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D! Everything looks great! Thanx for sharing the Legos. I just came out of a Lord of the Rings / Hobbit Lego binge right before I sank back into hardcore TF mode. Those expert sets are beautiful. I started to get into the Star wars stuff when it first came out, but had to stop as I was already committed to the action figure scale and couldn't justify two scales of the same stuff. Boy if time and money were no object.

The Detolfs look great. Glad the lights are working out.

A couple of questions.
How do you like Hardbone?
And how is the Not-Mirage (Invisible?)? I really like the looks of him, but I keep talking myself out of it because I'm holding out hope that Takara will do Mirage. Although I'm extremely tempted by Cocomone. I love that deco. Reminds me of David Bowie or Mok from Rock and Rule. (ever see that movie?) I kinda want to slap a on Cocomone and just make up a new character.

Oh, and poor Sunstorm all alone, nervous in the corner.

Logan79 wrote:What a great exposition Donny!

Thanks Logan! I am getting there! Still leaps and bounds away from your setup LOL!

Cobotron wrote:D! Everything looks great! Thanx for sharing the Legos. I just came out of a Lord of the Rings / Hobbit Lego binge right before I sank back into hardcore TF mode. Those expert sets are beautiful. I started to get into the Star wars stuff when it first came out, but had to stop as I was already committed to the action figure scale and couldn't justify two scales of the same stuff. Boy if time and money were no object.

Thanks! Much appreciated! You sound like me! I was hardcore into Legos before getting back into TFs, although the only LOTR set that inspired me was Orthanc...which sadly is not assembled as you saw. I do wish that I was a kept man sometime LOL so I can just buy and play with my toys all day (well I am sure being kept would require some of my time as well ) LOL. But alas money is an object for me, you and everyone else I know!

Cobotron wrote:The Detolfs look great. Glad the lights are working out.

Thanks I really do enjoy them, such a great looking shelf for not a lot o'dough! Totally like the puck lights over the stip lights....now if I could just get me bum in gear and get the other 2 Detolfs done.

Cobotron wrote:A couple of questions.
How do you like Hardbone?
And how is the Not-Mirage (Invisible?)? I really like the looks of him, but I keep talking myself out of it because I'm holding out hope that Takara will do Mirage. Although I'm extremely tempted by Cocomone. I love that deco. Reminds me of David Bowie or Mok from Rock and Rule. (ever see that movie?) I kinda want to slap a on Cocomone and just make up a new character.

I like Hardbone, although I have not messes with him that much, though. But he is fun to transform and the quality is good. I think if you can get him for 60 or under then it's a great price.

I was holding out on Invisible for a while, because as they say he does have "issues" like the hollow forearms; which I don't care about because MP Bee has them and the Datsun bros basically have hollow legs so... His heels are another (more important, IMO) issue, but if you mistransform the wheels they hold tight and give him heels. Other than those two things I really like him, he is solid nothing feels flimsy or cheap, and of course he so looks the part. I am totally diggin Cocomone as well...I may add her as an oddball as well if I can. I desperately want a proper Mirage but I think it will be a while for him, since would suspect after Ironhide we get Ratchet and maybe Jazz??!! So he does perfectly well as a stand in for now and ever if need be.

Cobotron wrote:Oh, and poor Sunstorm all alone, nervous in the corner.

Ha! Yeah I hoped someone would catch that...all his "cell" mates left to be with Apollyon so now he really needs Acid Storm to team up with on the shelf...one day.

Who is next on the horizon for you and your collection; any MPs, Non-MPs or 3Ps? Are you getting all of the other Toyworld dinobots to do the combiner?

donny1975 wrote: the only LOTR set that inspired me was Orthanc...which sadly is not assembled as you saw.

Oh man Orthanc is a fantastic build! That and Bag End were my favs.

donny1975 wrote:... Hardbone... I think if you can get him for 60 or under then it's a great price.

He's on sale at BBTS for 64.99.

Thanks for your run down on Invisible. I trust your opinion. Other than the deco I also love the name Cocomone.

donny1975 wrote:Who is next on the horizon for you and your collection; any MPs, Non-MPs or 3Ps? Are you getting all of the other Toyworld dinobots to do the combiner?

Maybe Cocomone! I am certainly planning on the rest of TW Dinos. A lot of folks bag on the combiner element but it's something that's been kicking around my imagination for the last 30 years. I'm all for it. I have G2 Bee, Tracks, and Road Rage on pre-order at AmiAmi, as well as Takara's CW Magnus. And of course there is still CW Defensor on the horizon. I did find Groove the other day. I feel a bit of a dry spell coming, which is good. Gives me time to save money for all these pre-orders.

