The Energon Pub

I just got the War For Cybertron Megatron, and I need to tighten his arm rotation so that it doesn't flop from side to side when I pose him. Is there a way to tighten joints that aren't Ball Joints? I don't know of any. Please reply if anyone knows how. A YouTube video, or a step-by-step series of pictures would be very helpful.

Somebody can answer your question but not me

Remarkable WFC toy in my mind is the Optimus Prime with hug axe

If it's a swivel-type joint that isn't attached with a pin (I forget, don't have him next to me), the same superglue/nail polish trick should work as well. If not, you could disassemble it and put a small piece of tissue paper or something in there to tighten up the joint. If it uses a pin, then unfortunately it takes a lot of skill I don't have and I can't advise anything.

Thats great, but does anyone know how to take the arm joint apart? There's no screws. Here's a picture of the toy:

MeGrimlockKing wrote:Thats great, but does anyone know how to take the arm joint apart? There's no screws. Here's a picture of the toy:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... 575282.jpg

... Probably best not to hotlink, yannow.

And using THIS pic, which joint is it you're talking about?

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... 105/2/110/



From the split up:

The split is a dual-pinned dual hinge joint

Above that is a pinned swivel joint

Above that is the transform only "side to side" elbow, which is also pinned.

Above that is the "actual elbow. Guess what? Pinned.

Above that is the pivot INSIDE the shoulder for transforming. It's in place due to the shoulder pieces on either side. This joint can be disassembled by simply taking the screws out of the shoulder and can be tightened by tightening those same screws, no superglue trick needed.

Next up is the articulation shoulder up-down, which is pinned.

And finally we have the shoulder pivot, which is held in place by the two halves of the torso. Tighten the three screws on the back of the torso to tighten this joint.


If the joint you need to tighten is one of the pinned joints, there IS a way to do it, but it is VERY tricky, VERY difficult, and has a chance of permanently messing up the figure if your hand isn't steady enough.

1 ) Decide on what joint needs tightening.

2 ) Get a tube of liquid superglue that has "modelling tips" - you can probably get them at a hobby shop (of the type that carries model kits).

3 ) GENTLY release a LITTLE bit of the superglue directly on the gaps of the selected joint.

4 ) IMMEDIATELY start working that joint, and any other nearby joints, back and forth. Keep doing it until your hands get tired, then do it again, for at least 2-3 minutes.


If done wrong (too much superglue, miss the joint, don't work it enough), this CAN freeze one or more joints in place, making it no longer able to transform or pose, so take GREAT care when using this method - make SURE you knw what gaps are part of what joint, for example.

Valandar wrote:

MeGrimlockKing wrote:Thats great, but does anyone know how to take the arm joint apart? There's no screws. Here's a picture of the toy:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... 575282.jpg

... Probably best not to hotlink, yannow.

And using THIS pic, which joint is it you're talking about?

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... 105/2/110/



From the split up:

The split is a dual-pinned dual hinge joint

Above that is a pinned swivel joint

Above that is the transform only "side to side" elbow, which is also pinned.

Above that is the "actual elbow. Guess what? Pinned.

Above that is the pivot INSIDE the shoulder for transforming. It's in place due to the shoulder pieces on either side. This joint can be disassembled by simply taking the screws out of the shoulder and can be tightened by tightening those same screws, no superglue trick needed.

Next up is the articulation shoulder up-down, which is pinned.

And finally we have the shoulder pivot, which is held in place by the two halves of the torso. Tighten the three screws on the back of the torso to tighten this joint.


If the joint you need to tighten is one of the pinned joints, there IS a way to do it, but it is VERY tricky, VERY difficult, and has a chance of permanently messing up the figure if your hand isn't steady enough.

1 ) Decide on what joint needs tightening.

2 ) Get a tube of liquid superglue that has "modelling tips" - you can probably get them at a hobby shop (of the type that carries model kits).

3 ) GENTLY release a LITTLE bit of the superglue directly on the gaps of the selected joint.

