The Energon Pub

[Seibertron]

Looks like I have to remove the 3 or so screws on the back of his upper leg in order to remove his leg so I can get at the 3 screws in his crotch. I might try this tomorrow ... though I'm concerned about marring up the black screws that look so nice on this figure. Decisions, decisions ...

[Hellscream9999]

Looks like I have to remove the 3 or so screws on the back of his upper leg in order to remove his leg so I can get at the 3 screws in his crotch. I might try this tomorrow ... though I'm concerned about marring up the black screws that look so nice on this figure. Decisions, decisions ...

I mean, you have a chance to preempt this potential figure-ruining issue - on a $300+ masterpiece

[Seibertron]

Looks like I have to remove the 3 or so screws on the back of his upper leg in order to remove his leg so I can get at the 3 screws in his crotch. I might try this tomorrow ... though I'm concerned about marring up the black screws that look so nice on this figure. Decisions, decisions ...

I mean, you have a chance to preempt this potential figure-ruining issue - on a $300+ masterpiece

Except I don't know what I'm opening it up to fix. I love fixing Transformers, but usually I'm aware of a solution or the figure is a relatively speaking inexpensive retail figure. I'm intimidated by this figure. Might tackle it tomorrow. Hoping for someone to come forward with more info about what needs to be fixed to prevent breakage.

[Hellscream9999]

Looks like I have to remove the 3 or so screws on the back of his upper leg in order to remove his leg so I can get at the 3 screws in his crotch. I might try this tomorrow ... though I'm concerned about marring up the black screws that look so nice on this figure. Decisions, decisions ...

I mean, you have a chance to preempt this potential figure-ruining issue - on a $300+ masterpiece

Except I don't know what I'm opening it up to fix. I love fixing Transformers, but usually I'm aware of a solution or the figure is a relatively speaking inexpensive retail figure. I'm intimidated by this figure. Might tackle it tomorrow. Hoping for someone to come forward with more info about what needs to be fixed to prevent breakage.

From that one post, it sounds like too much pressure on plastic that has fracture-lines along the swirls

On the other hand, you could keep weight off the figure and wait til someone comes forward with an answer

[william-james88]

Looks like I have to remove the 3 or so screws on the back of his upper leg in order to remove his leg so I can get at the 3 screws in his crotch. I might try this tomorrow ... though I'm concerned about marring up the black screws that look so nice on this figure. Decisions, decisions ...

I mean, you have a chance to preempt this potential figure-ruining issue - on a $300+ masterpiece

Except I don't know what I'm opening it up to fix. I love fixing Transformers, but usually I'm aware of a solution or the figure is a relatively speaking inexpensive retail figure. I'm intimidated by this figure. Might tackle it tomorrow. Hoping for someone to come forward with more info about what needs to be fixed to prevent breakage.

From what i have read, I don't think we can prevent it. It's a defect in how it's made and all the cases that have been reported showed a crack right away. So if one's crotch isn't broken, then I would recomend not to fix it.

[Gladky]

Looks like I have to remove the 3 or so screws on the back of his upper leg in order to remove his leg so I can get at the 3 screws in his crotch. I might try this tomorrow ... though I'm concerned about marring up the black screws that look so nice on this figure. Decisions, decisions ...

I mean, you have a chance to preempt this potential figure-ruining issue - on a $300+ masterpiece

Except I don't know what I'm opening it up to fix. I love fixing Transformers, but usually I'm aware of a solution or the figure is a relatively speaking inexpensive retail figure. I'm intimidated by this figure. Might tackle it tomorrow. Hoping for someone to come forward with more info about what needs to be fixed to prevent breakage.

I disassembled and fixed mine, so I can provide you with some info you will need.

To "get to the crotch" you first need to take apart the leg, which is on the screws side of the crotch. First you remove three black screws from the back of the leg and than you will be able to pop those two panels open. The next thing is a disassembly of the thigh joint. It is just one silver screw (Be careful it is spring loaded). With those parts discassembled you should reach the crotch screws without any problem. In the meantime you will need to unscrew the top part of the crotch (there are two black screws behind it). When you have everything unscrewed, tilt the ab joint forward and you should be able to remove the crotch piece from the figure. Be careful when you split it in half, as each section has its own spring loaded joint (it is pushing a lot of stress and is not secured by anything other than friction, so springs may get catapulted if those move during disassembly). One more thing. When you wil be reassembling the figure back, the strange looking gray part may pop out from the thigh. It is used to secure the dino side panels, so make sure it is inserted so that it is alligned with the hole on the side and with rounder side facing outwards. I wish you good luck ! If you have any questions or encounter further difficulties during disassembly, I will try to help you as much as I can.

[Seibertron]

I disassembled and fixed mine, so I can provide you with some info you will need.

