A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 3:28AM CST
Categories: Toy News, Site ArticlesPosted by: Blurrz Views: 48,735
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They're the enemy of all non-Mint-in-Box toy collectors. To many of us Transformers fans, they are the last hurdle before we take our precious figures out of their plastic prisons. Some are easy, some are agitating, and some are just excruciatingly painful to deal with. (Have a go with the Titanium series lately?) No matter what vaccines we have, whether it is clippers, scissors, or swift fingers, twist-ties are like a virus that always get to us every time we buy a Transformer!
And now we come to the gist of this story, as our website's creator, Ryan, stumbled upon a revelation when working on the upcoming galleries of Battlefield Bumblebee and Infiltrator Soundwave. Instead of the usual plastic and metal combination of twist-ties, the figures were held in with twined paper ties. Now one might wonder what the big deal is with the change of material in twist-ties. Well, they are more environmentally friendly, and that's exactly what Hasbro told us at Botcon 2009
Take a look at the change below, as many will be dealing with these when the Battlefield Bumblebee vs. Infiltrator Soundwave two-pack is sent out to mass retail.
So there we have it, looks like the nightmarish twist-ties are a figment of the past! Have any stories of the wrong doings you've experienced with twist-ties? Share it with us in the Energon Pub!
Keep it at Seibertron.com - The most informative Transformers news site on the net!
And now we come to the gist of this story, as our website's creator, Ryan, stumbled upon a revelation when working on the upcoming galleries of Battlefield Bumblebee and Infiltrator Soundwave. Instead of the usual plastic and metal combination of twist-ties, the figures were held in with twined paper ties. Now one might wonder what the big deal is with the change of material in twist-ties. Well, they are more environmentally friendly, and that's exactly what Hasbro told us at Botcon 2009
Are you guys looking into moving away from using so many twist ties?
We are looking to move away from them and moving towards smaller packaging which is more biodegradable. In the future you’ll see smaller packages with Tam, which is easier to cut and biodegradable.
Take a look at the change below, as many will be dealing with these when the Battlefield Bumblebee vs. Infiltrator Soundwave two-pack is sent out to mass retail.
So there we have it, looks like the nightmarish twist-ties are a figment of the past! Have any stories of the wrong doings you've experienced with twist-ties? Share it with us in the Energon Pub!
Keep it at Seibertron.com - The most informative Transformers news site on the net!
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Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040543)
Posted by Orthobotrex on January 26th, 2010 @ 3:48am CST
Posted by Orthobotrex on January 26th, 2010 @ 3:48am CST
This is a small step for environmental responsibility!!! But its always welcome! And I hope that's the main drive for this step, and not purely for the economy of it! I hope its also from recycled paper!!!
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040545)
Posted by Chaoslock on January 26th, 2010 @ 3:56am CST
Posted by Chaoslock on January 26th, 2010 @ 3:56am CST
I prefer the japanese' idea: No twisty-ties, but the figure is between two, very good sealing plastic. Looks better MISB, and the figures are easier to pack back.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040546)
Posted by Mkall on January 26th, 2010 @ 3:57am CST
Posted by Mkall on January 26th, 2010 @ 3:57am CST
MISBers might be up for a shock 10 years down the road...
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040549)
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:10am CST
Posted by Ultra Markus on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:10am CST
those always bothered me, most the time with wire cutters a couple snipes and the toy is out
but usually the problem is not the twist ties them selves, its what there tied to, for example
a plastic bubble that is behind the figure glued to the inside of the box and that is what it is tied to so you cant just simply untwist it you have to partially remove the figure then cut the tie or rip out the bubble. I have also had problems thing i got every tie then go to pull the figure out and end up with the arms and legs off the figure. I miss the old days when they were packed in the hard foam and tape.
but usually the problem is not the twist ties them selves, its what there tied to, for example
a plastic bubble that is behind the figure glued to the inside of the box and that is what it is tied to so you cant just simply untwist it you have to partially remove the figure then cut the tie or rip out the bubble. I have also had problems thing i got every tie then go to pull the figure out and end up with the arms and legs off the figure. I miss the old days when they were packed in the hard foam and tape.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040550)
Posted by Blurrz on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:12am CST
Posted by Blurrz on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:12am CST
I actually had a gruesome time with what the toy line that I was referring to in the news post - Titanium. I don't know about you guys, but wow the twist-ties for the figures were freaking hideous. I remember I somehow ended up chipping paint off figures because I had to cut the twist-ties off. I think this a turn for the better and a phenomenal job by Hasbro!
