Rules    FAQ
User: Guest ( Register )
 
 
 

It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:59 am (All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ])




Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 27 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:27 am 
User avatar
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: !!BEYONDER!!
so, I was stymied on what to get a discerning Joe collector for a Secret Santa gift...

Well, Top Dollar, it kind of went like this... I saw a picture of an octopus hanging out of a computer...
and then:

it all started with a little drive. and I mean little...
Attachment:
usb-drive.gif
usb-drive.gif [ 66.8 KiB | Viewed 40552 times ]

I got this little baby on amazon.com. I'm sure by now (2 months later) you can get twice the memory at half the price...
note: this picture does not show the little sleeve that was included with the drive that acts as a case -- more on that later...

I decided on the Holo CC for a couple reasons -- it looks interesting in it's own right, at least to non-Joe folks, and also I had a couple of them, in case I messed up. which I did.

I took a measurement of how far the drive stuck out of my computer to figure out how far into the torso I would have to insert the 'butt' end of the drive. turns out, it was all the way to the waist line.

I then took this Dremel bit and carved out all the plastic that was in the way on the torso's back, including making 'slots' in the shoulders. This also meant I had to remove the pegs and of course, the back screw guide.
Attachment:
dremel-bit.gif
dremel-bit.gif [ 47.37 KiB | Viewed 40396 times ]

Attachment:
dremeled-torso.gif
dremeled-torso.gif [ 104.92 KiB | Viewed 40304 times ]



continues...

_________________


Last edited by joemichaels70 on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:08 am, edited 2 times in total.

Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:48 am 
User avatar
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: !!BEYONDER!!
...

after making sure the drive would fit and discovering I hadn't taken too much material out (small miracles!) I discovered that I was now in trouble for attaching the legs. I also discovered that the arms were not going to fit as they normally would, due to the width of the drive in the torso. I carved on the shoulder inserts until they mostly fit (the left arm is rather stiff, and had to be put in place during gluing) I destroyed the first set of arms at this point.

I realized that the next few steps had to be done at the same time...

I took some 2-part clear epoxy resin and mixed up enough to set the drive into the torso, and carefully put a small bead around the torso edge. I then added the left arm, knowing the right arm would 'pop' in after gluing. I took the assembled waist and legs, and made a pointed 'v' with the rubber band, pushing it up into the resin in the torso with a piece of metal coat hanger. I then put the front of the torso on. And backed carefully away... :shifty:

Just kidding -- although be warned -- if you use 2 part clear epoxy that comes in a big syringe (from Home Depot) like I did, it's an exothermic reaction -- do it in a cool place, or stick it in the fridge -- you don't want to melt your drive! Ok, I doubt it gets that hot. But it sure does stink!

While that was setting up, I moved to figuring out how to make a cap for the drive out of CC's head. My first attempt, using a heat gun and my vise, was a spectacular fail. So, I decided to use the sleeve that was included with the drive, and cut CC's head in half, and pray that epoxying the halved hood to the sleeve would be enough to hold it in place, although I knew that it would 'stick out'

I used a combination of a small hacksaw, x-acto knife, and prayer to get the head apart. Note to ARAH customizers -- there is a generic ball joint inside this head that is perfect as a blank for sculpting, or as a sacrificial piece for non-ARAH heads!

Attachment:
Lobotomy.gif
Lobotomy.gif [ 119.08 KiB | Viewed 22742 times ]


It had been about an hour or three at this point, and the epoxy in the figure had cured (and cooled), so I continued to finish the head sleeve -- I marked how far the sleeve had to go down the protruding drive, and cut at that mark. I used the clear two-part epoxy to fasten the hood halves to the sleeve, and held them in place with my fingers, and then a clothespin, while it set up.

I went back to the figure. It was going to work out awesome! I sat him up, I moved him around, I played kickboxer with him...
and noticed the waist was getting looser and looser (more loose?) So, I gave the legs a little tug. And out popped the rubber band....

Well, long story and much cursing short, I discovered I wasn't getting the band back in, and that the epoxy probably wasn't going to hold the rubber anyway. Plan B: JB Weld the Legs to the Waist, and Clear Epoxy the waist to the torso. Goodbye articulation, hello Pepsident....

This photo shows:
A: The JB Weld holding the T-Hook inside the Waist
B: The drive and arm epoxied into place inside the torso
C: The hood halves epoxied onto the cut-down drive sleeve
D: The carved-up shoulder joint of the right arm


Attachments:
Components.gif
Components.gif [ 146.15 KiB | Viewed 22745 times ]

_________________


Last edited by joemichaels70 on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:52 am 
User avatar
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: !!BEYONDER!!
Finally, everything was dry, done, and ready to go --

I snapped a couple pics and dropped it in the mail!
Attachment:
CU_Head-On.gif
CU_Head-On.gif [ 128.48 KiB | Viewed 22737 times ]

Attachment:
CU_Head-Off.gif
CU_Head-Off.gif [ 104.98 KiB | Viewed 22926 times ]


I learned quite a bit while doing this project, most of all was patience and
willingness to macguyver a little -- it didn't come with blueprints!


