Building the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 156-158

This is it, that last issues...well, not really.  More on that later.

Issues 156-158

Issues 156-158 complete the train segments of the build. So hang in there one last time as we build these same parts for the last time.

Issue 156 - Railroad Ties

Contents of Issue 156

Not going to miss building these parts

Issue 157 - Rail

Contents of Issue 157

Huh, just realised that I am building a railroad.  History repeats itself

Issue 158- Train Wheel

Contents of Issue 158

Finally!  The fourth and final wheel.  We do have a new screw to help secure the wheels, the TM.  

I hope there is not a spare like there was for the stock wheels.  Refer to Issue 110.  I mean that is one way for Eaglemoss to milk this. 

Ah, but there is another way to milk this build.  Apparently, there is one more shipment to come.  Spoiler Alert.  The final (hopefully) shipment will be a car cover to protect the build from getting dust and dirt.  But, as you recall, this thing came with a display case.  No real need for a car cover under a plexi case.  Oh well, may as well complete it, would be a shame to cancel now.

Since the car cover should not have any screws, we present you with the final screw count after 158 issues:

114-AP, 25-BP, 3-CP, 26-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 36-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 6-QP, 1-RP, 2-OP, 1-TM

Bonus content, here are all the extra screws, with the little dime bags and screw labels.  Yes, I kept all of it.

Screwed

to be concluded...

Building the Back To The Future Time Machine - Issues 152-155

Here we go again

We are nearing the end of this build...finally!  Our latest shipment includes these issues:

Issues 152-155

Hey look, the covers of Issue 152 and 155 almost line up to make an almost complete view of the DeLorean Time Machine.  That is about as exciting as this shipment gets.

Issue 152 - Railroad Ties

Contents of Issue 152

Yeah, here we go again.  But wait, there is more.

Issue 153 - Rail

Contents of Issue 153

Yep, this again. Wait for it...

Issue 154 - Train Wheel

Contents of Issue 154

There is one more set of Railroad Ties, Rail, and Train Wheel.  The next shipment should handle that.

Issue 155 - Hood Box Straps and Hoses

Contents of Issue 155

After those railroad parts, this is interesting.  We add the final straps of the hood box.  Tweezers and small hands are helpful.  The final two hoses that tuck under the hood are attached.  That concludes the hood box assembly.  The last shipment will have the final three issues and we will be done. 

Until then, here is your updated screw count

114-AP, 25-BP, 3-CP, 25-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 29-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 6-QP, 1-RP, 2-OP

to be continued...

Building the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issue 128

Issue 128

 We finally received Issue 128...and only Issue 128.  Okay, we got a t-shirt, too. We have been waiting to for these parts for about five months.  Our shipment of the other Plutonium Case parts have arrived in December 2020.

The four issues that build the Plutonium Case is pretty straight forward.  There are small screws, there is even a new screw, the PP.  You know how excited we are about that.  We also have tiny stickers, the warning labels of each Plutonium tube in the canisters. 

One final detail is the alarm clock that Doc Brown puts on the dash of the Time Machine to let Marty know when to start driving towards the clock tower.  

Fun fact:  If you look at the different versions my Hot Wheels Back to the Future Time Machines, you will notice that the first version is the one you see at Twin Pines Mall in 1985.  No clock on the dash.  All the other versions (Mr. Fusion, Hover, Hood Box, Train Wheels), they have the alarm clock sitting on the dash.  These other versions happen after the first 1955, when the clock is placed on the dash.  This applies to the 1/64 versions.

We only did the 1985 version of the Time Machine for our 1/50 line.  For the 1/43 versions, there is no clock in the Mr. Fusion.  Bet you never noticed that, slight error.  In the 1/18 versions, there is a clock on the dash.  This is not removable, because we knew you would lose it, so it is permanently attached to the dash.  If you happen to have the Ultimate Edition, the Twin Pines Mall version would be slightly inaccurate.  Shh...no one ever noticed.

Here is the what issues 127-130 look like after assembly.

Plutonium Box with canisters and alarm clock

Oh yes, the shirt.  Pretty good looking shirt with a semi-exploded view of the Time Machine.  

The default size of the shirt is large.  Too lazy, but should have asked for the medium.  Oh well.