Tell you what. MP Magnus really upped my love for MPs. I was into them before, but I am WAY into them now.
OH YA! I have Blue Bluestreak on prezies with BBTS, and...
I have a buddy headed to Tokyo next week. He said he would do a little hunting for me. MP Smokescreen is at the top of the list.(fingers crossed)

Cobotron wrote:

donny1975 wrote: the only LOTR set that inspired me was Orthanc...which sadly is not assembled as you saw.

Oh man Orthanc is a fantastic build! That and Bag End were my favs.

donny1975 wrote:... Hardbone... I think if you can get him for 60 or under then it's a great price.

He's on sale at BBTS for 64.99.

Thanks for your run down on Invisible. I trust your opinion. Other than the deco I also love the name Cocomone.

donny1975 wrote:Who is next on the horizon for you and your collection; any MPs, Non-MPs or 3Ps? Are you getting all of the other Toyworld dinobots to do the combiner?

Maybe Cocomone! I am certainly planning on the rest of TW Dinos. A lot of folks bag on the combiner element but it's something that's been kicking around my imagination for the last 30 years. I'm all for it. I have G2 Bee, Tracks, and Road Rage on pre-order at AmiAmi, as well as Takara's CW Magnus. And of course there is still CW Defensor on the horizon. I did find Groove the other day. I feel a bit of a dry spell coming, which is good. Gives me time to save money for all these pre-orders.

Tell you what. MP Magnus really upped my love for MPs. I was into them before, but I am WAY into them now.
OH YA! I have Blue Bluestreak on prezies with BBTS, and...
I have a buddy headed to Tokyo next week. He said he would do a little hunting for me. MP Smokescreen is at the top of the list.(fingers crossed)

Totally enjoyed Orthanc all the lil easter eggs in the build were fun.

65 isn't bad for Hardbone... (his name incidentally, makes me wanna be super immature! )


The dino combiner does exist in the canon, briefly can't remember which continuity...it's on tfwiki though. So not so far fetched. I was actually going the shuraking route and then Guttur came out of know where.

I have all the same on pre O, cept blue bluestreak. Although for a diaclone guy like you I would expect you to get him.

I have smokescreen and adore him, got the repro set for him and it's awesome. Lucky you with friends travelling to the land of TFs lol hope he can get you some good stuff!

Yup. I need Detolfs in my life.

The collection is looking great Donny!!

Also, you and Cobs are making for some fun catch-up reading

Anyone else think of the Beach Boys song "Cocomo" when reading "Cocomone"? Just me? Drat.

Thanks much itscram! You are not the only one lol. Apparently that is where the name came from or rather thats the buzz...although the song title is Kokomo. Cocomone, we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow...hmmm not sure the buzz is right. That doesn't describe Crasher at all...

donny1975 wrote:Thanks much itscram! You are not the only one lol. Apparently that is where the name came from or rather thats the buzz...although the song title is Kokomo. Cocomone, we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow...hmmm not sure the buzz is right. That doesn't describe Crasher at all...

Should've quick searched "Kokomo". And here I thought I was clever!

Now, what's the next 3P figure for ME to buy I'm glad Apollyon is working out so far

itscramtastic wrote:

donny1975 wrote:Thanks much itscram! You are not the only one lol. Apparently that is where the name came from or rather thats the buzz...although the song title is Kokomo. Cocomone, we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow...hmmm not sure the buzz is right. That doesn't describe Crasher at all...

Should've quick searched "Kokomo". And here I thought I was clever!

Now, what's the next 3P figure for ME to buy I'm glad Apollyon is working out so far

I am lovin Apollyon, but he is not 100%. I am definitely waiting till after reviews for any more XTB toys for now. I have been burning through too many 3P products and most of them I am very happy with. The ones that are not really good I knew before hand but bought anyway merely for aesthetic reasons. There are a few more 3P guys I am getting but I think I'll be slowing down a bit.

Who's on your short list?

I got my replacement Torso for Fierce Attack. Which included the chest and head...so know I have quite a few extra parts if I need them.

Also I decided to be preemptive with the ankle tilts on the gestalt mode feet since the ratchet is a translucent plastice piece and has been breaking immediately for folks. They do provide extras but they are not gonna last long either. Since the piece is basically an L shape with the top of the L being the part that the gear grabs; I just put some epoxy on the inside of the L to create a further support. It seems to be working pretty well.

