exillionXLR: Grinding 3

Just did me some of the usual grinding and threw the name down of course :)

May 2011 - Lightpiping Champion

The challenge for May 2011 was to see who was the "Lightpiping Champion". It was won by Rotorstorm from the FullMetalHero forum with his entry: Turbomasters Rotorstorm!

Rotorstorm won the following prize:

I, Mattersmasher shall use the following ten words in my next video review:

linger, downplay, overload, donkey, brassiere, moist, caramel, flower, father, decongestant

And was given the right to choose the next monthly contest: 

"Extreme poses from G1 Figures, how well can you get a G1 figure to pull off a pose without altering the toy?"

Brentosaur Reviews: Heinlad

This review was requested by Thew!

Pictorial Review: Generation 2 Laser Rods

Recently I saw the following advert for the Dark of the Moon toyline:

And I was reminded of another Transformers rap, that of the G2 Laser Rods:

(Bonus Polish version!)

Word up from 1994, yo.

The upshot of all this terrible Transform-a-rap crap? Well, it may suck now, but back when I was impressionable enough to think that those adverts were cool, I always wanted the Laser Rods and never saw them on the shelves. Now that I am old enough and stupid enough for my parents to give up in utter despair, I've been able to acquire three of the four Laser Rod toys!

Pictorial Review: 2002 Reissue Micromaster Sixliner

Locomotives in the Transformers universe adhere to the typical public transport laws in any other; You wait ages for them and they always seem to arrive in groups. Sixliner is no different:

Go! Special Train Squad!

Monthly Challenge Winner Announcement

Comparative Review: ROTF Brakedown vs HFTD Oil Pan

Oil Pan is excited because Simon Furman hasn't acknowledged his existence... yet.

One frayed Stunticon and one obscure Micromaster. A match made on my coffee table. Which scout class Lamborghini is right for you?

Thew Reviews: Animated Ultra Magnus

Check it on out, ladies! Exclusive video evidence of myself having a natter about the big blue boss and his chunky-custard-barf alter ego!

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: DOTM Voyager: SkyHammer

Modding: Laser Prime Repaint - Inexorable progress from the Workbench of DOOM

As you can see by the mess on my table, I have been busy! Witness the fruits of my devilish hands which have been anything but idle...

As you can plainly see, things are progressing very well indeed. One more can of Tamiya Gunship Grey and he'll be ready!

-Mattersmasher

Pictorial Review: TFA Deluxe Lockdown!

Well, after my third attempt at writing an essay on why I love the Transformers Animated line so much ended up at 2,585 words (an improvement on the second draft, which rolled in at 3,673), I just thought to myself "f*ck it, I'll do a whole bunch of Animated reviews instead for a while". So here I go, with Animated Lockdown and his twin brother, Philly McBlingPants.

These guys.

Comparative Review: ROTF Dead End vs ROTF Nightbeat

No, we didn't scan props from Back to the Future: Part II.

You would be hard pressed to find two other characters with larger cult followings than Dead End and Nightbeat, which is why they've received so many new figures in recent years. Let's take a look at their Revenge of the Fallen scout class incarnations.

Modding: How to remove chrome from plastic

Urgh, what is that? A cheap knock-off? Some kind of factory error? The truth may surprise you...

Me Grimlock Naked!

Mattersmasher reviews Beast Wars Cybershark

Make up your own jokes:

-Mattersmasher

Comparative Review: Henkei Skyfire vs Universe Treadbolt

Today's comparison takes things up to Voyager Class and the oft repainted Classics Jetfire mould, taking form in this instance as Henkei Skyfire and Universe Treadbolt:

 Cow Nostrils versus Unsubtle Defence Force

Mindset Mod Update: OH IT IS ON!

The custom Mindset mod IS ALIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!

Modding: Laser Prime Repaint - Oooh...shiny!

I busted out the Gunmetal spray this time and gave the hands, wrists, elbow joints, inside arm-panels and shoulders a blast, but now I have a question for you, dear readers...

Modding: Laser Prime Repaint - Back 'N' Black

So I had some money come in today and I promptly bought and used a can of Tamiya Black spray on the entire cab of the truck mode. The rear of the cab was blasted with NATO Black to mesh with the rear mudguard section that becomes the bot mode backpack. Assembled, he currently looks like this:

 Once I get my other wheels back, you'd better run!

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: DOTM Voyager: ShockWave

Pictorial Review: RotF Knock Out

The Revenge of the Fallen Scout class toys are now widely known for being of a consistently high standard, but despite that I never really bought many of them. Perhaps my aversion to Legends figures clouded my judgement?  I think it's time to put them to the test with little Knock Out here:

A mysterious object...