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040552)
Posted by Trikeboy on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:20am CST
Posted by Trikeboy on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:20am CST
Twist ties are a right pain. Have you seen how many are holding Hasbro MP Skywarp in place. I always use a pair of tiny nail clippers I once got in a Christmas cracker. They are very good at getting into smaller places.
Lets not hail this new idea until we can experience it for ourselves though.
Lets not hail this new idea until we can experience it for ourselves though.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040555)
Posted by starfish on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:41am CST
Posted by starfish on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:41am CST
Yeah, nail-clippers are the way to go with twisty-ties.
However, I'm not quite sure whether the new bits of string are any easier to remove. I got this two-pack yesterday (it's out at Argos in the UK), and although most of the ties were easy to get at with the nail-clippers, the ones round Bumblebee's feet were wound very tightly indeed. So much so that I was unable to get a good grip with my nail-clippers OR a pair of scissors.
So whilst with twisty ties I find they're alway easy to snip away, with these two pieces of string I was forced to rip the cardboard away from the plastic and manually untie the knot in behind the figure!
So yeah, the campaign to bring back twisty-ties begins here!
However, I'm not quite sure whether the new bits of string are any easier to remove. I got this two-pack yesterday (it's out at Argos in the UK), and although most of the ties were easy to get at with the nail-clippers, the ones round Bumblebee's feet were wound very tightly indeed. So much so that I was unable to get a good grip with my nail-clippers OR a pair of scissors.
So whilst with twisty ties I find they're alway easy to snip away, with these two pieces of string I was forced to rip the cardboard away from the plastic and manually untie the knot in behind the figure!
So yeah, the campaign to bring back twisty-ties begins here!
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040557)
Posted by Shadowstream on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:02am CST
Posted by Shadowstream on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:02am CST
Dear environmentalists, please stop. I can live with twist ties, I've had relatively little need to clip them in the past. They don't need replacing with stupid string, that would be going BACKWARDS! Sincerely yours, Irritated.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040558)
Posted by starfish on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:11am CST
Exactly. I mean really, how much plastic and metal is there in three-or-four twisty ties? Considering that Transformers themselves are made of plastic and metal (for screws, rods, hinges etc), is a teeny bit extra really going to damage the environment that much? I mean, just look at the amount of plastic in the packaging, for example (the bubble, the window).
Another point - twisty ties are nice and sturdy; they hold their shape. When you go at a twisty-tie with a clipper it's not going to suddenly leap out of the way. Not so with string. It moves, it shifts. It's a bugger, actually.
Posted by starfish on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:11am CST
Shadowstream wrote:Dear environmentalists, please stop. I can live with twist ties, I've had relatively little need to clip them in the past. They don't need replacing with stupid string, that would be going BACKWARDS! Sincerely yours, Irritated.
Exactly. I mean really, how much plastic and metal is there in three-or-four twisty ties? Considering that Transformers themselves are made of plastic and metal (for screws, rods, hinges etc), is a teeny bit extra really going to damage the environment that much? I mean, just look at the amount of plastic in the packaging, for example (the bubble, the window).
Another point - twisty ties are nice and sturdy; they hold their shape. When you go at a twisty-tie with a clipper it's not going to suddenly leap out of the way. Not so with string. It moves, it shifts. It's a bugger, actually.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040559)
Posted by Name_Violation on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:16am CST
thats what i was afraid of. stupid knots.
Posted by Name_Violation on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:16am CST
starfish wrote:So whilst with twisty ties I find they're alway easy to snip away, with these two pieces of string I was forced to rip the cardboard away from the plastic and manually untie the knot in behind the figure!!
thats what i was afraid of. stupid knots.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040565)
Posted by Jacob P. Galvatron on January 26th, 2010 @ 6:00am CST
Posted by Jacob P. Galvatron on January 26th, 2010 @ 6:00am CST
Huh.
Maybe my scissors will be more effective now?
Maybe my scissors will be more effective now?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040578)
Posted by X3ROhour on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:29am CST
here here!
