So, just over a month later, and Hound #2 is here...Quote:
Originally Posted by Krayt
Not broken in the box this time.... and looks inspected and resealed.
Here goes.....
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So, just over a month later, and Hound #2 is here...Quote:
Originally Posted by Krayt
Not broken in the box this time.... and looks inspected and resealed.
Here goes.....
Mine was not broken in the box however after only two transformations the same piece you describe broke on mine last night..."and all I can say is Arggggghhhhhh!!!!!!"Quote:
Originally Posted by Krayt
Dennis from OMP inspected mine so it arrived in good shape. Transformed it last night, oh boy these MP's are taking longer and longer to transform. Took care to avoid breakages, needed to use shock oil in one of the foot panel double hinges that was so tight (thanks to Trent for the expert advice). However, I'm pretty sure I can see early signs of a crack forming in the neck armature as is common. I tried loosening the screw in that area to relieve the pressure but couldn't turn it (same thing happened to me with MP-18+ Bluestreak's head). I'm guessing these are JIS screws and my Philips heads aren't working?
Anyway it's my first Hound and it looks great. But definitely not fun.
I bought a set of JIS screwdrivers here and managed to loosen the armature screw to reduce the stress. Fortunately the crack hasn't gotten any worse.
https://oimg.photobucket.com/albums/...psmlwmybpu.jpg
After reading your posts, I've learned about JIS screws. I had a look at my Hound and sure enough, that part is cracked:Quote:
Originally Posted by DaptoDog
https://i.imgur.com/RbvdsuH.jpg
I took the missile launcher out altogether, and I've noticed that the part with the post is painted whereas the connecting parts that link to the missile launcher aren't. Note the different shades of green.
https://i.imgur.com/BhyMi2h.jpg
Now I'm contemplating taking some hobby sandpaper to that post to remove some paint and shave down its diameter a bit, so it won't be quite so snug in the slot.
No cracks in mine fortunately.
I'm...gonna put it down and never.touch.it.again.
That's a shame about the crack. I've read about the sanding the post fix on TFW also. I hope that works for you. If mine gets worse I might have to try it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnus
I've also read on there of people supergluing that crack with good results.
Thanks - good to know that other users have tried sanding down the post. I'm also going to try applying glue to the crack (thinking of getting some paper with glue into the crack to apply it and minimise an unsightly drop on the crack), but rather than use superglue, I'm considering using hobby glue - the stuff that 'melts' the plastic it contacts so the pieces 'fuse'. Good idea? Bad idea?Quote:
Originally Posted by DaptoDog
While I don't have any experience with hobby glue what you described seems reasonable. It seems like some others on TFW have also used a hobby glue of some sort from my scanning of the comments. Good luck!Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnus
hobby glue is the best option. Plastic Magic from Deluxe Materials seems to work on transformers plastics. I've tried Tamiya plastic cement and it didn't work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaptoDog
I used Tamiya Contacta Professional, and it seems to have worked. I also sanded down the post - probably a bit too much, as it's now a bit looser than I'd like, as well as accidentally sanding down part of the circumference of the top of the post itself. The important thing is that the post rotates freely in the socket.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dinkydarth
Revell Contacta Professional? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnus
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaptoDog
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dinkydarth
You're right, it was Revell. I was thinking of Tamiya because I had a Tamiya product out. Point is, it worked :)Quote:
Originally Posted by kovert
In fact, I found another couple of cracks on hinges while transforming Hound just now, so I used it on them, too.
Might need to try this glue myself! While the neck crack hasn't changed from day one I've just now noticed a new crack around the pin of the left side mirror. Hasn't been transformed since the time I got it, I've been checking on it periodically. I'm wondering if the temperature changes cause these cracks over time?Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnus
So how did your repairs turn out? Did you use paper to apply the glue as you first mentioned? How long do you leave it for before testing it out?