4 ) IMMEDIATELY start working that joint, and any other nearby joints, back and forth. Keep doing it until your hands get tired, then do it again, for at least 2-3 minutes.


If done wrong (too much superglue, miss the joint, don't work it enough), this CAN freeze one or more joints in place, making it no longer able to transform or pose, so take GREAT care when using this method - make SURE you knw what gaps are part of what joint, for example.

Huh. That's actually easier than I would've thought. I assumed you'd have to take it apart.

kirbenvost wrote:

Valandar wrote:If done wrong (too much superglue, miss the joint, don't work it enough), this CAN freeze one or more joints in place, making it no longer able to transform or pose, so take GREAT care when using this method - make SURE you knw what gaps are part of what joint, for example.

Huh. That's actually easier than I would've thought. I assumed you'd have to take it apart.

It CAN be easier... but it may not always work (it depends on cappilary action, and will NOT work with gel superglue), and has a MUCH higher chance of permanently freezing the joint if you don't keep working it.

There's a special, thinner consistancy superglue you can also get at hobby shops that works best, by the way. Just don't use very much at all - and do tiny amounts repeatedly if you have to. Too much, and it coats the entire part, and may freeze up multiple joints.

I actually tried doing that with Elmer's Glue, and it actually worked, but wore off after about 4 hours. I'm going to scrape that glue off when my father comes home tomorrow.

Elmer's glue doesn't really stick to plastic well, but superglue or crazy glue should.

Just get some Pledge with Future Floor wax. Dip a paint brush into it and then touch the brush to the pin. It will flow into the joint. It is very thin and will flow with no problem, if you get any on the surrounding plastic just wipe it off with your finger. Let it dry for a while, I usually let it dry overnight, but it should be fairly dry in an hour. If it's still loose repeat. I have used this method on many many figures, it works like a charm and is super simple.

Ok, I'll try to get some today.

Where can I get the floor shine?

Assuming your in the US any grocery or large retail outlet. It's made by pledge and has a sticker on it that says with future floor wax, or something very similar.

Valandar wrote:

MeGrimlockKing wrote:Thats great, but does anyone know how to take the arm joint apart? There's no screws. Here's a picture of the toy:

http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-new ... 575282.jpg

... Probably best not to hotlink, yannow.

And using THIS pic, which joint is it you're talking about?

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... 105/2/110/



From the split up:

The split is a dual-pinned dual hinge joint

Above that is a pinned swivel joint

Above that is the transform only "side to side" elbow, which is also pinned.

Above that is the "actual elbow. Guess what? Pinned.

Above that is the pivot INSIDE the shoulder for transforming. It's in place due to the shoulder pieces on either side. This joint can be disassembled by simply taking the screws out of the shoulder and can be tightened by tightening those same screws, no superglue trick needed.

Next up is the articulation shoulder up-down, which is pinned.

And finally we have the shoulder pivot, which is held in place by the two halves of the torso. Tighten the three screws on the back of the torso to tighten this joint.


If the joint you need to tighten is one of the pinned joints, there IS a way to do it, but it is VERY tricky, VERY difficult, and has a chance of permanently messing up the figure if your hand isn't steady enough.

1 ) Decide on what joint needs tightening.

2 ) Get a tube of liquid superglue that has "modelling tips" - you can probably get them at a hobby shop (of the type that carries model kits).

3 ) GENTLY release a LITTLE bit of the superglue directly on the gaps of the selected joint.

4 ) IMMEDIATELY start working that joint, and any other nearby joints, back and forth. Keep doing it until your hands get tired, then do it again, for at least 2-3 minutes.


If done wrong (too much superglue, miss the joint, don't work it enough), this CAN freeze one or more joints in place, making it no longer able to transform or pose, so take GREAT care when using this method - make SURE you knw what gaps are part of what joint, for example.

Do I put the superglue on the pin? Or directly on the joint?

You would put in on the pin. Remember to start moving the joint as soon as you put the glue on, and keep moving it until you're certain the glue is dry. If you don't, it will lock up the joint, and you wouldn't want that.