The Energon Pub

You are a better person than me, Arctorro. After spending more than an hour with Sideload (I was unable to see any online reviews during this time due to an outage in my area) and the really, really crappy instructions, I am the epitome of frustration. (The Internet outage probably doesn't help this.) I found Sideload to make Alternators look like one-step changers. The transformation was not fun as I tried to figure out where everything went. I tore off one of the front wheels (luckily it looks like the pin will press in firmly, when I can set up a jig to re-seat it, so likely no permanent damage) while trying to rotate the wheels down do they fold into the torso. Maybe it's just the newness of all the tabs and a couple of transformations will solve many of these issues. But at this point, I may never transform Sideload again.

Now, on to Shinebug....

Agamemnon wrote:You are a better person than me, Arctorro. After spending more than an hour with Sideload (I was unable to see any online reviews during this time due to an outage in my area) and the really, really crappy instructions, I am the epitome of frustration. (The Internet outage probably doesn't help this.) I found Sideload to make Alternators look like one-step changers. The transformation was not fun as I tried to figure out where everything went. I tore off one of the front wheels (luckily it looks like the pin will press in firmly, when I can set up a jig to re-seat it, so likely no permanent damage) while trying to rotate the wheels down do they fold into the torso. Maybe it's just the newness of all the tabs and a couple of transformations will solve many of these issues. But at this point, I may never transform Sideload again.

Now, on to Shinebug....

That royally sucks, Agamemnon. Sorry to read. Even with video help he wasn't too easy for me.

Agamemnon wrote:You are a better person than me, Arctorro. After spending more than an hour with Sideload (I was unable to see any online reviews during this time due to an outage in my area) and the really, really crappy instructions, I am the epitome of frustration. (The Internet outage probably doesn't help this.) I found Sideload to make Alternators look like one-step changers. The transformation was not fun as I tried to figure out where everything went. I tore off one of the front wheels (luckily it looks like the pin will press in firmly, when I can set up a jig to re-seat it, so likely no permanent damage) while trying to rotate the wheels down do they fold into the torso. Maybe it's just the newness of all the tabs and a couple of transformations will solve many of these issues. But at this point, I may never transform Sideload again.

Now, on to Shinebug....

The same thing happened to me with one of the wheels. I successfully put the pin back in place with a padded set of pliers. The good news is you can cheat by loosening the screws to get the wheel tabs out and then tighten them when theyre out. No need to yank them and pop off the wheels. Still the transformation was so complex, I have little to no desire to ever build Throttler. Maybe one day, but for now Im happy with the Throttlebots as a team like they were in the G1 cartoon.

Agamemnon wrote:You are a better person than me, Arctorro. After spending more than an hour with Sideload (I was unable to see any online reviews during this time due to an outage in my area) and the really, really crappy instructions, I am the epitome of frustration. (The Internet outage probably doesn't help this.) I found Sideload to make Alternators look like one-step changers. The transformation was not fun as I tried to figure out where everything went. I tore off one of the front wheels (luckily it looks like the pin will press in firmly, when I can set up a jig to re-seat it, so likely no permanent damage) while trying to rotate the wheels down do they fold into the torso. Maybe it's just the newness of all the tabs and a couple of transformations will solve many of these issues. But at this point, I may never transform Sideload again.

Now, on to Shinebug....

Damn! That sucks

I've kinda got Sideload figured out now, though it took a few transformations and a vid to get there. I can try and take a few pics of the transformation of the wheels and panels if you would like. I still maintain that it is a stupid design, but once I got them (sorta) figured out it became more of a fun puzzle to remember exactly how to do it.

Shinebug's rear wheels rotate on a small arm like Sideload. The bot arms wont work properly if you miss those (I did until I watched a vid) and the doors are on a slider you might need to be careful with. Otherwise he should be fine.

Thanks guys. Looks like things will go back together fine. And now that I've done it once, I know where things are supposed to be, the next time will likely go much smoother.

