Tiny Tactical Packs and Radio

Steve has more great custom accessories soon to hit the shelves of Tiny Tactical. There are three new items pictured above:

• ULS - Ultra lite strike pack (Dark Tan, Black and OD Green)
• TDA- 3 day assault pack (Dark Tan, Black and OD Green)
• MSRV2- Tactical Radio in pouch (Black/Dark Tan, Black/Black and Black/OD Green)

The packs may come in two 'flavors' - one which attached to the TT vests, and another that attaches to the fig via a neck piece.

The radios can't be removed from the pouch, but will look great as an accent item on your custom figure.

No dates yet on when these will be available, but be assured that we will let you know.

Many of the Tiny Tactical accessories sell out quickly, so check their BrickLink storefront often for news and updates.

(Via Tiny Tactical Flickr stream)

Series 4 'Rares' in Store Now

Late last week I mentioned that I was able to purchase some Series 4 Collectible Minifigures. I've recently finished taking guide pictures for all of the 'rare' figures and placed them for sale on my BrickLink store. I currently have The Lawn Gnome, The Ice Skater, The Hockey Player, The Viking, and The Crazy Scientist (alas The Musketeer still evades me). I've attempted to price the figures competitively, plus I have flat rate shipping*. You can purchase more, but shipping costs will stay the same.

I only have one of each figure, so hurry down and take a look. There are also a few other figures like The Werewolf and Soccer Player still available as well.

You can check it all out on BrickLink.

*See 'store terms' for full details

Series 4 Collectible Minifigures Available In Store

I was fortunate enough to come across a few Series 4 Collectible Minifigures today. I've placed a small selection up for sale on my BrickLink store. If you have certain figures that you really must have, you may want to check out our supply. The stand and all accessories are included, but they do not come in sealed bags.

Visit The Ugly Duckling for more details.

Custom Minifig Cases at Simply Bricks

Huw dropped me a a line to let me know about some custom cases designed for minifigs (it's like a Brickset trifecta today!)

BrickLink store Simply Bricks is offering these custom minfig cases for sale. A great way to show off those ABS All-Stars while keeping protected from the elements. UK Simply Bricks is offering them for $2.18 USD and shipping charges apply. See the Simply Bricks store for more details.

Tiny Tactical Restock Today (3/11/11)

Just a reminder that Tiny Tactical is planning on re-stocking their shelves around 2pm PST today (3/11). The BA-G36 upgrades, gas masks, and flame thrower kits should also be available at that time.

Don't forget to visit Tiny Tactical on BrickLink in just a few hours!

Tiny Tactical is Back!

Well they never really went anywhere, but Steve has returned with new custom accessories. First up we have the flamethrower kit that was shown as a prototype back in September 2010. The final product looks great in olive drab green and will hopefully be up on Tiny Tactical before the end of next week.

But wait, there's more. Steve also has upgrade accessories for the BrickArms G36 including a drum magazine, grenade launcher, launcher sight, and folding stock. The only question I have is where can you get BA G36's, as they appear to be sold out at BrickArms.com?!

You can see more pictures on Flickr. You can also check out the Tiny Tactical store on BrickLink.

UPDATE: Badger clarifies in the comments on a few places where you can pick up the G36 (also known as the 'assault carbine'). It can also be found at FireStar Toys.

Product Review - Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Armor

It is hard to believe, but this will be the first product review we have done for Hazel Fantasy and Amazing Armory Ltd.. This review will cover the Cyborg Armor set and Cyborg Shield. We will also have a review of customizer Pedro's work in painting one of these sets. The intent of this review is to give you the information you need to decide if these products are right for you.

Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Armor - 360 View (Click to Enlarge)

The Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Armor is sold as a set that includes both body gear and helmet. The body armor fits on the fig in the same way that standard LEGO gear might, over the head post. The connection holds firm to the body with no issues. The pauldrons and back pack are all part of a single, molded, ABS piece. The level of detail on the body gear are astounding.

There's plenty of room inside the neck/head guard of the armor to allow for helmets of various shapes and sizes.

Max Forward Arm Movement (left); Max Rear Movement (right)

Full arm movement is restricted due to the pauldrons and the back pack. The picture above shows the full range of arm movement available.

Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Armor Helmet - 360 View (Click to Enlarge)

The helmet, also made of ABS plastic, has full coverage of the minifigure head with an opening for the mouth. Again the piece is nicely detailed and there was a firm connection with the head with no issues.

Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Armor Set - 360 View (Click to Enlarge)

The pictures above show how the body armor and helmet come together for the final effect.

Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Shield - Front and Back (Click to Enlarge)

The Cyborg Shield (sold separately) can be paired with Cyborg Armor set or used for other builds. The shield is held via a handle on the back of the shield (shown above). The connection was good within the fig's hand and there were no connection issues. As with the Cyborg Armor set, the piece is molded in ABS plastic and comes nicely detailed.

The Cyborg Armor set and Shield only come in Dark Blueish Gray. Many customizers will often paint these pieces to provide variety and add color. Customizer Pedro, who is also the owner of the North American reseller of Hazel Fantasy, United Armory, provided us with a hand painted custom version of the Cyborg Armor set. We will review Pedro's work to both give you a sense of what can be accomplished with these pieces. Pedro will often sell custom minifigures through United Armory, so this can also give you an understanding of the quality craftsmanship that goes into his work.

Painted Cyborg Armor Set for UD by Pedro (Click to Enlarge)

Here we have a 360 view of the painted Cyborg Armor. Pedro has used Mr. Color paints on this piece to nice effect, incorporating the colors of our site into the armor. Pedro uses both Mr. Color and Citadel brands in his work. The lines are extremely clean with no issues. Pedro has also added two additional custom touches, first he's added several tiny holes in the neck/head guard to give some additional character to the piece. Second he's added a waterslide decal on the right pauldron of the Ugly Duckling logo - both features are nicely done.

There are no sealants used, as Pedro feels it can alter the appearance and texture of the piece; however, he can add a sealant upon request. Also although extensive play is not recommended, the piece should withstand some light play and posing.

Cyborg Shield Painted (Left) and Unpainted (Right)

Pedro included a painted version of the shield and a FAMAS rifle (not reviewed here). The two pictures show the difference between the painted and unpainted pieces.

Hazel Fantasy FAMAS Painted (Bottom) and Unpainted (Top)

Another factor to consider when buying a full custom minfigure is the quality of the minifigure itself. There were no issues here as the Space Police III minifigure that was used seemed brand new and the head was of quality.

Pedro will take requests for custom minifigures, but he asks for payment in advance. You can contact him via Flickr or United Armory.

Overall these pieces are fantastic from top to bottom. Good connections, highly detailed parts with ABS construction. Although they only come in dark blueish gray, you can always paint the parts and add your own custom look. If painting is not your thing, you could always purchase one of Pedro's custom pieces. The Cyborg Armor set, shield, and Pedro's custom work are all highly recommended.

Additional Stats - Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Armor Set
Website: United Armory
Location: United States
International Shipping: US and Canada only
Products & Colors: Dark Blueish Gray
Retail Price: $8.80 USD

Additional Stats - Hazel Fantasy Cyborg Shield
Products & Colors: Dark Blueish Gray
Retail Price: $4.00 USD

Bricks & Customs Restocks Minifig Capes

Minifigure cloth customizer Lamanda has restocked her BrickLink store with new capes and shoulder extensions aplenty. A great way to upgrade your Series 3 Elf or custom faction.

You can find her store, Bricks & Customs, on BrickLink.

Amazing Custom Lightsabers by eclipseGRAFX

So are you excited by all of the new LEGO Star Wars minifigures set to debut this Summer? There's a fair number of Jedi and Sith who are ready to do battle, but when it comes to their lightsabers the same old piece can leave you feeling a little 'blah'.

I know I post Victor's (eclipseGRAFX) custom saber hilts every few weeks, but look at his latest batch above. The black sabers at the top are actually dual-sided and detachable, so the new Darth Maul and Savage Opress can have proper weapons.

All of these are made to order and look fantastic. Although not all of the variants above are available yet, you can purchase several types and designs on BrickLink (look under 'Minifig, Weapon').

You can see all of Victor's customs on his Flickr stream. You can also read our 'Inside the Customizer's Studio' interview with Victor here.

