G1 Shockwave Restoration

G1 Shockwave - broken and beat but full of soul.

G1 Shockwave - broken and beat but full of soul.

You’re looking at my new-to-me G1 Shockwave. He was a bargain off ebay at $26. I bought him for the intact laser hand and maybe some spare parts. I didn’t realize he’d have this much soul. I opened the box and this little eye stared back at me. He then demanded that I fix him.

G1 on left, soulless knockoff on right.

G1 on left, soulless knockoff on right.

See, I bought this “high quality” knockoff Shockwave from an overseas auction site a few months ago. I paid a lot. Too much. He (er, IT) arrived and was missing the tip of the laser hand. The knockoff was also missing any sort of soul whatsoever.

I’ve never owned a G1 Shockwave, so I thought maybe it was just a rather character-less toy. Nope. The broken G1 toy answered that question. He has TONS of soul. So instead of following my original plan of using the laser hand to complete my knockoff, I chose to disassemble the knockoff and use the good parts from it to restore my G1 Shockwave. And maybe even modify him a bit.

Disassembly.

Disassembly.

First, I disassembled G1 Shocky. The chest was split due to some broken screw-posts. Those were glued. There were a few broken screw posts in the legs as well. Those were also glued. Devcon Plastic Welder is the good stuff.

This is exciting blogging, no?

Leg ratchet posts - important in helping Shocky stand.

Leg ratchet posts - important in helping Shocky stand.

The laser lights in the G1 toy still worked, but there was no sound. I decided to use the (excellent) electronics from the knockoff instead. Also, the knockoff never stood up on his own very well. That was due to missing thigh ratchet stopper post thingys. They’re just metal tabs, but they’re kinda important when they’re missing.

Laser hand swap

Laser hand swap

I decided not to use any of the knockoff laser hand or too-short power hose, so I snipped it off and spliced in the G1 laser hand. WHY did they make the hose too short on the knockoff??? I’d rather have a cracked and split original hose of the correct length.

The 25 year old laser hand also has a very nice patina to it that the knockoff lacked.

Hand upgrade!

Hand upgrade!

While I was at it, I decided to get rid of the transparent G1 fist and use a spare Masterpiece seeker hand I had in my spare parts box. A quick coat of purple paint and a post to make it fit the G1 arm, and Shockwave has fingers!

When you only have one eye and one hand, you’re a little limited in the self-expression department. Having articulated fingers on that one hand really helps.

Shockwave is online!

Shockwave is online!

Original parts: feet, legs (lower and upper), trigger, shoulders, left forearm, laser hand and hose, and the head (most important).
“Cloned” parts: chest, back, backpack, electronics, right arm.
Upgraded parts: articulated right hand!

Shockwave in space cannon mode.

Shockwave in space cannon mode.

I always loved how he was never a hand gun in any of the G1 series. Shockwave was always a HUGE SPACE CANNON. He floated in the air and vomited purple death out his barrel. Who can argue with that?

Shockwave - gun mode.

Shockwave - gun mode.

Shockwave - restoration complete!

Shockwave - restoration complete!

It was some of the most satisfying bot hacking I’ve done in a year. Giving this broken G1 toy new parts… it hit all the right notes in my strange little mind. Kinda like finding a classic car and restoring it. Now I have a G1 Shockwave to enjoy for years to come.

And enjoy him, I will.

All trespassers will be BLAPPED!

All trespassers will be BLAPPED!

Thumbs up. WAY up!

Thumbs up. WAY up!

The Shockwave Collection - 2009.

The Shockwave Collection - 2009.

My small Shockwave army now stands at five. I’m a happy TF geek.

Don’t throw ’em away. Restore ’em!!!

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  • Jams says:

    Much love! I must get around to sending you my G1 Optimus, a bargain at a car boot sale for 20p but minus trailer, hands, guns, etc, etc, I’m sure you’ll find something good to do with him!

    • revlimiter says:

      Thanks!!! As for the Prime…. perhaps YOU should restore him yourself? I’ve got two of the G1 mold already. And there’s nothing like a freshly rebuilt 80s vintage bot to make you smile.

      Not that I’d turn your Prime out in the cold if he happened to show up.

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  • john says:

    Shockwave collection is outstanding!!!!!… I didnt know you had the purple exclusive anima version. Or i didnt remember.

  • john says:

    <—- THATS my icon?

    • revlimiter says:

      LOL!!! You need a Gravatar. http://en.gravatar.com/

      I actually have BOTH TFA Soundwaves, the purple and the grey. Grey stays in Longarm mode mostly. Purple stays in Shockwave mode. He’s a good toy. Maybe not two-versions good, but pretty good. I need to go after his leg joints with the nail polish. He’s getting a bit floppy.

  • ExPrime says:

    I am definitely bookmarking this page and sharing it with my friends.

    🙂

  • Bot Head says:

    Very outstanding website.
    The info here is really important.

    I will invite my friends.

    Cheers

  • justin young says:

    I have a g1 shockwave he needs repaired i was wanting to know if you can repair him (head dosent pop out, left shoulder out of socket, and lower part of chest needs fixed. if you cant i will understand. if you can just make sure the parts are not upgraded i want g1 parts)

  • justin young says:

    i have an account on there im unicron6666 i had got him chritmas with an astrotrain i taped the knees so the legs stay long

  • Jay says:

    Hello
    a vacuum house for a auto parts store works nice to replace the old one

  • cagey says:

    Love your description of soul! Just got my first G1 S.w., hope I can figger out getting the chest back together :\

  • Cory M says:

    Yeah this is pretty much the coolest restoration of any G1 Ive ever seen. So Ebay yielded some luck and I will be receiving a Shockwave next week. The description says its in really great shape except the electronics. Might have to break out the old soldering iron and see what I can do. Really hate to have to take him apart though. Might have to get another one with good electronics and do what you did here. Any extra tips will be really sweet. Again, great job

    • revlimiter says:

      Thanks!!!

      The little posts in his chest (and, well, everywhere) that the screws go into can sometimes break off when you try to take him apart. Just be aware. If a screw feels really stuck in there, you might try warming Shocky up with a hair drier to loosen things.

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