Vehicle Voltron Fist – Complete

Well, it took me two iterations with Shapeways, but I finally got the part to fit just right!

On the first pass, I printed the fist as a solid, using the same models I had printed on my FDM printer.  The Shapeways fist is much more solid, and the printed fist was much heavier than the original.  It didn’t fire very well from the spring loaded launcher.

So, I broke the model up into three parts, and shelled out most of the material.

This didn’t change the cost much, due to the way Shapeways calculates things, but the finished fist is within about 1 gram of an original fist.

The fits are all “size on size” so some filing is required to get them together.

Here are some assembly shots:

 

And finally a happy Voltron!

 

Of course, the bright white fist doesn’t look right, so I went about painting it.  I just used Vallejo Acrylic model paint and hand brushed it on.  I put on 3 layers of primer, and attempted some sanding (this didn’t really work, which is a well known issue with SLS Nylon parts).  I then applied two coats of black paint, then did a little masking to put on the red stripe.

I left the part that inserts into the arm unpainted, as I was worried about interfering with the fit or bits of paint rubbing off and gumming up the mechanism.

 

That is Voltron’s happy face, trust me.

If you need a replacement part like this one, here is the Shapeways link:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/SDZS9S2JU/replacement-fist-for-vehicle-force-voltron?optionId=125379915

Vehicle Voltron – Replacement Fist Part 2

My method for these is pretty simple. I just sit down with a pair of calipers and a pencil and paper and make some sketches and take a bunch of measurements.

From there, I model the geometry in Alibre Design. The part that interfaces with the firing mechanism is going to be a bit touchy. So, I broke the model into two parts. This allows me to print the fist in an optimal orientation in the FDM printer and this critical part in its optimal orientation as well. This also makes iterating quicker, as I don’t have to print the whole fist each time.

After a couple of iterations, and a little bit of work with the file, I have a replacement fist that fits and fires similar to the original!

Vehicle Voltron – Replacement Fist Project

Here’s a toy you don’t come across very often. This is a 1982 Matchbox “Vehicle Force Voltron”

I stumbled across this while going through everything in a move. Overall, the figure is in okay shape and is nearly complete. He is missing a fist, and the propellers are damaged, but present. The damage to the propellers is pretty common in played with examples of this toy.

The fists are of course interchangeable, and I was able to confirm the firing mechanism of both arms is still functional.

The opening in the hand for holding an accessory has a bit of an odd shape. The U.S. version of this toy did not come with a sword.