Just in Time for Valentine's Day

BrickTW has put together this lovely gift pack just in time for Valentines Day. The package includes two 'chocolate brown' minifigures bedecked in BrickTW customs, a brick-built hart and a nice mug for tea or coffee (mmm...coffee). I especially like how the mug shows a woman chasing around Zhu Bajie (my how the tables have turned)*.

This retails for $89 USD and can be purchased at BrickTW's BrickLink store.

*Forgive me there was a clearance sale at the parenthesis store...

New Series 3 and Ninjago Items Up at BrickLink Store

I just finished putting up a few Series 3 Collectible Minifigures and Ninjago items on The Ugly Duckling BrickLink store.

I price competitively, so this may be a great opportunity to pick up some fantastic figs at low prices. I also charge flat rate prices for shipping, so buy all you want, the shipping charge will stay the same*.

All this an more can be found on The Ugly Duckling at BrickLink.


*Please make certain you read through the store terms page before buying.

New Halo Armor Up at United Armory

Pedro has stocked his virtual shelves with the new, limited edition Hazel Fantasy Halo armor. Hurry to United Armory before they pass you by!

New AMA - But Not What You Think

After a long quiet period it would seem that the 'old' Amazing Armory is back with some new items. What do I mean by 'old AMA'? More on that in a minute...

There are three items that have been added to the Amazing Armory BrickLink store - restocked Jin Roh body armor (not pictured), a new Rocketeer helmet, and a Rocketeer jet pack. As you can tell, the Rocketeer items definitely appeal to me.

These items are NOT associated with Hazel Tam's Amazing Armory Ltd. This is the older outfit he used to belong to. It would appear that usage of the Amazing Armory name is still up in the air...

History aside, you can purchase these items at the Amazing Armory 2010 BrickLink store. If you would like to see more pics, go to their Flickr page.

New Halo Armor at United Armory 1/16

Pedro sounds the call to let the citizens of Minifig Nation know that new Hazel Fantasy items, including the various Halo armors, will be on sale at United Armory tomorrow. Hazel has stated that the Halo armor sets will be a limited run, so if you like what you see, pick some up now.

The items will be unpainted like those featured in the front. The figures in the back were painted by Pedro himself. No word on if he will sell any painted customs tomorrow, but I believe he has some planned for sale in the near future.

If you are in the US or Canada, check in at United Armory throughout the day tomorrow and pick yours up!

eclipseGRAFX's Governator

eclipseGRAFX is putting together some custom minifigures depicting Arnold Schwarzenegger in his most recent role as the Governor of California. Victor is hoping to price these around $12 USD once they are finalized.

While you're waiting, check out the rest of Victor's wares at the eclipseGRAFX BrickLink store.

New Si-Dan Items at Minifig.Cat's BrickLink Store

Minifig.Cat's BrickLink store just posted 19 new items which I believe originate through Si-Dan Toys. The bulk of the items are listed as 'Navy Seal'; however, there are some spartan warrior accessories too.

If you enjoy Tiny Tactical and BrickArms, you may want to check them out. The items are currently on display at Minifig.Cat's Flickr stream and their BrickLink store.

Amazing UD Custom from Pedro

One of the best things to happen to me since starting this site, has been the opportunity to meet an amazing group of people and artists who make all the effort worthwhile. Case in point, Pedro offered to make a custom minifigure for review on the site.

Wow! I really can't express my thanks enough. This is an amazing piece and truly a work of art. He even put The Ugly Duckling logo on the pauldron! 

If you've not seen Pedro's past work, I highly recommend it. You can check it out on his Flickr stream. I look forward to seeing this in person and giving everyone a more in-depth look at it.

The armor and weapon are from the new Hazel Fantasy line which US and Canadian shoppers can purchase at his BrickLink store - United Armory.

Series 3 Collectible Minifigures Now in Store

I've just posted several of the Series 3 Collectible Minifigures at my BrickLink store. Hurry on over and take a look before they are gone!

Also, check out our Series 3 roll-out map. Several people have already placed virtual pins where the Series 3 figs have been found. Hopefully this will help you find some of these great items this season.