We are all caught up with back issues.  There should be about eight more issues, or two shipments to go.  Here is you up to date screw count:

116-AP, 25-BP, 3-CP, 24-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 29-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 24-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 10-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 6-QP, 1-RP, 3-OP, 2-PP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 147-150

...and we are back.

This is a shipment from almost a year ago (April 2020).  These parts have been stashed away, deep in an abandoned mine and we finally dug it up.

Issues 147-150

These parts kind of spoiled the surprise, we have known for a while that there was a going to be train modification to the Time Machine. With Issue 150 in hand a year ago, we thought the build would end at 150. Turns out, there are more railroad ties, rails, and train wheels to be shipped, received, and built.

But, we are almost to the end...and we are still missing Issue 128.

Issue 147 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 147

There are some tiny parts in this, issue.  Take your time and make sure you are working in a clean area as parts and screws tend to fly.  Small hands and good lighting is very helpful for this build, along with patience.

You know how we love screws.  Hold your horses, no screw count yet.  But we did notice the reintroduction of the CP screw that we had not seen in a while.  Also, and this is very exciting, 147 issues in to the build, we have a new RP screw!

Issue 148 - Railroad Ties

Contents of issue 148

All the excitement of the last issue and we are back to this.  Feel free to skip ahead.

Issue 149 - Rail

Contents of Issue 149

Keep skipping

Issue 150 - Train Wheel

Contents of Issue 150

Only the second train wheel and it is not much work.  Two screws and you are done.  Remember to keep the washer and cap in safe place and there is no need to remove the wheel from the blister if you wish to keep thee wheel 'fresh'.

Remember last time, we had Issue 151?  Well, now we can dive into that.  

There are some really small parts and screws.  Speaking of screws, we have another new screw to report, the OP.  These are the tiny screws used to secure the tiny handles of  the hood box. 

After this shipment, there should be two more sets of railroad ties, rails, and train wheels, and at least one issue of hood box elements.  So, at least seven issues, possibly eight.  Again, that should be two shipments, which means we can finally be done sometime in the Summer.  Hopefully, of this year.  A total of 158 issues, or maybe rounding it up to 160 issues total.  Pretty sure Eaglemoss can toss in some more parts, and for sure we will be received another shitty binder.  We could just look it up to see the final issue count, but what is the fun in that?

Here is the screw count, with two new screws!

114-AP, 25-BP, 3-CP, 24-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 29-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 6-QP, 1-RP, 2-OP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 144, 145, 146, 151

We are close to end...maybe.  Initial thought: there is the "original" 130 issues with 20 issues for the train modifications of the Time Machine.  Well, with this shipment, we can see there are more to come.  Our calculations were not correct, and there are at least seven more issues left, possibly eight.  Details on this later, but let us get to this shipment

Issues 144, 145 ,146, 151

Surprise, we have missing issues.  Ah, the good news it, we have had the 'missing issues' (147-150) since April of 2020.  Yeah, that box of parts have been sitting there for almost a year.  There was a period when there were serious delays in receiving parts from Eaglemoss, so they just started shipping later issues. Those issues and parts would sit there until back issues arrived. 

Yes, for those keeping score, we are still waiting for Issue 128. 

Issue 144 Railroad Ties

Contents of Issus 144

Look familiar?  Yep, we are doing this...again.  Any guesses to what is next?

Issue 145 - Rail

Contents of Issue 145

If you guessed "Rail", you are correct!

Issue 146 - Train Wheel

Contents of Issue 146

Whoa!  What is this?  Something new and different!  A simple build as all you do is attached the disc to the metal train wheel.  Yes, metal.  Be careful not to lose the washer and cap, small parts.

Pro tip:  Keep the wheel in the blister.  There really is no need to remove the wheel to attach the disc.  You can also use the little baggie to store that cap and washer.

Issue 151 - Time Circuit Components 

Contents of Issue 151

Not much we can do with these parts right now. We will hunt that box of parts from eleven months ago. For now, here is your screw count:

113-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 23-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 21-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 5-QP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issue 140-143

Oh, we have another shipment.  It was in a larger box, and that usually means we get another stupid binder.  One of these days we will get into why these binders are stupid.  Maybe we have already.  But, it has been so long...maybe you want to read about it again.

 Well, luckily this was not the case.  Some of the parts and packing material made this shipment too big to fit in their standard box.  They could have made it fit in a standard box.  Although, the feeling of expecting the stupid binder and be relieved that there was no binder is ecstatic.

