Oddball parts for custom accessories.

[SUP-Ronin]

People doing custom dioramas, accessories and figures tend to keep any eye out for those random odd-ball pieces (outside of the toy world) where you find yourself saying "Hey, that would be perfect for my ___________." Perhaps some of you would care to share your findings here.

Here's one of mine. I was at Home Depot, looking at re-build kits for my toilet, and noticed the replacement flapper chains are perfect for Mego scale. In particular the black plastic ones. I picked up a couple to use for monsters and possibly POTA customs. Add a smattering of brown spray paint for the perfect rusty chain effect.

[livnxxxl]

I use the toilet chain trick as well. It works great. I have a whole host of other tricks up my sleeve as well. In fact I have in the works a Vic Rattlehead custom that I am also using the chain for.

I have been wanting to do a database of sorts for all of the tricks and tips that I have learned from others as well as what I have found out on my own. I have just been too busy with personal life lately to get the play things done that I would really like to get done for the Mego community.

This is a great idea for a thread. I hope to add to it more at a later time.

[EMCE Hammer]

Riding your coattails, Home Depots here have a variety of chains on rolls that can be purchased by the foot, both plastic and metal. I've also used heat shrink tubing from the electrical department. The colored electrical tape comes in handy sometimes too. I'm not a fan of using it for cuffs, but for an accent here or there it works OK.

[livnxxxl]

I use foil colored tape for custom belts

Also ribbon from craft or thrift stores. I try to get the size that is about the same size of a typical Mego belt. IF it is a really neat piece of ribbon and it is larger (wider) I will run it through my paper shredder and get it to right size.

[thunderbolt]

I've used PVC irrigation couplers for Hellboy's Right Hand of Doom and Iron Man's forarms. Also, check the dollar aisle at Target right now, there is a kid's bubble wand and bubbles set in the shape of a space man with a screw off head that I plan to use for Robot Monster, it looks like it might work for other space helmets, too.

[Megospidey]

The right leather watch band will make a great belt for a Santa Claus custom. You can usually find either a brown or black band that will work - depending upon the style you are making.

[EMCE Hammer]

I have been known to buy shoes from the lady aisle at the thrifts and steal the straps and buckles for various things.

[livnxxxl]

I have been known to buy shoes from the lady aisle at the thrifts and steal the straps and buckles for various things.

You too ehh? Thank goodness I am not the only one out there doing that!


I have a whole box full of strap shoes that I plan on using for custom belts at one point or time.

I have also cut boys and mens belts up for leather Mego belts.

Is it just me or is it that this thread is starting to sound like more of a confessional than a custom parts list.

Ladies nylons anyone..... Yeah, I use those to... ONLY ON/FOR CUSTOM ACTION FIGURES THOUGH.

[livnxxxl]

I forgot to add ladies leather or simulated leather purses. Great material for custom outfits.

[SUP-Ronin]

I admit I've looked at purses before. I like the watchband trick and the used shoe idea, as well.

I know for the mad scientist gadgets people use little clock gears from the clock kits at ace hardware, also various lids and caps to other products. These are fun I hope we get more.

[thunderbolt]

dollar tree cat collars have buckles that work for belts, too

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I've sacrificed a few dollar store stuffed animals for fur.

Don C.

[livnxxxl]

dollar tree cat collars have buckles that work for belts, too

Ohh thats right! I forgot about those. I use them to. I have so much "customizing" crap stuffed in boxes that it is amazing that I even find anything when I need it.

[ddgaff1132]

I find some doodads in many different spots. Check those bubble vending machines. I found good little weapons chains and other Mego scale goodness. Shops that deal in cake decorating supplies sometimes yield little Mego-ish sized goodies. Its just where ever you go. Once you're done getting whatever. Think Mego as you go and you never know what you might find.

[DocDrako]

LIGHTS:
My wife is diabetic and I asked her to save the caps from her syringes (the caps from the plunger(?) end) so I could use them as the globes for "lights" used in my dioramas. For the lightbulbs, I buy those cheap booklights at the dollar store with the flexible middle piece and led bulb. Remove the lens, fit the syringe cap into the tip of the booklight, put it through the wall/ceiling of the diorama, and let there be light. You can even use the booklight's original design as the light fixture if you desire.

PERLER BEADS:
I slide these onto the handles of modern Star Wars figure guns (the figures from the era when they made the figures buff-tacular), to make the handles large enough for a Mego hand to hold them. I usually match the bead to the color of the gun when I can because it hides the bead better. I'm fond of the Han Solo pistol and standard Stormtrooper rifle (BlasTech E-11), but some others are cool too depending on the style.

INFANTS:
I've considered using those "Baby Shower Mini Baby Decoration/Ornaments" as infants in dioramas or adventures. Sometimes the hero has to save a mother and her child from danger, you know.

SCHLEICH ANIMALS:
I bought the chimpanzee cub to be Cornelius & Zira's baby Ceasar, a black panther cub to be Jet Jungle's new adolescent Jupiter (the original Jupiter died, I'm sorry to say), and an orangutan cub to be Zaius' offspring.

MULTI-COLORED SEED BEADS:
I bought a tube of these at Wal*Mart to use as jewels in a treasure chest.

I'm always looking for Mego stuff when I'm out and about. It's an obsession. But I enjoy every minute of it.