Action Man 1973 Talking Commander teardown - Toy Polloi

[@novax-ig9yt]

Two things: 1. Even when it's not a toy I collect, I still love watching fix it videos like this. 2. It's always amazing to see the technology that went into toys from the 1970s and 1980s!

[@tarmacscratcher]

Great video. I'm about to get my original talking commander talking again. He hasn't said a word since about 1975. 😊

[@chesterisblue6174]

Did you get it working?

[@tarmacscratcher]

@@chesterisblue6174 yes I did. It's not too difficult.

[@UnprofessionalFlip]

Thanks for posting a video like this. Not every project goes quite as planned and I very much appreciate that your attitude is to not give up, but rather take a break. I think it's easy to get frustrated and give up on something when it doesn't go well the first time. I feel encouraged by this video to keep going with my difficult projects. Thank you.

[@toypolloi]

Some toys just don't want to be fixed. And this was one of them. I will come back to it once I find some more parts to use. I mostly collect the blue pants era figures, so don't have any bits for this type of talker. And one day I will get him fixed. Just not today.

[@oxleymations]

@@toypolloi Interesting to see what the inside of a talking action man looks like, it's a lot similar to the version we got here in the states. From my own personal experience taking apart an adventure team talking commander I noticed at least one thing that was missing on your talking commander. On the two metal pieces from the fly wheel, if you notice there are two black square shaped marks? Those should have had a little felt pad to help cushion them against that plastic housing they spin around in as well as aiding in the slowing of the record strips playback (if that makes sense to you) and after reviewing the footage it looks like there might have been another felt pad missing from under the record strip itself, I hope this helps you somewhat, have a happy Christmas and keep up the good work.

[@UnprofessionalFlip]

@@toypolloi You always seem to find just the right things to fix up toys, so I'm sure he'll be 100% in no time.

[@grimmace2131]

Patience! I will keep an eye out for the return.

[@kandijaimz]

To be honest Dave you did well just finding one with a talking mechanism! These are an absolute sod to repair and out of a dozen I've only managed to fix one.

[@Sgt-lott10]

I would suggest talking with Some people on Facebook, thats how I’m working on one with the same mechanism and it went from no noise to talking in about an hour

[@Tim-57]

Hey Dave I have no suggestions. However would like to thank you for showing some of the struggles you go through, to make videos. Looking forward to watching you fix it, when all lines up with parts and such. Take care 🙂

[@sarrge78]

That is quite an interesting talker mechanism!

[@chesterisblue6174]

Honestly with a mechanism like the first one on how the metal bit snapped I would just use it for parts like the tape looks like it's in good shape so it could be used to repair on with a ripped tape

[@kjamison5951]

Hi Dave. The five black marks on the cord are crucial to the proper operation of the voice unit. Pulling he cord to the first black mark should always play the first message. The second black mark plays the second message and so on. IIRC, the five tracks are parallel but the start of each recording has an angled track so the needle can pick up that track. Pulling the cord, advances the tape to a smooth piece, as the cord is released, the tape moves forward, the needle slides over the tape until it encounters an angled groove and it plays that track. I remember taking apart my talking commander and the tape had to be repaired as it had become damaged. All I could do at the time was repair it with sellotape to hold the two halves of the tape together - it split longitudinally. Bizarrely, my commander has disappeared from years ago. So I cannot help you further. The record disc was used to great effect in the Field Radio. I have a few of those, none of them working at present. Lots of battery corrosion. However I do have four discs, Red, Green, Yellow and Blue. Good luck in future. At least you comprehend the mechanism and it’s only 50 years of wear which has got the better of you for now.

[@Hi-res64]

I was thinking that that knot that was in there was obviously supposed to keep right ? So the string shouldn't be that long in the original string was just cut off at the base that knot was to keep it from unwinding completely I don't think it should be completely out. I don't know but am I right? There's obviously some sort of spring that has been broken that would keep the tension on their so it would not unwind very very fast maybe something to do with that top piece that was broken off

[@batter8178]

Hi no some on has probably took him apart and tied it the black marks where to choose what he said

[@batter8178]

And the flywheele (govner)is to keep it from moving too fast

[@TimeTunnelToysUK]

Always love seeing your Action Man videos.

[@lepterfirefall]

Isnt the flywheel needed to regulate the speed the tape moves back to get the needle in the groove?

[@batter8178]

You might be able to use stone sort of mettle or a tape measure because they are very springy

[@davelane6176]

hi Dave I'm in my 50 s and remember getting one of these for Xmas one year a few months later the string broke and mechanism broke. the next version was a figure with a backpack radio.hope you can repair it in the future.i would like to take this opportunity to wish you and Mrs toy polloi a very merry Christmas and a happy New year

[@zachivan7557]

Great job on the video im amazed that those voice ones are able to be fixed dont give up and good luck (and merry early christmas Toypollio)

[@melnormechaannel7676]

Well, I guess now we know why the tape version was phased out... hopefully you'll be able to get this one to work eventually.

[@Laura_M-16]

Well, we learn more from our failures than successes.

