Useful items for sixth-scale environments (continuously updated)

Moonbase Alpha Male wrote:Arnold looks good with your very natural key.  That's what I like about the ones you found so I'll chase down a set for sure.  Most of mine look more like they belong to Gandalf than to Arnold -- they come mostly from Michaels or Hobby Lobby as costume jewelry pendants, like the "Fairytale" stuff, or a few were bought actually as earrings.  To get some more contemporary keys into the mix, I had to accept some slightly oversized including (1) a tiepin, (2) some Monopoly game movers, and (3) actual keys from a small real lock (the ones with the Waynetech keychain).

I agree, finding realistic keys in this scale (or close to realistic keys in something close to this scale) is a challenge. I can't promise the Arnold key came from Hobby Lobby, as it's been a long time. The three keys on a key ring are somewhat close. I'll keep an eye out for the other one, if I see it somewhere. There is a pack of a bunch of keys by Charm Me, which includes some (especially the second row) that might be close:

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Beads-Jewelry/Charms-Pendants/Charms/Key-Charms/p/133553

I love this thread. So much goodness. Really dig that gas pump, just don’t know what I’d do with it.

Stryker2011 wrote:I love this thread. So much goodness. Really dig that gas pump, just don’t know what I’d do with it.

I think this brings up an excellent "philosophical" point. I know that in my case, if I stopped myself from getting something every time I didn't know what to do with it, I would have very little to show. It just seemed cool and right, so I got it. Admittedly, I went out of my way to showcase it in a quick little makeshift diorama, and don't have immediate plans for it in anything more elaborate, but I figured I better scoop it up before it becomes harder or pricier to find. Mind you, I'm not saying that is the best decision or that it works for everyone.

Enabler...

Enabler!? Funny, that's usually what I tell my friends. But I kinda want them to be enablers. Not that I could compare myself to his skill, genius, and dedication, but consider how little Sir Shovelchop would be able to make if he didn't pick up all sorts of things that end up becoming integrated into his custom builds.

.
My philosophy, influenced by doing toy photoshoots, is that I think of myself like the Prop Manager for a 1/6 theatre company. Like I'm maintaining a functional props and costumes warehouse; and next week, the Director might say to me "We're doing a new play that needs X Y and Z," and I'll be thinking "I've got X, something I can use for Y, and build Z from something else."

I'm very interested in any real world object that I haven't seen done in 1/6 before, and often the question "What would I use this for?" is secondary. And sometimes when you actually have the object and you put it next to something else, an unexpected use suggests itself.

GubernatorFan wrote:

Tjolnir wrote:so many nice items and no store far and wide here in germany. considering 1:6 items it´s quite a desert here and shipping costs for small stuff render any purchase online nonsensical.
what i´d give for a real shopping spree in a store rather than buying stuff online.

Maybe take a couple of days off and go visit Machinegun.fr in Paris. Just find out what days they are actually open, especially in summer...

https://www.militar-figuren.de/contact.php

Tjolnir wrote:thanks for the idea,

actually machinegun.fr is my go to store when it comes to buying 1/6 stuff online, apart from actionfigurenshop.com. usually i buy some gadgets from them together with major stuff or figures i need for my builds anyways.

funny it never occured to me to check if they got a regular store as well, mainly because i was so used to getting my toys online since the days of bbi and dragon.
this and driving all the way with the gasoline costs would only be worthwile for a major haul.

though i´d still like the opportunity to walk a few shelves further in a store near me and stumble over 1/6 accessories, apart from barbie stuff, which i put to use in my fallout diorama as well.

guess i won´t have a problem convincing my wife of a trip to paris , especially since she´s cool with my hobbies anyways.

kinda miss the days of shopping masters of the universe figures with my grandma as a kid on a trip to the city, those were the days  

Oh man!  I always look at Machinegun.fr, but have never bought from them.  Their shipping to the US is usually prohibitively expensive, but they always seem to have something I've never seen elsewhere. Eventually they'll have something that'll break me.  I had no idea they had an actual retail store!  I was  in Paris a few years back, and now I wish I'd stopped in and done some shopping.

The other thing I regretted missing, and only found out about it after, is Lyon’s Musée Miniature et Cinéma, a couple hour train ride outside Paris.  While maybe a little off topic, the thread is about useful things for 1/6 builds, and sometimes the most useful thing is inspiration.  It's a museum of miniatures and movie special effects, and houses over 100 miniature dioramas, including work from Ronan Jim Sévellec, who is a HUGE source of inspiration to me, and Charles Matton. Look up either of those guys (but especially Sévellec) and see if it doesn't make you want to up your diorama game and build something massive.

