A "Bumblebee" model made from discarded parts by repairman Shu Jianjun
The model stands 2.2 meters tall. The creator has been praised by netizens as the "Dongguan Wonder" and is planning to build a 3-meter-tall "Optimus Prime."
The "Autobots" models such as "Bumblebee," "Optimus Prime," and "Megatron" from the movie *Transformers* are beloved by many fans. Recently, a news piece titled "A towering 'Bumblebee' model crafted from discarded bike parts in Dongguan has gone viral online," sparked widespread discussion, with many netizens praising the craftsmanship and calling the maker a genius. A reporter recently visited the site and saw this stunning "Bumblebee" model.
Created by an Ordinary Repairman
When the reporter arrived at the shop, they saw the "Bumblebee" displayed at the entrance—massive and lifelike, attracting crowds of passersby. The reporter observed that every part of this giant steel figure was welded together from discarded bicycle parts, with each component ingeniously repurposed to form the Autobot’s body, giving it a striking three-dimensional effect.
According to the reporter, the creator of this giant steel Autobot is a bicycle assembler and repairman named Shu Jianjun. The 36-year-old Shu came to Dongguan from Jiangxi in 2003 and opened this bicycle repair shop three years ago with his only savings of 8,000 yuan. Shu Jianjun introduced that his "Bumblebee" model stands 2.2 meters tall and weighs over 500 pounds. "I used materials from 20 discarded bicycles to make it."
Took One and a Half Months; Eco-Friendly Concept
Since repairing bicycles often leaves behind many discarded parts, Shu Jianjun decided to use these otherwise scrap metal components as raw materials. Shu said, "Although the model isn’t flashy, it has a rugged charm. Most importantly, it’s environmentally friendly, giving new life to discarded metal. I think that’s very meaningful."
Shu Jianjun admitted that welding scattered discarded parts into a massive and detailed "Bumblebee" wasn’t easy. "Just making the head took me over a week. During the process, I often hit roadblocks when one or two parts didn’t fit, and I’d work until 4 a.m. just to find the right pieces."
Shu Jianjun said, "To fully realize the overall structure, I hung the 'Bumblebee' from the ceiling using iron hooks and chains. The entire process took me one and a half months."
After the "Bumblebee" was completed and unveiled, it garnered widespread praise online. Many netizens left comments complimenting the creator as "talented" and "the Dongguan Wonder," with some "Transformers fans" even expressing interest in organizing group visits. Shu Jianjun revealed that he is currently collecting parts to build another Autobot character—“Optimus Prime.” He also mentioned that if conditions allow in the future, he plans to create models of the entire *Transformers* Autobot series.