Verno's TM Megatron fixed

Rather than a HOWTO guide, this is more of a showing that all toys can be fixed with some information about GPS .

I recently bought Verno's TM Megatron:

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...x/HPIM1089.jpg

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/...x/HPIM1091.jpg

As you can see, the toy had a broken arm (at the shoulder hinge) which fortunately came with no missing pieces which made it a simple job to repair as I didn't have to 'make' any replacement parts. I fixed it by just gluing the broken bits together and making a tiny (and reversible) mod that removes the pressure which the pin applies to the plastic hinge when it moves. The hinge plastic has now become too inflexible to handle the stress which is the fundamental reason of why the plastic breaks in toys with GPS. The lack of flexibility of the hinge is probably what caused the toy to originally break.

Here is the result after repairs:

http://kupscigar.com/fixes/tmmegs1.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/fixes/tmmegs2.JPG

By removing the pressure applied to the hinge, Megatron can now successfully transform and even hold his weapon with minimal risk of breaking. The hinge joint is naturally a bit more loose but still good enough for display and play (carefully since the toy still has GPS ;)).

http://kupscigar.com/fixes/tmmegs3.JPG

http://kupscigar.com/fixes/tmmegs4.JPG

Despite what TFWiki says on the subject, the Hasbro release of Beast Wars TM Megatron does suffer from Gold Plastic Syndrome. Yes, the plastic is dark brown instead of gold but all the symptoms of GPS are present making it every bit as fragile as any other 'gold' toy. This is certainly not just a case of "weak plastic" or "bad design" but the plastic loosing all it's flexibility which causes it to crack and break when any form of pressure is applied, similar to porcelain. This lack of flexibility and low to no tolerance to pressure is what makes the plastic crack and break. If you notice, GPS broken toys are usually damaged at pressured joints and areas where a pin is pressing upon the plastic.

It's not that the plastic 'disintegrates' by itself as it's commonly believed, but rather that the plastic totally looses flexibility and any amount of pressure no matter how light, causes it to crack and since the GPS causes the plastic to become very hardened, it breaks in 'shards' with a dusty residue just as porcelain does. If you remove the 'pressure' factor, your GPS toy will last as long as any other toy.

I have carried out similar 'fixes' to Verno's BW Megatron on all my other GPS toys so I can transform and play with all of them including G1 Bristleback and Skyquake as you can see in my photo galleries. Despite Skyquake's commonly known fragility, after a tiny tweak I can transform and 'dock' the other Predator jets into the scope without risk of breaking. Similarly, I can also easily combine Bristleback to form Monstructor with little risk of breakage which I have repeatedly done since I fixed him.

From my own experience with GPS toys (I own most of the G1 toys that have it), there is a lot of mis-information on the actual nature of it and the TFwiki is unfortunately a culprit of many. I advise that you read the related wiki articles on the subject with a discerning mindset and don't take everything they say as factual.

Hey Kup, I've a BW TM Megatron in the same situation as Verno's, I think mine might be missing a fragment though - If I paid for the resources and materials, would you be willing to perform a similar fix? :o

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Originally Posted by Hursticon

Hey Kup, I've a BW TM Megatron in the same situation as Verno's, I think mine might be missing a fragment though - If I paid for the resources and materials, would you be willing to perform a similar fix? :o

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I am happy to help.

Show me photos of the overall figure and breakage points and I will be able to let you know.

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Originally Posted by kup

I am happy to help.

Show me photos of the overall figure and breakage points and I will be able to let you know.

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Really? - Cheers dude. :D
I'll take some shots tomorrow afternoon and I'll upload them here?

That look great, nice work there Kup.

I'd rather see a figure repaired, if possible, than scrapped for parts and then thrown out, especially if he's still fully playable after the repairs.

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Originally Posted by Verno

That look great, nice work there Kup.

I'd rather see a figure repaired, if possible, than scrapped for parts and then thrown out, especially if he's still fully playable after the repairs.

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Thanks! :)

I also hate when people throw out figures because they are broken. I am yet to encounter a figure that is beyond rescue. Several of my G1 cars were once considered junkers which I gradually completed, Sunstreaker comes to mind.

It is rare though that I get to fix a BW toy as most of them are reasonably durable. They are simpler to fix though, mainly because despite their engineering and articulation being much more effective than G1, it is also considerably simpler. G1 has too many springs, rivets, ratchets, etc for just an elbow or simple 'up&down' shoulder movement.

Here are some pics man, I'm sorry that they're so terrible - I just couldn't for the life of me focus the camera on the spot I wanted it to, I was almost ready to put the bloody thing through a wall. :o

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ronPart-01.jpg http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ronPart-02.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ronPart-03.jpg http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ronPart-04.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...onPart-06a.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ronPart-05.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...onPart-05a.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...onPart-06b.jpg

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ronPart-06.jpg

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Originally Posted by kup

TI am yet to encounter a figure that is beyond rescue.