Merry Christmas, folks!
Attachment:
Final-Drive.gif
Final-Drive.gif [ 94.63 KiB | Viewed 23364 times ]

_________________


Last edited by joemichaels70 on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a one-of-a-kind Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:56 am 
User avatar
Yesterday's Technology, at work for you Today™
Yesterday's Technology, at work for you Today™

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Johnson City, TN
Great Work, JM. Very Original.

But...


Is it Mac Compatible????

_________________
[Big_Tex_Wild_Phil] 12:46 pm: Hm? I'm sorry billie I was too busy playing with all my great hasbro produced product to pay attention to
what you were saying


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:57 am 
User avatar
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: !!BEYONDER!!
sure, brother...

what's a 'Mac?'


Attachment:
Final-Drive2.gif
Final-Drive2.gif [ 74.8 KiB | Viewed 22739 times ]

_________________


Last edited by joemichaels70 on Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a one-of-a-kind Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:59 am 
User avatar
Yesterday's Technology, at work for you Today™
Yesterday's Technology, at work for you Today™

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Johnson City, TN
Ask Beav, mebbe he knows :shifty:

It figures that Cobra Commander would only PCs.

_________________
[Big_Tex_Wild_Phil] 12:46 pm: Hm? I'm sorry billie I was too busy playing with all my great hasbro produced product to pay attention to
what you were saying


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:11 am 
User avatar
Snake Staked

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Iowa but I left my heart in Canada
That is quite possibly the most awesome thing I have ever seen.

Thanks for the how to. I am very interested in replicating this!

_________________
Joeczar wrote:
The bodies used for the HOF figures are much like the GIJCC itself, old, rigid, and unmoveable.


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:42 am 
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Damn, I thought my zippo-lighter USB Drive was cool...that is just endlessly awesome. It would be cool to make one out of a BAT (...maybe one of the internet bats, so as not to ruin a $20 figure).

_________________
This is fine.


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a one-of-a-kind Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:38 am 
User avatar

Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:06 pm
Location: Minnesota
Dosser wrote:
Ask Beav, mebbe he knows :shifty:

It figures that Cobra Commander would only PCs.


Well, since Osama used a lot of macs to help build his terror network you'd think CC would jump on the bandwagon....

I'm pretty sure joes would use PCs though.

Awesome work by the way man, cool idea.

_________________
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4647

Always Cheat, Always Win-Clint Smith


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:21 am 
User avatar
Code Name: Speed Bump

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Darko wrote:
Damn, I thought my zippo-lighter USB Drive was cool...that is just endlessly awesome. It would be cool to make one out of a BAT (...maybe one of the internet bats, so as not to ruin a $20 figure).

Ooh! Make it from an Inferno BAT! Clear red'd be [LASER BLAST]'! :-D Or perhaps a $6 clear Zartan... :shifty:


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:32 am 
User avatar
RPG Spin Master
RPG Spin Master

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Security. Status. Escape.
That is some serious ingenuity. Not only have I never seen anything like it, I've never even thought about anything like it.

Now you've got me thinking about how to turn a V1 Deep Six into an MP3 player...

- R

_________________


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:05 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Franklin, TN
Ha- that's awesome! And so is Raptor's Deep 6 MP3 idea.

I'm thinking that a backpack/USB drive mod would work great as well. I might have to try that :shifty:


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:07 pm 
User avatar
Snake Staked

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: Iowa but I left my heart in Canada
raptor wrote:
That is some serious ingenuity. Not only have I never seen anything like it, I've never even thought about anything like it.

Now you've got me thinking about how to turn a V1 Deep Six into an MP3 player...

- R


The first thing I thought of upon seeing this was gutting my brand new MP3 player and sticking it inside a Joe somehow. A Bio-Viper MP3 player would make me jump up and down with glee.

But I don't think my skills are up to that. A USB drive with non-moving parts though. . .

_________________
Joeczar wrote:
The bodies used for the HOF figures are much like the GIJCC itself, old, rigid, and unmoveable.


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:14 pm 
User avatar
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman
Ripe with kibble / Bojack Strobman

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
Location: !!BEYONDER!!
i was also going to try to put one inside the mine from the trouble bubble. i had bought one from a guy on ebay, but i think he died (no lie) and i never got it...

i was going to use a usb drive with a blinking light...

_________________


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
 Post subject: Re: How to make a Holographic Cobra Commander USB Drive
PostPosted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 3:31 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:19 am
How about one of those little drones that came with the VvV Night Creeper?

_________________
This is fine.


Top
 Profile Customs Feedback / Brawlingness  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 27 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:59 am (All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ])


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group