RichArnold

Hey guys and gals. Just became the proud owner of a second Rubies bucket. I know, I know, the first ones not finished yet, but allow me to jump the gun a bit... Having finished, broken and rebuilt one, I ask a very simple question to the people out there who have done this mod- If you had to, or decided to, do it again, what would you do different or better?? Should it have gone in the bin as soon as it arrived? Would you use a different reinforcing material? Which decals or snout variant work the best? Was it worth the blood, sweat and tears? If you wish you'd dumped, or did dump, the thing in favour of a KS, MLC or (lucky people that they are) an LW, then speak up too. I've been lucky, I guess- the Rubies I've got weren't horrific to start with, but some of you guys have worked wonders. Dunno if it's against policy, but feel free to link to your builds. I know that I only got into the Biker Scout build because of happy coincidence and Acrylikhan's thread on this here site . http://forum.bikersc...?showtopic=2047 And beautiful work he does. So come on, you Rubies modders, lets get together and share some info. Faiing that, we might all just realise it's a bag of (self censored) and go with a KS anyway Happy building, Rich

Hi guys, Sorry it's been a while, but the rubies has been buried under a mountain of wossname, and I only really started working on it again over the last few days. Just a quick update on the re-do of the snout. Still need to touch up the glosswork before I can reattach the greeblie, but first decent bit of progress for a long while. On another note, the rest of the costume is progressing well, but I still need to save me pennies for some MC armour. Cheers, Rich.

I wasn't happy with the snout, so I'm re-doing it. Had only done the greeb, so I've decided to do the whole thing.

It's epoxy putty. Most of it will end up being sanded off.

Not happy with the snout after the repairs. Upon closer inspection it just looked bad. time to rip it out and start again. Also gives me an excuse to tidy up various bits.

The Rubies can come out looking real nice, but just plan on spending A LOT of time on it. IMHO Franks (Acrylikhan) is one of the best ones about, and his WIP was extremely useful. Best of luck to ya.

okay, so I've fixed it again. Just a bit of tidying up round the snout and it's good to go. So, another (!?!) question: what do you guys use to pad it? And before you ask, I've tried a hard hat liner and just can't find a comfortable position for it without having the faceplate foul on my specs. Might just be cos the rubies is smaller than most. Foam it is then, but what do you guys use for a good, firm fit? Cheers, Rich.

Bog standard craft knife in the end. It's a bit scrappy, but it'll tidy up a bit (hopefully ) TBH this was only a first attempt, and I've learned a lot, so I'm now kinda itching to have another go...

That's that done then. Knew they weren't going to be perfect, but if they fall apart I can always get a pair from the professionals. Thoughts, critiques, etc welcome as usual.

That'll teach me to get the first thing available... (what did everybody here say... oh yeah, research ) I've got several other projects I can use the really grainy stuff for, so I've just gone and got hold of some "proper" marine vinyl. Hopefully have some photo's soon. Certainly looks a lot better Quick question- is it easier to cut the soles with a blade or a dremel, or is it whatever suits? ta, Rich.

Do you think a heatgun would be ott? tbh, I think I'm gonna try ironing it and see if it gets any smoother, If not, I can use it for somat else and source the proper marine vinyl off t' net... It's always better to ask though, eh?

Yep. Basically where I masked the snout up for the respray ended up taking some of the humbrol off, and my hands weren't exactly steady when I touched it up. Still, easily fixed, but preferably when my hands aren't tired...

Whoops- posted it in the wrong section originally... Teach me to pay attention to what I'm doing...

Hi all. Wanted to crack on with my boot build, but I have run into something that I figured I should ask about... I've got hold of some leatherette/ vinyl type stuff, but it's got a textured grain to it. Is this a good thing or should it be completely smooth, like the armour? I don't think it'll stretch out, but I might try the old "Iron under a towel" and see if that shifts it... Here it is at the moment: I'm thinking it's wrong, but has anyody else had any luck with this kinda thing? Cheers, Rich.