Hello hello, what is this monolith? It appears to have some strange, ancient markings...

exillionXLR: A KO CRACKER

My first KO Thundercracker listened to wayyy too much Eiffel 65

Going back, maybe as recent as three to four years ago, knockoffs were nasty! Good and nasty! You would walk into a pound shop or seedy newsagent and there!!! On one of those rust stained wire racks that squealed like a vole in a headlock every time you rotated it to browse over the sheer crap that was on offer. KNOCKOFFS!!

Modding: Laser Prime Repaint - Well that's just Primer!

Last time we removed the paint apps. from the bonnet of the truck using isopropyl alcohol. Next we're going to work on some of the smaller parts by prepping them for painting and applying a base coat of spray paint.

Pictorial Review: Power Core Combiners Wave Two 2-Packs

Continuing on from yesterday's foray into the world of the mighty minimen that are Power Core Combiners, may I present to the Block the second batch of the 2-pack toys:

Icepick...

...Leadfoot...

...and Sledge. Wait, what?

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: RTS Hot Rod

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: RTS Hot Rod

Pictorial Review: Power Core Combiners Wave One 2-Packs

Love them or hate them, the Power Core Combiner (PCC) line was at least a fun gimmick, combining Minicons, Targetmasters and Combiner teams all into one line. Seeing as these guys are only tiny, I thought I'd cram them all into one review; Presenting...

...Smoulder...

...Searchlight...

...and Huffer.

Modding: Generations Laser Prime Repaint

Hello everyone,

This is a quick initial post about my Gen. Laser Prime repaint as RID Scourge/Black Convoy.

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: Classics 2.0 Ultra: Darkwind

Pictorial Review: RotF Mixmaster

So with Dork of the Mork knocking on (down?) our doors and demanding attention, I decided to cast my eye back to a Voyager class toy from the previous film Revenge of Some Guy. Having had my eye on the new Megatron toy, I decided to dredge up this similarly spindly freak: RotF Mixmaster.

This is my serious face

DOTM Deluxe Jolt Review

Hello Folks, here is my second attempt at a video review! This time my victim was DOTM Jolt. I am a sucker for backround secondary characters and Jolt is just barely that! And although he probably gets zero screen time in the new movie this summer, I have given him almost seven minutes of gloriously low-volume youtube screen time!!

Pictorial Review: Dark of the Moon - Cyberverse Starscream w/ Orbital Assault Carrier

Don't call him Flattop, because he's not. The packaging clearly says, "Starscream Orbital Assault Carrier."

*cough*

Damn it... OK, who am I kidding? He is Flattop.

TV Review: G1 Ep. 34: "Microbots"

Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Being a Dork.

PREMISE Human archeologists dig up Megatron's old ship, the Nemesis (not that he actually remembers it.) Its power source - the Heart of Cybertron - could make Megatron TEH M0ST PWNAGE CYB3RTR0N EV4R, so naturally he steals it...um, back, and has it installed into his chest compartment and promptly becomes a Sith Lord. So naturally, Brawn, Perceptor and Bumblebee go on a Fantastic Voyage to disconnect and steal the Heart before Megatron can use it to destroy the Ark. On the way, Perceptor proves to Brawn that dorkage is an integral part of the Autobot team. And Thundercracker gets drunk and falls over.

"The Mayans didn't have spacecraft!"

Archeologist #2. Where the feck did he get his degree, Indiana Jones College?

We're wise to your tricks, David.

Moriarty Reviews: RTS Voyager Strafe

One chick. One toy. One overlighted webcam.

FFFFUUUUU LIGHT BALANCE.

This will be my last video review for a while because I'll be starting a work placement tomorrow that will knacker my non-existent bollocks off, so look out for some text reviews dotted around the place until next Saturday!

Mattersmasher reviews Binaltech BT-16 Skids

Absolutely Flabulous!

-Mattersmasher

Moriarty Reviews: DOTM Deluxe Starscream

One chick. One toy. One underlighted webcam. 

This is my first ever video review, so any comments/criticism would be welcomed! Massive thanks to Frank and Scott for the tips. Next video won't be shot at 10.30 at night, I promise.

MechTech is Gangsta

MechTech has a rap song. I think my soul hurts.

Also, why is Justin Bieber in this commercial?