Inside the Customizer's Studio: eclipseGRAFX, Part 3

Today is an exciting day for the eclipseGRAFX brand, as he is 'relaunching' his BrickLink store with new custom offerings. When I first discovered Victor online, he was offering amazing custom lightsaber hilts (still does as a matter of fact). Over the past year he has made a strong effort in getting his business off the ground. In fact, I think he has a lot of promise which is part of the reason I wanted to have him participate in this interview series. Today we'll be discussing some of his aspirations and what he has in store at his...um...new store...

You've started to sell some of your custom creations on BrickLink. Do you have aspirations to build up your own customs operation? What have been some of the challenges you've faced in selling your work?

"Opening my own 'brand' would be great. It has been on my mind and I have been trying to take it step by step to raise the money and product line to do so. The main challenge to get the business going is capital (i.e. money). I have many plans for the business and a few product lines that I want to get out all at the same time when I make my grand re-opening.

The main challenge I faced selling my work was pricing, because all the hilts are crafted by hand the price per hilt was too expensive. Not many people bought them. Now one of my projects is to finish 3D modeling and get them made by an ABS/3D printing company."

During the time of our correspondence, Victor has partnered with fellow community member Imagination Customs to bring new items to his store. Victor has been seeding Flickr with a sampling of the products he intends to sell (products that should be on his BrickLink store later today). We discussed the new venture and the dynamics of having a new partner...

"One of the benefits of having Imagination Customs on board is the accountability. Though it's me mainly doing the pushing, now that I have someone working with me I also feel obligated to do my fair share. One thing we discussed when we first started working together is trying to hit as many genres as we could. Each month having a major focus on one or two themes. Themes will be influenced by video games, movies, books, comic books... pretty much anything that has characters in it will be looked at to draw inspiration from.

We are currently working on some World War 2 figs and Star Wars figs (of course). Future lines that will be seen will include different military/armed forces type of figs. Star Wars will always be a main source of interest for me since there are so many different types of characters in the Star Wars universe - it just offers so many different challenges to tackle. We will also be hitting comic book heroes/villains and cartoon characters when possible. Really we intend to cover as many bases as possible.

We will also be offering the lightsaber hilts and eventually mass producing them. Some designs will be exclusive to the figure they were designed for. When mass production happens individual requests will still be taken to designs personal sabers. We are also getting glow in the dark blades soon to go with the hilts.

We are in contact with a printer to offer some high quality printed parts and this line will also grow as we get more funds. My vision for this is to eventually offer fully customized and printed figures. The cost for this is large so I have to settle for parts at the moment that can help us get to that step.

Another product line we are working on are decals to customize your own "unique" figure. We don't want to divulge too much on this project just yet but we hope to have it ready by opening day.

There are ideas that just get birthed from working on other figures. One such idea are my 'bullet' grenades that I recently posted. We decided to offer these seeing the interest that sprung from it.

And lastly, we will offer personal requests to make figures. Currently I am working on an Emile figure which should be showcased before the store opens.

We enjoy doing anything that has to do with minifigures and offering high-quality products that leave the customer wanting more. Which is the most important thing about this whole endeavor. Offering high-quality figures and customs for the customer."

Lots of exciting things to look forward to from Victor and Imagination Customs! Check out everything they have to offer on the eclipseGRAFX BrickLink store a little later today.

Tomorrow we will finish out our interview series by talking with Victor about the current state of the customization community and what his personal 'dream' project happens to be. Make sure you come back tomorrow, you may be surprised...

Series 2 Offer at Mastermind Toys

Mastermind Toys based in Canada has a 'buy three, get one free' offer on Series 2 Collectible Minifigures. Mastermind is asking $2.99 per pack and the assortment is both blind and random. They do ship to the US, but please review their shipping policies before buying.

You know who else has Series 2 Collectible Minifigures for $2.99 USD? Me, baby, me...Well, I at least have the Karate Master, Disco Dude, Ringmaster, and Traffic Cop. *grins*

I ship internationally through USPS and shipping is flat rate (see my store terms for details). Lots more to see including LEGO Pharaoh's Quest, Star Wars, Harry Potter, plus lots of odds and ends. I'm sure you'll find something you'll like.

Head on over to my BrickLink store to see my selection, and head on over to Mastermind Toys for their special offer.