NEXT Star Wars 1/6th Figure...
- Thread starter Wor-Gar
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lerath666
Super Freak
The figure is sensational - you're missing out big time.
NOPE.jpg
Not going to buy a figure made from Garbage metal.
^ Not sure what that's about but it's as good as any 1/6 figure could possibly be. Period.
VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
Something tells me there is a history here. 
lerath666
Super Freak
Whatever...........................
Lerath?
You're just plain Le-WRONG.
Something tells me there is a history here.
Lil bit of history, yes. Part of it comes from personal expierence. Part of it comes from a little bit of background in metalurgy from when I worked as a Jewler. Part of it comes from being a father.
LEts go down the list.
YES, i agree, the Chogokin 3P0 looks amazing right now. But we need to remember that it's made of Zamak. Or Diecast. Which, for the record, Zamak is an alloy of composed 90% of Zinc, with the remainder being made of Aluminum and copper, as well as trace amounts of lead in some cases, to increase the strength of the Zinc. The lead is less common in products sold at american retail, however.
Other names for Zamak also include "white metal" and "Pot metal"
Generaly speaking, Diecast is a poor, low quality metal, used for utility projects, as well as for training new metalworkers, due to its relative abundance, and low cost. Meaning, if you screw up while working with it, no one cares. It's also soft enough that it's good to work with from a "newbie" perspective. THe downside of it's soft nature means, however, it wears fairly eaisly.
Diecast is used to make things such as Toy cars doorknobs, pull handles on dressers, automobile parts, pots and pans for cooking, etc. Diecast is also more durable these days, due to the increased purity of the Zinc, and an almost completely eliminated nature of Zinc Pest. a Problem that used to rage across diecast products resulting in warping, cracking, and eventual crumbling.
These days, that's not as much of an issue. But it is still prone to taking damage, as white metal is fairly soft. Don't forget that Copper and Aluminium were added to make it STRONGER. Additionaly, it IS worth noting that Paint, and other coatings have trouble adhereing to the Zinc. Particularly in raised areas. This means that Diecast products are prome to paint wear and paint chipping. It can also Oxidize. Not Rust, as it's a non-ferrous metal. Instead of becoming red and flakey, Zamak tends to turn Black.
SO I gues if you really want an authentic 3p0 to match the one you still have from when you were a little kid, that's a plus.
GRANTED, if you don't handle him very much, the vac metal won't wear as bad, or as fast. But it still will.
Lastly, there is the weight. Diecast is HEAVY. for some people, this is a plus. there is a ( rather silly IMO) idea among some collectors that weight = value. This is one of the driving forces behind these sudden reimergence of Diecast being used so rampantly in higher-end pieces.
Remember I mentioned early that Diecast is prone to wear? I look forward to the eventual " Hey, my iron man/3P0/whatever Diecast figure's joints are starting to feel a little loose. anyone else? " threads we will see in a few years
To bring up a point, many of you are going to say " I'm not worried about paint chipping, as i'm not going to handle it much". Well that's great for you... but then why does the weight matter?
Speaking of weight... image if it's in your detolf. Or whatever you use, provided it has glass shelves.
And it falls over, as figures are wont to do if you don't use stands. Particularly top-heavy figures composed of metal.
And you DO NOT WANT to use a stand on 3p0. It WILL scratch his vac metal, and lead to more chipping.
Imagine him smashing his way down a detolf from the top shelf to the bottom shelf.
I don't have to image it. MP01 prime already was kind enough to demonstrate this for me several years ago.
Add to that Having a 1 Year old in the house, I'd have nightmares Of it falling of the wodden bookcase and hitting my kid.
No, I'm not saying the figure itself is bad. It's fairly awesome overall.
But it's too heavy, too dangerous, and made of a material that is too low-quality, and priced way more than I'm willing to spend on a 1/6th figure. I'll wait for the inevitable sideshow or hot toys release. Unless hot toys makes it Diecast as well, in which case, I'll just wait for Sideshow to get around to one. If they never do? no big deal. I've gone this long without a 3P0, I can do without indefinitely.
Patience is teh name of the game when it comes to collectables of any kind.
VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
Oh I agree - don't get me wrong. I'm applying that very principle to some other key characters, that I feel current 1/6 figure incarnations haven't been done proper justice to yet. Btw - I was having a friendly dig at you more than anything, I know you've posted before about the 'charms' of the world of die-cast items.
With the Tamashii C-3PO for example though - they're marketing it as 'die-cast'.. but what exactly just IS the composition of that figure? Sure - metals of some kind, but cheap & nasty ones as you say possibly?
I don't know about that man..
I've bypassed the current HT RoboCop for the time being - because of the 'die-cast' & sound gimmick. Not getting any 'die-cast' HT Iron Man figures. Tamashii C-3PO's a one off so far. I'll be using a modded HT stand for mine, & he certainly WON'T be be falling off any of my shelves.
lerath666
Super Freak
Oh I agree - don't get me wrong. I'm applying that very principle to some other key characters, that I feel current 1/6 figure incarnations haven't been done proper justice to yet. Btw - I was having a friendly dig at you more than anything, I know you've posted before about the 'charms' of the world of die-cast items.
With the Tamashii C-3PO for example though - they're marketing it as 'die-cast'.. but what exactly just IS the composition of that figure? Sure - metals of some kind, but cheap & nasty ones as you say possibly?
I don't know about that man..
l
Diecast IS either Zamak, Or die-cast Aluminum. That's it.
Zamak is a composit of Zinc and other materials. Zinc is cheap and abundant, but brittle. See previous post for more. I don't want to type it all again.