Here are shots with the BIG guy, I am really enjoying him. He is quite stable and sturdy in gestalt mode. He still a bit fiddly in the arms since you have the shuttle and copter bits that can get in the way but not hateful. He doesn't topple under is own weight or anything. He also looks really good.

donny1975 wrote:I am lovin Apollyon, but he is not 100%. I am definitely waiting till after reviews for any more XTB toys for now. I have been burning through too many 3P products and most of them I am very happy with. The ones that are not really good I knew before hand but bought anyway merely for aesthetic reasons. There are a few more 3P guys I am getting but I think I'll be slowing down a bit.

Who's on your short list?

Well that's the rub, I'm not sure WHO is next! For a while there I was buying most variations of Optimus and Rodimus, with any version of Hasbro CHUG that fit the G1S1 Autobots/Decepticons and the characters introduced in TF:TM that I wanted my collection to be about. Also in that vein I was collecting versions of Megatron and Galvatron, then Starscream, then MP..I restarted collecting back when TRU was re-releasing G1 figures and then MP and Alternators came out, and the new movies, and Star Wars stuff before that, and always comic books..so much stuff..

I guess my focus needs to be CHUG, but as more G1S1/TF:TM figures are getting the MP treatment and Combiner Wars updating my original G1 figures from childhood, I'M FREAKIN OUT MAN!!

donny1975 wrote:Here are shots with the BIG guy, I am really enjoying him. He is quite stable and sturdy in gestalt mode. He still a bit fiddly in the arms since you have the shuttle and copter bits that can get in the way but not hateful. He doesn't topple under is own weight or anything. He also looks really good.

LOL at Swerve and Gears They have no idea what they are in for! Can any of the third party combiners swap limbs or is that still just a Hasbro/Takara thing?

itscramtastic wrote:

donny1975 wrote:I am lovin Apollyon, but he is not 100%. I am definitely waiting till after reviews for any more XTB toys for now. I have been burning through too many 3P products and most of them I am very happy with. The ones that are not really good I knew before hand but bought anyway merely for aesthetic reasons. There are a few more 3P guys I am getting but I think I'll be slowing down a bit.

Who's on your short list?

Well that's the rub, I'm not sure WHO is next! For a while there I was buying most variations of Optimus and Rodimus, with any version of Hasbro CHUG that fit the G1S1 Autobots/Decepticons and the characters introduced in TF:TM that I wanted my collection to be about. Also in that vein I was collecting versions of Megatron and Galvatron, then Starscream, then MP..I restarted collecting back when TRU was re-releasing G1 figures and then MP and Alternators came out, and the new movies, and Star Wars stuff before that, and always comic books..so much stuff..

I guess my focus needs to be CHUG, but as more G1S1/TF:TM figures are getting the MP treatment and Combiner Wars updating my original G1 figures from childhood, I'M FREAKIN OUT MAN!!

Uh oh lol! Well maybe it's time to step back figure out your Direction. Too much stuff is right...which makes it a frustrating hobby at times.

itscramtastic wrote:

donny1975 wrote:Here are shots with the BIG guy, I am really enjoying him. He is quite stable and sturdy in gestalt mode. He still a bit fiddly in the arms since you have the shuttle and copter bits that can get in the way but not hateful. He doesn't topple under is own weight or anything. He also looks really good.

LOL at Swerve and Gears They have no idea what they are in for! Can any of the third party combiners swap limbs or is that still just a Hasbro/Takara thing?

I had fun with that swerve and gears pic! I dont think they can swap...no universal connector design or size is being used that I have heard of...

*loves this pic*


Say donny, have you considered using an image hoster like photobucket or imgur? Your pics are tiny and don't do the great shots justice! I haven't attached any images to Seibertron, is there some way to make them bigger?

donny1975 wrote:

itscramtastic wrote:

donny1975 wrote:Who's on your short list?

I guess my focus needs to be CHUG, but as more G1S1/TF:TM figures are getting the MP treatment and Combiner Wars updating my original G1 figures from childhood, I'M FREAKIN OUT MAN!!

Uh oh lol! Well maybe it's time to step back figure out your Direction. Too much stuff is right...which makes it a frustrating hobby at times.