Pictorial Review: RotF Dune-Runner

OK, this is my very first written review of a toy on any site for that matter but, I digress. First, introductions. I am Jessie Lee Elias, also known as ZeltraxMillenium on YouTube. I am the dude who made the custom Cybertron Skywarp and TFA ThunderCracker for Thew and Buddhacon respectively. I’ve been keeping tabs on this site for a while and want to join but both me and Buddhacon know that’ll take a while so, this is what I’m doing for right now.

Pictorial Review: DOTM Cyberverse Commander Ironhide

Greetings! I'm Becca, I'm British, I'm...uh...badass...yeah...let's skip the introduction and talk Cyberverse, shall we?

More specifically, let's chat about my favourite Bayformer of all time: Ironhide. (Phonetically pronounced 'Arnhawd'. It's true, just ask Brent). I'm telling you he is my favourite right up front so that you know where my biases stand when it comes to reviewing toys of this character: they could make the most godawful shell-former out of solidified radioactive poo and I'd still find something positive to say about it even as my hair is falling out and I'm starting to that think my dog smells nice. (She doesn't.)

So you can take it with a pinch of salt when I say that this Cyberverse Commander is good, but I genuinely mean what I say: he is good. And by that I mean that he is on the right side of "mediocrity", but the wrong side of "absolutely excellent". His pros make him a nice figure to own; his cons stop him from being simply perfect.

BuddhaCon Reviews: Dark of the Moon Leader Sentinel Prime!

The titanic struggle rages on; one lone Autobot versus the laser-scrutiny of BUDDHACON:

Movie Night: A short photo-montage

So this was created for a photo competition and it lost. Rather than shelve it, I decided to solicit some talent and put voices to all the characters! Please ignore the occasional typo as you watch:

-Mattersmasher

Brentosaur Reviews: Yoda

This was posted during the Blogger fail episode and the original post was lost. If you missed it, then I hope you enjoy the review.

STORAGE: Our new comics series by Beccatron!

Hello everyone, are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin:

Today sees the addition of STORAGE to our blog, courtesy of our very own Beccatron! STORAGE (Sanctuary To Outrageous Robots and Gorgeous Eccentricities) is a weekly comic series and this week's episode is written by Brentosaur. It is entitled "Tribute"

Mindset Mod Update: Stalling

Well, the Mindset mod has ground to a halt for now until I can afford to buy some more putty to smooth out his rough edges, so until then allow me to present my first repaint:

One o' dese:

Into one o' dose:

Pictorial Review: DotM Human Alliance - Spike Witwicky & Backfire

"That's right, I'm back on a tricycle built for someone twice my size."

Dark of the Moon has hit the shelves with a wide variety of new gimmicks and sub-lines. One of those new sub-lines is the Human Alliance scout class, which combines gimmicks introduced with Revenge of the Fallen and Power Core Combiners. Backfire and Spike are from the first wave and they may be the set I have the most mixed feelings about. Initially I was very excited to see Backfire and Spike on the pegs. They were the set I was looking forward to the most next to Icepick and Sergeant Chaos. However, that excitement lead to some disappointments. 

Dark of the Moon: Cyberverse - Powerglide

100th Post... on the Block!

It's only fitting that this be our 100th Post! Thanks Everyone! :D

A girl with a thing for things.

Oh wow, super, hi! Um, hello. Right, yes. This is like a job interview, isn't it? Only I'm not being paid and I don't get to bonk the secretary. Um...do we even have a secretary? Can I be the secretary? I can file! I like filing things. Shut up? Of course, I can do that too! By the way, would you like a scone?

The name's Becca. I've been invited to join the splendiforous crew at the Transforming Block mainly to contribute some sort of bi-weekly webcomic thing. I talk a little too much and I'm ridiculously British. I've also managed to buy 200-and-something Transformers toys since joining the fandom last July, so I guess this eradicates my newb status, right? Right? Please don't tea-bag me. PG Tips weren't made to be taken up the nose, you know.

TF Block Youtube Channel!

Go on over and subscribe! :)

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: DOTM Voyager: Megatron

Sky-Banana Review 2.0

Upon reading Brentosaur's Sky-Banana review, I thought I'd do a follow up review to give a different persepective on this infamous character known as Sky-Banana...

Mind you it's a long forgotten figure from the diaclone series before transformers were really transformers. Thankfully I was able to procure one this week to do a review on it just for you, our loyal readers. Sadly my original has fallen apart over the years, and some might say went rotten :(

The Story of Sky-Banana and A Special Sky-Banana Review 3.0

It appears that the powers that be want to keep the original Sky-Banana under wraps. As you can see the “Sky-Banana” review 2.0 has mysteriously disappeared off the face of the blog. Well I refuse to allow the higher ups of transformer-land to keep this beloved hero out of his well deserved spotlight any longer. For your reading pleasure, here is the Sky-Banana review 3.0.