[@jameslongden9350]

I was hoping that you could get this working as I have one that I was planning to fix over Christmas. I did notice that the figure is missing a spring that comes from the diaphragm to the plastic holding the needle firm against the tape. I think it also transfers the vibration to the soundbox. There is also a sort of felt on the flywheel to slow it down as it spins.

[@certifiedhuman5420]

BRUTALLITY!

[@mastertigerkid]

Good video...Thanks for review!

[@CriticalThinker08]

Seems to me someone should've made a simple digital replacement voice recording mechanism for fixing all of the old Action men and GI Joe talkers by now. Maybe not enough demand for it, but I would think that it wouldn't be too difficult for an electronics engineer to rig up an awesome solution with hundreds of phrases

[@vengeance1701]

I like seeing the evolution of projects:)

[@malcr2325]

Wow. Never seen the inside of the tape talking commander. Seen the record one. Best of luck getting it working. But maybe the plastic and tape itself are to old to salvage. Great though. More Micronauts soon I hope. I love them.

[@onevision5]

Hi Dave. I bought one of these a few months ago with a plan to fix it. I'm stumped by the mechanism so fingers crossed you manage to complete yours.

[@toypolloi]

As soon as I find more parts, I will try again. This is not the normal era of Action Man I collect, so I need to start hunting for bits.

[@onevision5]

Toy Polloi I’m hoping to have another go myself over the Christmas break. I think mine is close but the needle isn’t connecting to the diaphragm correctly.

[@thomasplouffe1363]

You have to put the Fly wheel back in! With felt on the ends

[@toypolloi]

Thanks. Yeah I have worked it out now based on having one that works. This one was such a mess to start with it was hard to know what was supposed to go where.

[@MeanJohnDean]

The marks on the string should allow you to chose what he says.

[@bassmandanmartin3700]

What a fascinating mechanism! I love seeing these innards. Looking forward to the future installments of this testoration!

[@The1queencollector]

I would try to get a full working one and work it out from that, its a tough one, or get a newer version that's wrecked and use the mechanism from that. I have worked on several Star Wars troop transporters like yourself and in the end they become easy to fix. You will work it out eventually, we have faith.

[@toypolloi]

It's not the normal era I collect. But if I see one cheap I will grab it, as I would like to get this guy fixed up.

[@benmarriott7396]

I was able to replace the coil from an 80s talker into a 60s/70s talker

[@TheToyBoy1978]

Ive just watched you opening up the Action Man again Dave, i didn't see the "cone" shaped spring that compresses the mechanism from the back?

[@batter8178]

I noticed that I have a spare

[@GALAXIE67]

Awesome! Toy master!! Were not worthy!! 👍☯️👍 They don't put that much in to toys nowadays, cost to much, now they're just cheaply made!!

[@ivangonzalez8415]

My hat's off 2 u.I give u credit 4 posting still. Reality is that there is a risk and it's not always is gonna work, but most of the time it does 4 u.I'm sure that eventually you'll get what u need 2 make it work.

[@jonnycrookvideo]

How about making digital recordings of the clips and then have a project where you embed a micro speaker (Bluetooth) into the Action man - then trigger him to say his phrases. Would be good to have digital copies of the voices for historical archive!

[@ethrieltd]

Sometimes a thing gets broke, can't be fixed...

[@g2macs]

Would it not be more 'authentic' to give early A.M hard hands not the rubber ones? I remember when they changed over, it was such a big deal, they had 'now with gripping hands' plastered over the boxes and in the adverts.

[@toypolloi]

This version came with rubber hands. So it's correct for the figure.

[@kjpe]

do you know how to fix a blue pants leg fully to go on the pelvis?

[@tycondrius23]

I have two these squawkers both don't seem to work one had that super fast spin issue . but I'll take some pics of them and send them via FB you might see if there is something on them that's not on yours that regulates the speed

[@katenunyabizness9221]

My understanding is that the flywheel weights should expand when spinning and rub against the plastic ring to use that friction to adjust the speed. Over years of use, both seem to wear each other down and no longer work as effectively. I had a talking soldier who was a fast speaker and used the pads from a cassette repair kit (essentially a tiny felt block with sticky on one side) to reintroduce the friction and slowed him down to pretty normal speed.

[@thomasplouffe1363]

I find fixing the early action mans or gi joes easier then the blue pants

[@toypolloi]

Blue pants are generally a pain to fix.

[@lostonwallace1396]

Is there a chance that the sound side of the tape could be actually facing the wrong way??

[@toypolloi]

I don't think so. The tape was clearly wound on that way round. Would be hard to wind it on the other way around.

[@davelane6176]

hi Dave I'm in my 50,s and remember getting one of these for Xmas one year.a few weeks later the string broke and the mechanism.fell apart.the next version was the figure that came with a backpack.that had a series of phrases on small records.hope you are able to get him up and running soon.also I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you and Mrs toy polloi a very merry Christmas and a happy New year

[@eltenda]

Nice video! Merry xmas!

