the painted windows, it kinda ruins an otherwise awesome paintjob...

Can the crane arm stay attached to the arm in robot mode Ã* la Mudflap?

the windows sorta had to get painted to hide all my hideous electrical work, there's a lot in there. The crane can't attach to the arm.

[onecoin]

"Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice"... Usually this is reserved for nice combos in Street Fighter, but I feel it fits here.

[Robimus]

Great Job! I like that better than the Inferno :)

[racerguy76]

Very nice. Me wantee!
________
VAPORIZER VOLCANO (http://www.vaporshop.com/volcano-vaporizer.html)

[evil_ivotron]

sweet nice job

[Cliffjumper69]

I knew you were going to do this repaint RF!!! :D Looks awesome, the crane fits nicely :cool:


CJ

[frenzy_rumble]

wow, thanks for all the love guys.
Here's a hint to the auction secret bonus....H _ _ _ _ ;)

[Articuplex]

schnikies! that's awesome!

[frenzy_rumble]

Bonus Item #2 added to auction:
Universe Hoist


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[Bruticus82]

Nice custom! Those wheels look so much better with just a little bit of paint.

I have to ask how small these magnets are that you're putting all over? I mean, the back of his fist, really? That has to be insanely small. Where do you get them?

[frenzy_rumble]

I get my magnets from : http://www.gaussboys.com/

I typically use these 2 types (stocked up and bought 1000 of each)

(This is the type I used on the back of his hand)
http://www.gaussboys.com/files/images/full/D0301.jpg

(And I use these a lot also)
http://www.gaussboys.com/files/images/full/D0601.jpg

[QuadESL63]

There were two different cannons mounted on Hoist. Are both included? Thanks

[chans formers]

crazy love for both bots!!

[QuadESL63]

Ha ha I lose :D Too bad...

[zuffyprime]

absolutely beautiful man.
I love the colour! g1 grapple was always one of my faves

[Vakamadisk]

Nice job!

[Autovolt 127]

I hope when Universe returns grapple is made as awesome like this.