I was able to successfully apply the glue, and I left it alone for a day before moving associated joints (in addition to the neck post for the rocket launcher, the other affected joints were the hinges for the leg panels - the ones that end up on his calves), but the repair doesn't seem to have held - I took a look after reading your post and the cracks have opened up again on moving the joints. No idea if the area is under a lot of stress, or the glue doesn't work with this plastic, so I'm unsure whether I'll try the Revell Contacta again or if I'll try conventional superglue.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaptoDog
Ah right that's a shame but thanks for the update. I guess there's no point in worrying about it, if it's going to crack it's going to crack no matter what we do. Will just enjoy it on the shelf.Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnus
That is a Hound i would buy! The other is simply child like cartoony. Not a fan.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I reckon if they did re-release Hound that they would probably use better quality plastic. This sort of reminds me of MP3, as that toy also had rather fragile plastic, but every subsequent use of that core mould (i.e. every MP Seeker since) has used superior plastic which improved the toy. Even on Hasbro's MP3, as well as MP6 and MP7. And even MP11 onwards is still based on the same core mould (albeit retooled).
I grabbed Hasbro's MP3 as soon as I saw it at Toys R Us and I've since sold my Takara MP3. Hasbro's MP3 also had more G1 accurate colours. Aah, the days when Hasbro and Takara did different stuff. :/
Well I didn't listen to myself and decided to repose Hound along with the rest of my Autobot shelf.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph Wiggum
Accidentally dropped him and snapped the shin leg panel straight off, so now half the leg has broken off. A part of me thinks a better quality plastic would've survived the fall.
I'm gonna try to use model cement to see if I can do a repair, but given that whole shin section is a very tightly packed bunch of parts, I'm not very optimistic the glue can withstand the tension.
Update: Tamiya model cement didn?t work.Switched to Selleys All Plastic Fix. Worked a charm. Looks like I?ve got a statue now.
Returning to an old thread.
I acquired an MP Hound recently for a good price and have had my opinion of him turned around.
There are some componenent of the transformation that are probably more complicated than they needed to be, and in some cases require a specific order to complete properly, but I have really enjoyed this figure.
The foot transformation is really enjoyable and pretty clever. I like the mechanism used to lift the front tyre guard up to create an elevated shoulder, and it's just a really effective looking piece standing next to other figures like Sunstreaker and Grapple. He looks a little out of place next to MP Sideswipe, but is pretty impressive overall.
I will have to keep an eye out for the areas of cracking noted by others, but I am very happy with the choice to pick him up as my Masterpiece Hound.
I got mine 1 year ago and I've only transformed him from car in the box to robot. And that's all I might do. Mine's fine but I'm scared of breaking him. Mine was double taped and no out of box QC issues. He is a good looking figure and I'm glad to have him but a shame about the price and my fear of breakage. So it's nice if you got him at a discount.
I wonder if they have done or will do a reissue addressing quality problems.
Bear in mind that the retail price for MP Hound was $240. Some people may have paid even more including freight.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seraphim Prime
While I'm super happy that you got your MP Hound at a cheaper price, I think it pays to be mindful of a toy's original RRP when appraising its value for money, as that's what the majority of consumers probably paid. I got my MP Forty-Four at a ridiculously cheap price (bought it second hand from a friend; so got super good mate's rates), but whenever I appraise that toy I'm always mindful of it's max RRP, not the price that I paid. :)
How would you feel about MP Hound if you'd paid $250 or more for it? I quite like my new MP Convoy, but I must confess that I most likely wouldn't like it as much if I'd paid full quid. :cool: I like both of these MPs, and I like MP Arcee too... but I don't think any of them are worth full price. If you can get them at a discounted price either through pre-order earlybird discount or later discounted prices, fantastic - and I would recommend that. But I can't say that recent MPs have been worth the manufacturer's recommended price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
I agree. I wasn't interested at $250, but managed to get him second hand for $150.
Though I disagree that I should have to take into account RRP when assessing a toy. I can appreciate that it may impact the relative enjoyment of a figure - the "return on investment" - the ability to appreciate the engineering of a particular transformation or reporting on the build quality experienced should be allowed to be expressed regardless of price.
