InArt: The Lord of the Rings - Gandalf 1:6

[Earth 616 Collector]

Sanctum Toys is located in Malaysia. I purchased the Batsignal with them to test them with a cheaper product. They originally responded fast to any emails, but now are ignoring me. They even pulled their site offline last week for a few days and I wondered if that was the moment they were skipping town.

Even if i ever get my Batsignal, I would never purchase from again or recommend them to anyone. Their were a few people on here recommending them earlier this year. I'm not sure how anyone could put a fellow collector through that.

Also combing through their site and policies, they do not give back cash refunds for canceling, only store credit. Huge red flag as no legitimate company would do that unless they have a cash flow problem.

I still have 6 months to file a refund with my credit card company. Even if I can't get my refund, I'm only out about $130. This is definitely another Toys Wonderland situation, so I feel bad for anyone that has a lot of money tied up there.

I doubt I test any more companies in the Asia area in the future. I will stick with OSK as the go to, then Giantoy and KGHobby.

 

[WonderlandOllie]

Yes what also doesn’t make sense is that they gave me a refund instantly, and then an additional refund for the PayPal fees I incurred. So ended up giving me a little more than I originally paid! That’s what kind of made me feel they could be legit, but had a scam posting service. Guess I’ll never know…

 

[Mr.Tanker]

Finally got my Gandalf from Specfiction. I already have Aragorn, and honestly figured Gandalf wouldn't be nearly as impressive by comparison.

Boy, was I wrong.

I have yet to really futz him—the hair is a little wild—but this figure is still ridiculously impressive right out of the box.

Collectively, Gandalf and Aragorn put every other 1/6 figure I have ever bought to shame.

 

[QuiGonFishing]

I don’t usually toot my own horn, but DAMN! I’m GREAT!

 

[Tolkien Nerd]

I don’t usually toot my own horn, but DAMN! I’m GREAT!

You toot away! That is amazing!

 

[Bleah]

I don’t usually toot my own horn, but DAMN! I’m GREAT!

 

[Mr.Tanker]

Just incredible.

 

[HyperDrive]

I’ll ask the professionals before doing something stupid.

So, since May, I’ve had Gandalf with mismatched sleeves: left hand through the sleeve and the right hand without the sleeve. Ideally, I’d like to have both hands/thumbs through the sleeve holes but the shirt sleeves are way too short and I’m not able to peg the right hand without pulling on the shirt and tearing it even more than it already is… even if I managed to get the right hand through, the movement in the arms would be pretty hindered. At this point, I can’t even remove the left hand without fear of tearing the material around the thumb since it’s being pulled tight.

What’s the best thing to do here so I’m able to have both hands in the sleeves? Cut the sleeves along the arms? If so, what would be the best location to make the incision at?

I bought the Asmus shirt for the extra length in the sleeves but upon further inspection, I’d rather keep the stock shirt, since I prefer the material, color and quality.

Any input!? Thank you in advance.

 

[HyperDrive]

Also, the manual calls for both of these hands to be “holding gestures” but are they supposed to have a different grip diameter?
I just tried having the right hand hold the sword, and it’s way too loose now.. does not hold it. I bet it’s loosened up after holding the Moria staff this whole time, that’s unfortunate..

 

[PorkChop]

Also, the manual calls for both of these hands to be “holding gestures” but are they supposed to have a different grip diameter?
I just tried having the right hand hold the sword, and it’s way too loose now.. does not hold it. I bet it’s loosened up after holding the Moria staff this whole time, that’s unfortunate..

View attachment 734649

No idea about the shirt, but I found that a blast of heat from the hairdryer can be used to get the hands to grip again. Warm it up, put it around the sword and then squeeze.

 

[Joe The Collector]

Still loving mine

 

[ronnieb555]

Same, loving him even more now that Aragorn is next to him.

 

[i_amjam]

Man these look great next to one another.

 

[HyperDrive]

Help, pretty please

 

[cmiller99]

Help, pretty please

I thought there was a picture someone posted of a mod like the one you're describing, but I can't find it any more.

I'm not sure about this and I would definitely check the shirt yourself to see if this is a good idea, but I think the mod was to cut the sleeve at the upper arm/bicep area. Then put the sleeve back on the forearms with the thumbs in the sleeve holes, and re-attach the sleeves to the rest of the shirt using a few short pieces of elastic. That area of the arm won't change much in length when re-positioned (unlike, say, the elbow), so the elastic is unlikely to get worn out quickly, and it'll be hidden well out of sight.

Edit: found the source of this idea, credit to @Gipetto0812
I still can't find the pictures though.

Finally got around to tweaking the undershirt on this figure. I cut the sleeves off near the biceps and sewed in a bit of elastic to allow enough give to get the hands in the thumb holes a little easier without making the sleeves too long/baggy.

My next hope is to remove the magnets inside the hands in order to get them to sit properly onto the wrist pegs. Just not sure how to go about it just yet

 

[HyperDrive]

I thought there was a picture someone posted of a mod like the one you're describing, but I can't find it any more.

I'm not sure about this and I would definitely check the shirt yourself to see if this is a good idea, but I think the mod was to cut the sleeve at the upper arm/bicep area. Then put the sleeve back on the forearms with the thumbs in the sleeve holes, and re-attach the sleeves to the rest of the shirt using a few short pieces of elastic. That area of the arm won't change much in length when re-positioned (unlike, say, the elbow), so the elastic is unlikely to get worn out quickly, and it'll be hidden well out of sight.

Edit: found the source of this idea, credit to @Gipetto0812
I still can't find the pictures though.

Thank you @cmiller99

@Gipetto0812 I have no expertise with sewing. Is that mod necessary or am I fine with solely cutting at the bicep? What would happen if I don’t add elastic?

 

[Gipetto0812]

Thank you @cmiller99

@Gipetto0812 I have no expertise with sewing. Is that mod necessary or am I fine with solely cutting at the bicep? What would happen if I don’t add elastic?

You don’t need to use elastic, I just didn’t want the sleeves to slide down. Not sure if they will but did it as a precaution. However, the material of the shirt tends to fray quite a lot like in the pic you posted; so, I did add a bead of B-7000 glue to prevent not only the thumb hole, but also the bicep cuts to not indefinitely fray. Hope this makes sense

 

[HyperDrive]

You don’t need to use elastic, I just didn’t want the sleeves to slide down. Not sure if they will but did it as a precaution. However, the material of the shirt tends to fray quite a lot like in the pic you posted; so, I did add a bead of B-7000 glue to prevent not only the thumb hole, but also the bicep cuts to not indefinitely fray. Hope this makes sense

Honestly, I think this is above my pay grade lol. I’ll just go back to how I had it oh well

 

[HyperDrive]

Crappy picture and didn’t really futz it, but I changed his pose up. Looks so lifelike in person. So happy I decided to get this guy.

 

[agonistes86]

Crappy picture and didn’t really futz it, but I changed his pose up. Looks so lifelike in person. So happy I decided to get this guy.

View attachment 734804

Great pose! Indeed very lifelike.