Makeshift Props and accessories for minifigures and possible custom ba

[Plokman]

Hey again all,

I had a thought and I'm sure we all have used them as kids now maybe we can use them for our customs too.

The Lego Minifigure hand is able to hold only certain items so it's always a surprise to find out non-Lego items that fit in their hands like a real element. One of my favorite things to do when I needed a sword for one of my Guys and only had a few element accessory as a kid was to use small pop rivets. The tip fit perfectly into the hand of a minifigure and the shaft that would be used to set the rivet in place after using the proper tool and it even had a small part that looked like a pommel.

My dad had tones on the things and so I never had a time without a sword. Now after seeing the Lego movie and seeing the joke they did with Vitruvius' Staff after the time skip being a partly eaten Dum-dum lollipop it got me to wondering about what else is in the right size.

Once I decided to start in the custom minifigure game I realized these could be used to make custom accessories that properly fit in their hands and not sacrifice any element (A major thing I'm not for is using nail polish remover or Brasso to erase a face or decal on a torso.). Cause lets face it some pieces will only be made by Lego for so long and if we destroy them well they will get rare. So I thought we could make a list of items that could work as bases.

Anyone else have any thoughts or stories?

[kurigan]

I couldn’t in good conscience let this go with no replies. It’s a good topic and I’m not convinced that there is no one else with something to offer here. I mean we were not born purists, right?

Anyway, cocktail swords.

Yes they are comically large to be used as a rapier in mini-fig scale, but nip off the knuckle bow and do a little bit of clever sharpie work and you have a handy lil zweihander.

You can even get creative with other materials like I did here, snipping it short and using some tape to build up a handle.

[The Lego Nolan]

iPhone cords fit in the hands perfectly. I'm assuming many others do as well.

[AmperZand]

Probably not what was intended by the OP's question, but Stikfas ( http://stikfas.com/ ) weapons and accessories sometimes work with LEGO minifigs. Their tolerance varies quite a lot more than LEGO's, so sometimes Stikas parts fit snuggly in LEGO hands while other parts are loose.

The eastern monk in this picture has a staff weapon made from three Stikfas parts:

Another item that can be used with minifigs (and indeed lots of other small objects) are pizza tables, the plastic stands in the middle of pizzas to ensure that the box doesn't collapse. You can use them to elevate minifigs at the back of a display so they're easier to see. Of course, you can make your own elevated platforms using LEGO, but it's cool to use ones that are a single, pre-made piece.

[Plokman]

I couldn’t in good conscience let this go with no replies. It’s a good topic and I’m not convinced that there is no one else with something to offer here. I mean we were not born purists, right? Anyway, cocktail swords. Yes they are comically large to be used as a rapier in mini-fig scale, but nip off the knuckle bow and do a little bit of clever sharpie work and you have a handy lil zweihander. You can even get creative with other materials like I did here, snipping it short and using some tape to build up a handle.

A excellent idea here. Hmm I wonder if those Cocktail tridents or what ever they were would be fixable to use. Possibilities. Also with that zweihander "There can only be one!!!! Burp I love ya man." Sorry too good a chance for a TF2 joke.

iPhone cords fit in the hands perfectly. I'm assuming many others do as well.

Hmm interesting but not sure how useful it could be for making props. I'm not cutting up a charger cord for a whip for Johnny Thunder now. But if you got some that have been ruined I guess that could work.

Probably not what was intended by the OP's question, but Stikfas ( http://stikfas.com/ ) weapons and accessories sometimes work with LEGO minifigs. Their tolerance varies quite a lot more than LEGO's, so sometimes Stikas parts fit snuggly in LEGO hands while other parts are loose. The eastern monk in this picture has a staff weapon made from three Stikfas parts: Another item that can be used with minifigs (and indeed lots of other small objects) are pizza tables, the plastic stands in the middle of pizzas to ensure that the box doesn't collapse. You can use them to elevate minifigs at the back of a display so they're easier to see. Of course, you can make your own elevated platforms using LEGO, but it's cool to use ones that are a single, pre-made piece.

Hey it works well enough. If it's hold-able by a minifigure and we don't have to sacrifice pieces to make our props then it's all good. Hmmm that toy line I swear I saw it on Shapeways at one time. Do you know more about them? It's quite a neat thing.

Man makes me miss Technic Figures. Got to get a replacement Nick Striker and the others and the cyberslam gang. Thank the brickulator I got Brick Link. I can rebuild my collection as the Brickster would say "Brick by brick."

Edited October 10, 2015 by LuxorV
Do not quote images. Thank you.

[AmperZand]

Hey it works well enough. If it's hold-able by a minifigure and we don't have to sacrifice pieces to make our props then it's all good. Hmmm that toy line I swear I saw it on Shapeways at one time. Do you know more about them? It's quite a neat thing.

I believe it's a Singaporean company. I used to have a mid-sized collection of their design (including a dragon) and MOC fantasy figures. But they're not well balanced, are hard to obtain/expensive and their production quality is variable. When I moved home a few years ago, I gave most of them to charity. I only kept a few weapons/accessories that might be useful for LEGO MOCing.

I forgot to post this picture in my previous post. Samwise's lantern is a Stikfas part. I took the picture in 2006, a long time before the official LotR line was announced.

[Plokman]

I believe it's a Singaporean company. I used to have a mid-sized collection of their design (including a dragon) and MOC fantasy figures. But they're not well balanced, are hard to obtain/expensive and their production quality is variable. When I moved home a few years ago, I gave most of them to charity. I only kept a few weapons/accessories that might be useful for LEGO MOCing.

I forgot to post this picture in my previous post. Samwise's lantern is a Stikfas part. I took the picture in 2006, a long time before the official LotR line was announced.

Ah I see. Still ring a bell in my head. I think it may have been a Toy customizer I watch who I saw them from.

Shame they have such varying quality but not everyone can be LEGO now can they?

Thats a cool looking lantern for Sam there but isn't Frodo the one who gets stabed by the Morgal Blade? Um Mr. Wraith you got the wrong hobbit there. What do you mean all short guys look alike!! Blasted ghost see if I don't make a PG 3000 and put you in a painting!!! The nerve.

Edited October 10, 2015 by LuxorV
Do not quote images. Thank you.