Note that my additional "Yes" vote doesn't change the ultimate outcome of the poll - you would still have had 40% of people saying they should get the figure, and only 20% of people saying outright no.
So, about 5 and a half months later, I decided to check on my Hound. He has been moved from one spot of the desk to another, joints have not moved much and not been transformed. The rocket armature has been moved somewhat. And 5 cracks have been spotted (all the usual reported areas) - 3 at the rocket armature around the screw, 1 at the side at the door hinge and 1 at the back below the knee. From what I've read, the plastic was manufactured improperly so it may just be a matter of time before Hound cracks.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...23f8b2c8_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8c02d333_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b6d5b7d9_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...85374338_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...75131113_h.jpg
Just checked mine, I have one crack behind the right knee so I'm one of the luckier ones but still, :(. Only transformed once to robot mode when I got it and then just standing on shelf. At least I have learnt enough to not get another MP after this as they are way too expensive to be worthwhile.
Thankfully I cannot find any hairline cracks on mine aside from the one it had straight out of the box.
Still, it's not a toy I am willing to play with!
What prompted me to check Hound was the cracking found on MP-52 Starscream (right vertical tail fin base and at the ankles) out of the box. I thought "Hmm, there are MP-52s cracked out of the box at common sites and ones that are OK, just like Hound. So I wonder if the OK ones will crack in time. Uh oh... I think I'd better check my Hound..." :(Quote:
Originally Posted by christalcase
Sadly, I suspect the cracking of plastics is - at least to an extent - a by-product of the cartoon-accurate ambition. Hound has a lot of very thin pieces of plastic on active transformation joints.
I'm not being critical of TakaraTomy when I say this... but yeah, the less ambitious more toy-inspired equivalents like Sideswipe and Inferno seem to be fine.
Luckily for me, I prefer the toy-accuracy. But... I mean, I still have a cartoon-centic Hound because... well it's not like there's an alternative,
In Hound's case, the plastic itself may be at fault, based on a statement from a TakaraTOMY representative at Wonderfest 2020:Quote:
Originally Posted by dirge
Source: https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/02/09/...e-event-404884Quote:
Regarding recent QC issues found in Masterpiece Hound: Regarding the factories, different materials were used in Vietnam but they were unaware how they would pan out for Hound as they were unaware of what the results will be. They know of the breakages right now, but no decision has been made for a future re-release or if they will change the factories or materials.
It's possible that the prototypes were tested and made from a different plastic than would be used in mass production, or that early samples from the factory were lucky enough to not break. Either way, it's a shame that as many Hounds have cracked as they have, because plastic aside it's a great piece.
If they do a re-release of MP Hound in toy colours then I would definitely get him. (hopefully without a heap of accessories to keep the cost down)
I removed the screw at the armature. I used a JIS screwdriver but the screw came out easily and I perhaps could have just used a regular Philips head. Perhaps the reason the screw came out easily is due to the post being cracked as shown in the pics. Also one thing I've noticed for a while is that a bit of oil has been seeping from that armature joint. I guess that's an oil they used at the factory. I don't think it's coming from the plastic itself. The pressure of the screw opens the crack more, so the plastic quality is poor or the screw/hole size is badly engineered or both. As you can see, the peg cracks are like a network so it's a matter of time before the whole thing fractures into tiny bits. Some people have filed down the peg to solve the problem of the outside ring of that joint from cracking. But since the screw is cracking the peg, sanding the peg won't fix that, and could even increase the chance of peg cracking. The only way to fix this that I can see is to fill the screw hole (and cracks) and redrill it. Without some fix, I'm certain transformation will completely break it. And it's only been transformed from new in box car to robot. Such a shame for such an expensive figure.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...09c8af9a_h.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4581e0a2_h.jpg
I have done a repair of the armature in Ratchet's Repair Bay section.