Retro Action Looseness options

[dludwig33]

I have a couple of the RA dolls that have excessive loose connections (waist and hips don't hold position). Would anyone recommend a particular fix for this? If not a simple DIY option, is this something you can get satisfaction from with Mattel at this point?

[The Bat]

Your best option is to remove the head & costume, then buy an original or Doc Mego body...and throw that Mattel piece of crap in the trash.

I also recommend "crushing the torso" with a pair of vice grips to avoid damaging the neckplug.

[sprytel]

...Or, some have had luck stuffing the waist with cotton, if you want to be less destructive.

[dludwig33]

...Or, some have had luck stuffing the waist with cotton, if you want to be less destructive.

Thanks. I actually like the new bodies in most ways. The Mattel ones look really good - if they can stand/hold a pose - and the ability to hold accessories is a big plus. The arms also work better than the EMCE Trek ones - those are so tight, no one's shoulders can be in any position but "about to take flight". Do any of the bodies Doc offers come with jointed shoulders instead of tension ones?

[dludwig33]

An update... The cotton stuffing worked great in some cases but was ineffective in others. Aquaman was pitching over like crazy, and he seems 100% better filled with 100% cotton. Green Lantern Hal, however, is still a bit tipsy even though I really packed it in there.

Another idea I had was to try to create some friction in the waist area. The old Mego T1s had some bumps along the torso ball joint keeping the thing from moving too easily. I figured I could score that piece a bit lengthwise with a sharp knife or something so that it catches on the edge of the pelvis a little better. Anyone ever experiment with this?

One more question - any recommendations for fixing loose elbow joints? Aquaman and Lex Luthor are currently left-handed, unable to keep their accessories raised up.

[thunderbolt]

I know tension stringing is retro, but no one seems to be able to get it right(EMCE included). Maybe its time to let it go in favor of a regular jointed body? The arms on the retro were a start, they should have just gone that route with the entire thing.

[Boywonder0]

Another idea I had was to try to create some friction in the waist area. The old Mego T1s had some bumps along the torso ball joint keeping the thing from moving too easily. I figured I could score that piece a bit lengthwise with a sharp knife or something so that it catches on the edge of the pelvis a little better. Anyone ever experiment with this?

Yup! It is all about friction. If they would have molded that pelvis in a rubbery material, all the problems with looseness at waist and legs wouldn't exist. I had made a repair tutorial back in the days Here is the link:

http://megomuseum.com/community/show...epair+Tutorial

I realize it may be a little tedious to do but it is definitely worth the results. Another thing I have learned afterwards is that instead of gluing vinyl layers to the joints you may apply some liquid vinyl (available in most hardware stores) with a brush or just some enamel nail paint...