This thread documents how I replaced the the locking tab on the Combiner Wars Scrapper that locks the scoop/bucket to the chassis. My son broke it when transforming Devastator to its component robots.
*** As thanks to the community for helping me complete my meagre collection, I can help perform this repair for free. Please message me if you're interested. ***
Breaking the locking tab renders Devastator unable to stand:
http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=62729
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJeK...outu.be&t=1794
After much crying (me, not my son), I set about repairing the damage. I didn't find anything on the web to help me with this, so I tried to figure something out.
Crazy glue is out because it was not able to withstand the stress placed on the locking tab. I could not melt the plastic because the tab was sheared off, making it difficult to ensure bonding across the entire contact area. The simplest option I came up with (other than using polymer cement/weld, which would require me to identify the type of plastic) was to fashion a new locking tab using a paper clip. I chose a paper clip because the wire is hard to bend, making it the likeliest candidate to stay in shape once stress is applied (i.e. when Devastator's weight is all on this clip).
Tools required:
- 2 x Philips head screwdrivers (to fit Scrapper's screws),
- 1 x paper clip,
- 1 x pliers/shearers to cut the paper clip,
- 1 x needle nose pliers to help bend the paper clip.
Procedure:
Step 1 - Remove the 4 screws holding Scrapper's chest to the back (Pic 1) and disassemble him to access only the scoop/bucket assembly (Pic 2).
Step 2 - Tightly wrap a paper clip around the beam and straighten the paper clip legs (Pic 3, Pic 4). Slip the clip legs into the slot on the chassis where the locking tab is supposed to go in (Pic 5) and shape the legs of the paper clip to lock the scoop/bucket tightly to the chassis using the needle nose pliers (Pic 6). Note that in Pic 6, one of the leg forms a tab that is hooked to the edge of the gap that really secures the scoop/bucket. The other end of the wire only serves to prevent the clip from rotating. Make sure to bend them in such a way that you can slide the legs back out of the slot as you'll need to release the scoop/bucket to reassemble Scrapper. It may take a few tries to get the leaves into the right shape.
Step 3 - Slide Scrapper's head up and down along the guide rails to ensure the leaves do not interfere with Scrapper's head as it transforms (Pic 7). If it does, reshape the legs.
Step 4 - Once you're satisfied, slide the leaves back out of the slot (similar to Pic 5) and reassemble Scrapper.
Step 5 - Slide the legs into the slot and voila (Pic 8)! The scoop/bucket can now be locked.
All of this took about an hour (including planning the repair out). This repair can prevent the scoop/bucket from ever being unlocked, but it's no big deal even in robot mode (Pic 9). Doing this right will allow much weight to be placed on Devastator's right foot again (Pic 10).