To "get to the crotch" you first need to take apart the leg, which is on the screws side of the crotch. First you remove three black screws from the back of the leg and than you will be able to pop those two panels open. The next thing is a disassembly of the thigh joint. It is just one silver screw (Be careful it is spring loaded). With those parts discassembled you should reach the crotch screws without any problem. In the meantime you will need to unscrew the top part of the crotch (there are two black screws behind it). When you have everything unscrewed, tilt the ab joint forward and you should be able to remove the crotch piece from the figure. Be careful when you split it in half, as each section has its own spring loaded joint (it is pushing a lot of stress and is not secured by anything other than friction, so springs may get catapulted if those move during disassembly). One more thing. When you wil be reassembling the figure back, the strange looking gray part may pop out from the thigh. It is used to secure the dino side panels, so make sure it is inserted so that it is alligned with the hole on the side and with rounder side facing outwards. I wish you good luck ! If you have any questions or encounter further difficulties during disassembly, I will try to help you as much as I can.

Thank you for providing information about how to disassemble the figure, Gladky. Can you provide us with information about what you did to fix it once you had it disassembled? Did you cut the springs, loosen screws? Please let us know. Thanks!

[Gladky]

In my case the damage was limited to minor cracks so I did not want to interfere too much, as shortening the springs may cause the figure to be unstable. I used some super glue to fill in the cracks from the inside and added additional layer under the other swirls. I also slightly compressed the springs, similar to how it was done in Trypticon fix. Of course I also losened all of the screws - both the ones holdng the gears and the ones keeping the crotch together. I think that a little bit of lube added to the ratchets will not hurt as well.

[snavej]

Too much beastly mega-nookie, methinks!

[Emerje]

All that you explained does not prove the entire toy was tampographed, and from the wiki you posted that only applies to the symbols, not the whole toy. Unless you work in the factory, I just wont believe you.

Are you intentionally going out of your way to be difficult here because it sure feels that way? I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. Most of the figure is bare plastic, I never once said the entire figure was tampographed. I said the pink on the dino skin is tampographed because there's no other way to get those details, you don't have to be in the factory to know this, there's just no two ways about it. Paint is used very sparingly on this figure, they chose to use layered plastic instead. I'm not saying there is no paint on the figure, just that there isn't a substantial amount of it, not nearly as much as there could be.

And I wasn't going to make a big deal about it, but how about you prove that paint can damage figures. Nobody else has had the same experience you did with factory paint eating plastic so what's your proof that it happens? Sounds to me like you got duped into buying a bootleg. People have had issues with paint becoming tacky or rubbing off, but not damaging the plastic, especially not on spots that aren't painted at all. It doesn't happen, never has, never will.

Emerje

[angtre]

Mine just arrived. I unboxed it and took a good look at the robot's crotch while in beast mode. There was already a little white sign where one of the screws resides - not a breaking though. I loosened it and the other one a bit, although they didn't seem so hard to unscrew to begin with.
I won't be able to spend a lot of time with the toy until Saturday, but if I'll manage to, I'll keep you posted.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

The more and more I read about this, the more and more... angry/disappointed/sad I become.

[bvzxa]

All that you explained does not prove the entire toy was tampographed, and from the wiki you posted that only applies to the symbols, not the whole toy. Unless you work in the factory, I just wont believe you.

Are you intentionally going out of your way to be difficult here because it sure feels that way? I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. Most of the figure is bare plastic, I never once said the entire figure was tampographed. I said the pink on the dino skin is tampographed because there's no other way to get those details, you don't have to be in the factory to know this, there's just no two ways about it. Paint is used very sparingly on this figure, they chose to use layered plastic instead. I'm not saying there is no paint on the figure, just that there isn't a substantial amount of it, not nearly as much as there could be.

And I wasn't going to make a big deal about it, but how about you prove that paint can damage figures. Nobody else has had the same experience you did with factory paint eating plastic so what's your proof that it happens? Sounds to me like you got duped into buying a bootleg. People have had issues with paint becoming tacky or rubbing off, but not damaging the plastic, especially not on spots that aren't painted at all. It doesn't happen, never has, never will.

Emerje

Anytime a person has to post a long drawn out statement, I get bored. I stated my position and kept it simple for you.

[Nemesis Maximo]

The more and more I read about this, the more and more... angry/disappointed/sad I become.

Yes yes, we know that. Anything else?

[Nemesis Maximo]

The more and more I read about this, the more and more... angry/disappointed/sad I become.

Yes yes, we know that. Anything else?

[Emerje]

All that you explained does not prove the entire toy was tampographed, and from the wiki you posted that only applies to the symbols, not the whole toy. Unless you work in the factory, I just wont believe you.