I miss the days of brick and mortar stores as well.  There used to a wealth of them in the Northern NJ/NYC area when I 1st got into 1/6, but there are very few survivors.  And even the ones that did survive don't seem to be what they used to be.

GubernatorFan wrote:

Stryker2011 wrote:I love this thread. So much goodness. Really dig that gas pump, just don’t know what I’d do with it.

I think this brings up an excellent "philosophical" point. I know that in my case, if I stopped myself from getting something every time I didn't know what to do with it, I would have very little to show. It just seemed cool and right, so I got it. Admittedly, I went out of my way to showcase it in a quick little makeshift diorama, and don't have immediate plans for it in anything more elaborate, but I figured I better scoop it up before it becomes harder or pricier to find. Mind you, I'm not saying that is the best decision or that it works for everyone.

GubernatorFan wrote:Enabler!? Funny, that's usually what I tell my friends. But I kinda want them to be enablers. Not that I could compare myself to his skill, genius, and dedication, but consider how little Sir Shovelchop would be able to make if he didn't pick up all sorts of things that end up becoming integrated into his custom builds.

Moonbase Alpha Male wrote:.
My philosophy, influenced by doing toy photoshoots, is that I think of myself like the Prop Manager for a 1/6 theatre company.  Like I'm maintaining a functional props and costumes warehouse; and next week, the Director might say to me "We're doing a new play that needs X Y and Z," and I'll be thinking "I've got X, something I can use for Y, and build Z from something else."

I'm very interested in any real world object that I haven't seen done in 1/6 before, and often the question "What would I use this for?" is secondary.  And sometimes when you actually have the object and you put it next to something else, an unexpected use suggests itself.

I'm with you guys, in that you have to grab these things up when you see them.  You never know what you'll need for future builds, and sometime, when you have a great idea, you'd never be able to even come close to completing it without having been stockpiling potential pieces for years.  Moonbase Alpha Male is 100% on with his prop-master analogy.  In one way or another, we're all kinda telling stories, even if they're just to ourselves.

ReverendSpooky wrote:I miss the days of brick and mortar stores as well.  There used to a wealth of them in the Northern NJ/NYC area when I 1st got into 1/6, but there are very few survivors.  And even the ones that did survive don't seem to be what they used to be.

Me, I am lucky beyond words in that I've got Toy Square in fairly easy driving distance, so my buying of boxed figures TBL, Hot Toys, DAM etc is virtually all brick and mortar still. I doubt many other OSFrs or OSWs can say that. It's both a blessing and a curse because it leaves me vulnerable to impulse purchases for instant gratification. My GPS is programmed to take me to Toy Square whenever it senses I'm in a bad mood. If I didn't have such a strong reliable brick and mortar source, which is most unusual for 2018, my interest would probably have flagged. It's inspiring to go there, too. For such a physically small store they have an amazing number of displayed figures in glass cabinets including a DeLorean and a Hulkbuster.

Back to basics.

Brassco gave us an excellent review of a new product with Snooker Table 1/6 Sixth Scale Snooker Player Action Figure TP-CT008 Toys Power   and in that context I showed my “poor man's version”     I got mine last October, but they are still in some Dollarama stores currently.  Cost is $4 (Can) so about $3 US.
Obviously would need some work, but probably deserves a view here in potentially Useful Items.

Moonbase Alpha Male wrote:Back to basics.

Brassco gave us an excellent review of a new product with Snooker Table 1/6 Sixth Scale Snooker Player Action Figure TP-CT008 Toys Power   and in that context I showed my “poor man's version”     I got mine last October, but they are still in some Dollarama stores currently.  Cost is $4 (Can) so about $3 US readers.  Obviously would need some work, but probably deserves a view here in potentially Useful Items.

Wow! That's a nice one. I've seen some before, but way too small and horrible colors. You found a winner.

Thank you, Moobase Alpha Male, for posting the pool table and the photo with the packaging. Now we can search for it online even if we are not in Canada.

GubernatorFan wrote:Thank you, Moobase Alpha Male, for posting the pool table and the photo with the packaging. Now we can search for it online even if we are not in Canada.

Sure, or people could just move to Canada. It's a good example of something that really doesn't look like much, then looks surprisingly ok photographed in a 1/6 setting. I didn't do anything to it all, and I liked how it came out.