Posted by X3ROhour on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:29am CST
Chaoslock wrote:I prefer the japanese' idea: No twisty-ties, but the figure is between two, very good sealing plastic. Looks better MISB, and the figures are easier to pack back.
here here!
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040579)
Posted by stocky on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:31am CST
While these new ties may also be more economical, I think that you meant to write that they are more ecologically-friendly...
And to all those whining, go to Home Depot and buy yourself a pair of $5.00 wire snips. They'll cut through both the plastic/metal ties and these new ones as well, and they'll let you get into the tightest of spots so you don't have to worry about accidentally cutting your figure.
Posted by stocky on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:31am CST
Blurrz wrote:"they are more economically friendly"
While these new ties may also be more economical, I think that you meant to write that they are more ecologically-friendly...
And to all those whining, go to Home Depot and buy yourself a pair of $5.00 wire snips. They'll cut through both the plastic/metal ties and these new ones as well, and they'll let you get into the tightest of spots so you don't have to worry about accidentally cutting your figure.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040580)
Posted by hinomars19 on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:35am CST
Posted by hinomars19 on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:35am CST
I shall forever remember getting armada unicron out of his box... 
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040587)
Posted by starfish on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:08am CST
As I say, I have first-hand experience of these new string ties, and yes, I found these toys harder to free than those packed using the metal ties.
However, I was only using standard nail-clippers (I also tried using scissors) so obviously I can't comment on the use of wire snips. All I can say for sure is that these pieces of string were tied tightly around Bumblebee's ankles, and the only way for me to free him without risk of damaging the toy was to cut open the back box and un-knot the string from behind.
Whether my box was representative of the whole set, I don't know. Other fans may be lucky to have strings that aren't as tightly attached as mine were.
PS I find it a tad ironic that, by complaining that people are whining, you yourself become a whiner - because you're essentially whining about people whining. All together now: "It's like raaaain on your wedding daaaay..."
Posted by starfish on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:08am CST
stocky wrote:And to all those whining, go to Home Depot and buy yourself a pair of $5.00 wire snips. They'll cut through both the plastic/metal ties and these new ones as well, and they'll let you get into the tightest of spots so you don't have to worry about accidentally cutting your figure.
As I say, I have first-hand experience of these new string ties, and yes, I found these toys harder to free than those packed using the metal ties.
However, I was only using standard nail-clippers (I also tried using scissors) so obviously I can't comment on the use of wire snips. All I can say for sure is that these pieces of string were tied tightly around Bumblebee's ankles, and the only way for me to free him without risk of damaging the toy was to cut open the back box and un-knot the string from behind.
Whether my box was representative of the whole set, I don't know. Other fans may be lucky to have strings that aren't as tightly attached as mine were.
PS I find it a tad ironic that, by complaining that people are whining, you yourself become a whiner - because you're essentially whining about people whining. All together now: "It's like raaaain on your wedding daaaay..."
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040592)
Posted by Nickolai on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:36am CST
Posted by Nickolai on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:36am CST
Oh God, I'm thankful for this change, but I already went through the horror that is Universe Unicron. My fingers will never be the same.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040597)
Posted by X3ROhour on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:42am CST
Posted by X3ROhour on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:42am CST
now my shoplifting will be so much easier! yay! 
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040600)
Posted by Agamemnon on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:52am CST
Posted by Agamemnon on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:52am CST
These are the clippers I use from Home Depot (the red handled ones on the bottom).
This kit is a bit more expensive than Stocky suggested ($12 in Minnesota) but they work wonders on all forms of clipping: twist ties, electrical cable, my dog's nails, the tip of my finger, cleaning up some of the engineering mistakes on some figures so that they transform correctly (Classics Sunstreaker, for instance), unintentional modding of some figures as I removed twist ties (can you say, "Battle Damage!!"?
