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Post by grahamthomson on Mar 9, 2011 9:41:36 GMT
Ball joints are used on Transformers.
Discuss.
Trivia question: which was the first Transformers toy to use a ball joint?
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Post by blueshift on Mar 9, 2011 9:51:56 GMT
Ball joints are used on Transformers. Discuss. Trivia question: which was the first Transformers toy to use a ball joint? Hmm. I know Wreck-Gar has balljoints, so do the aerialbots and astrotrain for their arms. Some of the deluxe insections had balljoints on their insect legs. OOH OOOH I KNOW OPTIMUS PRIME - on his trailer's little grapple arms, they were balljoints! |
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 9, 2011 9:58:22 GMT
Best thing to ever happen to Transformers for me. And I love that it didn't come from them trying to make a more articulated toy but from trying to comply with safety laws.
First ball joint? I think one of the deluxe insecticons has them, but I'm sure theres something earlier too.
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Post by mellowshade on Mar 9, 2011 10:07:13 GMT
Ball joints certainly were the precursor to many great figure's articulation but I think these days they are just one type of joint thatcan be used rather than the only joint as it was in the days of beast wars.
On smaller figures, especially legends/scouts I don't think there is any excuse that ball joints shouldn't be widely employed. On larger figures I would hope that composite joints or ratchet joints would be used first and ball joints only used if there is a budget or design issue.
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Post by shadowynne on Mar 9, 2011 10:10:35 GMT
ah the humble balljoint. i am definately a fan as i like dynamic poses for my TFs can be a double-edged sword though. if the joint isnt just right you can suffer with floppyness and popoff syndrome. of course ball joints are also much easier to alter and repair. hey do any of you guys add balljoint to your figs? i have found that lego bionicle and japanese pbj kits are fantastic for custom joints.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 9, 2011 10:19:40 GMT
several BW Transformers use other types of joint other than ball, quite frequently in the elbows (Cheetor/Waspinator/Optimus Primal) They're not suitable for large toys due to weight issues but on smaller ones they're fine as long as the stem is sturdy enough - see my recent Shadow Commander experience.
The Cyberjets blew me away when I first saw them and I still think they, especially Hooligan, are amongst the best Transformers *EVER* produced.
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Post by mabus1984 on Mar 9, 2011 11:42:59 GMT
Generation 2 i think set the standard for the way modern Transformers toys are. Looking at my Volt figure, so many of his mechanisms are still used and allow for greater posability etc. He even had the bit of transparent plastic at the back of the head to allow the eyes to light up - something still used 20 years on.
Ball joints rule.
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Post by Shockprowl on Mar 9, 2011 12:06:17 GMT
Ball joints are great on the right sized figeroon. Larger figs need stronger joints. But yeah, they're tops.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 9, 2011 13:34:05 GMT
He even had the bit of transparent plastic at the back of the head to allow the eyes to light up - something still used 20 years on. It's called a Lightpipe. It predates G2 a little: They're used on the 1992 Predators and Turbomasters. I love lightpipes and call down a pox on Hasbro for each and every toy that should have a lightpipe and doesn't. There's loads of BW toys with a solid plate in the back of the head which should be a lightpipe and was then cut for cost reasons. It's been done as recently as RTS BIS Rodimus. Grrrrr. Such a simple and effective gimmick. |
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Post by Shockprowl on Mar 9, 2011 14:56:20 GMT
Heads! Ball joints are great for robot heads! Realy enables great posing.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Mar 9, 2011 19:10:02 GMT
I don't like the look of overly visible ball joints, like they had in Beast Wars, and with certain Gobots. I think they're really ugly (big balls atop thin legs, if you'll pardon the expression). I was actually tempted by Reveal the Shield Tracks in Sainsbury's until I inspected his ugly legs.
But they're fine when they're hidden from view, like the small Aeriablots' arms - or (I think) at the top of original Soundwave's legs (?).
But you don't actually need them for poseability. Original Jetfire and Soundwave's arms and head were pretty much fully poseable without the use of ball joints. Heck, even original Powerglide's arms were pretty poseable, weren't they?
Martin
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 9, 2011 19:21:30 GMT
Soundwave has no bicep swivel: a ball jointed elbow gives you the bending elbow and bicep swivel in one joint using only two pieces of plastic which can be easily put back together if they come apart.
What's wrong with Tracks' legfs?
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Mar 9, 2011 19:27:10 GMT
What's wrong with Tracks' legfs? Well, I mean, look at his tiny waist! Call me fussy, but I'm prejudiced against legs that aren't attached to something above them. Edit: Yeah, I'm sure you can come up with plenty of toys I like that refute that point, such as certain Insecticons... and Autobot Commanders... but, er... um... look! It's the Good Year blimp! *runs away* Martin |
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Post by grahamthomson on Mar 9, 2011 19:46:39 GMT
I'm really a fan of ball joints to be honest. Transformers like the Cyberjets and basic Beast Wars figures suddenly seemed very lightweight compared to older Transformers to reduce the stress on the joints.
What would be name of the joints used on Universe Silverbolt? They were pretty good.
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 9, 2011 20:20:27 GMT
Edit: Yeah, I'm sure you can come up with plenty of toys I like that refute that point, such as certain Insecticons... and Autobot Commanders... but, er... um... look! It's the Good Year blimp! *runs away* Martin And I thought you liked not quite humanoid transformers? ? ? ;-) |
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Post by The Doctor on Mar 9, 2011 21:38:32 GMT
I hate ball joints with a fiery passion.
-Ralph
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 9, 2011 21:58:07 GMT
WHY ? ? ? ?
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Mar 10, 2011 8:34:41 GMT
And I thought you liked not quite humanoid transformers? ? ? ;-) I like completely non-humanoid Transformers, not ones that look like humanoid skeletons. Martin |
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Post by The Doctor on Mar 10, 2011 19:28:22 GMT
They make many TF's hideously more complex to transform than they should be. -Ralph |
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Post by Benn on Mar 10, 2011 21:06:34 GMT
Scooter had ball joints. I refute thee, Transformers!
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Post by legios on Mar 10, 2011 21:49:51 GMT
Ball joints can be used well, and they can be used badly. When they are used well they can add welcome extra articulation - ball-jointed heads are indeed a wonderful thing. Sometimes though they can spoil the lines of a design by sticking out just that little bit too much. I also tend to find ball joints often end up being quite loose which can hurt displayability then things won't stand up and can lead to toys that shed limbs very easily in my clumsy mits.
On smaller toys they are probably the best compromise between poseability and durability, but on larger toys I think there are better options in terms of joint engineering that can be deployed.
Karl
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