Richard Bartrop Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 1 hour ago, Dave Ambrose said: I agree. With respect to most models, current economics have little in common with their predecessors from our youth. Kit runs are much smaller now. I believe they're making runs of 30,000 (give or take) kits instead of 700,000. That makes the cost of molds, and the rest of the kit development more critical than the manufacturing costs. It also means you don't need the molds to last forever. Cutting a mold from aluminum is much cheaper than cutting one from steel. And, thanks to advancing technologies, you can use the same CAD file to create a 3-D printed part, or a mold. Over the very long term, 3-D printing costs will continue to decline, and that will further skew the economics at the niche end of the model market. I don't think we'll se resin casting with RTV molds disappear, but the number of parts you need to make to justify an RTV mold will rise over the long term. Now, if we could just make 3-D modeling software more user friendly. That would be a revolution. The problem is what we have now either professional grade tools like Maya and 3DS, which you have to learn if you want a job, or freeware like Blender that are patched together by disgruntled amateurs who think if you reqally want to join the club you should make the effort. Not unlike the MCM Forums that way. In between are a few freeware programs who's main virtue is, they're better tan nothing. However, the problem is not always the tools. You still have to know what you're doing. Photoshop is very easy to use, but if you don't know how to make art, you're still going to make a mess. I think the long term for 3D printing won't be as long as some people think. I remember when West Canadian would charge $50 to burn files onto a CD-ROM for you. Then every computer came with a CD burner, and that went away. Shapeways is already competitive with resin for small parts, and the only setup cost on the part of creators is the time it takes to create a prototype. You won't get rich, but you won't go broke, either. As more companies get into the 3D printing business, market force4s will drive the price down. Not wanting to pay SHapeway's shipping costs, I did a loking research, and it turns out one of the local printers is starting a 3D printing service, and they're practically on my doorstep. Suffice to say, I'm working on a .stl file to see just how much they charge. My two cents? Resin is still useful for casting extra parts, but as a kit material, it's going the way of balsa wood.
Richard Bartrop Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 Me, I want the AMT Deuce because, unlike Revell, it can be built stock.
dbostream Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rob Hall said: AMT and Revell both made several Viper kits, pretty easy to find on eBay cheap.. As far as I know there are only kits of generation 1 to 3, not the SRT Viper (2013-). Edited November 7, 2018 by dbostream
Rob Hall Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 3 minutes ago, dbostream said: As far as I know there are only kits of generation 1 to 3, not the SRT Viper (2013-). True, but there are 1/24th scale diecasts. The last generation was short lived and quickly forgotten..
dbostream Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 Yeah you are probably right, I guess there are not enough Viper nerds out there like me. Hopefully we get one for the next generation.
Rob Hall Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 1 minute ago, dbostream said: Yeah you are probably right, I guess there are not enough Viper nerds out there like me. Hopefully we get one for the next generation. I don't think is going to be another generation.
RichCostello Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 17 hours ago, regular guy said: Some of the new releases do not do much for me. Somebody tell them "You did good finding what you needed to put these out. Atta boy! Good job!" "Now go back and make the '32 Ford Phaeton, '32 3 window and 5 window coupes and some Funny Cars." Also. Forget the real obscure stuff for now. Rhino records put them selves out of business getting too obscure. If you don't want the stuff they are releasing, DON'T BUY EM. Some other guys might like the old reissues(me for instance), and will buy them. It's too bad that AMT and MPC doesn't form their product line around what you want, but if what you want is more 32 Fords, rather than a 65 Rivera or a 57 Chevy gasser, then I'm glad they don't.
Justin Porter Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 39 minutes ago, Richard Bartrop said: Me, I want the AMT Deuce because, unlike Revell, it can be built stock. I'm all for a stock Deuce on the market, but honestly I'd want either a modification of their stock '34 Ford tooling from the early 90's or I would want ICM to produce a proper new tooling, sometime after they upscaled their amazing 1/35th scale Packard. My eyes just can't unsee the missing 4 scale inches of body height in the well-past-its-prime 60's AMT kit.
Speedfreak Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 American model companies are criminal, all of them, and have been for decades. In any other product line (shoes whatever,..) they would have been drummed out of business decades ago for making shoddy products. They have a captive customer base and know it, what can you do? Build Tamiya kits (are they better?) if you have the money I guess.