If I'm sticking with CHUG stuff [of which I have plenty, with Transformers Prime figures filling in some areas (re: Ultra Magnus, Shockwave)] then CW Ultra Magnus and Devastator, Legends Gears/Cliffjumper/Bombshell, Generations Arcee. That would be the SHORT list I just want the perfect version of each character. Is that so much to ask?! And that's where MP comes in...I really like the MPs that get released in the U.S. as I feel like I'm supporting the hobby and letting Hasbro know that's something we as collectors want. If I get the ones from Japan, I can't read all the cool stuff that the box says and the cards say and whatever. It's not the same. Maybe I should just learn Japanese and be done with it

shajaki wrote:*loves this pic*

Warbo5.jpg

Say donny, have you considered using an image hoster like photobucket or imgur? Your pics are tiny and don't do the great shots justice! I haven't attached any images to Seibertron, is there some way to make them bigger?

I think the limit is 100kb if you upload, for me I just use MS Paint to resize if I have it on my compy at work or a photo editor on my phone to make it roughly 800x600.

shajaki wrote:*loves this pic*

Warbo5.jpg

Say donny, have you considered using an image hoster like photobucket or imgur? Your pics are tiny and don't do the great shots justice! I haven't attached any images to Seibertron, is there some way to make them bigger?

Thanks Shajaki, had to have Screamer doing a "MWAHAHAHA" pose with his creation

I usually make them bigger but the resolution change on pics that are taken on my phone usually make them look crappy.

When I finally get a better lighting and background setup I plan on taking more updated photos. I am not much for cloud services...they don't appeal to a control freak like me...

Ha! Fair enough donny, so long as you keep the pics coming

shajaki wrote:Ha! Fair enough donny, so long as you keep the pics coming

Ha! well I have a few pics because I finally got 1. my replacement parts and 2. some time to sit and fix HR and while I was doing that I ran across some of my old Gundams in the basement and pulled them out to get them cleaned and looked over to put in with the collection...I almost forgot they were down there...

SO HAPPY that HotRod is fixed. I had to replace his ankle and I replaced the knees with the diecast versions. Additionally I put some plastic safe grease on the ratchets in the knees, and ankles and seems to be helping with the stress as the joints don't feel as tight as they did before...

Sorry the pic is a bit blurry but his keens and ankles work like new and he can do a high kick.







2 of my Gundam model kits that I dug out of the basement. I forgot how much I loved these guys they are super poseable...I have a 3rd one that I am cleaning and fixing up -- tightening the joints, fixing the wiring for the LEDs and a couple of cracked parts. I will put a pic of him up when I am finished. It is the Wing Gundam.


This first one reminds me of StarSaber...with the jet nesting in his chest with the pilot inside, and of course his beam swords but I have dig those out...






















Wardog will be here on Saturday! Super excited for him

HOORAY! Hot Rod got his knees replaced, just like me dear old Mamar!

Always fun to dig out some oldies. The Gundam looks good.

Nice work fixing Roddy!
Gundams? Boo Hisssss



Kidding! I was big into Gundams back in the day (1/100 kits) and they turned out pretty good. But it seemed to make my stuff a notch higher involved skills I didn't have. Are yours Master Grade? They look great

Glad you got Roddy fixed, he's a great figure IMO, who gets far too much flack.
The

leakin' lubricant wrote:Glad you got Roddy fixed, he's a great figure IMO, who gets far too much flack.
The

Thanks, it's funny you mention that because I am feeling like that with Apollyon...Ever since I got him, read the horror stories, and had my own experiences (ie breaking HR in a photo) and I have been comparing them to each other. IMO their transformations are in the same complexity ballpark...and there are some thin-ish pieces of plastiC on Hotrodimus also and somethings don't tab as well as they should and the fiddle factor is about the same on both...so I feel the quality is about the same for both. Either way I love them both all the same and think they are great along with their engineering...warts and all.

shajaki wrote:Nice work fixing Roddy!
Gundams? Boo Hisssss



Kidding! I was big into Gundams back in the day (1/100 kits) and they turned out pretty good. But it seemed to make my stuff a notch higher involved skills I didn't have. Are yours Master Grade? They look great

No no thank you for mentioning the replacement parts on ebay! I attempted to repair the ankle piece 3 different ways while waiting for the parts and no dice. I did also get some other replacement parts as well just in case.

I never got huge into Gundams they were model kits thhthat struck my fancy a while back so I got them...the first one is a perfect grade the other is master or real can't remember...the wing Gundam is a perfect grade as well but he is the mend currently. Maybe some pics tonight if I can...