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I beg to differ, the Slugslinger I gave you to test on is beyond salvation :p
I too hold onto most of the broken ones I have as well, as I have been able to repair/use parts to complete anther figure.

All in all, you have done a mighty fine job there lad, didn't think he would be easy to repair. I have had similar problems with a Megs a long while back, used him as parts if I remember. Still have the remainder of him at home somewhere :p

Great work there Kup.

Hursticons TM Megs looks like one I had a few years ago, I ended up gluing it back together and forever leaving it in robot mode! :o

I wonder if there is enough work out there fixing tf's to quit your day job? :D

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Originally Posted by 1AZRAEL1

I beg to differ, the Slugslinger I gave you to test on is beyond salvation :p
I too hold onto most of the broken ones I have as well, as I have been able to repair/use parts to complete anther figure.

All in all, you have done a mighty fine job there lad, didn't think he would be easy to repair. I have had similar problems with a Megs a long while back, used him as parts if I remember. Still have the remainder of him at home somewhere :p

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I think that I can 'fix' him it's just that I would need to use paint and custom parts which would end up making it more of a custom than a repair job.

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Originally Posted by Hursticon

Here are some pics man, I'm sorry that they're so terrible - I just couldn't for the life of me focus the camera on the spot I wanted it to, I was almost ready to put the bloody thing through a wall. :o

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The pics are ok, I am able to see where the break is and what's left. I think that it is just as easy to fix as Verno's Megatron from what I can see. All the important parts are there and if I need to make new parts, they would be internal so no aesthetic impact.

I'll take up the job ;)

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Originally Posted by kup

The pics are ok, I am able to see where the break is and what's left. I think that it is just as easy to fix as Verno's Megatron from what I can see. All the important parts are there and if I need to make new parts, they would be internal so no aesthetic impact.

I'll take up the job ;)

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Awesome, thank you very much dude. :D
Would you prefer me to just bring him up to the next Parra fair or would you rather do it sooner?

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Originally Posted by Hursticon

Awesome, thank you very much dude. :D
Would you prefer me to just bring him up to the next Parra fair or would you rather do it sooner?

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It's up to you. Same either way for me.

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Originally Posted by kup

It's up to you. Same either way for me.

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Okey doke, PM me your address details dude and I'll look at getting him posted to you by the end of the week. :)

I'm excited to see the results again.

But I'm curious about one thing...

If it wasn't Megatron, or a character of his calibre, would we all be going to such extraordinary lengths to get the problem fixed?

Something tells me: No.

Megatron is great :cool:

That's an interesting question dude, I think this particular Megatron and it's manufacturing oversight holds a bit of a spot with some of us - I know for me it's just an awesome figure that deserves to be saved. ;)

It certainly is a kick ass toy/figure/mold. It's basically show accurate. All it needs (for when they do the Masterpiece version in a few years :p ) is a plate to cover the robot arms in Beast Mode, and for the rotors to rotate forward as well as up.

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Originally Posted by Verno

It certainly is a kick ass toy/figure/mold. It's basically show accurate. All it needs (for when they do the Masterpiece version in a few years :p ) is a plate to cover the robot arms in Beast Mode, and for the rotors to rotate forward as well as up.

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Man, don't make suggestions of Masterpiece Beast Wars figures, I'll never be able to get to sleep! :p:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Verno

I'm excited to see the results again.

But I'm curious about one thing...

If it wasn't Megatron, or a character of his calibre, would we all be going to such extraordinary lengths to get the problem fixed?

Something tells me: No.

Megatron is great :cool:

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Yes I would. I have gone to much greater effort to fix 'lesser' character toys in the past. Continuing the BW toys with GPS theme, Torca comes to mind.

I have never put any emphasis on characters when it comes to judging if a toy is worth fixing or not. It's basically a matter of having a vintage toy that would be considered a junker back to an acceptable condition that someone would feel happy to have in their collection.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Verno

It certainly is a kick ass toy/figure/mold. It's basically show accurate. All it needs (for when they do the Masterpiece version in a few years :p ) is a plate to cover the robot arms in Beast Mode, and for the rotors to rotate forward as well as up.

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There isn't anything really wrong with the TM Megatron design, it's just that Hasbro for some reason decided to use plastic that is prone to GPS. The Japanese release does not have this issue at all and is very durable.

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Originally Posted by kup

Despite what TFWiki says on the subject, the Hasbro release of Beast Wars TM Megatron does suffer from Gold Plastic Syndrome.

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Huh?

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Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome

Transmetal Megatron

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Quickstrike

Huh?

