Cheapskate Challenge Custom Contest
As customizers today we have got it pretty easy. We enjoy access to an enormous selection of super detailed, high articulation action figures just waiting to be turned into one of our creations. This is our greatest resource...but is it a crutch as well? Can we still make cool stuff with out using a ML or DCUC as a base? The goal of this contest is to create a custom using only cheap parts. They may come from the dollar store, kids meal toys, grocery stores, garage sales, anywhere cheap lower quality toys are to be found.

No parts from any super detailed or high articulation toys may be used for your customs. Neca, Macfarlane, Hasbro, Bandai, and their like are all banned for this contest.

-Vintage toys may also be used for this contest, but only if they are on par with dollar store toys in terms of articulation and sculpt. Use your best judgment.

-Dioramas are not allowed for this contest.

-As always there are no size restrictions for this contest. You may use any sort of materials, parts, tools or techniques that you wish. Whatever gets the job done..
 
Please remember to follow the Contest Rules and to Vote Fairly.
 
Contest Winners:
1st
2nd
3rd
 

What is the contest schedule?
Begins: Contest Closed
Ends: May 31st, 2014 - Last day for submissions. No exceptions! Cut off is at midnight Central Standard Time.
Voting: June 1st - 7th.
Managed By: Green Skin

Example Pictures for Ideas

  View Contest Entries   

User Comments
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Henchmen4Hire -
Monday, November 9, 2015
Damn, every entry in this contest is a winner! So sorry I missed out on the fun. Great job everyone.
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windblock2007 -
Monday, June 9, 2014
How about Cheapskate Challenge 2???
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JonMichael -
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Ummm...I thought Bandai toys were off limits? Especially, a DX Megazord that was originally like $40-50.
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Steve_MArtin78 -
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
I noticed that too, but it looks like it has been removed from the contest.
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Kevlar Palsh -
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
And also in the submission rules it says, "Dioramas are not allowed for this contest." . . . And yet those rules were broken by contestants. It's like... wth?
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windblock2007 -
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Hey I'm ready to start voting LOL.
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STCreator -
Saturday, May 31, 2014
I always wanted to join, but my other custom have taken up a lot of my time. Oh, well. Maybe next contest... I LOVE this idea. I can't wait to see the end results in the voting week!
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WeaponXCVII -
Friday, May 23, 2014
I'm guessing you can't use the terrible Assemblers line from Iron Man 3?
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Green Skin -
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Correct.
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asdec -
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Would you accept Lego Hulk Minifigure as a base? Thanks
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Green Skin -
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
That would be okay.
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NeCrollector -
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Would small, 2" to 3", resin statues, such as those of Buddha, Ganesh or the Maneki Neko Lucky Cat, found at your local dollar store be acceptable items that can be used for this contest? Just wondering Thanks! BTW, this Cheapskate Challenge contest is a wonderful idea!
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Green Skin -
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Those would be okay
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Darthdroid -
Saturday, May 10, 2014
I assume vintage star wars figures are not allowed? I mean, the one in the primary picture, the tick I think, looks quality to me so mark me clueless.
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Green Skin -
Saturday, May 10, 2014
The one in the primary pic is from a happy meal. Vintage Star Wars are okay.
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FireStride -
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
What If we just used bits and pieces from popular lines in a fodder like way such as using a wing from a gundam as part of a shield or something like that?
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Green Skin -
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Sorry no. All parts must be cheap stuff, or old enough to be on par with the cheap stuff.
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bootleg buster toys -
Thursday, April 17, 2014
I'm IN for this !!!
and thanks windblock 2007
I was also aware of this too before you message me
but CHEERS
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windblock2007 -
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Man this is like having the best bootleg action figures of all series....I'm so pumped for this. Thank you guys for hearng me out.
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DeadpoolAndFriends -
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
What about the Hasbro Heroes figures like Super Hero Squad or GI Joe Combat Heroes? I've seen them at Dollar Stores.
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Green Skin -
Friday, April 18, 2014
I suppose those would be okay, as long as you get them at the dollar store.
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pock63 -
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
This is a great idea! I often can't afford the ideal base figures I want for a project and am forced to settle for lesser figures so this contest really appeals to me
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WayneTech Customs -
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Aside from all base parts coming from dollar store, and assuming you don't want a dollar store head put on a fully sculpted body from apoxie...can we still use apoxie to say fill loose corners and are model master paints acceptable?
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Green Skin -
Saturday, April 12, 2014
There are no restrictions on paint or apoxie.
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CaptainJackHarkness7 -
Friday, April 11, 2014
What garage sales do you go to? I have picked up plenty of these "banned" items at garage sales for super cheap!!
I've also picked up vintage Star Wars figs that go for $20 - $50+ for 25cents!
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Green Skin -
Saturday, April 12, 2014
The cost isn't really the point, the point is to use toys usually written off as junk to make a custom instead of the usual stuff everyone uses.
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CaptainJackHarkness7 -
Saturday, April 12, 2014
I guess the term "junk" is very subjective!!
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mistic*Misty -
Friday, April 11, 2014
well sad I dint add my god of war elephantaur cose its made with fast food ben 10 toy and dollar store elephant toy and random material lol I love this contest so many of my work is from dollar stuff so yes I may enter this thx green skin this contest is made for me lol ^^
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windblock2007 -
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Well thanks to you,One day I was like bored,and I said to myself Misty has some cool dollar figures...and I had a couple dollar figs laying around the house,you'd be surprised what you can make.So fare I've made MOTU cops and hi tech guard....and I made a comment(like we should have 99 cent contest) and now the rest is history LOL.
I hope to see a lot of entries.
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windblock2007 -
Friday, April 11, 2014
I am so honored, that this contest is happening.this is a real challenge for customizes......lets have a lot of fun.I hope to see some of the greatest customizers here in this contest.
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JeddTheJedi -
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Would something like a DC Infinite Heroes figure pass as "cheap"? Because even though they're from the DC brand, those things certainly look and feel very low-rent. Hasbro/Marvel has similar figures, like the recent budget Wolverine movie tie-in figures and the Hulkbuster Squad figures from The Incredible Hulk movie.
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Green Skin -
Friday, April 11, 2014
No I don't think those would work. Sure they are pretty cheap compared to a Marvel Legend, but they are still pretty good compared to dollar store stuff.
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JeddTheJedi -
Friday, April 11, 2014
Got it. Thanks Green Skin!
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ShyGuyWolf -
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Cool, I might enter the contest.
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