Are you intentionally going out of your way to be difficult here because it sure feels that way? I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. Most of the figure is bare plastic, I never once said the entire figure was tampographed. I said the pink on the dino skin is tampographed because there's no other way to get those details, you don't have to be in the factory to know this, there's just no two ways about it. Paint is used very sparingly on this figure, they chose to use layered plastic instead. I'm not saying there is no paint on the figure, just that there isn't a substantial amount of it, not nearly as much as there could be.

And I wasn't going to make a big deal about it, but how about you prove that paint can damage figures. Nobody else has had the same experience you did with factory paint eating plastic so what's your proof that it happens? Sounds to me like you got duped into buying a bootleg. People have had issues with paint becoming tacky or rubbing off, but not damaging the plastic, especially not on spots that aren't painted at all. It doesn't happen, never has, never will.

Emerje

Anytime a person has to post a long drawn out statement, I get bored. I stated my position and kept it simple for you.

That was one short paragraphs that YOU asked me for! You're just using your laziness so you don't have to admit you're wrong. Final statement: I'm right and you're just a troll, end of story.

Emerje

[bvzxa]

All that you explained does not prove the entire toy was tampographed, and from the wiki you posted that only applies to the symbols, not the whole toy. Unless you work in the factory, I just wont believe you.

Are you intentionally going out of your way to be difficult here because it sure feels that way? I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. Most of the figure is bare plastic, I never once said the entire figure was tampographed. I said the pink on the dino skin is tampographed because there's no other way to get those details, you don't have to be in the factory to know this, there's just no two ways about it. Paint is used very sparingly on this figure, they chose to use layered plastic instead. I'm not saying there is no paint on the figure, just that there isn't a substantial amount of it, not nearly as much as there could be.

And I wasn't going to make a big deal about it, but how about you prove that paint can damage figures. Nobody else has had the same experience you did with factory paint eating plastic so what's your proof that it happens? Sounds to me like you got duped into buying a bootleg. People have had issues with paint becoming tacky or rubbing off, but not damaging the plastic, especially not on spots that aren't painted at all. It doesn't happen, never has, never will.

Emerje

Anytime a person has to post a long drawn out statement, I get bored. I stated my position and kept it simple for you.

That was one short paragraphs that YOU asked me for! You're just using your laziness so you don't have to admit you're wrong. Final statement: I'm right and you're just a troll, end of story.

Emerje

Now he resorts to name calling because I said I didnt believe him. Just who are you to say I'm wrong when no one said they were right? I'm sorry grow up kid or leave me alone. You don't know the difference between a troll and a person who simply states his thoughts. Call me whatever you like after this...I'm done

[Emerje]

All that you explained does not prove the entire toy was tampographed, and from the wiki you posted that only applies to the symbols, not the whole toy. Unless you work in the factory, I just wont believe you.

Are you intentionally going out of your way to be difficult here because it sure feels that way? I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. Most of the figure is bare plastic, I never once said the entire figure was tampographed. I said the pink on the dino skin is tampographed because there's no other way to get those details, you don't have to be in the factory to know this, there's just no two ways about it. Paint is used very sparingly on this figure, they chose to use layered plastic instead. I'm not saying there is no paint on the figure, just that there isn't a substantial amount of it, not nearly as much as there could be.

And I wasn't going to make a big deal about it, but how about you prove that paint can damage figures. Nobody else has had the same experience you did with factory paint eating plastic so what's your proof that it happens? Sounds to me like you got duped into buying a bootleg. People have had issues with paint becoming tacky or rubbing off, but not damaging the plastic, especially not on spots that aren't painted at all. It doesn't happen, never has, never will.

Emerje

Anytime a person has to post a long drawn out statement, I get bored. I stated my position and kept it simple for you.

That was one short paragraphs that YOU asked me for! You're just using your laziness so you don't have to admit you're wrong. Final statement: I'm right and you're just a troll, end of story.

Emerje

Now he resorts to name calling because I said I didnt believe him. Just who are you to say I'm wrong when no one said they were right? I'm sorry grow up kid or leave me alone. You don't know the difference between a troll and a person who simply states his thoughts. Call me whatever you like after this...I'm done

This is just sad. I didn't call you a troll for not believing me, I called you a troll for wasting my time by asking me twice to prove it and then saying you were too bored to even read my explanation. If that isn't troll behavior then I don't know what is. You're just trying to rial me up with your nonsense, I'm done.

Apologies to everyone else for having to read through any of this.

Emerje

[bvzxa]

All that you explained does not prove the entire toy was tampographed, and from the wiki you posted that only applies to the symbols, not the whole toy. Unless you work in the factory, I just wont believe you.