Moonbase Alpha Male wrote:Sure, or people could just move to Canada.    It's a good example of something that really doesn't look like much, then looks surprisingly ok photographed in a 1/6 setting.  I didn't do anything to it all, and I liked how it came out.

Well... you did do those two critical things, that there is no going around. You found it and you bought it. I looked on eBay and found nothing.

Picked up this floor fan at the dollar store. With de-Barbiefying it will look just like the one in my real garage.

Bucket 2.0 . Apparently Play Doh makes a smaller size container. Also a dollar store find and it eliminates the Flarp Factor


I make control knobs for various things from electrical wire nuts. I cut off the end and I can paint to suit. The softer plastic ones are easier to work with.

I foresee another trip to the dollar store in my future. I've been there a couple of times, but haven't found anything yet.

Moonbase Alpha Male -- I just found the packaging for the relatively "normal" looking old-style key, and looked it up. Not from Hobby Lobby. It is Classics by Hanley: Quality Dollhouse Supplies. The package includes two sets of key and one-piece key hole and knob. The latter looks too small for six scale, but the key looks just right.

This is it:



https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-Dollhouse-Miniature-Rubbed-Bronze-Door-Knobs-Skeleton-Keys-CLA05526/352180789424?epid=1138088223&hash=item51ff9c60b0:g:CmUAAOSwl8NVYG2l

or

https://earthntree.com/miniatures/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72_82_1280&products_id=38213

I forgot to tell you before your Hobby Lobby trip, for which I apologize, but you might want to look into the line called "The Spring Shop". It has little metal and wooden garden chairs (nothing fancy) in different colors that might work for 1/6 scale dioramas (couldn't find the metal ones on their online store, or failed to notice them). Also, a sort of metal cage-like cabinet that could conceivably be useful. I also noticed their Chinese ceramic horses, which might be passable in a Tang Dynasty-themed diorama.

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Seasonal/Spring-Shop/Spring-Shop-Decor-Pillows/Yellow-Wood-Beach-Chair-Decor/p/80655559

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Seasonal/Spring-Shop/Spring-Shop-Decor-Pillows/Black-Metal-Cabinet-with-Drawer/p/80867212

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Seasonal/Spring-Shop/Spring-Shop-Decor-Pillows/Gray-Saddled-Horse/p/80867169

Those are some interesting links, Gov’na. Thanks for posting.

Sure thing, Stryker.

When it comes to the beach chairs, there is also another option (slightly more expensive and not currently reduced) that matches the lifeguard chair:

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Home-Decor-Frames/Decor-Pillows/Accent-Pieces/Small-Blue-White-Rustic-Wood-Beach-Chair/p/80641262

If you want miniature keys then just buy some jewelry charms. There are hundreds of designs to choose from (some are more realistic than others) and you can get a pack of 10 or more for a dollar or so.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-12pcs-Tibet-Silver-Key-Crafts-Charms-Pendants-Making-Jewelry/232747006722

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spacer-Rondelle-Tibetan-20PCS-Pendant-Crafts-Key-FREE-silver-lot-beads-Jewelry/192523032112

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-10pcs-Tibet-Silver-Peace-Sign-Key-Charm-Pendant-Beaded-Jewelry-B189/253588056354

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50pcs-Mix-Tibetan-Silver-Key-Dangle-Charms-For-European-Bracelet-FreeShip-ZY024/312119983286

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-pcs-Skeleton-Key-Tibet-silver-Charms-Bracelets-Jewellery-Making-crafts/292541310890

https://www.ebay.com/itm/X1-Vintage-Bronze-Chain-Charm-Lock-Key-Old-Punk-Style-DIY-Jewelry-Making-Gift/123101244650

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-20pcs-key-silver-Charm-Pendant-beaded-Jewelry-Findings-DIY/183196521942

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mixed-New-Crafts-Assorted-30-Antique-Silver-Key-Charms-Pendants-Findings-Lots-/371833968630

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100x-Tibetan-silver-Vintage-Alloy-key-Shaped-Pendants-Charms-Crafts-Findings-/302558908762

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-pieces-16mm-Luckly-Key-Pendant-Charms-Tibetan-Silver-DIY-Jewelry-Charm-A7540-/222071499293

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-100g-Bag-Mixed-Tibetan-Key-Charm-Steampunk-Pendants-3-Color-/173181118105

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13pcs-Mix-Jewelry-Antique-Vintage-Old-Look-Skeleton-Keys-Tone-Charms-Pendants-HI/372286091514

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20-40-100-200PCS-Smooth-Key-Tibet-Silver-Charms-Pendants-Crafts-Jewelry-Finding/323174723658

Shazzdan -- thanks for the links. But we already talked about keys that come as jewelry charms and how the vast majority of them look overly fanciful -- they would do for a fairytale diorama, but not something more basic or realistic.

