Hebei farmer builds Transformers from scrap parts
??? Xinhua News Agency, Shijiazhuang, June 30, special dispatch (reporters Qi Leijie and Ren Liying) - A "Optimus Prime" about 4 m tall and weighing one ton, a mighty and imposing "Bumblebee", and a spirited and humorous "Skyfire" - walking into Mafang Village, Nanmeng Town, Bazhou City, Langfang, Hebei, several Transformers made from scrap parts catch the eye and often draw repeated exclamations from passersby. This is the work of 6 local villagers, who want to use it to promote ideas such as turning waste into treasure and making rational use of resources.
??? "We are all from the post-70s generation and have loved Transformers since childhood," said Guo Jinyuan, a villager from Mafang Village. He and 5 other villagers including Wang Huiying are close friends and usually contract projects together. This year they had a bit more free time, and after seeing people on TV making Transformers from scrap materials, they too developed the dream of making Transformers with their own hands.
??? They acted as soon as they decided. The 6 people got together to watch the "Transformers" film series many times, downloaded pictures, printed them out and pasted them on the wall to study repeatedly, discussed what parts and equipment were needed and how to assemble them, and gradually got their bearings. After that, everyone split up to purchase scrap materials, select pictures, create shapes, and assemble and weld them.
??? "From drawing the plans to assembly and welding, grinding and spray painting, the whole production process has quite a few steps," Wang Huiying said. These Transformers are all made from parts from scrapped cars, motorcycles, electric bikes and so on. During the process, they repeatedly disassembled and reassembled them and kept improving them, and it took 1 month of tinkering before they built the first Transformer, "Optimus Prime". After gaining experience, they also built "Bumblebee" and "Skyfire", among others, taking more than 3 months in total.
??? The reporter saw that the 3 m tall "Bumblebee" has a bright yellow body, with the aura of a steel hero ready to emerge. "Skyfire", meanwhile, has a beard, both spirited and humorous. Today, these Transformers have become the label of the whole village. "We hope to promote the idea of turning waste into treasure and making rational use of resources," Guo Jinyuan said.