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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:17:51 GMT -5
I received an email about replacing arms on a muscle body Joe. Of course I first replied about a quick and easy way to fix vintage muscle body arms that someone showed me long ago (since many of us like to do our own handy work instead of buying replacement kits) The kit is my first choice. My second choice (and basically the same result… well, maybe just a bit tighter than the kit) is some elastic cord and a few zip ties. (see picture). I shared these we my email contact and he replied, “…but what if you do not have vintage arms and or do not want to spend more money on these arms which many times also do not have hands?” I thought about it for a bit and came up with a solution. It may not be the best solution or even a new one. Somewhere on the net may be the exact same thing or an even better way dreamed up by a motivated collector.
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:19:42 GMT -5
The kit… It works excellent. Nothing else to say really. If you can buy it! Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:20:25 GMT -5
The cheap mans easy way. Very basic, easy to do, works just as good as the kit. Not much to explain just a zip tie and a piece of knotted cord. Glue it back and it’s done. Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:21:30 GMT -5
Replacement arms. On this you could use almost any arms you can find in your pile of spare parts. (what you don’t have spare parts??) If not start combing ebay. Drill some holes (I also notch the circle end) Get a zip tie (any type will do as long as it fits through the holes) I used this kind because when I reached in the junk drawer it’s what caught my eye first. A Johnny West style spring can work also. Zip the tie together a little at a time until you get the right tightness. Add your basic neck connector and you have a useable muscle Joe. Depending on which type of arms you use you could have very developed arms or just normal arms. Even some classic KFG arms would work if you were to keep a shirt on the figure (the color would be even more off) Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:22:04 GMT -5
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:22:34 GMT -5
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:27:47 GMT -5
Basic neck fix part! Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Aug 30, 2010 1:28:32 GMT -5
together have a great usable muscle Joe. Granted if you are a purist this is not for you, but then again piecing together old Joes from ebay is not something a purist will do. A pure collector buys (and pays $$$) for minty Joes, which (take it from me) end up in pieces down the road anyway. So, this is good for the collector that wants to get some use out of their Joes and have fun with them (like they were meant for) and besides depending on what type of glue you use to hold your repaired Joe together… you could always add some vintage arms down the line when you can get them for a good price. Until then at least you can use or display the figure. Note: muscle body legs work with classic style torsos. Have fun!!! ;D Attachments:
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Post by AT on Sept 13, 2010 16:49:18 GMT -5
Ray,
I had my doubts about your restring style, but it really works very good. It also has a full range of motion like a old style body. Just waiting on a good orange flight suit and I'll send you a picture. Please let me know if you are putting anymore for sale. quick question is the cord water safe or will it dry rot like the old bodies do?
Tony
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Sept 13, 2010 19:49:38 GMT -5
No, the cord is marine grade so it's good to go. Yea, sometimes the kit fittings get wobbly over time, but with the cord it's basically like the classic bodies only with better cord. Also, what's the kit cost like, $12+ and to send it out it's around that so if you're just piecing together MS bodies the cords a better option for your pocket. Just think you got the same results as the kit without paying $80+ for the figure. Why they didn't just use the same system for the Muscle bodies I'll never understand.
I do have another, but after taking the new pictures of it. I think I'll keep it. It just looks so good. I like to leave the muscle figures in shorts and maybe a tee shirt.
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Sept 13, 2010 21:07:00 GMT -5
;D heh! I had to end the auction... he looks too good to give away! I'm such a reluctant seller. Well, once I cover the money spent and break even, I'm fussy about letting extra stuff go. I'm like the guys on that show "Pickers" who have a bunch of stuff and it takes a real arm pulling to get them to sell some of it...lol!
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Sept 13, 2010 21:38:05 GMT -5
See what I mean? Attachments:
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Post by Tony on Sept 14, 2010 2:13:48 GMT -5
Ray,
It's up to you I'll take any like that one for sure. lmk if you change your mind. even if they have no flock. i will flock them here.
Tony
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Post by rob1 on Sept 14, 2010 11:56:28 GMT -5
Ray, there's video on youtube that shows the steps on fixing the muscle figure gi joe. It's called Raising the dead-rebuilding your old G.I. Joes. It's pretty good. The elastic methods work well too. I thought about casting the rebuild kit, but I don't know how strong it would be. Rob
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Sept 14, 2010 20:05:36 GMT -5
Yes, I watched that at one time. I need to add the link to it here to cover all the bases. At least a few options will be here. I get emails from collectors that have fallen on hard times and are not just a cheapo' like myself... lol, and they like to various fixes they can do. I do it the cheap way to be able to offer the Joes (if I sell them) for much less and they still get a great usable figure. I remember a guy making them out of silicone mold rubber, but it's been awhile since I've seen any posts by him around.
