I recently purchased from ebay a mib blast punch optimus, and I have had nothing but problems with it since. Having frequented this forum for a number of months, I recognized that this is probably the only place to go to for advanced Transformer repair, so if anyone could help me, I would be incredibly appreciative.

 

Problem: In the middle of transforming him (the step involving pumping the shoulder), a sharp sound emanated from within the toy's left arm. After this, the gear system located within the upper arm still functioned- however the small gear located within the elbow no longer turned. This caused the lowerarm cover to no longer spin when the shoulder pad or spark crystal was depressed. Thinking I could solve this problem by openeing the arm up, I removed the screws near the base of the arm and opened the arm casing only to find a loose spring and small plastic piece, which immediately fell out. The small spring measures 3/16ths of an inch. The plastic piece is shaped like an "L" with a peg through the top.

 

Symptom: I sealed the arm back up to prevent further damage (the gear systems were slightly out of my league). The shoulder pad now creates a diffferent pumping sound, and the spark crystal does nothing. The lowerarm casing still does not rotate automatically.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated in solving this most likely complex and unsolvable issue.     

ZAPmaster,

 

Check the "L" shaped piece to see if there is a jagged end on one end of it. Most likely, this part snapped off of it's connection during the transform. that piece probably provided resistance to the gear mechanism, allowing it to operate the arm's function. open the arm back up, and when you remove the pieces, either draw a diagram f the area and thwere the parts go, or set the parts out in order of removal. It may be helpful to disassemble the other arm, to see if it has a similar mechanism. (BE CAREFUL! don't lose any parts!!!)

 

To glue it back in place, don't use super glue or model cement; one is far too brittle, the other won't work on ABS plastics (Acetyl Butyl Stearate) on their own. Instead, use devcon plastic welder to effect the repair. (available at wal mart or better hardware stores like sears hardware.)

 

Hope this helps you out! :thumb

 

-WV

I have not been able to use plastic welders on ABS at all. I'm /assuming/ what I was trying to work with was ABS, anyway. My plastic welders won't touch it. They're nice for welding styrene or acryllics but not the hard TF plastic like Armada Starscream's hip joints or certain other bot parts I've tried and don't remember now who I was working on. Is Devcon different? Or am I wrong about what kind of plastic I was working with?

yes, devcon is. it is a two-part "welder" system. Let me guess: you're using a welder that is a liquid, right? that type is merely liquid model cement. Devcon comes in a dual "syringe' package, and mixes much like epoxy. It creates a platic-like resin for the repair that is much stronger than epoxy, and dries to a cream-color.

 

here's the site-link:

 

http://www.devcon.com/devconfamilyproduct....=182.0&catid=26

 

this is the product, and it's description. this should be of assistance to you.

 

-WV