Issues 140-143

By the way, we are still waiting on Issue 128...still waiting.  Anyway, here we go...

Issue 140 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 140

Tiny hands help when you have to deal with these little lightbulbs.  You also need a lot of strength.  Ideally, hands of a tree frog with strength of a bear.  Good luck. 

We also have some wire work in this issue. No, not like Yeun Woo-Ping...little tiny wires.

Issue 141 - Railroad Ties

Contents of Issue 141

Guess what.  Yep, same thing.  Although our parts came with an extra eight EP screws.  That is a lot of extras, as we normally get one, sometimes two, extra per screw.  We nearly doubled our EP screws after this shipment.  We know you are excited about the screw count.  Hold your horses, we will get to that at the end per usual.

Issue 143 - Rail

Contents of Issue 142

At this point, we do not even need to look at the build instructions.  Are we that good?  Nah, this is our fourth time doing this...and more to go.  Yay?

Issue 143 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 143

Yippee! We got two Issues with Time Circuit parts in this shipment.  Many small parts in this.  Careful with that cross piece, overtightening could bend the ends.  We found out the hard way.

This is what you have been waiting for...

113-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 21-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 5-QP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 136-139

Issues 136-139

Following the same pattern as the previous shipment, here are Issues of the latest shipment.

 Issue 136 - Rail

Contents of Issue 136

You know the drill.

Issue 137 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 137

This is the only interesting Issue of the shipment, and one you need to pay attention to.  There are some small parts that can easily lost. Be careful and be patient.  

Pro Tip:  Take your time with these tiny clear parts.  Better to go one by one with these clear 'tubes' than to rush and remove them all from the sprue.  Ask me how I came to that conclusion.  Work above a clean surface so pieces are easier to locate.

Small screws are the least of your problems, at least you have extras of those.  Not so much with the plastic parts.

Issue 138 - Railroad Ties

Contents of Issue 138

Yep, same thing

Issue 139 - Rail

Contents of Issue 139

Hey, you look familiar.  You know what to do.

...and your screw count up until now.

111-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 11-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 7-NP, 3-QP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 132-135

 Last shipment of the year.  Here is what we have

Issues 132-135

Good news, no 'missing' issues in this shipment.  Bad news, we are still missing Issue 128...but, since we have Issue 131 from last shipment, we can start on the Part III elements of the Time Machine.   

The build for 131 is simple.  While there are no wires, there is a ribbon with LED lights.  Keep in mind that this should be the first Issue of 'bonus' Part III builds.  The will come into play in future shipments.  We will get into that later.  But first...

Issue 132 - Railroad Ties

Issue 132 contents

Well, it looks like we are going to build this railroad track one section at time.  If you had questions on how Eaglemoss was going to milk 20 issues out of this, here is your answer.

Issue 133 - Rail

Issue 133 contents

Nice solid piece of metal for the rails

Issue 134 - Time Circuit Box

Issue 134 contents

Ah, something more interesting.  Some more hood box elements. Lots of little details and small parts. We also have a new screw, QP.  One annoying part of the build, you have to undo part of the build in 131 and replug in the part.  Be careful not to damage the ribbon.

Issue 135 - Railroad Ties

Issue 135 contents

Pretty much the same as 132. But, this one has more screws and brackets.  There are a total of eight railroad ties, and rails. 

I am guessing the pattern for the next shipments will be Railroad Ties, Rail, Hood Box Components, rinse and repeat.  Somewhere in there should be some train wheels...and then we will be done.

Now, the exciting part, screw count.  Note that this excludes Issues 127-130 (Plutonium Box), we will add those in when we received and build the missing issues:

110-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 8-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 6-NP, 2-QP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 127, 129, 130, 131

We got another shipment a few days ago.  Nothing was built, because...surprise...another issues is on back order.  Here is what we got

Issues 127,129,130,131

Issue 127 – Plutonium Case Lid

 

Contents of Issue 127

There are some cute tiny parts in this Issue, including those tiny MP screws.  I guess I can put this together and wait for the next issue.  Speaking of next issue, Issue 128 is the base of the case.  It may be a while before that issue is available.

 Issue 129 – Plutonium Case Inserts

 

Contents of Issue 129

Spacers and foam lining for the plutonium case.

