The custom item maker can be used to create, as the name suggests, custom weapons. There are various customisable options, such as damage, uses per battle, etc. Options such as damage have a maximum amount to prevent too many OP weapon designs. More details below:

1) The editor can be used to create weapons, specials and torsos/legs.

2) An image editor is included for creating sprites.

3) Items can be tested against a random CPU opponent, this will not reward any credits/XP as this could be too OP.

4) Items can be submitted to an 'Custom Item Designs' section on the forum, where users can vote for the item (a poll is automatically added). Items with more than 30 yes votes will be moved to a 'Potential Additions' board as normal, and these suggestions will be forwarded to the admins for approval. Suggestions can be edited by the admins if the idea is mostly approved but needs a slight adjustment.

5) An item is added if the majority of the admins approve of the idea.

This system would be an easy way to suggest ideas and balance them using the testing feature.

This was inspired by various things. Your sprite showcase was not an inspiration, although I can see how those sprites being used could create some good items. Mainly this was inspired by other custom editors in games, and how the concept could be applied to SM for a more creative way to suggest items.

May I suggest a bit of a variation?

Whether an actual calculator was used or not, most items generally appear to follow a formula now. Something like x(damage) - y(weight) + z(drain) + a(knockback/pull) - b(bullets) - c(energy consumed) = T

where T, x, y, z, a, b, and c are constants

Obviously the formula is a lot longer as it has to account for every aspect of every type of item. However, the idea is that an item may not have a cumulative value of more than T. There probably has to be a range of possible values for each variable otherwise you could have like 1000 damage and 900 weight or something silly like that.

In theory, if the formula was appropriately balanced, you could just let players choose the image for the items, set the variables and start using their item. The balance of the item would already be taken care of by the formula. This would allow for very specific builds with little to no onging development demands (other than developing the tool itself).

On the whole I love the idea of getting more items in to the game more quickly so I voted yes for this idea.

Yes, tell people! Also, about the sprite, could you make a mech with custom item sprites? I would appreciate that.

Ok

I like it, maybe token bonuses to the creator? Would add a little more incentive.

Voted yes, but only if the devs are able to change certain stats to make it more balanced.