I'm so glad that you saw this project through, J_Man. I look forward to getting my hands on one and will be in touch with you soon.

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That is awesome. Can't wait for payday.

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looks great I'm deff going to get one

Oh yes, I'm gonna get one too, once payday comes around.

How do I get on the waiting list???

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Just head over to this page:

http://djtoys.muchtobuy.com/

Fill out the form and select the base to order. I'll add you on. Nothing is paid at the time of submitting the form. That's how I get your contact info and add you on the list.

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Wow. Impressive, Joe. Very impressive.

A great project, man.

Justin

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So just to clarify, you have two versions of this? I checked your website and I see there is a cardboard version that someone can buy as stand alone pieces or you have this newer version printed on white plastic. Correct? The only difference being the plastic version is obviously more sturdy? And with the plastic version you offer assembled at $70, and disassembled at $50. The disassembled version has all the same cuts and outlines, it just needs to be fit together, glued and reinforced?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get a clear understanding of all the options here.

Now that I have a few minutes I can answer these questions...

The cardboard parts are for people that might need to replace something from their original. It's not worth it to buy each part to build a cardboard one in my opinion. I think the cardboard one (original or my version) just doesn't look good. It worked for it's time, but that's it. What's on the site is just to help those who need 1 or 2 missing parts. Or something like that.

The plastic one has no tabs, no tab slots on the artwork, or any of that. It's solid art and everything is glued and fitted together. Small brads are nailed in at key points to be sure nothing comes apart. I sand everything smooth and add a special mix of paint along seams so that it looks right.

The one that ships flat, everyseam is precut, the elevator slots are cut, the holes for the brads are predrilled, etc. It's a monster to put together though. I tend to not recommend it for those that are not familar with building custom vehicles. I mean building them and not just doing repaints. I'd hate to see someone buy it thinking it's easy to build, then they can't do it. The console alone is the hardest piece to do. No matter how you hold it when you glue it, it seems like the bottom surface just refuses to be perfectly flat. It always has to be sanded. I think the sanding is the over all hardest part to do.

So that's pretty much it. I will be redoing the website and probably adding disclaimers and such. It can't be said enough that it isn't easy to build. You'd be looking at several hours worth of work to put the unassembled version together. All of that really needs to be said on the site. I almost didn't include the unassembled version, but I know there are people out there that might want to take it and add their own touches to it. Or over sea buyers might prefer that version for it to ship flat, although I don't know if the cost would be any cheaper.

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So, Joe e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago and let me know that my base would be coming soon. But the real surprise was that I was the first one to order. Even though there is no numbering or quantity limiting of this base, it is still kind of neat to own the first one out. I showed up today and I have to say this thing exceeded all expectations by a mile!

The thing that jumped out at me was the thickness of the material. It is 1/8 inch thick. Needless to say it is way more than sturdy, it is rock solid. Maybe I missed it before, but I always assumed it was going to be the thicker but still bendable plastic. (Kind of like the GIJoe gliders from the 90s) Not so at all. Honestly, it seems like it is wood because it is so solid. Next is the artwork. It is incredibly clear and clean. There are no flaws from the transfer process that I can see. Finally, the construction. Having this thing in hand, I can see why Joe stressed that everyone should buy this assembled. I cannot even fathom the amount of work it took to put this together. Unless this is what you really like to do, spend the extra $20 and let Joe put it together. You will not regret it.

For those that are already on the list to get one, you are going to love this thing. If you haven't ordered one and are thinking about it, you better get your name on the list. The amount of work involved means that these are not going to be cranked out or easy to come by, that is for sure.

J_Man and CabanaJack - Thank you so much for making this happen. This is a piece I would have NEVER would have owned if you guys didn't do this project. Not only do I own one now, it is way better than the original. Fantastic work, gents.

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I am very glad you enjoyed it. Actually look on the back. I'm not only putting the "company logo" so to speak, but also handing signing and dating the completed date. So you getting the first one actually does reflect in the date. I mean I was sending Kirk Bozigian the first one, but due to that minor console issue that's resulting in you getting a freebie replacement, you ended up with the first one. Kirk's is being done in a more higher dollar black plastic. It's no different than the white plastic, just it's black. I just wanted his to be different than the rest and didn't mind spending more to make it happen.