I'm just building up the courage for there to be a next time. Maybe my team stays together in bot mode on my display...

And thanks for the advice on Shinebug, Arctorro. I'll definitely watch a video. Tis too bad, because I liked the others well enough.

Agamemnon wrote:Thanks guys. Looks like things will go back together fine. And now that I've done it once, I know where things are supposed to be, the next time will likely go much smoother.

I'm just building up the courage for there to be a next time. Maybe my team stays together in bot mode on my display...

And thanks for the advice on Shinebug, Arctorro. I'll definitely watch a video. Tis too bad, because I liked the others well enough.

Good to hear

Happy to help. Don't give up on Sideload, the first couple of transformation back and forth will make you want to stomp him into the ground, but once you figure him out it gets better.

Arctorro wrote:

Agamemnon wrote:Thanks guys. Looks like things will go back together fine. And now that I've done it once, I know where things are supposed to be, the next time will likely go much smoother.

I'm just building up the courage for there to be a next time. Maybe my team stays together in bot mode on my display...

And thanks for the advice on Shinebug, Arctorro. I'll definitely watch a video. Tis too bad, because I liked the others well enough.

Good to hear

Happy to help. Don't give up on Sideload, the first couple of transformation back and forth will make you want to stomp him into the ground, but once you figure him out it gets better.

Yeah, I'll get back around to him. Been playing with some CW stuff and Dystopia. Finally got around to opening Sideload and Shinebug this week while I was on vacation.

It seems like Sideload's backpack sits high in your pics as well as on my desk in front of me. Does it seem higher than the pics on the box or the instructions, or am I high?

Agamemnon wrote:Yeah, I'll get back around to him. Been playing with some CW stuff and Dystopia. Finally got around to opening Sideload and Shinebug this week while I was on vacation.

It seems like Sideload's backpack sits high in your pics as well as on my desk in front of me. Does it seem higher than the pics on the box or the instructions, or am I high?

You might be high, or Sideload as turned you nuts That's where it sits on those occasions I've been able to tab it in. Can't remember how high it is on the box. Took me longer to figure out tabbing in the backpack than the panels TBH

As for the panels, I've taken a heap if pics and will be uploading em soon. Had a few minutes to kill

Ok, here is the way I transform Sideload, sorry for all the pics!

The first 3 are how I have the panels sitting for combined mode.




Now for transformation from vehicle to robot. Note: this is just for the rear panels of the vehicle.


Pull the arms up, the panels will probably pop off while doing this.

Rotate the shoulders out.

Rotate the wheel arches.

Now fold them in.

Fold the sides down.

Move the wheel arches as far up and over the sides as possible.

Sit the corner of the panel like this as the sides are raised back up.

Rotate the arms out of the way (should've done this earlier).

Once the side is back up, rotate the shoulder down.


Make sure the arm that holds the roof is behind the wheel arches before you tab everything in.

Don't apologize! That's awesome! I wish I had them about 18 hours ago.

Thanks very, very much!!

Agamemnon wrote:Don't apologize! That's awesome! I wish I had them about 18 hours ago.

Thanks very, very much!!

Np

What Agamemnon said, Arctorro. Thanks for the pics and hints. Hmm, I got a couple days off coming up. Maybe I could try for throttler then.

That was an awesome set Arctorro. If you have a chance, can you do a sequence of photos going from robot back to SUV and from robot to Throttler torso ? (no hurry, whenever you got time) Thanks in advance...

RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:What Agamemnon said, Arctorro. Thanks for the pics and hints. Hmm, I got a couple days off coming up. Maybe I could try for throttler then.

Rated X wrote:That was an awesome set Arctorro. If you have a chance, can you do a sequence of photos going from robot back to SUV and from robot to Throttler torso ? (no hurry, whenever you got time) Thanks in advance...

Thanks guys!

