| Discussion Forum: Thread 331494 |
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| | | Author: | manganschlamm  | | Posted: | Dec 12, 2022 08:51 | | Subject: | Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 126 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| Dear all,
I am looking for suggestions how to most effectively repair cracked minifigure
torsos.
The cracking of torsos is a particular problem with old parts and with certain
colors like for example Dark Red, Dark Brown and Reddish Brown.
Not long ago I received a batch of new LOTR Uruk-hai torsos which had no arms
and hands. So I wanted to add new arms and hands to them. When inserting the
new arms, about half of the torsos cracked in the process.
As this was a quite annoying experience and also once in a while you get cracked
torsos that were not described as such from some shady stores, I started to think
about just repairing / gluing the torsos.
Maybe one could use superglue ion a thin needle for this repair, but I am asking
myself what you be the best technique for keeping the crack open while applying
the glue.
Has anyone experience with this?
Best regards, Thomas
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| | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Dec 12, 2022 09:49 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 69 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | Dear all,
I am looking for suggestions how to most effectively repair cracked minifigure
torsos.
The cracking of torsos is a particular problem with old parts and with certain
colors like for example Dark Red, Dark Brown and Reddish Brown.
Not long ago I received a batch of new LOTR Uruk-hai torsos which had no arms
and hands. So I wanted to add new arms and hands to them. When inserting the
new arms, about half of the torsos cracked in the process.
As this was a quite annoying experience and also once in a while you get cracked
torsos that were not described as such from some shady stores, I started to think
about just repairing / gluing the torsos.
Maybe one could use superglue ion a thin needle for this repair, but I am asking
myself what you be the best technique for keeping the crack open while applying
the glue.
Has anyone experience with this?
Best regards, Thomas
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I have done it for some of my older 1980s/90s torsos. I remove the arms, then
clamp the neck so the torso is upside down, then insert a plastic spudger / rod
into the torso to pull the side crack(s) open, then a drop of superglue on a
pin into the crack(s).
I don't leave arms on just in case any glue runs into the arm socket.
I try to put the pin into the crack from the inner side of the torso, just in
case any squeezes onto the outer surface as it leaves those horrible white marks
when dried. It helps to have a helper putting just enough pressure on the bar
holding the cracks open.
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| | | | | Author: | cosmicray | | Posted: | Dec 12, 2022 13:34 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 47 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | Not long ago I received a batch of new LOTR Uruk-hai torsos which had no arms
and hands. So I wanted to add new arms and hands to them. When inserting the
new arms, about half of the torsos cracked in the process.
Has anyone experience with this?
Best regards, Thomas
|
What year are those from ? I have seen a Furty (~2013) do the exact same thing.
That was not long after the era of brittle Dark Red.
Nita Rae
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| | | | | | | Author: | Nubs_Select | | Posted: | Dec 12, 2022 13:35 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, cosmicray writes:
| | In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | Not long ago I received a batch of new LOTR Uruk-hai torsos which had no arms
and hands. So I wanted to add new arms and hands to them. When inserting the
new arms, about half of the torsos cracked in the process.
Has anyone experience with this?
Best regards, Thomas
|
What year are those from ? I have seen a Furty (~2013) do the exact same thing.
That was not long after the era of brittle Dark Red.
Nita Rae
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2012-2013
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| | | | | Author: | manganschlamm | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2022 05:32 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | Dear all,
I am looking for suggestions how to most effectively repair cracked minifigure
torsos.
The cracking of torsos is a particular problem with old parts and with certain
colors like for example Dark Red, Dark Brown and Reddish Brown.
Not long ago I received a batch of new LOTR Uruk-hai torsos which had no arms
and hands. So I wanted to add new arms and hands to them. When inserting the
new arms, about half of the torsos cracked in the process.
As this was a quite annoying experience and also once in a while you get cracked
torsos that were not described as such from some shady stores, I started to think
about just repairing / gluing the torsos.
Maybe one could use superglue ion a thin needle for this repair, but I am asking
myself what you be the best technique for keeping the crack open while applying
the glue.
Has anyone experience with this?
Best regards, Thomas
|
Thanks to all for useful advice. As it happened today I experienced another issue
with old Dark Brown parts. I received a used leg assembly of Uruk-hai, which
looked at first OK. They were a bit dusty, so I tried to gently clean the part
with a soft tissue. When doing so, both legs broke off (i.e. pins connecting
legs to the hips broke). Unbelievable. This is not the quality of ABS I would
expect from LEGO actually, even after 10 years.
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| | | | | | | Author: | wildchicken13 | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2022 05:36 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 39 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | Thanks to all for useful advice. As it happened today I experienced another issue
with old Dark Brown parts. I received a used leg assembly of Uruk-hai, which
looked at first OK. They were a bit dusty, so I tried to gently clean the part
with a soft tissue. When doing so, both legs broke off (i.e. pins connecting
legs to the hips broke). Unbelievable. This is not the quality of ABS I would
expect from LEGO actually, even after 10 years.
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Indeed, it is not typical of LEGO. Fortunately, it only seems to affect certain
colors (dark red, dark brown, and reddish brown) from a certain era (2012-2013),
and only after the parts themselves have aged for a considerable amount of time.
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| | | | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2022 05:37 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | In General, manganschlamm writes:
| | Dear all,
I am looking for suggestions how to most effectively repair cracked minifigure
torsos.
The cracking of torsos is a particular problem with old parts and with certain
colors like for example Dark Red, Dark Brown and Reddish Brown.
Not long ago I received a batch of new LOTR Uruk-hai torsos which had no arms
and hands. So I wanted to add new arms and hands to them. When inserting the
new arms, about half of the torsos cracked in the process.
As this was a quite annoying experience and also once in a while you get cracked
torsos that were not described as such from some shady stores, I started to think
about just repairing / gluing the torsos.
Maybe one could use superglue ion a thin needle for this repair, but I am asking
myself what you be the best technique for keeping the crack open while applying
the glue.
Has anyone experience with this?
Best regards, Thomas
|
Thanks to all for useful advice. As it happened today I experienced another issue
with old Dark Brown parts. I received a used leg assembly of Uruk-hai, which
looked at first OK. They were a bit dusty, so I tried to gently clean the part
with a soft tissue. When doing so, both legs broke off (i.e. pins connecting
legs to the hips broke). Unbelievable. This is not the quality of ABS I would
expect from LEGO actually, even after 10 years.
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They knew about it but kept using it anyway. At least now they have changed to
a formulation less prone to cracking, about the same as other colours.
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| | | | | Author: | cycbuild | | Posted: | Dec 14, 2022 07:13 | | Subject: | Re: Repairing cracked minifigure torsos? | | Viewed: | 42 times | | Topic: | General | |
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| Hi Thomas,
You can't go wrong with needlenose pliers to hold the crack open, a water
based glue (Selleys Kwik Grip), and a clothespin as a clamp. For larger cracks:
Fold a strip of sandpaper to file the sides beforehand.
I've also considered liquid pigment mixed with a "thin" plastic cement or
adding filler Lego to a strong solvent (MEK), then brushing that on the sides.
With older minifigs and brittle colors, I'll sometimes go ahead and break
the arms preemptively; to reduce total stress on the torso. I'm also one
of those people who think technique makes a difference. Some remove hands to
avoid cracking arms. I like the leverage. My preferred method is to pinch the
torso on both sides of the opening (left hand), rest the arm (behind and perpendicular)
in the socket (right thumb), slightly tilt outwards, then firmly and quickly
pop the arm into the torso. -Caleb
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Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen
United Kingdom, England
USA, Florida
Canada, Ontario
