I don't know if this is the same or a similar issue, but here are some posts from earlier in the topic about the shoulder ratchet in case they're useful.
Unfortunately this is on the joint that moves the shoulder up and down. I’m not sure if the blue piece is supposed to be filed down more maybe?
If that's normal ratchet wear for and up/down shoulder joint, add "only if they make ratchet components metal" to my list of second run purchase requirements on top of making the lower knee ratchet component a single (or just less soft) piece. I know they're shooting for mass market and not super niche adult collector market, but at this point I almost wish they'd just charge us all $450 to $500, add metal everywhere prone to stress or wear (where the metal wouldn't place stress on adjacent connecting plastic parts of course due to differences in rigidity,) and throw on lavish protective top coats of paint (where it wouldn't mess up tolerances) and call it a day. This figure is glorious and still the only Prime I can ever truly accept now after seeing it. I can't unsee it. But come ooon lol. What else?
@Sugar Beat I believe I have a spare of that ratchet (I have to double check though.) I hope I have it, so I can help you out!
Dude, you're already in line for a Sainthood after this thread, quit making us regular folk look bad!
Has Takara mentioned anything even remotely official about the various QC issues? That's the only thing preventing me from buying OP3 atm.
Thank you so much for the assist!! You would be my savior. I would also be happy to compensate you in any way possible to make sure it is worth your while.
I know most of the ‘fix attention’ in this thread has been on the main man himself, but has anyone successfully fixed a hip breakage on the miniatures? My Sparkplug’s right hip sheared off at the ball joint peg (with the most likely painted in place ball stuck in the leg) when I tried to bend him into a seated position soon after opening. Can I just drill a tiny hole all the way through the crotch piece and make his hips a friction pin joint? What would I use for pin material for something that small? It’s so small, I’m not sure if he’s salvageable. I can try to take some pics tomorrow if that will help clarify what I’m dealing with.
I saw your post. Previously there were people with the same missing ratchet parts. MP-44 is basically exclusively for Japan, so it seems difficult to obtain parts if you are not living in Japan. So I decided to try a relatively simple method of making duplicate parts. These two were used. left: "katadori-kun", right: " pla-repair" Both are sold by "Muto Shoji" in Japan. 造形補修剤プラリペアのサイト！ "Katadori-kun" is a polyethylene-resin that Softens at 60°C. Soften with hot water and use for mold making. "pla-repair" is melts acrylic-powder with Methyl-Methacrylate-Monomer to form acrylic-resin. Similar products are the same as those used for nail-scalp-art. If you buy nail-products, you can get them cheaper. Creation pic and brief description. Soften the polyethylene-resin with hot water, take the mold, fill the finished mold with acrylic-powder, melt with Methyl-Methacrylate-Monomer, match the mold and cure the acrylic-resin. Since it hardens to the extent that it can be polished in 1 hour, it is removed from the mold and the protruding resin and shape are corrected. Please consider the hardness of the parts to actually use. Curing time varies depending on temperature and dissolution conditions. In most cases, it will harden in 1 day. (I waited for a day) No problem at all. It's just a little soft, However, many people will not notice. If @BrutiKing doesn't have a spare ratchet, I basically recommend the following two. 1. It's definitely a defective product, so if you can, return it to Amazon and re-purchase the remanufactured product around December. Or it may be the first sale or second-hand goods that have become cheaper. There are advantages in both cases. 2. Create your own parts. This increases the choices for your toy life. It will be possible to deal with similar defective products in the future. If for some reason you can't do both of the above, and want this part I created, send me a PM. Please pay only the shipping cost, I will send you this part. However, in this case, the following consent is required. *This part is not an original part. Although it is a handmade part and has been confirmed to work with my copy, it does not guarantee conformity with all copies. *This material is usually fine as long as external parts are created and used, but this is the first time it has been created as an internal functional part. If volatile components need to deal with changes affecting 44 body or shrinkage of parts (additional modifications, spacers, etc.) , Become your own responsibility. (I think that it will be okay because there is no problem even after 3 years with external parts... Sorry, but I can't guarantee it.) *Shipping from Japan costs about $ 20.00. You can purchase materials at that cost and create your own parts. *And the color is different. If you don't like it, you can paint. The beautifully painted parts will enchant you. ........ Well, think of this as the worst case insurance. Good luck to you.
Perhaps you can use a hand operated pin vice and drill a hole through the waist, then insert a metal rod through it.
I'm sorry, but the previous post has many translation errors and I have edited it many times... Maybe there are more.
I can't seem to find where I put the extra pieces on my workbench atm. Sorry about that. I think for the faster solution, you should ask @Draemonus
Dude, you're awesome! Thanks for taking the time for that post. That is a great, relatively simple way to make parts. If BrutiKing can't find his I'll definitely take that part. I'm still debating weather or not I should send it back, though it seems silly for just a ratchet so I likely won't. Thing is, I will likely never get MP-44 for as cheap as I did from Amazon.jp. Thanks for looking. I'm in no rush if I don't send it back. Of course I would rather have the original ratchet part if at all possible so I'd be willing to wait if you could find them.
I respect your thoughts. But since December, better lots will be produced, so the value of the first lot will decline ... I Keep this part, please send me PM if you need it.
I do personally feel that having the original version is something special in itself. Might just be me though.
Yup, I understand that feeling. Every my MP-OP is the first version. But if I recommend it to others ... I say the first version is risky and should be avoided.
Sorry guys for taking so long. Here's the MP-44 "manual" MP-44 Painting Manual.pdf I assure the file is safe