This kit is a bit more expensive than Stocky suggested ($12 in Minnesota) but they work wonders on all forms of clipping: twist ties, electrical cable, my dog's nails, the tip of my finger, cleaning up some of the engineering mistakes on some figures so that they transform correctly (Classics Sunstreaker, for instance), unintentional modding of some figures as I removed twist ties (can you say, "Battle Damage!!"?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040608)
Posted by Requiem Prime on January 26th, 2010 @ 9:23am CST
Posted by Requiem Prime on January 26th, 2010 @ 9:23am CST
I hope these new ties are weak enough to resolve the original issues. If it's too tightly tied or strongly woven to break through we're back where we started.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040617)
Posted by dragons on January 26th, 2010 @ 10:12am CST
Posted by dragons on January 26th, 2010 @ 10:12am CST
let it be true let it be permanant that would be wonferul
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040622)
Posted by kirbenvost on January 26th, 2010 @ 10:48am CST
Posted by kirbenvost on January 26th, 2010 @ 10:48am CST
Awesome!
Still prefer the clamshells though, but yeah, I guess that's not as environmentally friendly.
Still prefer the clamshells though, but yeah, I guess that's not as environmentally friendly.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040624)
Posted by MagnaBlade on January 26th, 2010 @ 10:50am CST
Posted by MagnaBlade on January 26th, 2010 @ 10:50am CST
I will actually miss the plastic-over-steel-wire ties. They come in so handy for using as ties for computer and audio cables, and anything else you want to bundle up and secure. Especially the really long ones from leader class figures! 
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040627)
Posted by Ravage XK on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:02am CST
Posted by Ravage XK on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:02am CST
I hope that these DO NOT break easily. Twisty ties allow you to repack figures easily. I dont want paper ties that break or crumble or rip! I'd rather they use the close fitting clam shell type as seen in Alternity or Binaltech (just without the single long twistie).
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040633)
Posted by Rycher Prime on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:17am CST
Posted by Rycher Prime on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:17am CST
I soo hate the twisty ties.It took me like 45 mins to get my Masterpiece Optimus Prime out of the packaging.I mean did they need to put like 20 ties on this figure?? Don't even get me started on the Leader Class figures.Whenever I get a new figure,I reach for my wire cutters and have them out in mins. 
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040634)
Posted by Mykltron on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:18am CST
Posted by Mykltron on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:18am CST
I'm a bit saddened by this news. I've used twistys in several kitbash projects as well as cable ties. They come in useful for various things around the home so I'll be disappointed to see the back of them.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040639)
Posted by Convotron on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:37am CST
Posted by Convotron on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:37am CST
Finally, no more plastic/metal twist ties!
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040640)
Posted by Nekoman on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:38am CST
Posted by Nekoman on January 26th, 2010 @ 11:38am CST
Would have been nice if Hasbro did this before they yanked up the prices.
I want to hear about how removing them is. I've been able to untwist most of the wires in the past without cutting them, are these easy to un-knot? I do not like bringing sharp things near my toys.
I want to hear about how removing them is. I've been able to untwist most of the wires in the past without cutting them, are these easy to un-knot? I do not like bringing sharp things near my toys.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040656)
Posted by Seibertron on January 26th, 2010 @ 12:43pm CST
Posted by Seibertron on January 26th, 2010 @ 12:43pm CST
Wow. I'm surprised you guys aren't using wire-cutters. I've been using them for a few years now. Makes opening a Transformer a piece of cake. I use a pair with a thinner head than what's pictured below, but you'll get the drift. Should be available for a few dollars in the hardware area of your local big box store.
For those of you looking for clam-shells in the US at some point, you won't see it here in the US. While Hasbro doesn't publicly mention it, I'm pretty sure the twist ties are a form of theft-deterrent to help retailers keep their stock from being stolen. Notice I said "deterrent" ... this doesn't meant that it always works but it certainly makes it more difficult for someone to steal a figure than it would be to pop open a clamshell. Japanese toy stores are different than American toy stores so they cater more to a collector's market.