There ya go... Some of the snout needs tidying a bit, and there's still a lot of polishing to do, but that's the main break sorted. Changing a few bits as well as the repair, including new bolts, tidying up the back "windows" and adding a few shinier decals, but I thought you'd all like to see it without a dirty great crack through the middle. Cheers, Rich.

oops. Yep, It's for a TB. Probably also worth mentioning I'm in the UK, so a UK based supplier or shop would be preferable. Waiting for the supplier to get back to me about what material it's made from, but a general purpose dye would do wouldn't it? Cheers again, Rich.

Hi all. Just ordered myself a half decent military coverall off the 'bay, but it's stone coloured. What dye would you guys advise for a decent, long(ish) lasting finish? The most common one is probably going to be dylon or something similar, but there are just too many different sorts, and my brains given up trying to figure it out (why do I need to add salt with one, but not another??? Aaaargh!) Anyway, best get back to repairing my Rubies. Cheers, Rich.

Honestly, Frank, if I hadn't stumbled across your "tutorial" via google, I wouldn't have even bought the bucket in the first place, let alone got into the "hobby" as a result... I think I speak for many potential, and actual, bikers when I say that you are THE MAN when it comes to this mod. Thank you, thank you, thank you... if you've not already got a dozen rewards from BSN, you deserve a dozen. Apart from that, yep, I think I may attempt a second, but tbh, I'm thinking I need to get the armour and TB# too

It was great until I threw it on the floor.. ( see sod's law thread)... Anyhoo, repairs are going well, but I have (yet another) question for all you Rubies/ DP modders out there IS IT WRONG TO WANT TO DO ANOTHER ONE??? I've finished/ binned/ repaired this one (okay, NEARLY repaired) but does that make the last couple of months worth repeating? Apart from 1) it's Star wars, 2) It's me modifying it, 3) it looks damned cool when it's done and 4) my friends want one, does it make it worth doing another one? scratch that, points 1-3 are enough to make me look for another.... Or do others know better?

from busted to repaired in two easy photo's... Apart from the fact I've run out of hot-glue (it's on order), repairs progressing well. again, not terminal, jus bl@@dy frustrating... Cheers y'all.

Thanks guys. Like 'Fluxx said, it's more annoying than terminal... On a positive, it gives me the chance to fix all the little bits I wasn't completely happy with... Watch this space then...

So, I managed to sort my Rubies mod to the standard I thought would be okay, and then I went and did this... That was roughly from waist height ( I'm 5' 8") so I just thought I'd warn you all about clumsiness with your bucket. please bear it in mind, but that it's NOT a crack or ripple in the paint (it's not easy to see) but that's straight through the plastic on the face.. Slightly annoyed doesn't cover it. Time to start fixing it then...

It's not perfect, but I'm rather pleased with it. Still got to add a hard hat liner- did a dry run earlier and found I couldn't close it without it fouling on my glasses. hmmmm... And some of the greywork is far from perfect, so I'll probably tidy that up at some point. I'll probably change the decals at some point- they're just something I knocked together with my old man's vinyl plotter, but they'll do for now... So guys? Critiques? Suggestions? Should I have just thrown it in the bin? All thoughts welcome. Right, best get back to polishing it. Cheers, Rich.

Oh bugger... rushed the polishing and used a bit too much grey on the "windows" at the back... Anybody know of a good way of removing humbrol without ruining the gloss layer underneath? Or is it a case of rub it down and give the topcoat a quick touch up? Other than that, It's progressng well, so once I get that sorted, it's glue the lense in, sort out a hard-hat liner and (more) polishing. Must remember- little and often, and walk away when tired...

Got the glosswork finished, so now it's just lots and lots of polishing... Lense arrived from flea-bay, and it's not too bad. Shade 4, slight green tint. £8 all in, with enough for a 2nd if I screw up... TBH, not including the hours I've put in, it works out at about £55 for the entire thing. It's not perfect, but when you see Rubies being offered on the 'bay for about £70, I don't think I've done too badly. I'll post a pic once it's all together, but til then, I'll just say a HUGE thank you to all you guys for your help and advice.