Re stringing Action men - easier than I thought it would be!

First apologies in advance for the misleading title. There is no hint as such, just a rambling post!!

Having repaired up my current stock of BPEE figures I was left with eight floppy 1964 bodies that had various limbs missing or broken bits. The wife and kids were in bed, I had some free time, so I got my box of broken VAM bits and with the aid of some very useful information that I found on the internet and a few tools from the garage I set about the repairs. In a couple of hours I had three more troops ready for kitting out.

Sorry there are no pictures, I have never mastered how to post them (despite advice from Dal), but to get to the point of the post, I wanted to say what I am sure most people on here already know, re stringing is straight forward once you have chopped the original loose elastic and got the bits in front of you.

For information, I used the same circular cord that I use for re-attaching EE neck posts, and some insulated ring crimps (4mm yellow) from my tool box, I found a heavy duty paper clip to fashion new neck hooks with, and the rest was just a case of trial and error to ascertain the ideal length of elastic to use. For the legs I used a piece 160mm long, and for the arms I cut down and sewed the body elastic that I had removed.

I might go back to some of the figures in my collection which are just a little slack and re hash them now I know how easy it is.

Paul

No need to apologize, PH5121!

There's definitely tips in your text post! : "insulated ring crimps (4mm yellow)" - "elastic, I used a piece 160mm long" Great tips!  

My first restringing sessions (back in 2009) caused me a little grief, I didn't know what length of elastic to use. I also had a hell of a time prizing open the bullet proof crimps of flockies and paintheads. I'm now planning on getting a 'Dremel' cutting tool, to make life easier. I've got a load of those yellow/red crimps in the shed

ph5121 I found that very interesting thank you

Thanks for the kind words chaps.

The reason for the post was to convey how pleased I was to have finally re strung some 1964 bodies.If I had said to my wife 'I had a great time last night re stringing old action men' she would be less than impressed. At least saying it on here some one may understand the feeling of satisfaction I have.

Since I got the VAM bug last summer and recovered my child hood toys from the loft at my parents I have avoided attempting re stringing, not realising how straight forward the process would be. Hence the situation where my back log of damaged BPEE figures had been cleared, leaving me with no real choice other than to get some re stringing done - or get some spending done to buy more figures.

In the end Yorkshire lock got the better of me!

If the post is helpful in any way to any one that is an added bonus.

That's great Paul. Reminds me of when I rest rung Tom Stone. Did it when my wife and kids were asleep it's the only time I can fair guarantee I won't be interrupted lol.

I haven't attempted a 64 body restring yet so hats off to you.

How do you recommend restringing the legs without pulling the thigh pins? Any way to do that?

Richard

Richard,

To avoid disturbing the thigh pins I firstly cut the old crimps that held the original elastic in place off with a pair of electrical side cutter (or you could use tin snips if they were small enough).

To affix the new elastic I cut the new crimps and bent them so the hooked over the pins, then closed the crimp back up. You could solder the cut shut (I didn't).

Hope that helps.

Paul

Hmmmm. That sounds interesting. Seems a crimped end with an opposite "S" hook would be in order.

Thank you for the tips!

Richard

When I've restrung figures I'd usually trim the elastic down around the thigh
Connectors and sew the remaining elastic into a small loop, then threaded the fresh shock cord
Through these loops to the metal head connector. It's a pain to sew up the old elastic
Granted but it means the old metal work stays in place, it just seems like the path of least
Resistance and it works a treat!
Good luck!