For those of you looking for clam-shells in the US at some point, you won't see it here in the US. While Hasbro doesn't publicly mention it, I'm pretty sure the twist ties are a form of theft-deterrent to help retailers keep their stock from being stolen. Notice I said "deterrent" ... this doesn't meant that it always works but it certainly makes it more difficult for someone to steal a figure than it would be to pop open a clamshell. Japanese toy stores are different than American toy stores so they cater more to a collector's market.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040657)
Posted by nemesis-prime on January 26th, 2010 @ 12:45pm CST
Posted by nemesis-prime on January 26th, 2010 @ 12:45pm CST
I noticed this to it made it much eaiser to cut the twine then pull out the figure , insead of removin the plastic from the cordboard back ground thanx hasbro
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040666)
Posted by Solrac333 on January 26th, 2010 @ 1:31pm CST
Posted by Solrac333 on January 26th, 2010 @ 1:31pm CST
How about NO twist ties?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040677)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on January 26th, 2010 @ 2:38pm CST
Posted by Megatron Wolf on January 26th, 2010 @ 2:38pm CST
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! No more twist ties? Are you kidding me? Those things are so damn useful around the house. Transformers were my #1 supply of them. All you had to do was cut down on them hasbro not get rid of them. Now that i think of it those of us who keep figures in the box are screwed, rope deteriorates so after so many years the figures are going to be bouncing around in the box. This is not the way to go hasbro, what you should do is keep twist ties but replace the plastic with paper or something. Paper is biodegradable and metal will rust away to nothing. Id also like to add the twine looks like crap.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040681)
Posted by Flashwave on January 26th, 2010 @ 2:47pm CST
Yep, and what happens if 10 to 20 years down the road, the collectors end up MISB robots bouncing around twist tied to remains of ruined paper inserts?
Yes, it is. NPR ran a story Christmas 2008, e-tailers such as Amazon were working with toy companies to not have twsty-ties, (A seperate packaging) since there wasn;t the risk of shoplifting, and families didn't have to waste Christmas morning trying to untie Junior's new tool until Christmas of 2009...
Of corusse, then you have the cost of two packaging styles.
The above guys are right, the twist ties were handy. Stockpile now! That said, I stopped trying to cut them when I discovered I was flaking color off of some of the figures, Dad wanted some, and I couldn't gety a decent enough cut angle, or enough slack to cut them, on the back. Other than the Titaniums, it's not so bad. And actually, if you can pinch them good, you can untie them that way with a pair of pliers.
Posted by Flashwave on January 26th, 2010 @ 2:47pm CST
Megatron Wolf wrote:Paper is biodegradable and metal will rust away to nothing.
Yep, and what happens if 10 to 20 years down the road, the collectors end up MISB robots bouncing around twist tied to remains of ruined paper inserts?
Seibertron wrote:While Hasbro doesn't publicly mention it, I'm pretty sure the twist ties are a form of theft-deterrent to help retailers keep their stock from being stolen.
Yes, it is. NPR ran a story Christmas 2008, e-tailers such as Amazon were working with toy companies to not have twsty-ties, (A seperate packaging) since there wasn;t the risk of shoplifting, and families didn't have to waste Christmas morning trying to untie Junior's new tool until Christmas of 2009...
Of corusse, then you have the cost of two packaging styles.
The above guys are right, the twist ties were handy. Stockpile now! That said, I stopped trying to cut them when I discovered I was flaking color off of some of the figures, Dad wanted some, and I couldn't gety a decent enough cut angle, or enough slack to cut them, on the back. Other than the Titaniums, it's not so bad. And actually, if you can pinch them good, you can untie them that way with a pair of pliers.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040706)
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:12pm CST
Posted by RK_Striker_JK_5 on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:12pm CST
I'll be glad to see those things go.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040707)
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:20pm CST
Posted by chuckdawg1999 on January 26th, 2010 @ 4:20pm CST
I once scratched a Titanium Thundercracker trying to cut the tie. When I woke up 5 hours later from fainting he was still in the box.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040718)
Posted by jlogano20 on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:25pm CST
Posted by jlogano20 on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:25pm CST
wire cutters take care of those twist ties like there's no tomorrow!!! 
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040722)
Posted by Midnight_Fox on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:30pm CST
Posted by Midnight_Fox on January 26th, 2010 @ 5:30pm CST
Wire cutters are good at it, but Sprue Clippers are smaller and more precise than wire cutters.
Plus, I have a whole bunch of them already laying around thanks to my wargames addiction...
Plus, I have a whole bunch of them already laying around thanks to my wargames addiction...
