There is so much to study, there. The interpretation, the chunk, the handfeel, the boldness to do something recognizable yet stylistically distinct.

in one of my classic moods again

Looking back… I still think this is the best Predaking toy.

the hour wasn’t dark enough lol

early evening ass troubles lmao

I scored a Commemorative G1 Red Alert at #tfconla, and the black head really wasn’t doing it for me. Just looks like Sideswipe in uniform. So I ordered a junker G2 Sideswipe off ebay to swap in a red head and make my ideal look for him! Now *that’s* my boy.

Ohh yeah it totally looks like one!

I feel like the only way to finish off this thread is with proof of conversion, so… ta-daaaa!

Did I *have* to fix this, no. The figure is not broken, you can enjoy it straight outta the box, I just modded it as a precaution so I can be less meticulous every time I play with him.

Smooth as Swindle. No catches, no hiccups, just worry-free transformation. Success!

Looka that. You don’t have to do much; in fact, the horns will tell you when they can go no deeper. But it’s plenty enough.

Our boy could use a comfier pillow. And this piece isn’t really so visible in robot mode. So let’s shave it down with a ball burr on a rotary tool and clean up with our screwdriver/chisel-at-home.

Why, the other way, of course

But there’s still a detent happening toward the end, and it’s hard to tell if that’s contact with the face or the protective collar. I want to be able to flip him back and forth and not be so mindful, so I’m going deeper. How?

We could end it here. Buuut there’s still a tiny touch of contact. Here’s the best angle I found.

Next I cleaned up the hack job with some sandpaper, just to further flatten any leftover burrs. I wrapped it around my screwdriver for fine application. Just make sure it’s rotated flat in there.

Now ve must prepare zhe patient.

The best angle to operate is from mostly robot mode. As you’ll see later, popping off the backpack helps. Place him on something soft to avoid scratching the front. The text can scrape right off with a thin flathead screwdriver.

First, we must diag”nose” the issue.

Without copyright text and paint, I’m sure the grey model had perfect clearance. But both additions have a non-zero thickness, and now things may occasionally get a little too cozy in there. Clearance is possible, just tricky to get the angle just right.

As @thattoyguy.bsky.social mentioned in his review, I chipped off the nose paint on SS Devastation Bumblebee. So after an exchange I wanted to protect the new copy from the same problem.

It’s another mod thread, folks!

I did not know that. Leads me to imagine the prod team really wanted to make something different and challenging. Corp wanted a reliable entertainment and advertisement engine. 🫤

Right? Such a strong start

Yeah it lost all its nuance. I think the writing budget took a hit, too. That, animation, production… I will say the shots looked great in still compositions and lighting choices. But it lost all the BAWLLS it had out the gate. I think Hascorp panicked and yanked on the plug too early.

I liked everything through season 2. After that the drop in budget across all departments is very stark.

Idk man… I feel like you could see many of the season and mid-season finales as optional endings. What’s weird to me is the cliffhanger left on a show that seems to be quite openly calling it quits. Felt very unresolved, unsatisfying, and anti-thematic.

a robot standing next to a bunch of spiders ALT: a robot standing next to a bunch of spiders

Just finished Transformers Earthspark’s finale. AMA.

One of the very first standalone figures from third party, it’s definitely a relic of its time. But it does scratch that nostalgia itch and provide some long forgotten sauce for character redesigns.

Now that I’ve finally found a metal chest G1 Springer (complete with accessories and decent stickers!) I thought I’d take comparison pics with Wreck n Rule Springer and FansProject Defender, both with Toyhax

Secure yours here!

xraybots.etsy.com

My latest wave of X-RAYBOTS art is now live on my Etsy! The 11”x11” prints are up, with the 5”x5”s and trading cards soon to follow.

LINK BELOW! 👇🏻

Oh and uhh 0.2mm layer height.

If you want a cradle of your own to fix your own copy, please let me know, and whether you want to download a file or just order one.

The settings are:
PLA
50% cubic infill
3 walls
No supports

Done!!!

When’s the last time you saw this toy posed comfortably? Now it’s possible. No fear, no damage, no problem.