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Must of been amended? :confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Quickstrike

Huh?

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Read the toy entry for TM Megatron:

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Megatron_%28BW%29/toys

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The Hasbro release of this figure was in gold, dark brown, and silver. The Hasbro release is known for being remarkably fragile — the deep brown plastic used for Megatron's waist and torso is prone to eventual breakage due to stress fractures. This has often been mistaken for a form of Gold Plastic Syndrome, but is really more of a design flaw coupled with weak plastics. The Takara version, which used a different plastic, does not have this problem

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Ok Kup, here's a challenge for you. :p

Is it possible?

I think that Megs is just one step too far gone, sadly. :(

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Originally Posted by Verno

Ok Kup, here's a challenge for you. :p

Is it possible?

I think that Megs is just one step too far gone, sadly. :(

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That TM Megatron has too many missing parts unfortunately. It would end up as a custom more than a fix unless I use another junker to acquire the missing parts.

I typically don't like to cannibalize parts from two toys to make one, but sometimes that's the only way. If I ended up with that toy in my hands, I would most likely need to do that but I would not call it too far gone as there is always a way.

It's a shame TM Megs is so injury prone. If the shoulder doesn't go, the hip joint will and he'll split in 2, like Jazz in the 1st movie :(

Kup, I think you should change your name to Ratchet because you are always fixing things lol

Well done kup, but i must say I really enjoy seeing Prime and Star Saber photobomb Megatron's photoshoot:p:p:p prime even transforms just for the heck of it hehehehe

I've always wanted a TM Megs. I've been looking out for a Japanese one but if he can be modified to not break a Hasbro one might be OK. If I got one that was mint or close to it how would I take the pressure off the joints so it never brakes?

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Originally Posted by DELTAprime

I've always wanted a TM Megs. I've been looking out for a Japanese one but if he can be modified to not break a Hasbro one might be OK. If I got one that was mint or close to it how would I take the pressure off the joints so it never brakes?

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Never breaking is not something that anyone can guarantee - The toy still has Gold Plastic Syndrome. However as I mentioned, GPS can be managed so that you can still transform and pose the toy without straining the plastic. The stress of the shoulder metal pin is typically what breaks the toy due to the now inflexible plastic and this is what the modification prevents. To accomplish this you first need to remove the pin, make the mod and then re-insert it.

I would not recommend for anyone to remove pins on a non-broken TM Megatron. It is almost guaranteed to break upon pin removal as that requires some flexibility which the plastic is no longer able to sustain without cracking - At least using the conventional way..

However it can be done - But it may be more trouble than it's worth as you will need a soldering iron, pincers, face and hands protection and a very steady hold. The risk to yourself and the toy may not be worth the attempt.

I think that the best way to have a Hasbro TM Megatron which you can modify to play with, is to find a broken one that still comes with all the parts. That way, it's much easier to remove the pin (as the joint is most likely already broken) and then repair and modify the hinge.

My TM Megatron's shoulder hinge (same as Hursty and Verno) just disintergrated. What is the best way to repair it?

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Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega

My TM Megatron's shoulder hinge (same as Hursty and Verno) just disintergrated. What is the best way to repair it?

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Depends on what you call 'disintegrated'. Do you have pics?

I'll find a camera and take some. It's basically the top loop that holds the pin and the length of plastic along it. I'll take some pics

Just looked at hursticon Pic on first page and it's the exact same break.

It's been a while so let me check the actual method I used on the Megatron I fixed from Verno and I will let you know.

From memory, I believe that I removed the pin, expanded the slot in which houses the pin so that it offers free movement on the hinge (without friction). Then I re-inserted the pin and glued the broken parts together.

There are more details on the first post of this thread.

Thanks. Going to have to at least try.
What sort of glue is good to use? I've used super glue on some toys but it always turns the surrounding plastic white and crumbly.

All the more reason to do Masterpiece BW Figures! Let Takara give them a good crack!

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Originally Posted by LordCyrusOmega

Thanks. Going to have to at least try.
What sort of glue is good to use? I've used super glue on some toys but it always turns the surrounding plastic white and crumbly.

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Ironically enough, the best glue for toys is the $2 ones from the Reject shop.

Just apply a bit on both ends and stick them together. Apply pressure for about 30s to a minute and let it dry for about 5-8 minutes. It should turn out pretty solid but make sure no glue ends up on the pin as that has to have free movement or the plastic will break.

I had a look at the Megatron I repaired. As mentioned, the pin moves without friction on the joint on the torso while moving with the 'shoulder blade' panel. The trick is that there should not be any friction on the pin at all.


Note that the pin should only move loosely with the 'shoulder blade' within the joint highlighted :

http://kupscigar.com/fixes/tm2megs.JPG