The Energon Pub

Even though Prime: Beast Hunters Voyager class Shockwave is, in my opinion, the best version of Shockwave to be released in years, I am a little dissatisfied that his cannon does not rotate in his alternate mode.

After careful brainstorming and planning, I believe I’ve come up with a solution: a ball-joint system!

NOTE: The following below is just an illustration of what I have planned!

For the “ball” portion, the “axle” end of the Light Gray LEGO Technic Axle Towball here was shaved down at the sides so that it could fit into the space between the clips in the middle of his chest. The blue material is holding it in place in Loctite Mounting Putty.


The size of the Towball still allows Shockwave’s chest plate to fit in place when in robot mode.



As for the “socket” portion, it will be installed on the rectangular section (circled in red) of his cannon that fits into the clip where the ball portion will be.


Given the design of the joint that holds the cannon to the rest of the figure, all that needs to be done is firmly, yet carefully slide out the cannon in robot mode so that it can rotate in alternate mode.


Although my plan was to use a modified Light Gray LEGO Modified 1 x 4 Plate with Long, 2 Slot Towball Socket on the cannon...

I have doubts that it will work!

On the forum at BrickLink, I asked what size is the “ball” end of the LEGO Technic Axle Towball and they said it was approximately 6mm.

With that information in mind, I found a 6mm ball-joint set at HobbyLink Japan that might work.

Regardless, I would like any advice/input from my fellow TFW2005 members and Radicons.

Which of these ball joint systems do you think will allow the cannon of Prime: Beast Hunters Voyager class Shockwave to rotate in alternate mode?:

• A modified Light Gray LEGO Technic Axle Towball + A modified Light Gray LEGO Modified 1 x 4 Plate with Long, 2 Slot Towball Socket?
• A 6mm ball-joint set from HobbyLink Japan?
• A 5mm ball-joint set from HobbyLink Japan?