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040743)
Posted by Rated X on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:36pm CST
Posted by Rated X on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:36pm CST
Why not just get rid of the ties all together. This is not the 80's where kids used to break into packages and pocket the toys. Security camera domes put a stop to that. Just use the fitted plastic like they did in the Insecticons and Perceptor re-issues.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040744)
Posted by mechabooks on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:40pm CST
Posted by mechabooks on January 26th, 2010 @ 7:40pm CST
I'm actually very excited about the Transformers using paper ties instead of using those nasty plastic ones. I'm usually in a hurry to take my TF's out and I don't want those pesky buggers in my way!
http://www.mechabooks.com
http://www.mechabooks.com
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040755)
Posted by Mkall on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:46pm CST
Please Check the Rules regarding advertising.
Thanks.
Posted by Mkall on January 26th, 2010 @ 8:46pm CST
mechabooks wrote:I'm actually very excited about the Transformers using paper ties instead of using those nasty plastic ones. I'm usually in a hurry to take my TF's out and I don't want those pesky buggers in my way!
http://www.mechabooks.com
Please Check the Rules regarding advertising.
Thanks.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040820)
Posted by WhiteRabbit on January 27th, 2010 @ 12:20am CST
Don't need to be an environmentalist to know there's far better uses for a finite resource like oil than holding a kid's toy to the package it comes in.
I think the better question is how much metal and plastic is in three-or-four million twisty ties? Certainly enough to make a shitload more Transformers instead. Unless you collect Transformers just to get the twist ties, then hey, sucks to be you now I guess...
I wish people would try to look beyond knee-jerk rhetoric and see that sometimes "environmentalism" can can actually be practical.
Posted by WhiteRabbit on January 27th, 2010 @ 12:20am CST
Shadowstream wrote:Dear environmentalists, please stop.
Don't need to be an environmentalist to know there's far better uses for a finite resource like oil than holding a kid's toy to the package it comes in.
starfish wrote:I mean really, how much plastic and metal is there in three-or-four twisty ties?
I think the better question is how much metal and plastic is in three-or-four million twisty ties? Certainly enough to make a shitload more Transformers instead. Unless you collect Transformers just to get the twist ties, then hey, sucks to be you now I guess...
I wish people would try to look beyond knee-jerk rhetoric and see that sometimes "environmentalism" can can actually be practical.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040826)
Posted by kirbenvost on January 27th, 2010 @ 12:28am CST
But...wouldn't they still have to open the box completely to get the toy out? That process would at least take a couple minutes, they couldn't catch someone by then?
Posted by kirbenvost on January 27th, 2010 @ 12:28am CST
Seibertron wrote:
For those of you looking for clam-shells in the US at some point, you won't see it here in the US. While Hasbro doesn't publicly mention it, I'm pretty sure the twist ties are a form of theft-deterrent to help retailers keep their stock from being stolen. Notice I said "deterrent" ... this doesn't meant that it always works but it certainly makes it more difficult for someone to steal a figure than it would be to pop open a clamshell. Japanese toy stores are different than American toy stores so they cater more to a collector's market.
But...wouldn't they still have to open the box completely to get the toy out? That process would at least take a couple minutes, they couldn't catch someone by then?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040900)
Posted by starfish on January 27th, 2010 @ 2:27am CST
Well, if people are that interested in preserving the planet's finite reserves of oil, then maybe we should just stop buying Transformers altogether, eh? As long as the plastic can be removed from the twisty ties with wire-cutters and be recycled, where's the problem?
Bah. I'm sure some scientists somewhere will invent synthetic oil before the supplies of the real stuff run out. I mean, how hard can it be to bung a load of hydrogen and carbon molecules together, eh?
Posted by starfish on January 27th, 2010 @ 2:27am CST
WhiteRabbit wrote:Shadowstream wrote:Dear environmentalists, please stop.
Don't need to be an environmentalist to know there's far better uses for a finite resource like oil than holding a kid's toy to the package it comes in.
Well, if people are that interested in preserving the planet's finite reserves of oil, then maybe we should just stop buying Transformers altogether, eh? As long as the plastic can be removed from the twisty ties with wire-cutters and be recycled, where's the problem?
WhiteRabbit wrote:I wish people would try to look beyond knee-jerk rhetoric and see that sometimes "environmentalism" can can actually be practical.
Bah. I'm sure some scientists somewhere will invent synthetic oil before the supplies of the real stuff run out. I mean, how hard can it be to bung a load of hydrogen and carbon molecules together, eh?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040924)
Posted by Orthobotrex on January 27th, 2010 @ 3:53am CST
Posted by Orthobotrex on January 27th, 2010 @ 3:53am CST
Whew!!! I never thought that a piece of paper twine can cause a lot of furor and rhetoric!