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monquegijoe
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Flock Concepts Member!
Posts: 49
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Post by monquegijoe on Mar 4, 2011 22:28:03 GMT -5
Seeing how some people get into fixing their own Joe's got me all enthusiastic about me fixing my own. Some of the prices for stringing up MB Joe's are pretty steep with the economy being the way it is. I went ahead and took the plunge and bought some basic tools I will need for my "new enthusiasm", I bought some needle nose pliers, a hobby knife, and a hook & pick set.
I also ordered 2 MB kits from Cotswold so I can tackle my new task. I just have one question. After prying the shoulders apart, will I need to glue the two halves together once I attach the shoulder & elbow joints?
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Post by rob1 on Mar 4, 2011 23:35:56 GMT -5
Hi, I'm Rob1 and in YouTube there's a video that shows the steps of fixing the Muscle Bodies. It's called Raising the dead-rebuilding your old G.I. Joes. It helped me when I purchased the Cotswold Kit. Please post some pictures of the end results. Good luck! Rob1
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monquegijoe
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Post by monquegijoe on Mar 5, 2011 0:40:23 GMT -5
Hey Rob, Thanks for your response. I did se that video, but it does not show if the two upper arm halves were glued or not. Did you glue yours?
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 5:09:05 GMT -5
I know that something thin, strong, and wide is best to pop the figure and parts open. I've read that a slight amount of heat can help, but be warned I've over heat things and they ended up misshapen. It was a bitch to get them back into shape.
I also glue the parts back with either Super glue, epoxy, or contact cement. I'm told that PVC cement works by fusing the parts together, but I think what if I want to change or repair something down the road. What if a kit part breaks?? That's my thinking.
The only thing I don't like about the kit (and it's not really an issue) is the rivet. If you are not careful you could really do a job on the forearm working on the vintage rivet. some cut it in the center and both sides fall out. others drill the wide end and pull the whole thing through and some just punch it through or try to pry open the forearm. The forearm doesn't just pop open easy like the bicep. Basically your first one is the hard part. After that you'll be a pro at using the kit.
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 5:27:20 GMT -5
...And if you can't find vintage arms, but hate the fact that he's armless and unusable... These arms are great stand in's! They are not too bad looking compared to vintage. Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 5:39:28 GMT -5
Just watch out because Muscle Joes make the older Joes feel bad! Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 5:48:16 GMT -5
....And they give him a nuggie! Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 6:54:16 GMT -5
If you look at the package they have a warning that it may cause hazing of non life like figures. Attachments:
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 6:55:52 GMT -5
It's hard to read, but it's there... "May cause hazing of non life like figures." Attachments:
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Post by rob1 on Mar 5, 2011 9:28:19 GMT -5
Monquegijoe, You have the get the upper arms apart, cut the old rivet and put the new rivet in the forearms with the new elbow joint. Set the forearm in place in the upper arm with the new shoulder plastic piece in. Glue the upper arms together. I then used crazy glue and held the pieces it in place for a couple of minutes. Like Ray said cutting the rivet is dangerous because you could damage the forearm. What I don't like about the new rivet in the kit is the head is a little bigger. It just fits over the original hole. Be careful smashing the rivet end. Make sure the head of the rivet is on something flat when hitting the other end. Also take care in splitting the torso apart. Try to use a a wood stick like the video to pry it apart, the plastic can be brittle. Then take a small flat tip screw driver and gently work it apart. Hope this helps. Rob
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Post by Ray (Flock Man) on Mar 5, 2011 10:46:59 GMT -5
Excellent Rob!
forgive the clowning around. I know if you've never done it you may be worried about ruining a vintage piece.
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monquegijoe
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Post by monquegijoe on Mar 5, 2011 11:46:12 GMT -5
Lol, funny stuff Ray. Rob thanks for the tips. Today I am going to attempt tbe removal of the rivets on the arms. Im baisically getting ahead of my self since I dont have the kits yet, butI want to practice. I have several MB joes that need to be fixed.
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Post by rob1 on Mar 5, 2011 12:44:31 GMT -5
Ray, Great pictures! I like the newer arms on the Muscle figure. Are those my dog tags on the muscle figures? Rob
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monquegijoe
padawan Step 1
Flock Concepts Member!
Posts: 49
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Post by monquegijoe on Mar 5, 2011 14:27:53 GMT -5
I am going to avoid cutting th rivet and attempt pushing it out with a point. I will use a clamp in order to hold the forearm in place.
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Post by rob1 on Mar 5, 2011 17:52:44 GMT -5
You could also use a hack saw blade and do a few strokes to cut the middle of the rivet. I used a small wire cutter to do mine. I had one forearm break with the pressure. Just be careful and make sure you don't crack the forearms. Rob
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