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Mkall wrote:

robotmel wrote:

Mkall wrote:

robotmel wrote::-(
Its getting pretty disapointing to hear about the QC problems of MP-12 Lambor/Sideswipe.

Come on takara, whats all this about?

I have finally got some up-close pictures of my faulty version which I bought via China based Ebay seller 366offer.

Question: Did you get one mint in box? I'm wondering if you got a factory reject, i.e. one that didn't pass QA.

Think I probably did... No box, just wrapped! Im sure Takara wouldnt allow this through QC, no way!

I hope the seller comes back to me soon with a resolve.

I'm sorry to say that I think you've been taken for a ride. If you payed with PayPal it may be better to file a complaint through them.

Yep. Factory reject.

I doubt anyone would loose their box and sell their legit one less than 2 weeks after the release date.

Just a failed QC item, which a worker stole to sell. I used to buy them all the time... until local sources stopped importing them. But back in 07/08 it was the best way to get pre-release stuff, and the price is generally so cheap the flaws are overlooked.

I wonder if there are Brits who could help you out if they have skills in removing these types of pins? Maybe somebody who is into making custom figures.

I read that you can remove the pins by heating them up with a soldering iron and then carefully sliding them out. Not sure if I would like to try it myself though.

Pin removal is generally done with a nail and a large hammer? It's often a pain in the arse? The plastic around the hole will get a bit damaged as the nail always slips to the side a bit?

If you send it to me and cover the return postage cost I can have a go, but in return I'd ask that you stop ending non-question sentences with a question mark?

If someone else who is better at pin removal and doesn't consider it a pain in the arse wants to do it instead of me then they're welcome.

Mykltron wrote:Pin removal is generally done with a nail and a large hammer? It's often a pain in the arse? The plastic around the hole will get a bit damaged as the nail always slips to the side a bit?

If you send it to me and cover the return postage cost I can have a go, but in return I'd ask that you stop ending non-question sentences with a question mark?

If someone else who is better at pin removal and doesn't consider it a pain in the arse wants to do it instead of me then they're welcome.

Depending on how small the pin is, you can use a really small screwdriver (like the ones you use to tighten the screws on your glasses) to push the pin out instead of using a hammer and nail. Just push it out a quarter of the way, before using pliers to gently wiggle it out.

I did the same thing with my WFC Soundwave's elbow pins.

I've used a soldering iron before. It's easier and safer to use than you'd think. Warms up the plastic around the pin to make it pliable but not melted. While it's soft, you can push the pin out. Do what you nedd and thr plastic will be cool by that point. Just push the pin back in and you're done.

How would I know if this miss-assembly has happened to mine? I've examined him but not transformed him (I'm trying to save him for my birthday). There don't seem to be any paint problems (although the black around the rear lights doesn't go to the edges). From underneath I can see the front of his groin plate and the front of his 'six-pack', is that right?

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:Depending on how small the pin is, you can use a really small screwdriver

Oooh, thanks for the tip, I'll use a braddle which is even smaller.

Got mine today. Nice enough figure, door seams don't line up perfect but this seems to be typical ( Rodimus comes to mind ) and behind the driver side mirror it looks like the paint was too thin so a factory worker dabbed some red there rather sloppily.

Robot mode is pretty cool. Could use some paint apps as it strikes me as a little plain. Was hoping he was a little bigger so he did not look odd with my binaltechs. Same height, just not as bulky. All in all I am satisfied I guess. I am not over nor under whelmed with him, which is sad since he was my favorite car-bot. Hope for more with Soundwave.

Mykltron wrote:

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:Depending on how small the pin is, you can use a really small screwdriver

Oooh, thanks for the tip, I'll use a braddle which is even smaller.

What's a braddle?

This is a Braddle http://simplyaeron.co.uk/shop/viewitem. ... ductid=448

Man look at this garbage paint, first time out of the brand new box. From TFSource, arrived 10 minutes ago. NINETY FRIGGIN BUCKS. Do they usually accept this as a defect exchange if I wait a couple weeks for more stock?



Or maybe I'll wait for the inevitable Hasbro release and just swap the merchandise.

The piccy above prompted me to inspect those silver parts on mine closer and while nowhere near as bad mine shows signs where the paint ran onto the surrounding red parts.

Finally got my Lambor replaced. The store owner was nice enough to let me open and check several different Lambors he had in stock, but all had mist coats on the sides.

In the end, I just picked one. At least the paint chip is gone.

What, are they hiring stoned gerbils at the TT factory or something?

UPDATE:

I just took another look at the sides of the car mode under better lighting, and the paint's perfect, thankfully.

There are tiny imperfectly painted edges on the "vents" on the side, but I have no problem giving those some minor touch-ups.

