Easily the G2 Slingshot….made from craptastic gold plastic! Plastic that disintegrates with any movement or even with a dirty look. Slingshot has (GPS) Gold Plastic Syndrome. Collectors have opined since the early 2000’s about what causes it. I have always assumed since the cracks seem to follow the swirls in the plastic (at least the […]
Wheeljack’s Lab Blog
Follow this blog for the new, the unusual, the rare and cool Generation 1 G1 Transformers toys. Reviews, news, toy resources, galleries, unboxing, opinions and personal reflections on vintage toys.
Got Any Empty Transformers Shipping Boxes or Cases?
Just said goodbye to some good friends. Our uncirculated Pepsi Optimus Prime’s off to their new home in Japan. I’m always looking for more Generation 1 (G1) Transformers sealed, opened or loose, and we’ll even buy the empty shipping boxes! Straight from all Hasbro licensed manufacturers including Takara, IGA Plasticos, Milton Bradley, Antex, Estrela, Lynsa, […]
The Top 5 Things Killing Your Collection
Dirt/Dust: We’ll start with the least damaging of the five. If left for long periods of time, dust may become hard to remove. Especially in climates or houses with extremes in humidity (dust will hold humidity). That process will make the dust adhere strongly to the figure and won’t wipe away easily with a duster. […]
How to Restore Yellowed Action Figures
The picture shows the before and after of a previously yellowed Fortress Maximus. It’s still with the original owner, but he wanted to restore it to its former glory! I’ve never tried this myself; however still wanted to share the steps he took to restore his Fort Max: “You take your figure, place it in […]
What Happened To Wheelie? Shipping gone bad – Here’s how you can avoid it!
So you got a sealed on card figure you’re going to send out, or receive. The toy is going on 35 years old – that’s getting up there! Glue, adhesives and plastic break down just like we do. While this figure wasn’t a GEM, it wasn’t bad either. So what happened? Along with some other […]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOCKWAVE!
Okay it’s not his birthday, but why not celebrate Shockwave today? A shout out to a BMF and my favorite G1 character and toy. The pictures below are a sample from a friend’s collection. His collection includes every Shockwave and Laserwave made. Shockwave is second only to Megatron in power. He acts as the Decepticon’s […]
Top 10 Breakable G1 Transformers
These are rough estimates of each figures breakage rate. Some figures are easily repairable by scavenging parts. Others not so much due to the same area or part being broken. Prowl 60%. Mostly the windshield – this even put many pristine Prowl’s in the scrap heap. They are broken more than Bluestreak – apparently kids […]
Why Don’t My G1 Transformers Missile Launchers Fire?
If you have been collecting a long time… or you are in the habit of asking why a thing is then you likely know, but for the rest of you this is why your missile launchers refuse to fire even when fired upon! The toy world was turned upside down on December 31, 1978. When […]
Does Your Insurance Policy Cover Your Toy Collection?
Most people have some form of homeowners or renters insurance, we like to have peace of mind knowing that our personal property will be replaced if an accident/disaster were to occur. However, homeowners insurance only goes so far – it covers every day, easily replaceable personal property. Your prize possessions that you’ve spent a lifetime […]
How To Sell An Estate Transformers Collection
Have you been named an executor of an estate? If so, we imagine that you are feeling a bit overwhelmed. As the executor you’re responsible for determining what is valuable and what is sentimental. At the same time, you’re also trying to value and liquidate a home, its contents, bank/investment accounts, and more. When evaluating […]