WIP: Modifying HGFC God Gundam's neck (or lack thereof)

After getting super frustrated on the lack of neck articulation on the HG God Gundam, I decided to modify it. So in this quick work in progress, let's take a look at the steps done to give it more range.

It would make more sense if you actually put it in a dynamic pose...

If you have read the review of the HGFC God Gundam, The main issue on the articulation is on the neck. Specifically the lack of it as it's a single mushroom ball joint. It ends up sitting much lower and limits movement.

So... I basically cut it off.

Yes you can judge his dirty fingernails

Using a pin vise and an electric drill ( better if you have a Dremmel). slowly wick away a socket at the base of the neck. I left a small plate in case the core lander needs it to stay in place.

do not use a drill bit as a sander please...

One funny thing though during the mod. I was wondering why only 2 of the 5 tamiya drill bits were fitting the pin vise. It turns out that the other head is hidden at the base of the vise.

Or you could know know... look at the manual?!

Anyway, I Frankensteined the original ball joint and a polycap with a square plaplate to hold it together. From the next image below you know it failed.... miserably.

Now this bit, you need to be precise. I grabbed an unused polycap and slice it... getting rid of the "base plate". if you cut at an angle (like I did), it'll look wonky. Once sliced, I used a pin to punctuer through the polycap (again, ensure it's a good 90 degree angle. do the same for the drimmed ball joint you sliced off.

a picture is indeed worth more than an inept explanation

As you can see, mine is off... so those with steadier hands should be fine. I then applied some contact cement, and eventually plastic cement to solidify it in place.

I mentioned that you should slowly drill away... that's so you can ensure a nice fit. If it's tooo tight, the pin will simply bend or pop the polycap apart. Too loose and it flops about since it has no friction. Mine ended up a bit on the loose side... but results are results. Painting it would help tighten it.

So far so good. Here another picture. I wish i took some back photos, but there is now a bit where the polycap is exposed.