But yeah the plastic isn't soft. I router cut all the notches to be able to fold it. I had to build some guides to allow me to more quickly lay it all out. A note I'll add here, I'm not tightening the scres on the elevator or rocket real tight during shipping so you might want to tighten them. A spot of glue will keep them from backing out too if you want but it isn't needed.

I guess too since the first one is out, it'll be noticed from the underside of the console and a few other areas how it looks like welding lines where it's folded. I am putting on a nice amount of industrial strength super glue with some accelerator which adds a ton of strength to this item. Just for the heck of it I actually had 30 lbs of weight on the console to see what it would hold. It wasn't budging with that, but I didn't push it any further. That was on my prototype console even.

The others that are going out will probably get bumped to Monday for shipping. I'll be sending the other 2 emails this weekend along with Kirk's. I was aiming for Friday, but my t-shirt shop has got it the way. I worked late last night, had to again tonight, and will probably tomorrow. I've got the weekend open though and the 4 consoles (the 2 going out, Kirk's, and the replacement console for Firefox's) are all that's left to put together. That'll be done Saturday and Sunday will be for the finishing touches. I'll drop them all in the mail Monday morning so long as all goes acording to plan.

But yes I am very glad to be able to offer this to the G.I.Joe fans. I know I can speak for CabanaJack and say he feels the same. It's been a long journey. Each base is coming with a brief history write up as well. It just gives an idea of where the project came from and how it arrived to where it is now. Many of you have been along for the ride and know of course.

I do hope everyone that gets one will enjoy it. Each one will be dated on it's completed date. Since there is no limit to how many will be made, I figured dating them would be a neat little added thing.

The compliments alone are well worth every minute spent on the project though. I think you all and Hasbro too for allowing the chance to offer this. Hasbro of course can not endorse it, but they also are not saying to stop, so I thank them for that. They are well aware of the project.

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after years of hearing about this, wishing for this, and seeing the progress along the way, it is really rewarding just to see this idea actually come to fruition -- kudos to you, J_Man (& CJack) -- I sincerely wish you nothing but absolute success with this endeavor. I will be a customer, sure enough!

absolutely well done.

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I was just gonna ask you about that the other day.

I have enjoyed watching this project and would hate to see you guys get it with a C&D after all this work and effort.

If this is successful, have you considered other backdrops? I know I used to have a Star Wars one that had a plastic snow base and a cardboard AT-AT. A sliding elevator went from the base up inside. (I believe the base mold was also done to reflect a Tatooine setting)


BTW-everytime I look at the pics of this thing assembled, I can't help thinking about the volcano base from 'You Only Live Twice'. If someone had a big enough bowl or dome...

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You know what I'd like to see?
The Palitoy Death Star, re-graphic-ized into a Terrordrome.

But like others have said, you guys deserve an award of sorts for the sheer amount of work you've put into making this Missile base.
I'm going to have to make room in my budget, because damn.

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Just a quick update showing the 3 bases I finally finished before I pack them to ship out. One is for BiThomas, another is narceron's, and the last one (the one in black plastic) is Kirk Bozigian's. They were suppose to have gone out last week but a few minor details I wanted to fix stopped me from rushing them out. I'd rather make it look the way I feel it should look rather than just dump it in the mail.





I had another display base to do so I shot a pic of it solo .....


Plus a pic along side the base so everyone can get an idea more for the scale of the display base.


Anyway, there they are. Those getting them, they're coming! I'm trying to pump them out as quick as possible but I don't want to rush them and not feel happy with the end result. I have a fairly large list, but don't hold back signing up if you want one. Anyone new signing up won't be getting a "shipping soon" email until end of the year or beginning of next year. The only reason I urge people to go ahead and sign up is so you don't get pushed further back in the line. Eventually I'll be putting word out on other lists. JoeCustom members always get first dibs though on anything I do.

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