Issue 130 – Plutonium

Contents of Issue 130

Twelve canisters, with twelve rods of plutonium for the case.  There are even twelve little stickers for each of the rods that we will need to apply.  Also comes with a clock, I assume it is the dash clock. 

Here is where the original 130 issues ends.  At this point, we have the car completed (back in issue 126) and another four issues to build the plutonium case.  We already know that that subscription was extended to and additional 20 issues for a total of 150 issues. 

 What else is there to build?  Well, you know.  We knew this since we got the white wall wheels, at least a year ago.  Of course, since there are 1955 wheels, we need the hood box to complete that look.  Well, we have also received random issues and know that there are also train wheels and a train track for display.  They got to milk another 20 issues somehow.

Issue 131 – Hood Box

So, we begin on the hood box.  This is the base, and it has tiny LED's for light up.  No building means no screw count, so until next time.  Next shipment is on the way.  Surprise, Issue 128 is not on the manifest.  This is what we will do, we will build the Hood Box and, as usual, wait for the back order issues to arrive.

...to be continued

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 119, 120, 125, 126

 

Issues 119, 120, 125, 126

Well, looks like the skipped some issues. Oh wait, spoiler alert, I received the shipment for 121-124 a while back.  We will just deal with this current shipment in this post.  Then we will go back (in time) and talk about the other shipment in a future post.

Issue 119 - Vent Exhaust

Parts for Issue 119

The vent exhaust is very hidden on the actual car, but they are there...so they are here.  These are the guys responsible for the venting smoke after the Time Machine arrives at a destination time.

We also have some photo etched parts to get that perforated look at the end of the exhaust.

Issue 120 - Vent Hoses

Parts for 120

These six hoses connect the oil separators to the vents.  These are just press fit in, no screws needed.

Here is were we go to the next shipment.  But since we make up the rules as we go, we are going to finish talking about this shipment then continue on the next post with the other parts. So the next two sets of parts will not be assembled until the we do the other four.  There will not be a screw count at the end of this post.  Hang in there.  It makes sense in our heads, just go along.

Issue 125 - Vent Cable

Parts for 125

Cables that from the vent to the rear of the back plate.  Plus you get strips of stickers to wrap around some hoses.  Fun times!  Although, the application of these stickers on hoses/cables already mounted is quite difficult.  Again, small hands and tweezers help.  Still have not found my tweezers.

Issue 126 - Vent Cowls

Parts for 126

The vent cowls is exactly how the vents are finished off on the real car.  They hook underneath the top of the rear fascia and complete the vents.  

Fun Fact:  In Part II, when the (fiberglass) Time Machine is landing in the alley, you can see that someone forgot to mount these pieces on the vent.

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 115-118

Here we go another box.  This one feels really light.

Issues 115-118

This shipment contains minimal parts.  Opening the box to check if everything is there, I found that the parts for 116 were missing.  But, I got two sets of parts for 118.  The magazines were all accounted for.  A quick call to customer service and replacement parts were sent.  In the meantime, we did not get started on building, since I may 'block' and area if I skip ahead in the build.

Issue 115 - Reactor Components

Contents of Issue 115

These parts are what is known as the Oil Separators and Crossover Tube.  Good detail in the parts, easy to assemble.  Pretty straight forward.

Issue 116 - Reactor Cables

Contents of Issue 116

These were the parts that were missing the the initial shipment.  I mean, it is just four cables, that is it.   I could see this being missed while packing the box.  This too, was as normal, in a box.  Kinda a waste, as a packing slip and this baggie were the only things in the box, along with a lot air bags for packing.  Anyway, we have the parts and we can build.

This is a rare Issue with no screws.  Simply plug in the cables in the holes.  Helps to have small hands or tweezers.  Ugh, I misplaced my tweezers.

Issue 117 - Reactor Hoses 

Contents of Issue 117

Another issue assembled without the use of screws.  The small hose connect the oil separators to the base of the reactor chamber while the longer hose connects to the Janitrol unit to the back of the rear wall.

Issue 118 - Hoses and T-195

Contents of Issue 118

So, I have an extra set of these.  Some of the final details of the reactor area on the rear deck.  

While only two issues in this shipment had screws, we still have screws.  

Screw count:  105-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 4-EP, 20-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 3-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 21-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM

to be continued...