Dissassembling assistance

[HeelJoe]

I need to know how to crack the backs & pop out the shoulders.

Assistance would be greatly appreciated or simply point me in the right direction of an existing 'how to' would be suffice.

Eddie's disassemble 'how to' doesn't explain back cracking & shoulder popping.

Thanks,
HeelJoe

 

[MMorelock66]

Uhmm I've never done it, but here's what I've read.

Stick the body in boiling water to soften it up, then run your exacto knife along the seam. Glue back when done.

 

[Meddatron]

Uhmm I've never done it, but here's what I've read.

Stick the body in boiling water to soften it up, then run your exacto knife along the seam. Glue back when done.

I prefer this method over cracking them. I don't even heat the figure up. Just take a really sharp blade and place it on the seam just under the shoulder (armpit). Slowly push into seam, there is a small peg in there that needs cut, you will feel it and hear it when it does. Repeat for other shoulder.

The way I did the crack when I tried it was. I put the figure into a sock (folded over ends to get it thick around shoulders) I than just gripped the figured with the pliers on the shoulders and squeezed little by little till it popped. Pliers have left marks on the hard to pop figures so went back to blade. I can pop a figure in about 30 seconds with a blade.

 

[HeelJoe]

Thanks fellas, I'll give it a go bit later & let you know the resuts

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Here's the vise method...I did this for another site long ago

http://www.theterrordrome.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=725

 

[HeelJoe]

Nice one Eddie- slightly confused at how this thread was turned into an Eddieism lol

 

[Meddatron]

Nice one Eddie- slightly confused at how this thread was turned into an Eddieism lol

Everything becomes an Eddieism at some point. I first started trying very hard to not have Eddieisms when I posted. I than realized it is impossible to do. These guys are far too clever. So now, I just type away and let the Ism's happen.

 

[Slaymaker]

Here's the vise method...I did this for another site long ago

http://www.theterrordrome.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=151&t=725

I use a small bench vice as well...

 

[Dr Syn]

I like some above use a bench mounted vice and crack them open brutally.


You might get the odd casualty.

 

[Dropshipbob]

Here's what I do.

-Place the figure on his side
-raise up the arm on the side facing you
-find a screw driver with a small head (one of those used to replace screws in glasses work best)
-place the head of the screw driver onto the seam running down the side of the torso

...now the tricky part...

-Holding the figure and screw drived in place with one hand, take a hammer in the other hand and start tapping the screw driver...you might have to apply more force with the hammer untill it breaks through. The screw driver may wonder off course so you might have to reposition multiple times.

Eventually you should be able to wedge the screw driver deep enough to pry the upper body apart.

*DRAW BACKS*
Once you do break through, the torso may explode, sending parts flying. Additionally, this method may leave a big gouge in the seam of the torso. This is often hidden when the arm is straight at the side, but is easily visible otherwise. This of course can be filled in with bondo, epoxy putty or what-have-you, an easy repair.

 

[The Willoughbian]

The best method depends on what part of the figure you want to use for the custom you are working on. If you want to use the arms, pry the torso open with a screwdriver. If you want the torso, use the vise, as the arms will take most of the damage.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

The vice may temporarily smash the shoulders...BUT, since they are typically soft plastic, you can put them in front of a hair dryer to get the original shape to rebound

 

[The Willoughbian]

The vice may temporarily smash the shoulders...BUT, since they are typically soft plastic, you can put them in front of a hair dryer to get the original shape to rebound

I've smashed a few shoulder swivels that wouldn't go back to shape. I'm just saying that one has the option of picking their battles when it comes to cracking a torso.

 

[G.I.*EDDIE]

Yeah, I guess you're right...I have had some extremely stubborn torsos that must've had an extra helping of glue cause they were mashed beyond useable