Megatron Wolf wrote:Those things are so damn useful around the house. Transformers were my #1 supply of them.
Yeah...IF you could reuse, then its probably worth having. I just wonder how many people do that! I tried it once to train the stems of a bonsai!
Well, I'm not an MISB collector, so I still give KUDOS to this "new twist"!
Megatron Wolf wrote:Those things are so damn useful around the house. Transformers were my #1 supply of them.
Yeah...IF you could reuse, then its probably worth having. I just wonder how many people do that! I tried it once to train the stems of a bonsai!
Well, I'm not an MISB collector, so I still give KUDOS to this "new twist"!
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1040943)
Posted by Blastwave on January 27th, 2010 @ 5:28am CST
Posted by Blastwave on January 27th, 2010 @ 5:28am CST
Maybe I'm just lucky, but I bought this set back earlier this week, and had absolutely no problems getting them out of the package (compared to the Darkwind I bought which had the old stytle twisties. argh). They were easy to untie, stiff enough to hold up to yanking, but not tightly knotted.
They won't biodegrade that fast, they seem to have a light wax coating on them, which would help prevent degrading in a sealed (box) environment.
I'm actually pretty good at untwisting the twist-ties, they're just annoying, especially where there's a ton of them for a figure that's not all that big. The thing that gets me? Those little clear rubber bands. In the right spots, you can completely miss them and then they come flying off and hit you in the face or the collarbone.
And this set? The rubber band around Bumblebee's upper chest was *triple* wound, and I had to take off his head and flip up his shoulder panels with the cannons in order to take it off.
They won't biodegrade that fast, they seem to have a light wax coating on them, which would help prevent degrading in a sealed (box) environment.
I'm actually pretty good at untwisting the twist-ties, they're just annoying, especially where there's a ton of them for a figure that's not all that big. The thing that gets me? Those little clear rubber bands. In the right spots, you can completely miss them and then they come flying off and hit you in the face or the collarbone.
And this set? The rubber band around Bumblebee's upper chest was *triple* wound, and I had to take off his head and flip up his shoulder panels with the cannons in order to take it off.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1041115)
Posted by Swiftknife24 on January 27th, 2010 @ 2:15pm CST
These new ties will *not* break easily, trust me. I'm a buyer of the Hasbro Star Wars vehicles and the new ones have adopted the new paper ties. As anyone else who buys them would probably tell you; they are really strong for what they are. I was really surprised actually (first to see them and second to notice their strength! Thought it was paper surrounding a wire until I managed to cut through it!)
By the way, why the hell do people need to use clippers on their twisties and risk damaging your beloved Transformers? This may be a personal thing, but I'm perfectly okay with untying them; it's the only way to get them out decently...Thing is, when you do, you have to make the tie ends 'reverse the coils' if you know what I mean.
Posted by Swiftknife24 on January 27th, 2010 @ 2:15pm CST
Ravage XK wrote:I hope that these DO NOT break easily. Twisty ties allow you to repack figures easily. I dont want paper ties that break or crumble or rip! I'd rather they use the close fitting clam shell type as seen in Alternity or Binaltech (just without the single long twistie).
These new ties will *not* break easily, trust me. I'm a buyer of the Hasbro Star Wars vehicles and the new ones have adopted the new paper ties. As anyone else who buys them would probably tell you; they are really strong for what they are. I was really surprised actually (first to see them and second to notice their strength! Thought it was paper surrounding a wire until I managed to cut through it!)
By the way, why the hell do people need to use clippers on their twisties and risk damaging your beloved Transformers? This may be a personal thing, but I'm perfectly okay with untying them; it's the only way to get them out decently...Thing is, when you do, you have to make the tie ends 'reverse the coils' if you know what I mean.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1041230)
Posted by X3ROhour on January 27th, 2010 @ 9:23pm CST
exactly
wire cutters cut wire. duh?
i use the same thing, Seib. Home Depot. 2.50
why would you not logically conclude this, people?
