How many are doing what we do?

Do we have some numbers? How many are customizing 1:18 figures world-wide? I'm thinking of active and reflected customization, not just mindless repainting of figures.
This forum holds what, one third of all who customizes Joes in the world?
And how many are into 1:18 customization if we include all lines and brands?


I was just curious this sunday morning.

I think the forum probably holds a much smaller number--perhaps 1/10th? But that's just for here--some people (like me) are "one-site only" types. I'd imagine there's quite a few out there who customize but don't make it publicly known (stigma over how others would see their doing this as a hobby ("He plays with toys!") or simply a lack of faith in their own abilities, compared to others.)

It's always fun when someone pops up who says, "Wow, I didn't think anyone else was doing this!" because it SO reminds me of myself when I first got into this (around 1999-2000)--I was shocked to find out others did, via the old Bivouac. Of course seeing the cool stuff there kind of made me doubt my own abilities so for years I was part of that "silent" group.

I don't think you'll ever get close to exact numbers but if I had to guess, I'd number it easily into the thousands, covering all 1:18 scale lines and possibilities and from what I see (with the arrival of newbies getting into the hobby), it's still growing.

i dont think we'll ever know, but i would get we make up a tiny fraction. ive been doing customs actively since 1991, and didnt find this site till 2002.

tons of other joe message boards have many members that customize, but dont post here.

If you're talking 1:18, then that counts the Star Wars customizers out there, and that's a huge group.

Finding the FFURG, a SW custom website is what got me started. I tried to work in 1:12 scale, but my sculpting wasn't good enough for that scale, so i got back into my first love, 1:18, where i find i don't have to be so "clean".

One thing i've been thinking recently is that there should be a be-all, end all customs website, for everything. Kitbashing, repaints, customs, originals, miniatures, etc.
It seems every site has a customs board, and i was just thinking about the amount of knowledge spread across all those forums, which other groups know nothing about.

I think Doc Rob is has a good point I started out repainting Joes back in 91', and my friends and family gave me a hard time, and even now I get razzed about it. But fortunately I'm secure in myself and don't care what people think it's apart of who I am. At last years Con you would think that we all would feel warm and fuzzy being that we are all collectors and customizers. Right? Wrong I got some pretty funny looks from attendees when I would try and talk to them about Joes and collecting and customizing. Beleive it or not I even got that from some of the JC folks, I'm still here though ever trying to perfect my craft and my love of 1:18 figures.

I'm not a teenager any more so it doesn't bother me what people think or say, and to that I give a GREAT BIG Thank you to all of you who have given me tips, feedback and that oh so ever important fuzzy feeling about what we do. GOOOOOOOO Joe.


"Ok was that over the top, I can never tell"

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"In the Oneverse, there is One world, One enemy, One hope, Oneforce"

One other thing I guess I can understand why people at the Con treated me funny, (not be stereotypic) but I don't look like a guy who would be into collecting and customizing. I look like a guy who would pick on said people, fortunately that has never been my way. Most you who were at the Con saw me I was the one guy who worked at the Marriott and almost always had a camera hanging off my side, black cargo pants and black and grey shirt, balding wavey hair, devilishly good looks with a half million dollar smile (ok scratched that last part I was having yahoo personals flash back).

I just glad I have people that I can relate too, about my hobby, oneday I will even hook up a dio-story. Thanks JC.

One other thing I guess I can understand why people at the Con treated me funny, (not be stereotypic) but I don't look like a guy who would be into collecting and customizing. I look like a guy who would pick on said people, fortunately that has never been my way. Most you who were at the Con saw me I was the one guy who worked at the Marriott and almost always had a camera hanging off my side, black cargo pants and black and grey shirt, balding wavey hair, devilishly good looks with a half million dollar smile (ok scratched that last part I was having yahoo personals flash back).

I just glad I have people that I can relate too, about my hobby, oneday I will even hook up a dio-story. Thanks JC.

Yep, I talked to you on several occassions and were nothing but cool with me. In fact, I think you were the last person we said good bye to as we pulled out of the loading dock.

ForceOneLeader is a bit of alright in my book, even though he is a weird that customizes toys.