[@leechisholm6885]

Stop there, the white plastic cover on top is the wrong way round, see there's a little notch underneath to keep the black band down . I am doing one now .

[@thetworoos]

This looks extremely frustrating. Was there ever a follow-up to this video? I’d love to see if the mighty skills of Toy Polloi solved this!

[@toypolloi]

I've not returned to this, but I do now have a spare mechanism so I probably should look at it again.

[@benmarriott7396]

If you want i can fix it for you?

[@gagemesser6715]

You should watch some of Michael Boinski's KZbin videos, He is a Gi joe collector, but the figure should be fixable. However, the reason the spring snapped is because the fly wheel wasn't in it and didn't have fiy wheel pads. The way it works is by using centripetal force to maintain the proper speed so the voice is the perfect speed. I collect gi joe, and i know there are a few differences between the Gi joe and action man talkers, but it's basically the same

[@toypolloi]

Thanks. I will check them out.

[@irvinelawrence2733]

Did you ever find another mechanism🤔

[@toypolloi]

I did. I've yet to film a repair using it.

[@ActionMenWorldPeacekeepers]

Did you ever fix this or no?

[@Richardstevens1234]

Its alive alive

[@kevinsampson8779]

Dave did you ever get the mechanism fixed?

[@toypolloi]

I have another mechanism now that I think is more likely to be repairable. I'll add it to my list of projects.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

I don't bother with these anymore. ive taken several of these apart in the past and never got 1 to work, infact the last 1 i had was working reasonably well but was jumping alot, i simply took it apart to clean the tape, put it back together and it never worked again and the string also started sticking were it hadn't had a problem before. So that was it for me. ive got 2 that work perfectly well (1 as a back up) and i'm as careful as hell when pulling those strings. lol Btw Dave the string is always approximately 30cm in length when fully extended.

[@toypolloi]

They do seem temperamental. I will try again when I find another that I can use for parts. I still believe it can be made to work.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

If anyone can get that to work Dave its you.

[@gamerid6507]

i hope u find a solution 2 this problem

[@SafetyProMalta]

I remember having a radio pack with plastic records? Am I going mad?

[@irvinelawrence2733]

"Corpman!" "Medic!"

[@robertdarcy2168]

Mm,shame you cut Original Pull Cord without retaining cord from returning. The Black mark's as I've noticed has been remarked are crucial for operation. Disappointed with such a failure. I'm Wishing to purchase one of these Original Talker's. Unfortunately All my prize possessions were just given away without my consent when juvenile. GUTTED! An Old-boy Action Man Enthusiast Robert.

[@jokerproduction5135]

That flywheel looks like a governor to slow the tape

[@toypolloi]

I think that is the proper name for it. Governor. It sounds like there should be some felt on the outer edge of the weights. That might slow it down some more.

[@katenunyabizness9221]

@@toypolloi When I repaired a talking soldier who was talking fast, I put two little felt pads from an old cassette tape repair kit on opposite sides of the flywheel for balance. Looks like they are either missing or worn down on yours. I would suggest putting them on the dark spots on the metal weights to keep it balanced. The tough part is getting the thickness just right to slow it down but not too much.

[@leechisholm6885]

How can I get hold of you 4 years on down

[@Nimrod2024-z4b]

i have the same one

[@THEBigMunkee]

So this how woody talks in toy story? XD

[@toypolloi]

Similar. I would expect him to use a record, like the later issue Action Man figures.

[@Brochacho-Solutions]

I've always wanted a talking commander, finally found one on ebay, a 40th anniversary one. I've looked everywhere on the internet and cannot find any help on fixing him. He was sealed in box, his string will not retract and he will not talk even with fresh batteries. I knew the 40th had string retracting issues, which I am fine with, but I really want him to talk. Is there anyone out there that knows what to do? I have opened him up and everything, wiring etc. seems in place. Thank you all in advanced

[@toypolloi]

Sadly I think the electronics used in toys these days I made very cheaply and fail very quickly. I have many electronic toys from the 90's onwards that no longer work now. It's why I prefer older toys that have mechanical internals that are generally fixable.

[@batter8178]

Or you can get a talking gi I Joe and replace the spring

[@passthebutterrobot2600]

This makes brain surgery look easy

[@milesgentry850]

DO YOU THINK SOMEONE..OR DO THEY HAVE THESE TALKING MECHANISMS IN STOCK SOMEWHERE..HASBRO HAS MADE REPRODUCTIONS!I REMEMBER AS A KID..I COULD TAKE IT APART..GI JOE..WATER IS THE WORST FOR MECHANISMS!

[@greenlanternhg5141]

Maybe it’s just me, but I think those voice pieces have an extra mesh to slow down the string 🤔...again maybe it’s just me, I took a part some of those (not for that particular figure) and discovered if I removed a specific mesh I’d speed up the way they talk...used to freak out my sister when I did that to her toys 😂

[@MrVolvobloke]

Pffft. Action man commander was never a great conversationalist anyway. You've probably learned just as much -if not more from this project than any of the others. So much thought and engineering in such a simple toy. So rare in this day of the micro chip.