The Magic and Craft Behind Building Gundam Model Kit Hands

The Magic Behind Gundam Model Kit Hands

For Gundam model kit enthusiasts, the hands are one of the most important parts of the build. Articulated and poseable hands allow Gundam models to come to life and strike dynamic poses. However, assembling and handling those tiny hands during the building process can be quite challenging.

Gundam hands are intricate assemblies of plastic parts that must fit together perfectly to allow articulation. Each finger is made up of multiple sections that are linked by polycaps to provide a range of motion. The palms also connect to the wrist via polycaps.

Getting these small plastic pieces to align and move smoothly requires patience and precision. One wrong move can lead to parts breaking or getting stressed and damaged. This is heartbreaking for Gundam fans who want their models to look perfect.

Understanding the Anatomy of Gundam Hands

To properly build Gundam hands, it's important to understand how they are engineered. Here are some of the key components and terms to know:

• Fingers - Each finger will consist of 2-3 sections or segments linked by polycaps.
• Polycaps - These are rubbery connectors that fit inside finger segments and allow them to articulate.
• Palm - This is the base of the hand where the fingers connect.
• Wrist peg - A peg that connects the palm to the wrist/forearm.
• Armor parts - Plastic armor pieces that fit over the fingers and palm.

Advanced Gundam model hands may also incorporate the following for enhanced articulation and detail:

• Double jointed fingers - Having two polycaps per finger instead of one.
• Slide-out wrist joint - Allows the hand to slide forward and backwards.
• Ball jointed wrists - rotate on a ball for added flexibility.

Best Practices for Assembling Gundam Hands

Follow these tips to safely build fully functional Gundam hands:

1. Cut each part cleanly from the runners to avoid stressing the plastic.
2. Take your time fitting polycaps into finger segments using a gentle twisting motion.
3. Line up peg holes precisely before pressing parts together.
4. Connect palm to wrist peg before attaching fingers.
5. Pose fingers gradually checking for range of motion.
6. Apply armor parts delicately starting from the fingertips.

Avoid forcing any pieces together as this can cause breakage. If parts are too loose or tight, carefully trim or sand plastic for a better fit.

Protecting Gundam Hands for Posing

Once the hands are constructed, they must be handled with care to preserve poseability and prevent damage:

• Pose fingers slowly and gently to avoid overextending joints.
• Support the palm when positioning to avoid stressing wrist peg.
• Use articulated stands and supports when possible.
• Limit overly heavy weapons and accessories.
• Store completed models with hands detached if needed.

Repair any loose or stressed joints immediately with plastic cement before they worsen and require full hand replacement.

Fixing Broken Gundam Hands

At some point, many Gundam builders will inevitably deal with broken hand parts. Here are some options for restoring poseable hands:

• Glue clean breaks using plastic model cement like Tamiya Extra Thin.
• Pin pieces together at joints using brass rods and superglue.
• Replace damaged/missing fingers with third party resin cast parts.
• Use putty epoxy like Milliput for major repairs.
• Buy entire replacement hands from sites like Mecha Parts Guy.

For severe damage, it may be necessary to replace the entire hand. Some modellers opt to switch fixed pose hands with articulated versions for added realism.

Customizing Gundam Hands

While most builders strive for anime accuracy, some like to customize the hands on their Gundam models. Common hand modifications include:

• Adding articulation and joints using pla plate/rod.
• Casting hands in resin for a different material finish.
• Scratch building entirely new hand sculptures.
• Painting and detailing fingers/palms for realism.
• Magnetizing wrists for easy weapon swaps.

The right custom hands can add personality and uniqueness to a Gundam build. But alterations require advanced modeling skills to execute properly.

Preserving the Magic

For many Gundam fans, the hands truly make or break a model kit. The hours spent assembling, posing, and handling those delicate fingers and palms create an intimate bonding experience.

While frustrating at times, the magic is preserving patience and recovering from mistakes. This allows the build journey itself to be cherished. The reward is having a complete Gundam figure that seems lifelike thanks to working hands that can grip weapons, point, and interact dynamically with the environment.

So for all future projects, take extra care when dealing with hands. Keep your tools sharp, parts organized, and never force! With some forethought and finesse, you’ll assemble hands that would make the Gundam engineers proud.

FAQs

How many pieces make up a Gundam model hand?

A typical Gundam hand consists of around 10-15 plastic parts including finger segments, polycaps, palm, and armor. Highly articulated hands may have closer to 20-25 pieces.

What tools do I need to assemble Gundam hands?

Essential tools are nippers for removing parts from runners, an x-acto knife for cleaning up pieces, and tweezers for handling small parts. Plastic cement and paint are optional for finishing.

What is the best way to pose Gundam hands?

Pose each finger slowly and gradually checking for overextension. Support the palm to avoid too much pressure on the wrist peg. Use stands and limit heavy accessories.

Can I replace broken hands on my Gundam model?

Yes, you can glue clean breaks, pin joints, use putty epoxy, replace missing fingers, or buy entire new replacement hands if needed.

Is it hard to customize Gundam hands?

Customizing hands requires advanced modeling skills. Options include adding articulation, casting in resin, scratch building, painting, and magnetizing wrists for swapping weapons.