Generation One - Fixing Some of Those Problem Areas!

Superquad7 · 11-05-2012, 03:33 AM

Hey guys, after seeing this thread pop up and spending some of my time and resources fixing some of my own G1s, I figured I'd post a thread here to see if you guys would like to contribute and help out here. There are several G1 figures with areas that are a bit more fragile than others. Now, while sometimes the remedy is simply just be careful (since we are playing with toys that are now over 20 years old), sometimes there are some fixes that can be done to totally alleviate the problem with just a little bit of fixin' up.

So, what are some of the G1 figures that you have found you've been able to fix up with just a little bit of alteration? How did you go about it? Can you photograph your process? If not, can you detail (step-by-step) how you fixed your problem and what you used to fix it?

Also, I'll preface this thread to say that if you don't have anything to contribute to the actual fixing of a figure or the specific topic at hand, please just keep moving along. This is simply a help request thread where I'm asking for those who can and will be helpful to do so. Obviously, since this is altering figures physically, the end result of this request of mine is to resource them in the Customs Tutorials. Despite this being the case, since the aim is to "fix" our G1 figures, I figured this thread would be a bit more suited for Toy Discussion and that it may attract more persons whose alteration behavior may be a bit more "restoration" than "alteration" focused. Additionally, if you have a great link to share, please feel free to do so. Note that the intention is to resource things here at TFW2005, so my assumption is that if you're posting a link that it's totally ok for me to resource the content here as well.

Many thanks in advance to those of you who are willing to take your time to help out with this.

turboedguy · 11-05-2012, 10:02 AM

What a cool thread, most the problems I've come across are as simple as buying a junker to replace a broken part. Or disassembling, repainting then applying new stickers. But one common problem live seen that is a really cheap and easy fix is the legs on G1 Tracks. Many examples won't retract or contract completely due to a bent piece of metal in the slide mechanism. It is an easy fix, but sometimes requires stickers to be removed to access the two screws holding the lower legs together. Once everything is disassembled, the metal stay needs to be removed and reshaped.

I don't have pics of a bent example, but this piece of metal is the culprit. Most the time, this piece will actually bent in half. If it cant be straightened, It can probably be removed and still function. I opened up a second tracks I own, and those pieces aren't even there.

brr-icy · 11-05-2012, 10:21 AM

i remember when that happened to me as a kid, i was pissed, but after opening and taking them out, he was fine.

Trypticon's electronics were an easy fix for me, having the power on, and him open, twisted the gear a little in the right direction and freed it up. it ran beautifully until i sold it off

GAUGE0001 · 11-05-2012, 12:11 PM

How about G1 Shockwave's knee area and Metal toes.

How on earth do you fix those so they actually lock into place like they are supposed to during transformation?

It's such a shame i have an original, but it displays and transforms like a dollar store TF.

Superquad7 · 11-06-2012, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboedguy

What a cool thread, most the problems I've come across are as simple as buying a junker to replace a broken part. Or disassembling, repainting then applying new stickers. But one common problem live seen that is a really cheap and easy fix is the legs on G1 Tracks. Many examples won't retract or contract completely due to a bent piece of metal in the slide mechanism. It is an easy fix, but sometimes requires stickers to be removed to access the two screws holding the lower legs together. Once everything is disassembled, the metal stay needs to be removed and reshaped.

I don't have pics of a bent example, but this piece of metal is the culprit. Most the time, this piece will actually bent in half. If it cant be straightened, It can probably be removed and still function. I opened up a second tracks I own, and those pieces aren't even there.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...y/DSCN4631.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...y/DSCN4632.jpg

Leg Fix for G1 Tracks

Wow, thanks!

Superquad7 · 11-06-2012, 11:14 PM

Don't forget to check Tutorials for things that have already been resourced. Keep those coming, guys!

turboedguy · 11-06-2012, 11:34 PM

Ok, heres another one. G1 mirage. How often have you seen this figure broken in half. An easy fix is to disassemble the torso, remove the broken peg, then replace it with a screw. What I did, is drill a small pilot hole where the original pivot used to be, then find a screw about the same diameter as the original peg, and screw it in. I also used superglue as a locktite of sorts so the screw won't back out. The trickiest part is adjusting the screw depth. It needs to be in far enough that the waist has a little friction so it wont flop around, but not too tight. I did this on the articulating custom I built a couple years ago, so those are the only pics I have, but you'll get the idea.