Posted by X3ROhour on January 27th, 2010 @ 9:23pm CST
Seibertron wrote:Wow. I'm surprised you guys aren't using wire-cutters. I've been using them for a few years now. Makes opening a Transformer a piece of cake. I use a pair with a thinner head than what's pictured below, but you'll get the drift. Should be available for a few dollars in the hardware area of your local big box store.
For those of you looking for clam-shells in the US at some point, you won't see it here in the US. While Hasbro doesn't publicly mention it, I'm pretty sure the twist ties are a form of theft-deterrent to help retailers keep their stock from being stolen. Notice I said "deterrent" ... this doesn't meant that it always works but it certainly makes it more difficult for someone to steal a figure than it would be to pop open a clamshell. Japanese toy stores are different than American toy stores so they cater more to a collector's market.
exactly
wire cutters cut wire. duh?
i use the same thing, Seib. Home Depot. 2.50
why would you not logically conclude this, people?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1041390)
Posted by kirbenvost on January 28th, 2010 @ 11:09am CST
Couldn't you just clip from behind the card/bubble, thus avoiding any damage to the figure?
Posted by kirbenvost on January 28th, 2010 @ 11:09am CST
Swiftknife24 wrote:
By the way, why the hell do people need to use clippers on their twisties and risk damaging your beloved Transformers? This may be a personal thing, but I'm perfectly okay with untying them; it's the only way to get them out decently...Thing is, when you do, you have to make the tie ends 'reverse the coils' if you know what I mean.
Couldn't you just clip from behind the card/bubble, thus avoiding any damage to the figure?
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1041395)
Posted by Flux Convoy on January 28th, 2010 @ 11:18am CST
Posted by Flux Convoy on January 28th, 2010 @ 11:18am CST
I always have to chuckle when twist ties become such a huge issue. Nail clippers are under a dollar folks. Fuh reals.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1041575)
Posted by cybercat on January 28th, 2010 @ 11:01pm CST
Posted by cybercat on January 28th, 2010 @ 11:01pm CST
Well, I never really had a problem with the twisty ties--a good pair of tweezers to untwist, and needlenose pliers to jerk the loosened ties away from the toy.
Until: Devastator. Seriously, I have never seen so many twisties on one toy. He IS big, but crikey-ay, there were twisties where they made no sense (the one around his neck? What, is he into kinky asphyxiation or something now?) Oh, it was MADDENING!!!
(Plus, he kept going 'raaaaaarrrr' if I touched him wrong.
HK, but on the plus, I now have 4 bajillion twisties.
Until: Devastator. Seriously, I have never seen so many twisties on one toy. He IS big, but crikey-ay, there were twisties where they made no sense (the one around his neck? What, is he into kinky asphyxiation or something now?) Oh, it was MADDENING!!!
(Plus, he kept going 'raaaaaarrrr' if I touched him wrong.
HK, but on the plus, I now have 4 bajillion twisties.
Re: A New Twist with Transformers Twist-Ties (1042013)
Posted by Lucius Prime on January 30th, 2010 @ 10:47am CST
I'm gonna miss the twisties if they do get rid of them! I like them for tying my cables up like in the back of the TV. also, I'd usually take them all out except for the biggest one around the middle (usually with the leader class) just to keep it in place.
The thing that really bugs me about the packaging is the black plastic pieces behind the cardboard and the PACKAGING TAPE!!!
I hate the way that stuff rips up the boxes and how it all over the place like a transparent mold!
I don't like these new twine ties they seem to have. I think they should do the clamshell or go back to the twisties. Otherwise I'll have to go find all my old twisties and replace the pseudotwine with those just to keep the figures where they're supposed to be...
Posted by Lucius Prime on January 30th, 2010 @ 10:47am CST
I'm gonna miss the twisties if they do get rid of them! I like them for tying my cables up like in the back of the TV. also, I'd usually take them all out except for the biggest one around the middle (usually with the leader class) just to keep it in place.The thing that really bugs me about the packaging is the black plastic pieces behind the cardboard and the PACKAGING TAPE!!!
I hate the way that stuff rips up the boxes and how it all over the place like a transparent mold!I don't like these new twine ties they seem to have. I think they should do the clamshell or go back to the twisties. Otherwise I'll have to go find all my old twisties and replace the pseudotwine with those just to keep the figures where they're supposed to be...