I didn't just include fantasy/historical keys.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20-40-100-200PCS-Smooth-Key-Tibet-Silver-Charms-Pendants-Crafts-Jewelry-Finding/323174723658

Yes, I saw these at the very end. Do we know how big they are? Look a little rough, but then again they are quite tiny so might look quite decent in hand. Update: this time I found it: 19.9 mm... that is quite large -- too big for realism, not to mention the look.

Pontiacivan wrote:I make control knobs for various things from electrical wire nuts. I cut off the end and I can paint to suit. The softer plastic ones are easier to work with.

Never thought to use those as control knobs. I use plenty of electronic DIP switches and tactile buttons for control panels and such. Usually I rip them out of broken computers and other electrical appliances rather than buying new ones.








edit: If you want to buy some then this looks like a good selection for a decent price - around 4 cents each.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/420PCS-Assorted-Micro-Push-Button-Tact-Switch-SMD-DIP-2-4-3-6-4-4-6/32800036667.html

shazzdan wrote:

Pontiacivan wrote:I make control knobs for various things from electrical wire nuts. I cut off the end and I can paint to suit. The softer plastic ones are easier to work with.

Never thought to use those as control knobs. I use plenty of electronic DIP switches and tactile buttons for control panels and such. Usually I rip them out of broken computers and other electrical appliances rather than buying new ones.








edit: If you want to buy some then this looks like a good selection for a decent price - around 4 cents each.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/420PCS-Assorted-Micro-Push-Button-Tact-Switch-SMD-DIP-2-4-3-6-4-4-6/32800036667.html

Thanks for the link to the switches! I just got a bag of these push on/ push off for $1 so I can stop twisting wires on my custom figures...

Just like you, I also steal switches from anything I can. I have some DIPs in my GI Joe Trouble shooter. ( the water bottle has a cool backlit holder )
I'll have to see what I stole the battery box for and try to shoot this lit up later.

I popped into a couple novelty stores on Sunday:Tiger and Menkind in the UK. These are my finds for a few pounds each .



The above wheelbarrow and shopping cart/trolley from Tiger.  Scale is too far off and more 1/8ish.  I could extend the wheelbarrow handles but the angle would be too extreme. Heads for scale! Buck Jones is not a serial killer!  ;-)  I’ll return these.



The above is a croquet set from Tiger.  It’s a mixed scale as it’s intended for human use on a tabletop.  The mallet length
is ok but too bulky otherwise.  The balls are more 1/5.   I may keep this as a toy for me.

m

This functional lamp is from Menkind.  Just under 1/6 but it’s a keeper for set ups.

Nice haul, MarkEl. The cart and wheelbarrow do look so nice, it's a shame you'll be returning them. But I get the point about scale.

GubernatorFan wrote:Nice haul, MarkEl. The cart and wheelbarrow do look so nice, it's a shame you'll be returning them. But I get the point about scale.

There was a conversation once upon a time in the old place about the scale of that shopping cart. I assume it's the same one, I got mine from an Asian source. It's too small to be a run of the mill everyday shopping cart, but there are places where you might see something that size -- for example at the Airport in the Duty-Free Shop or other boutiques where space is limited. Or I used mine in a Toy Shop diorama where it looked like it was meant for kids to use. Also I think it would look OK if there was any credible way to put bigger wheels on it. I maintain that for "close but a bit underscale" objects like Barbie stuff, the height dimension is more important than overall mass. A lot of underscale-ish furniture looks fine just with longer legs.

Similarly there would a limited 1/6 use for that wheelbarrow. It's way too small to be on a jobsite but the real world does have awkward mini wheelbarrows like that, mostly for personal gardening.

The lamp on the other hand is really good. In the US Dollar Tree has one like it (Red, Blue and Black as I recall), and in Canada Dollarama used to have one but not lately. One of them had the white inner cone, which makes a big difference, and it looks like the Menkind UK one has that.

Moonbase Alpha Male wrote:The lamp on the other hand is really good.  In the US Dollar Tree has one like it (Red, Blue and Black as I recall), and in Canada Dollarama used to have one but not lately.  One of them had the white inner cone, which makes a big difference, and it looks like the Menkind UK one has that.