Superquad7 · 11-07-2012, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboedguy

Ok, heres another one. G1 mirage. How often have you seen this figure broken in half. An easy fix is to disassemble the torso, remove the broken peg, then replace it with a screw. What I did, is drill a small pilot hole where the original pivot used to be, then find a screw about the same diameter as the original peg, and screw it in. I also used superglue as a locktite of sorts so the screw won't back out. The trickiest part is adjusting the screw depth. It needs to be in far enough that the waist has a little friction so it wont flop around, but not too tight. I did this on the articulating custom I built a couple years ago, so those are the only pics I have, but you'll get the idea.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...y/DSCN3390.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...y/DSCN3389.jpg

Awesome! I was actually looking for a tutorial for this one some time back to put in our resources. I really liked dakroland's from many moons ago, but I can't find it now. Now we can fix that!

Superquad7 · 11-15-2012, 05:41 AM

Fixing Horri-bull's Horrible Head!

MegaPrime33 · 11-15-2012, 06:14 AM

If someone can fix starscream's chest/head piece from always tilting backward in robot mode, that would be great.

11-05-2012, 10:02 AM	#2
turboedguy Hold the mayo. Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,847 Location: Santa Clarita CA.	What a cool thread, most the problems I've come across are as simple as buying a junker to replace a broken part. Or disassembling, repainting then applying new stickers. But one common problem live seen that is a really cheap and easy fix is the legs on G1 Tracks. Many examples won't retract or contract completely due to a bent piece of metal in the slide mechanism. It is an easy fix, but sometimes requires stickers to be removed to access the two screws holding the lower legs together. Once everything is disassembled, the metal stay needs to be removed and reshaped. I don't have pics of a bent example, but this piece of metal is the culprit. Most the time, this piece will actually bent in half. If it cant be straightened, It can probably be removed and still function. I opened up a second tracks I own, and those pieces aren't even there. turboedguy's collection Last edited by turboedguy; 11-05-2012 at 10:09 AM..

11-05-2012, 10:21 AM	#3
brr-icy G1 Collector Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11,898 Location: ontario, canada Collection Count: 1000+ News Credits: 6	i remember when that happened to me as a kid, i was pissed, but after opening and taking them out, he was fine. Trypticon's electronics were an easy fix for me, having the power on, and him open, twisted the gear a little in the right direction and freed it up. it ran beautifully until i sold it off Feedback: TFW2005/Cybertron.ca ^click for full size and gallery My Collection G1 Want List Commissions

11-05-2012, 12:11 PM	#4
GAUGE0001 WTF? I DON'T EVEN... Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6,486 Location: Phoenix, AZ Collection Count: It keeps growing and growing News Credits: 2	How about G1 Shockwave's knee area and Metal toes. How on earth do you fix those so they actually lock into place like they are supposed to during transformation? It's such a shame i have an original, but it displays and transforms like a dollar store TF. HAZBRU, Y U NO MAKE GOOD TOY? Wants/Needs

11-06-2012, 11:34 PM	#7
turboedguy Hold the mayo. Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,847 Location: Santa Clarita CA.	Ok, heres another one. G1 mirage. How often have you seen this figure broken in half. An easy fix is to disassemble the torso, remove the broken peg, then replace it with a screw. What I did, is drill a small pilot hole where the original pivot used to be, then find a screw about the same diameter as the original peg, and screw it in. I also used superglue as a locktite of sorts so the screw won't back out. The trickiest part is adjusting the screw depth. It needs to be in far enough that the waist has a little friction so it wont flop around, but not too tight. I did this on the articulating custom I built a couple years ago, so those are the only pics I have, but you'll get the idea. turboedguy's collection

11-15-2012, 06:14 AM	#10
MegaPrime33 Follow me @NerdActivist Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,915 Location: Boston, MA	If someone can fix starscream's chest/head piece from always tilting backward in robot mode, that would be great. TOYARK.COM - An all new site dedicated to all things toys.