As for getting him back into alt mode, just follow those pics in reverse. If there is anything else you are having problems with I'll be happy to help where I can. The only other issue I can remember having was getting the roof and doors all tabbed in, and that was due to the blue tabs that hold the backpack in place not being folded out of the way.

Robot to torso pics will be up soon.

Robot mode

Move the shoulder panels out

Rotate the arm up and the forearm out

Move the forearm panel

Collapse the forearm. The panel might pop off here


Tab in the rear bumper

The shoulder panels need to be moved out to the sides


Attach the shoulder/head piece

Make sure the blue tabs are out of the way so the chest can sit as flat as possible. This is the alt mode configuration for them as well.

Fold up the chest and close the shoulder pieces

I leave this panel for last just to check that everything is in place

Thanks Arctorro! Now if I can just sum up the courage to mess with this guy again. I will eventually.

Rated X wrote:Thanks Arctorro! Now if I can just sum up the courage to mess with this guy again. I will eventually.

Np

Shine Bug's Oversize KO Prototype has been spotted in China so perhaps all 6 might get made in the bigger size before to much longer !

Odd I got a duplicate post - though I only pressed the button the once.

I would delete this but there seems to be no way to do so.

RAR wrote:Odd I got a duplicate post - though I only pressed the button the once.

I would delete this but there seems to be no way to do so.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it at this time. Duplicate posts seem to be happening lately, and as far as I know, there is not a known cause.

I haven't yet opened Shinebug. I don't think I'll be combining them. Maybe it's denial after going through the complicated transformations of this line...

Well, a couple of days ago Grindrod joined Aurora, Sideload, and Freeway. That just leaves Trace and Shinebug to aquire.

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, a couple of days ago Grindrod joined Aurora, Sideload, and Freeway. That just leaves Trace and Shinebug to aquire.

Good luck with Sideload. I left him in robot mode and have never attempted to transform that over-engineered POS again, not even to form Throttler. I highly recommend you do not try to transform the wheels on the arms as per the instructions and in the reviews. The pins will pop right off and will be a nightmare to get the wheels back on. Instead, just cheat by using a small phillips screwdriver to loosen the wheels out of their tabs. Then tighten the screws back up after. Save yourself 2 hours of stress.

Rated X wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Well, a couple of days ago Grindrod joined Aurora, Sideload, and Freeway. That just leaves Trace and Shinebug to aquire.

Good luck with Sideload. I left him in robot mode and have never attempted to transform that over-engineered POS again, not even to form Throttler. I highly recommend you do not try to transform the wheels on the arms as per the instructions and in the reviews. The pins will pop right off and will be a nightmare to get the wheels back on. Instead, just cheat by using a small phillips screwdriver to loosen the wheels out of their tabs. Then tighten the screws back up after. Save yourself 2 hours of stress.

I've transformed him a number of times. While then first time was a little challenging, I've really had no issues since. I do agree that he is overly compicated then should have been necessary. He is my least favorite, while Aurora and Grindrod are simply superb.

Mkall wrote:

Hey can you tell me what Bumblebee that is on the left there next to Shinebug?

Also, can anyone tell me, are the arms swappable with the arms in combined mode (eg can left arm go into teh right arm spot)
And same with the legs, if I had two of the 4x4 Green guy, could you have two of them as legs, or are the posts for connections and hands/feet specific to the individual bots?

Batfan007 wrote:Also, can anyone tell me, are the arms swappable with the arms in combined mode (eg can left arm go into teh right arm spot)
And same with the legs, if I had two of the 4x4 Green guy, could you have two of them as legs, or are the posts for connections and hands/feet specific to the individual bots?

I don't think you can scramble at all. The arms might work as the connections look to be mirrors, and the wrist attachments are the same, But in looking at the feet, the left and right foot connectors are completely different. There's no way I could see putting the same figure as both legs without buying another set of combining kibble.

I almost feel like selling you my combiner kibble so you can do it as I don't think I will ever combine them. I like them as a stand alone set, even if they are alternator like in transformation...