Our Story and Mission
Founded by passionate collectors, Trash Compactor bridges modern 3D printing with the timeless charm of vintage Star Wars toys. I believe every collector deserves unique, high-quality pieces that reflect their love for these iconic figures and enhance their displays.
.....and to think it all started with the Farmboy Luke hand fit blaster!
The Trash Compactor Story: From Maker to Store
About Me
Hello there! I’m Mark. There’s something magical about the whole process of creating and crafting. It’s like watching a small spark of inspiration grow into something real that you can actually hold in your hands and admire. As someone who’s truly passionate about making, I find immense joy in the little challenges that come with turning ideas into designs. What began as a delightful hobby, fueled by my love for design, has blossomed into an exhilarating full-time adventure in the realm of manufacturing and the fascinating world of 3D printing. Now, while this journey may not make me a millionaire or even cover all my bills, the thrill I get from designing and running my small business is absolutely priceless. Sure, it means I don’t get to spend as much time painting or personalising my own creations, but I've still got that undeniable love for it all.
YouTube Roots
Trash Compactor began its journey as a YouTube channel—a little creative haven where I could share my builds, document all the ups and downs of the making process, and connect with fellow creators who share the same passion.
In those early days, it was all about the raw joy of creating. I wanted to pull back the curtain on independent toy customizing, sharing everything from the spark of an initial idea to the hands-on realities of 3D printing, resin casting, and hand-painting.
As the videos picked up steam, I noticed something incredibly exciting —viewers weren’t just watching the builds—they were inspired to start their own. They began asking how they could get their hands on the exact, custom-designed parts and vintage-style figure kits I was using in my projects.
Customising
You know, I realised that just customising vintage figures wasn’t really doing it for me anymore. I felt a bit constrained by having to stick to those classic models, and honestly, I wasn’t keen on chopping them up—even the beat-up ones! So, I thought, why not try something new? That’s when I decided to dive into the world of 3D modelling and high-precision resin printing to create my very own parts from scratch. I’ve poured my heart into every single piece, testing them rigorously on my collection and workbench to make sure they meet the highest standards of quality and durability. Of course, while resin is pretty robust, it’s not invincible! But I still get very excited by the results. Sometimes ideas work and sometimes they don't. Once an item is designed and then printed it does spend some time sitting and resting, so I can make sure there isn't any issues with the design. So digital to physical does take some time.
The Store
What began as just a personal stash for my own video projects has blossomed into something truly special! It became clear that many fellow builders out there were eager to get their hands on the same parts and figures I was crafting. Fast forward to today, and the Trash Compactor store has transformed into a vibrant little hub, proudly serving creators, hobbyists, and collectors from all corners of the globe. I offer top-notch, maker-tested 3D-printed pieces, all designed to elevate your custom builds and unleash your creativity. As I'm just one person, I have to deal with everything—the design process, photos, listings, packing, customer queries and issues, social media, the taxman, accountant and websites. So if you do ever reach out, I always give priority to order queries, so please don't be offended if I take my time to respond to other requests.
.. I'm also training to become a Yoga Teacher! I must be mad!
What started as a solo passion project in my workshop has grown into a small-scale production setup,
where I personally inspect, print, and finish every single piece to ensure it meets the high standards of fellow customisers.
How It’s Made: The Trash Compactor Process
Here's the various steps taken at Trash Compactor from design to shipping.
This overview provides insight into my production methods.
Step 1:
Design & Scale (The Blueprint)
Before a single drop of resin is poured, every figure and accessory is meticulously designed or scaled. Drawing inspiration from vintage action figures, we ensure every detail, peg joint, and accessory handle is scaled perfectly to match the classic 3.75" retro aesthetic.
Step 2:
Preparing the Print (Supports & Slicing)
Printing in 3D requires carefully placing temporary "support structures" on the model. These supports act like scaffolding, holding up various parts of the figure as they print. The digital model is then sliced into thousands of micro-layers, preparing it for the machine.
Step 3:
High-Precision 3D Printing
Using state-of-the-art SLA (resin) or FDM (hard plastic) printers, the creation process begins. Layer by layer, UV light flashes to cure liquid resin into a solid object, building up the figure with high-definition precision.
Step 4:
Washing, Detaching & Curing (SLA)
Once printed, the parts undergo a thorough multi-step bath in Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to clean off any uncured liquid resin. The temporary supports are clipped away by hand. Finally, the prints are placed in a UV curing chamber, where they undergo UV light treatment to fully harden, stabilize, and strengthen the resin.
Step 5:
Quality Control & Storage
Every single piece is hand-inspected to detect layer shifts, support marks, or structural flaws. Approved prints are then moved to dark storage draws. Keeping unpainted resin out of direct sunlight prevents it from over-curing or discoloring, ensuring it arrives in perfect condition for painting.
Step 6:
Order, Boxing & Shipping
Once your order is ready, it's carefully packed. We use protective wrapping to ensure these don't break during shipping. High-value orders are split into custom-sized boxes to meet strict carrier insurance limits, labeled with your required shipping details, and handed directly to Royal Mail.
Join a Community of Customisers
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just expanding your vintage toy world, join us to explore exclusive designs and connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion for custom collectibles.