There are plenty of sellers on ebay. I've been paying around a dollar each for them including shipping. The downside is that the colour they send is randomly selected. Any I get that aren't black or white get spray-painted silver or grey.

Just came back from a quick trip to my local Meijer. I had purchased some slate coasters to use as sixth-scale pre-modern flooring, and I didn't remember seeing more when I bought them. So when I finally got around to opening them, I liked them so much, I had to run out and see if perchance I could get more. Indeed, they had one more pack left. So while there, I took a look at other possible 1/6-usable items, and came back with this haul:



This includes:
Slate coasters by Thirstystone 4"x4" (4 per pack)
-- as indicated above, I intend to use them as flooring
Metal ("iron"), wood, and stone candle dishes ("pillar holders") by HG Global
-- I thought these could make some large period dishes/platters
Spring Lavender in Pot
-- Seems to me there are larger versions of this in real life, so this could do as a potted plant in a 1/6 diorama
Fern with Burlap in Birdcage by Allstate
-- I intend to take these apart for wooded scenes; who knows, the birdcage might come in useful too?
"Accent" corked clear glass bottles by Cousin
-- These came from Walmart, not Meijer; we've been discussing such items in this thread before, mostly from Hobby Lobby

shazzdan wrote:

Moonbase Alpha Male wrote:The lamp on the other hand is really good.  In the US Dollar Tree has one like it (Red, Blue and Black as I recall), and in Canada Dollarama used to have one but not lately.  One of them had the white inner cone, which makes a big difference, and it looks like the Menkind UK one has that.

There are plenty of sellers on ebay. I've been paying around a dollar each for them including shipping. The downside is that the colour they send is randomly selected. Any I get that aren't black or white get spray-painted silver or grey.

Painting one a nice gloss white, you can make an actual 1/6 character: Luxo the animated lamp from Lassiter's first short film, that has actually become the Logo for Pixar.

GubernatorFan wrote:Second up, the fake tree stump. Well, it works. It is made of some sort of hollow plastic or polyresin, and I later noticed a little hole near the bottom on one side. Now if only I had a sixth-scale squirrel or woodchuck...

Somebody call for a squirrel?  

I'd say the squirrel is roughly within scale, though at the upper end -- a big, fat squirrel for sure.  A chance to mention the various toy animals that you can get.  They're made regardless of scale so some will be 1/6 and other animals won't.  The squirrel (and raccoon) are Safari Ltd. sold at Michaels, $2.49 after a 50% off coupon.  The Bunny is from Target at about the same base price.  Various other animals are available -- I had a 1/6 Wolverine (animal) meet a 1/6 Wolverine (SuperHero) in my "Canada's 150th" post last year.

Nice ones, Moonbase Alpha Male. I was actually looking for goats today... found a couple on eBay that I think would work.

Target carries little animals? Are these in the toy aisles? I need a bunny.

This animals are within scale range especially the rabbit. Good finds. I need to find a large Scheich animal model display at a toy or collectible store and see what’s close. They are of wildly varying scales. I know the whales won’t work!

Stryker2011 wrote:Target carries little animals? Are these in the toy aisles? I need a bunny.

Target carries small animals in the toy department, typically on an end aisle display. I believe they are generally from the "Schleich" line though I see this bunny is from a Canadian manufacturer, Maison Joseph Babbat. It was carded as a set of 2 and came from a Buffalo Target earlier this year. It's a good pose to fit inside a top hat, like the rabbit that came with DC 13" Zatanna. Michaels (the hobby store) probably has a better selection of these small animals (and cheaper since there's always an online 40-50% off coupon).

Thanks for the info, MBAM. I’ll check into it. Alice needs here bunny.

Want a cheap pegboard?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PCS-One-Side-5-x-7-CM-PCB-Strip-board-Printed-Circuit-Prototype-Track-LW-Test/263618027941



The boards are PCB and etched with copper so I wasn't sure what kind of paint to use. I tried metal primer and it seems to stick ok. I then joined four together with popsicle sticks and applied a second coat of paint.

@shazzdan, Really great idea and results on the pegboard.  How are the tools mounted on the board.  Brads or finishing nails?

MarkEl wrote:@shazzdan, Really great idea and esults on the pegboard.  How are the tools are mounted on the board.  Brads or finishing nails?  

Nah, they cost money. I cut up a piece of scrap wire into short lengths.The diameter is exactly the right size so I can jam them into the holes and they don't fall out.

Damn fine idea that looks very convincing.

Nice one.