[MOC][WIP] BAWS MT - Armored Core VI

[biggest_jr]

Hey y'all! I'm relatively new to MOCs, and I think it's time to start seeking out experienced advice. I hit a wall in my current project: a minifig scale BAWS MT from the recent Armored Core. (I'll include reference images below)

As you can see, it's lacking a forearm. Ideally it would be compact (< 3 studs wide), sturdy, and still maintain the angular/sloping shape of the reference. I feel like I painted myself into a corner with the odd transition from the shoulder joint pins to the elbow joint liftarm, but I'm so happy with the shoulder joint that I don't think I can change it. Honestly, I'm even a bit disappointed with the thickness of the upper arm, but I felt I needed the extra layer of plates on each side in order to lock in my convoluted SNOT setup inside.

I'm obviously going for aesthetic fidelity to the original, but the other guiding principle of this MOC is sturdiness and swooshability. I really want it to work as a toy - maybe a slightly higher age range, but a toy nonetheless. Eager for any advice, and I'm happy to talk through it!

Here's a Bricksafe folder with reference images, extra angles, and the arm's inner frame.

[biggest_jr]

I've been trying to use brackets, SNOT bricks, and half pins to make a 2 stud wide core with plates on either side, but I'm sorely lacking space. Does anyone know of clever and compact ways to wrap bricks/plates around a technic beam?

I also thought about using a different kind of elbow joint. The 3x3 disk joint is strong and faithful to the reference, but those damn technic beams are causing problems. 

[Murdoch17]

4 minutes ago, biggest_jr said:

I've been trying to use brackets, SNOT bricks, and half pins to make a 2 stud wide core with plates on either side, but I'm sorely lacking space. Does anyone know of clever and compact ways to wrap bricks/plates around a technic beam?

I also thought about using a different kind of elbow joint. The 3x3 disk joint is strong and faithful to the reference, but those damn technic beams are causing problems. 

Have you tried Knights Kingdom click-joints? Try looking under the Technic brick category on Bricklink... also, I think this MOC looks awesome. I can't wait to see it finished!

[biggest_jr]

Thanks! I think that's what I'll try next. Unfortunately, that means I might have to get creative with hiding/dressing up the joint.