As for Die-cast Aluminum, it's fairly obvious that 3P0 isn't made from that, or else he would Weigh more. It's also stronger than standard Diecast, and is used frequently in aircraft landing gear.
Chogokin, for the record, means "Super Alloy" and is a fictitious material which first appeared in Go Nagai's Mazinger Z manga and anime. Diecast methods haven't really had any MAJOR changes since the late 40's, when purification methods of the Zinc dramaticly improved, ledaing to the allmost complete elimination of Zinc Pest. It's remained largely unchanged since then.
He's made of Zamak, and I don't want anything to do with it.
Not at the insane price they're asking for it anyways, but that's more prseonal opinion and finances, so it's not really relevent.
My advice to you, is to do some research into Diecast yourself, and see what you learn.
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VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
I'm not asking you to.. I gotcha the first time.I don't want to type it all again.
What I was getting at with my question though, was that when these high end companies actually use the phrase 'die-cast' (as in HT' case), there's no conspiracy according to you - it's the text book definition, every time?
I was thinking that there may be some misleading inferences with them blanket labeling these high end pieces with such a 'rubbish' oriented buzz word - if as you say, they're making them out of left over Hot Wheels car sludge.
lerath666
Super Freak
If I'm getting where you're coming from, you're infrencing that perhaps they've invented some new form of Diecast metal to make these from?
I highly doubt that's the case. Diecast is a fairly big buisness, and if some new method was devised, it would be pretty big news. the last big news in diecast was the large price reduction in aluminum die-casting.
I will say that in the SPECIFIC instance of Chokogin 3p0, Chokogin is intended to be a diecast throwback line to toys of the 70's and early 80's where things were primarily made from diecast. It's an intentional nostolgiabomb thing, and they DO use "matchbox cars" leftovers.
Additionaly, speaking of "collector items" made from diecast that might not be "pot metal" , may i direct your attention to Masterpiece Megatron, and his cosmic rust feet.
I highly doubt that's the case. Diecast is a fairly big buisness, and if some new method was devised, it would be pretty big news. the last big news in diecast was the large price reduction in aluminum die-casting.
I will say that in the SPECIFIC instance of Chokogin 3p0, Chokogin is intended to be a diecast throwback line to toys of the 70's and early 80's where things were primarily made from diecast. It's an intentional nostolgiabomb thing, and they DO use "matchbox cars" leftovers.
Additionaly, speaking of "collector items" made from diecast that might not be "pot metal" , may i direct your attention to Masterpiece Megatron, and his cosmic rust feet.
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VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
No.
Based on your input here, I'm basically questioning the business ethic of these high end companies.
When they mention the phrase - that's exactly what to expect?
Not just a buzz word?
It seems terribly unethical to charge astronomical prices for ****.
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lerath666
Super Freak
AH! I get you.
Yup, Diecast is both a product ( Zamek) and a process.
it is most DEFINITELY NOT a "Buzz-word".
No more than saying something is made from 24K gold is a buzzword.
Or any other metal.
Yup, Diecast is both a product ( Zamek) and a process.
it is most DEFINITELY NOT a "Buzz-word".
No more than saying something is made from 24K gold is a buzzword.
Or any other metal.
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VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
Well.. there you go.
I'm not one that necessarily subscribes to the 'heavy is good' idea.. but with this figure - apart from the detail / accuracy, it's the first thing you notice.
Look - I'll be thoroughly enjoying my Tamashii 3PO, & worrying about the negatives if / when the need arises. Worst case - if it needs replacing down the track, hopefully another company will have stepped up & released by then, a quality non metal C-3PO that's worth every penny.
I'm not one that necessarily subscribes to the 'heavy is good' idea.. but with this figure - apart from the detail / accuracy, it's the first thing you notice.
Look - I'll be thoroughly enjoying my Tamashii 3PO, & worrying about the negatives if / when the need arises. Worst case - if it needs replacing down the track, hopefully another company will have stepped up & released by then, a quality non metal C-3PO that's worth every penny.
lerath666
Super Freak
I'm anticipating that BOTH sideshow AND hot toys are taking notes from the Tamashi 3P0. I'm anticipating that whatever figure we see from either compant will integrate many aspects of this one, into their eventual figures. Possibly with some diecast, as opposted to being MOSTLY.
Like the arm pistons, for example.
Either/or, I'm content to wait.
Like the arm pistons, for example.
Either/or, I'm content to wait.
VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
Are you getting the new SSC Vader?
That's one instance where I'm more than prepared to wait for a better one.. even though I HAVE also entertained the idea of building a custom.
That's one instance where I'm more than prepared to wait for a better one.. even though I HAVE also entertained the idea of building a custom.
lerath666
Super Freak
Yup. I rather Liked the look of this vader. Yes, he's got problems, But I'm not finding any of his issues to be dealbreakers. Also I'm not gonna scoff at getting him for 150. Rewards points FTW.
I'd also like to add that I'm LOVING the fit of his costume to the body. The posability of Vader Action poses intrigues me.
I'd also like to add that I'm LOVING the fit of his costume to the body. The posability of Vader Action poses intrigues me.
VintijDroidGutzz
Super Freak
Fair enough.
I just want to see another HT SW reveal.
I just want to see another HT SW reveal.
lerath666
Super Freak
I'm Betting we see HT Anakin at SDCC this year
I don't know about that man..
I've bypassed the current HT RoboCop for the time being - because of the 'die-cast' & sound gimmick. Not getting any 'die-cast' HT Iron Man figures. Tamashii C-3PO's a one off so far. I'll be using a modded HT stand for mine, & he certainly WON'T be be falling off any of my shelves.
What's this about a modded HT stand? Pics?
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