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: DOTM Voyager: Iron Hide

Mattersmasher reviews Yujin Master Action series Galient! (Who?)

He don't transform, boss! Did I do wrong?

Alright... Donations? Alms, Alms for the Poor!?

Well some of you may have noticed the large "Donate" button on the right hand side of the block. In an effort to keep us running, upgrade our hosting, functionality and keep ads off our page, I have decided to ask you the dedicated reader to find it in your hearts to donate whatever you can do help us keep this ship afloat and maybe transform into something new!

I don't want to have ads on our site at all, so i figure if the donations are decently coming in we can avoid ads to pay for upkeep etc. Once we get to the new host, and have a new functioning blog/forum/news/fun site up there will be things that we can do for our "donors" as of right now, all we can give you is the warmest thank yous!

We know you all love what we do, and we LOVE doing it for you, so if you can.. donate. If not we understand too!

Thanks,

BuddhaCon

TF Prime Review: Episode Three "The Darkness Rising Pt. 3" by Scott Barker

  Episode Three: "The Darkness Rising Pt. 3" By Scott Barker

PREVIOUSLY ON TRANSFORMERS PRIME REVIEWS...

            Damn zombie Cliffjumper...you scary!

            Arcee, kinda grumpy!

            Megatron, you so huge!

            MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE!!

Voice Actors Required! Apply Below!

Hello aspiring ac-tors everywhere! I recently entered a competition with the photo story below. I didn't win, but I've decided to do something more with it and turn it into a video, this is where you come in:

I need voice actors to read the lines, mostly because my impersonations are totally rubbish. Just follow the steps below:

1.Record an audio clip in .wav format of you reading the lines for any of the characters in the story.
2. Email the clip to me, including which character or characters you are reading and the name under which you wish to be credited.

I can't wait to hear the results!

-Mattersmasher

Mindset Mod Update: Getting the German look

After some deliberation, I have totally removed the face plate and started again, it's not finished, but I am happier with it already, plus now he has a jaw! The real work is around the sides where I have been layering styrene sheet and have filed and sanded it into a curved lip to emulate the WWII German helmet motif. It looks weird now due to the mis-matched black and white, but it should all come together nicely in the end:

The Unexpected Return of Spike Witwicky!

"Hey gang! Have you seen Bumblebee around? I was hoping we could hang... huh? Who the hell is Sam?!"

Today I bought my first DOTM figures, Backfire and Icepick from the Human Alliance Scout class series. This series combines gimmicks from the Human Alliance and Power Core Combiners lines. Just like the bigger Human Alliance figures, these Scouts come with a human partner who can interact with them and just like Power Core Combiners, they are triple changers with a third mode devoted to interacting with other toys. The connection isn't as farfetched as you may think because Icepick's bio states that he is the very same character from the PCC series!

Lightpiping champion: The entries are now in!

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED!

Entries are all in, so now voting shall commence until the end of May. By June 1st a winner shall be chosen via highest voting. Who ever wins the challenge (One of our readers) shall chose the next Monthly Challenge, the winner will also get a special mystery prize involving Mattersmasher himself!

Thew Reviews: RTS Lugnut (vid!)

Awright folks, here's what I think about Lugnut's gorgeous new plastic slab. IN VIDEO FORM.

Pictorial Review: DotM Roadbuster

So i hit TRU today kind of hoping i wouldn't see what I knew I was going to be there and knowingly buy but I went anyways...and yeah there they were...MOVIE TOYS!!

But WHOA! That sounds like I was excited......NO!

During ROTF I allowed the wave of hype to take me like an extremely buoyant penguin and wash me up on the beach of owning too much crap rather quickly. Fact is my ROTF toys are all packed away in a tub that only gets opened when I feel like dissolving two days with a combined marathon panel pop and denture grind session.

Now don't get me wrong, they are great in aesthetic terms and I love them for that. It's just to me functionality reigns on the same par and a lot of the ROTF line has an intuitive level similar to being isolated in a white room with a scart lead, a middle aged walrus and a sign mounted on the wall saying "go on then"

So this is why I had made my mind up to start with one figure and one only before any movie hype could grab me by the man turf.
That figure was going to be Roadbuster because he's new and more importantly, I think racing cars are AWESOME!

