How do I alter metal miniatures?

[A_Train]

How hard would it be to convert "Blanco" from this link: http://wargamesfoundry.com/fantasy_ranges/single_packs/futuristic/street_violence/proffesionals_sv062/?sector_id=

I'd like to alter the figure from having a trench coat, to just a regular jacket.  It should just take some cutting, but I've never done anything like it before.  Comments/Suggestions?
Would I need more than a hobby knife to do so?

[Connectamabob]

Any time you're removing metal in bulk like that and you're trimming down to a contour instead of a straight cut ( if it's a straight cut you can use a razor saw), you're best method is grinding it down with a Dremel burr.

You could trim the coat as much as possible with nippers and/or a saw, then whittle the rest down with a knife, but it'd take forever and be a huge PITA. And in this case, the coat is conformal enough that nippers or saw work wouldn't get you very far before you'd have to switch to the knife.

That, or saw him in half at the waist, transplant new legs on from a non-becoated figure, and tidy up the jacket hem with putty.

[DS615]

That, or saw him in half at the waist, transplant new legs on from a non-becoated figure, and tidy up the jacket hem with putty.

Yes, that one.
 It is really the only good way to do this with with this figure.  Even if you remove the coat, you'll need to resculpt the back of the legs to make them look right.

The figure doesn't look that unique, just a guy with a gun.  Isn't there another one out there that would be better as-is for what you want?
Or, I suppose, you already have this one so that's why you want to convert it?

[A_Train]

I don't own it yet, but it is in an upcoming order I am placing.   I am quite fond of the figure, and plan on using it to represent me as a hero in ATZ.  But I never were long coats like that, so I would like to try to alter that aspect of the figure.  I didn't think about having to resculpt the legs.  Looking around now to see if I can find a figure with a set of legs that would almost mimic this guy's pose, otherwise I may have to abort the whole plan.
 

[Mr.J]

But I never were long coats like that

Might be easier to just start wearing a long coat... 

[A_Train]

I've come across some other miniatures whose set of legs might make a good swap, but yeah, I may just leave him as it is.  I mean, I don't usually carry sub machine guns either, so maybe I can accept the long coat, heh.

[Glitzer]

I've come across some other miniatures whose set of legs might make a good swap, but yeah, I may just leave him as it is.  I mean, I don't usually carry sub machine guns either, so maybe I can accept the long coat, heh.

Consider it a kind of armour. In shadowrun nearly every player character i knew had an armoured trenchcoat (most of mine and nearly 100% of the characters of other gamers).

[Heldrak]

It might be worth hunting around the rest of the Street Violence range to try to find a similar figure with a shorter coat- A lot of figures in the SV range are variants of one another, either sculpted from the same base figure or converted and then recast.

[A_Train]

I've pretty extensively examined the Street Violence line.  There's a lot there that come close to what I'm looking for, but everything seems to be off in one respect or another.  I still think this Blanco figure is the closest to what I want, though a couple of the "Young Plugs" are pretty close too.   It may wind up being a conversion of the two units.   How hard will it actually be to cut the figur ein half and attach a new set of legs reasonably convincingly.

[JollyBob]

Don't know if you've considered this as an alternative, but the middle figure here might be suitable:



The pose isn't as dynamic, but they are quite similar in other respects. Its from here:

http://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/range.php?range=FW

Pack FW26 Bad Guys in Suits. I use Copplestone and Foundry alongside each other so no worries about sizes.

If you decide to do the conversion, cutting it in half is fairly straightforward. Just use a good razor saw, and try to keep to one side of the belt line, then match up the cut on the other figure. If the two base figs are of close enough size, you may get away with a straight cut, pin together and smooth any rough edges with putty.

[A_Train]

Thanks for the suggestion of Copplestone.  I am familiar with them, and do like them, but you're right, the pose you suggest lacks the dynamic action feel.  I'm still torn on how I will handle it.  I do think I will at least attempt a conversion via cutting the trench coat off, and see exactly how much scuptling would be required.  I have zero green stuff experience, but if I can get away with just sort of 'filling in' I may attempt to get away with it.   Otherwise, I have a few options on bottom haves I think I can get away with switching.

I've got the young plugs coming and I think Denny's pose matches perfectly, unfortunately his arms likely prevent the legs from easily being taken.   Les does not fit quite so well, but his legs do look easy to remove.



I also have Juno's crew coming.  I'm quite fond of the Carter figure, but his legs look like they might match for conversion purposes.  He'd be a last resort I think.


Same goes for Elvis in this crew.


Anyone think this would be a relatively torso/leg switch?

[A_Train]

Update.

So I'm going to attempt the conversion by placing the pants of Ace from Juno's crew on Blanco of the professionals.  Here's a couple pics of them.  How difficult would you rank this procedure?  Is it just a pipe dream?





Advice?

[Ramshackle_Curtis]

Just careful cutting, and some filing and bobs your uncle. Use a jewlery saw, also called a fret saw or a tension saw. It holds a really fine blade, so is great for cutting small models. The blade will snap many times until you get used to using it! DOnt worry, blades are cheap.

Make the cut above any detail you want (belt etc) and file down using needle files.

[bandit86]

3rd guy would work in the freelance agent section of KKBB
http://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/range.php?range=KKB

[A_Train]

Just careful cutting, and some filing and bobs your uncle. Use a jewlery saw, also called a fret saw or a tension saw. It holds a really fine blade, so is great for cutting small models. The blade will snap many times until you get used to using it! DOnt worry, blades are cheap.

Make the cut above any detail you want (belt etc) and file down using needle files.

Would a coping saw be the same thing?  I am having trouble finding the other sorts of saws.