Are you intentionally going out of your way to be difficult here because it sure feels that way? I don't know how to make it any clearer to you. Most of the figure is bare plastic, I never once said the entire figure was tampographed. I said the pink on the dino skin is tampographed because there's no other way to get those details, you don't have to be in the factory to know this, there's just no two ways about it. Paint is used very sparingly on this figure, they chose to use layered plastic instead. I'm not saying there is no paint on the figure, just that there isn't a substantial amount of it, not nearly as much as there could be.

And I wasn't going to make a big deal about it, but how about you prove that paint can damage figures. Nobody else has had the same experience you did with factory paint eating plastic so what's your proof that it happens? Sounds to me like you got duped into buying a bootleg. People have had issues with paint becoming tacky or rubbing off, but not damaging the plastic, especially not on spots that aren't painted at all. It doesn't happen, never has, never will.

Emerje

Anytime a person has to post a long drawn out statement, I get bored. I stated my position and kept it simple for you.

That was one short paragraphs that YOU asked me for! You're just using your laziness so you don't have to admit you're wrong. Final statement: I'm right and you're just a troll, end of story.

Emerje

Now he resorts to name calling because I said I didnt believe him. Just who are you to say I'm wrong when no one said they were right? I'm sorry grow up kid or leave me alone. You don't know the difference between a troll and a person who simply states his thoughts. Call me whatever you like after this...I'm done

This is just sad. I didn't call you a troll for not believing me, I called you a troll for wasting my time by asking me twice to prove it and then saying you were too bored to even read my explanation. If that isn't troll behavior then I don't know what is. You're just trying to rial me up with your nonsense, I'm done.

Apologies to everyone else for having to read through any of this.

Emerje

Well you you dont work in the factory, and you dont work for Takara. That means you still dont know the manufacturing process. I'm sorry these people in here believe in you. Either way I hurt your feelings and you're trying to make yourself look like the bigger person, either way you tried to sound good but you lacked credentials. But if you want to know, I build model kits, started with cars, planes, mainly Revell kits been building for probably 35 years. I build Gundam at different grades if you know what that is. I work with different paints, primers and thinners. I also customize my toys...been doing it since the 90s. Now since you wanted to go after what I know, like I said you're hurt, it's the internet and you feel really big right now. My next question is is everything ok? And you wasted your own time responding. So yeah..ok...whatever if I'm a troll you're a troll because you responded.

[william-james88]

I'm sorry these people in here believe in you. Either way I hurt your feelings and you're trying to make yourself look like the bigger person, either way you tried to sound good but you lacked credentials. But if you want to know, I build model kits, started with cars, planes, mainly Revell kits been building for probably 35 years. I build Gundam at different grades if you know what that is. I work with different paints, primers and thinners. I also customize my toys...been doing it since the 90s. Now since you wanted to go after what I know, like I said you're hurt, it's the internet and you feel really big right now. My next question is is everything ok? And you wasted your own time responding. So yeah..ok...whatever if I'm a troll you're a troll because you responded.

We don't need any of this (especially the bolded sentence), and you are both wasting your own time. If you really need to pursue this, please work it out in private messages since at this point it's no longer about the actual subject at hand.

[bvzxa]

I'm sorry these people in here believe in you. Either way I hurt your feelings and you're trying to make yourself look like the bigger person, either way you tried to sound good but you lacked credentials. But if you want to know, I build model kits, started with cars, planes, mainly Revell kits been building for probably 35 years. I build Gundam at different grades if you know what that is. I work with different paints, primers and thinners. I also customize my toys...been doing it since the 90s. Now since you wanted to go after what I know, like I said you're hurt, it's the internet and you feel really big right now. My next question is is everything ok? And you wasted your own time responding. So yeah..ok...whatever if I'm a troll you're a troll because you responded.

We don't need any of this (especially the bolded sentence), and you are both wasting your own time. If you really need to pursue this, please work it out in private messages since at this point it's no longer about the actual subject at hand.

Nah I'm good...

[cruizerdave]

Wow. They should do a recall on this. Or ship out replacement parts or something. This is really crappy of them to charge that much for something that breaks so easily.

[EVS090374]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so many experts.

[Seibertron]

Now he resorts to name calling because I said I didnt believe him. Just who are you to say I'm wrong when no one said they were right? I'm sorry grow up kid or leave me alone. You don't know the difference between a troll and a person who simply states his thoughts. Call me whatever you like after this...I'm done

That's enough guys. Let's keep this topic on track. Thanks.

[Malicron]

So, the million dollar question (or $300, more accurately) is this: How many of these figures are actually breaking? Basically, is this a GPS-like situation, and the entire production run is doomed to this fate, or is this design just suffering from production defects, and only some of them are breaking? If it's the latter, what percentage (roughly) are breaking? 1 in 10, 1 in 5? How wide spread is this?