Mykltron wrote:How would I know if this miss-assembly has happened to mine? I've examined him but not transformed him (I'm trying to save him for my birthday). There don't seem to be any paint problems (although the black around the rear lights doesn't go to the edges). From underneath I can see the front of his groin plate and the front of his 'six-pack', is that right?

You're safe. I checked mine last night and Lambor's abs ARE supposed to be facing the bottom of the car mode.

Ravage XK wrote:This is a Braddle http://simplyaeron.co.uk/shop/viewitem. ... ductid=448

Thanks for the heads-up. Looks like an ice-pick.

Mykltron wrote:How would I know if this miss-assembly has happened to mine? I've examined him but not transformed him (I'm trying to save him for my birthday). There don't seem to be any paint problems (although the black around the rear lights doesn't go to the edges). From underneath I can see the front of his groin plate and the front of his 'six-pack', is that right?

You're safe. I checked mine last night and Lambor's abs ARE supposed to be facing the bottom of the car mode.

Ravage XK wrote:This is a Braddle http://simplyaeron.co.uk/shop/viewitem. ... ductid=448

Thanks for the heads-up. Looks like an ice-pick. What's it used for?

And I thought Rodimus had issues... I hate that figure.

Honestly besides the paint issues (chipped silver paint on shoulders, color difference in car mode) his engineering is nice and solid otherwise. Not nearly as bad as first run Rodimus. I was able to touch up the silver with a paint pen, it looks acceptable now.

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:

Ravage XK wrote:This is a Braddle http://simplyaeron.co.uk/shop/viewitem. ... ductid=448

Thanks for the heads-up. Looks like an ice-pick. What's it used for?

Punching holes in things, but not ice.

It's shameful how this MP figure is ridden with QC issues. QC problems will always be possible. However, the number of reports combined with the severity of the issues being reported have given me enough reason not to purchase this MP at this time. If subsequent production runs are produced that address these issues, I'll buy one. To be honest, I'll likely wait to see if there is a Hasbro release of the figure. I can allow QC issues at half the price but not at $80 + shipping cost.

Another point that I've noticed is that the tires are plastic rather than rubber. I'm not speculating or making any unsupported claims but it seems as if TT is cutting cost on at least this MP figure.

Yeah, the tyres are odd. They are plastic but have grooves cut in them as if to suggest that they were supposed to have rubber bands around them.

Yeah for $90 they could have at least thrown some rubber tires on there. I know some people prefer plastic though since it doesn't break down.

I have yet to recieve my Sideswipe, but I can tell you right off the bat, the lack of rubber tires is already my biggest disappointment. I'll be super-peeved if the Hasbro release has rubber tires, only because of already invested in Takara Sideswipe and Red Alert. Also, it most certainly means all future MP car releases will also avoid rubber. This makes me a sad panda. But who knows, maybe a third party will sell tires and a tool to assist in making a swap?

Wait until you inspect the paint job before claiming your biggest disappointment. Might be fine, might not. Just... wait.

As for a third party yeah that'd be nice, but unfortunately this isn't a pegged-in piece - it would likely be really hard to remove them from the rivets.

zappatton2 wrote:I have yet to recieve my Sideswipe, but I can tell you right off the bat, the lack of rubber tires is already my biggest disappointment. I'll be super-peeved if the Hasbro release has rubber tires, only because of already invested in Takara Sideswipe and Red Alert. Also, it most certainly means all future MP car releases will also avoid rubber. This makes me a sad panda. But who knows, maybe a third party will sell tires and a tool to assist in making a swap?

The one good thing about plastic tires is that they don't degrade like rubber tires do. In order to prolong their lifespan, you'd have to lubricate rubber tires every few months if left exposed on shelves, heat and under sunlight. In storage, it'd still be a good idea to lubricate them every six months to a year.

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:

zappatton2 wrote:I have yet to recieve my Sideswipe, but I can tell you right off the bat, the lack of rubber tires is already my biggest disappointment. I'll be super-peeved if the Hasbro release has rubber tires, only because of already invested in Takara Sideswipe and Red Alert. Also, it most certainly means all future MP car releases will also avoid rubber. This makes me a sad panda. But who knows, maybe a third party will sell tires and a tool to assist in making a swap?

The one good thing about plastic tires is that they don't degrade like rubber tires do. In order to prolong their lifespan, you'd have to lubricate rubber tires every few months if left exposed on shelves, heat and under sunlight. In storage, it'd still be a good idea to lubricate them every six months to a year.

I have no doubt of this, as I have seen pretty degraded tires on some toys I'd seen on eBay, but I've still got my G1s from the 80's, and their tires have never shown signs of wear, nor my original MP Prime and Binaltechs, which are getting closer to a decade old. Maybe it's a climate thing? I live in a very humid area.