Comparative Review: RotF Jolt vs HftD Electrostatic Jolt

Here we have ROTF deluxe class Jolt and his HFTD Electrostatic repaint. The original and the unexpected repaint of the background character we wanted to fall in love with, but never got the chance.

Modding: How to remove paint apps.

Ever had a toy which would be perfect except for that one annoying paint app? I have! I'm such a picky blighter that sometimes just a little less pleases me more (that's what she said).

Take Generations Scourge, for example. Thew disagrees with me, but I really don't like the oversized faction symbol on his moob.

It's ok to be proud of your allegiance, but really? Young man, that tattoo has got to go!

Pictorial Review: HftD Starscream's Assault Mudflap

Again, because I'm the one person in the world who actually bought him.

Part of the Wal-Mart exclusive Hunt for the Deceptions two-pack entitled "Starscream's Assault," Mudflap came packaged with a less impressive repaint of the ROTF voyager Starscream mold. This two-pack began appearing on Wal-Mart clearance shelves almost immediately after being released. Being a sucker for the abandoned, lost, or forgotten Transformers, I simply had to own this amusing repaint of the cursed and controversial Mudflap.

"I killed a fan at BotCon just to watch him die."

Mindset Mod Update: Remodelling the braincase!

Taking a round file, I carved a channel across his brow, then sanded the top edge into the helmet to smooth it out a bit. The result? He now has the 'German helmet' peaked-cap look:

Mindset Mod Update: Engineering the gurn (edit: picture added)

I've been working on Mindset's underbite:

Lightpiping champion: Triple Bill!

ZeSheshamHahu (translated: That Guy Over There) sends us his three shots at lightpiped fame:

"Animated Oil Slick. With a lovely lightpiping inside of a dome of the same colour."

BuddhaCon's TF Reviews: TFA Deluxe: Rodimus Minor

MontanaVista's First Video Review!!!

Alright Folks, here it is! My first video review! It's a little rough around the edges, and poor Red Alert is the subject of my first butchery of a review.

Mindset Mod Update: G1 windows and inner leg detail

Ok, today's busy spell has yielded the following results:

First up is a quick 'n' dirty photo-mash of Smoulder's head on Mindset's body. I'm worried it'll be too big, but at the very least I can nick the lightpiping part.

Internet Perversonality Vangelust! Not Suitable for Places of Employment!

Thanks to Vangelus for not calling in his personal assassin automata!

Music is by our very own Buddhacon!

Everything else by me, Mattersmasher.

TF Prime Review: Episode Two "The Darkness Rising Pt. 2" by Scott Barker

  Episode Two: "The Darkness Rising Pt. 2" By Scott Barker

PREVIOUSLY ON TRANSFORMERS PRIME REVIEWS...

Megatrons really awesome lookin' even for him!
The original voice actors! Oh boy!
Why are the henchmen so nails?!
Miiko, why are you so obnoxious?

TF Prime Review: Episode One "The Darkness Rising Pt. 1" by Scott Barker

 Episode One: "The Darkness Rising Pt. 1" By Scott Barker

Mindset Mod Update!

So progress slinks along like a cat of some kind, soon to be halted when my final scalpel blade snaps...but until it does, here's the latest:

DOTM Scan Series: a see-thru pre-view

While we're on the subject of light piping, check out this weird new gimmick from the upcoming Dark of the Moon line! Named simply "The Scan Series" and probably set to be a Toys R Us exclusive, these half-transparent movie-verse Deluxes are decoed to represent the 'Bots at the moment of acquiring their alt-modes.

SCHERGZ!

(That's the noise that scanning makes. "Schergz".)

Hello!

Hello!

What it do? I'm Brad, also known as exillion. I prefer Brad because people tend to shorten exillion to "ex" and that makes me sound wayyyy cooler than i actually am.

I live in Cardiff, Wales and I've been hording transformers since around 2001 at random paces. I am now completely fed up of them....nah i still love them...most of the time. About two years ago I started doing the youtube reviewy thing and that is what has led me to this fine establishment.

Kick back, eat a twix, eat 5 more..it's gonna be AWESOME!

Lightpiping champion: Scavenger - the double!

Mr. Vash returns with a one-two punch:
Beast Wars Scavenger

Masterpiece Convoy MP-10 Prototype Images

Red Leader from Kapow Toys has posted new images as of yesterday! Here we have the first images of the ALL NEW Masterpiece Convoy from Takara and Hasbro, MP-10. Here are some of the long awaited details of yet another Optimus Prime... yay... (can you sense my sarcasim?!):