The TBJ RigBuddy: Female Blank Body (1/9 Scale)

The TBJ RigBuddy: Female Blank Body (1/9 Scale) The TBJ RigBuddy (Female Blank Body) takes the proven joint architecture of the original RigBuddy and scales it into an ultra-expressive, 1/9 scale female humanoid base figure. Designed to bridge 1/9 and 1/10 scale collections, this version features modular facial features, positional eyes, flexible hair sculpts, and soft-goods compatibility for high-end customization.   Materials & Filament Recommendations  TPU (Polymaker TPU): Required for ALL ball joints and hair pieces. TPU provides the necessary flex and high pose-retention for the joints, while giving the hair flexibility and durability.  PETG / PCTG (Rods & Primary Body): Internal connector rods MUST be printed in PETG or a stronger material (like PCTG) to prevent snapping under friction load. PETG/PCTG is also strongly recommended over PLA for the structural frame and outer body.  PLA Warning: Reserve PLA exclusively for cosmetic faceplates and minor visual details. Do not print internal rods, ball joints, hair, or structural limbs in PLA due to high stress loads. Design & Features  1/9 Scale Foundation: Sized to sit between 1/9 and 1/10 scale collections while maintaining full joint compatibility with the core RigBuddy chassis design.  Modular Head System: Features swappable faceplates, flexible TPU hair pieces, and positional eye controls.  3-Piece Friction Knee Design: Features a 3-piece knee assembly built for a precise, tight friction fit.  Hand Options & Tolerances: Includes multiple interchangeable hands for varied posing.  Print Warning: Hand socket tolerances can print tight depending on your machine. If a hand is too tight on the wrist ball joint, scale the hand file up slightly in your slicer to prevent excess stress on the forearm.  Soft-Goods Sizing: Proportioned to work specifically with 1/10 scale soft-goods clothing (like tank tops and fabric pants) without restricting articulation or joint clearance.  Non-Magnetic Base: Relies on tuned joint tension for standing balance without embedded foot magnets. Detailed Assembly & Post-Processing Instructions 1. Chest Piece Post-Processing: Sand any rough or choppy spots on the bottom of the chest piece, especially if you had trouble removing supports. It can be easily sanded down without ruining the part or fit. 2. Knee Assembly: All three knee pieces must be glued directly to the kneecap during assembly. Lightly sand or trim the bottom section of the first piece if needed to ensure a clean fit before gluing. 3. Rod & Ball Joint Assembly (Crucial Step): The PETG/PCTG rods must be glued inside the TPU ball joints.  Technique: Apply a small dab of superglue (Chameleon glue recommended) directly onto the tip of the rod, then firmly squish/press it into the hole of the TPU ball joint to secure a permanent bond. 4. Ball Socket Assemblies: All ball sockets must be completely glued together during assembly to ensure structural integrity and prevent sockets from splitting under strain. 5. Head & Hair Attachment:  Only the back hair piece is glued directly into the back section of the head.  The front faceplate attaches directly onto the front bangs/hair piece to complete the head unit. 6. Eye Positioning: The eyes are designed to move inside the head socket. If they feel too loose or jiggle, scaling up the eye prints slightly creates a snug friction fit (note: doing this means printing dedicated eye pairs for each faceplate). Important Handling Cautions  Forearm/Wrist Stress: Take extra care when swapping interchangeable hands. Pulling on tight hands carries a risk of snapping the forearm joint. Ensure wrist sockets fit smoothly before snapping them on permanently. Maintenance If joints loosen over time, apply a thin layer of superglue or clear topcoat to the TPU ball joint, let it dry completely, and reassemble to restore original tension. Weapons & Accessories  Development Status: Dedicated TBJ weapon packs are currently in development and will be released separately as optional digital downloads.  Cross-Compatibility: Fully compatible with Dummy 13 weapons—simply scale up the Dummy 13 weapon STL files in your slicer to match the 1/9 scale frame. Future Releases & Upcoming Projects  Male Version Coming Soon: A dedicated male blank body built on this same system is currently in development.  Bigger Female Proportions & Articulation Pack: Alternative, larger female body proportions—for those looking for bigger builds to quench their thirst—are in the works as a separate release! This expansion will feature an upgraded neck architecture, enhanced waist articulation, and updated joint compatibility.  Custom & Original Characters (OCs): Personal OC builds and custom figure releases using these body types and upgraded joint systems will be dropping alongside upcoming expansions.