Richard Bartrop Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 26 minutes ago, Justin Porter said: I'm all for a stock Deuce on the market, but honestly I'd want either a modification of their stock '34 Ford tooling from the early 90's or I would want ICM to produce a proper new tooling, sometime after they upscaled their amazing 1/35th scale Packard. My eyes just can't unsee the missing 4 scale inches of body height in the well-past-its-prime 60's AMT kit. I'd like to seem them do an L-29 Cord and a decent Auburn speedster, but this is what we have to work with. 25 minutes ago, Speedfreak said: American model companies are criminal, all of them, and have been for decades. In any other product line (shoes whatever,..) they would have been drummed out of business decades ago for making shoddy products. They have a captive customer base and know it, what can you do? Build Tamiya kits (are they better?) if you have the money I guess. And if Tamiya ever decides to do a '32 Ford, I will certainly consider it.
bobthehobbyguy Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 Regular Guy. More 32 Phaetons. Why? Just looked at ebay and there are plenty available! If you're going to request reissues do some research to see if its readily available already. No on clear plastic. For one it brittle. Second its difficult to fix the ejection pin marks so the body to work sanding and polishing is hard to do on the inside. Don't request kits that are long gone. The Xr6(not 8) is long gone. If you are going to make requests then get your facts straight. Stop creating threads on subjects that you've done before especially when you've been given answers. Really time for this thread to be locked.
aurfalien Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 Hi, I think that they are doing a fine job. I'm eyeing there 67' Shelby GT350 as well as some of there just announced kits. At least they do frequent release videos which no other manufacturer seems to do.
dbostream Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 Yeah I like the update videos they post on youtube.
dbostream Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 1 hour ago, Rob Hall said: I don't think is going to be another generation. I hope the rumors are true. https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/dodge-viper-future-production-rumors/
250 Testa Rossa Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 I would love to see the Barris Mail Truck out again, '64 Corvette, Corvair Corsa, the Hussein, Chaparral, McLaren Elva, and of course the Chrysler Imperial kits. Another good one would be a non-limited release of Chuck Miller's Fire Truck.
Jantrix Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 2 hours ago, Rob Hall said: 'regular guy's posts seems to be rambling and incoherent wish lists, best just to ignore him... Agreed. And if you argue with him he's going to report you for "harassing" him.
Rob Hall Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 1 minute ago, Jantrix said: Agreed. And if you argue with him he's going to report you for "harassing" him. Best to just block him and move on.
vamach1 Posted November 7, 2018 Posted November 7, 2018 Well after reading all that I'd buy a 67/68 69/70 or 71/73 Murtang convertible or coupe for that matter if they were based on the newer kits with actual engine compartments. A 71-73 Mustang has to be an all new kits but I'd bet there will never be one. Although I am a boomer I could care less about anything pre early 60's.. The demand for those kits will wane in the next 5-10 years when the few folks that we have inspired will probably not be locked into liking only a few decades span and types of cars. My two cents anyway for what it's worth.
regular guy Posted November 8, 2018 Author Posted November 8, 2018 What members CAN do is email Round 2 and Autoworld store and request what they want built. Include picture of receipt or kit you bought recently. That should help. Put your phone number at bottom. Then you can call them and start in about 'Don't you care what buying customers want? Nobody called me." I'm half kidding here. Don't call them. They're busy. Maybe somebody will actually call you. You never know. Be nice to see the 1/16 427 Cobra again. Bringing out the 1/16 Serpent gets two thumbs up! Made in USA! Molded in blue! That's more on target than some kits I won't mention. Do not want to get into hurting sales. That does not help anybody.
Richard Bartrop Posted November 8, 2018 Posted November 8, 2018 The technology exists to 3D print metal, and it's being used to make parts for jet and rocket engines. You have to wonder how long before it's practical to print out your injection moulds directly.
Ace-Garageguy Posted November 8, 2018 Posted November 8, 2018 There are also hard-surfacing materials applied via plasma-coating. Very high compressive-strength composite materials that are also thermally-stable to fairly high temperatures (which have been in use for industrial press tools for decades) could allow tools for injection-molding to be pulled directly from masters, and coated with hard-surfacing materials that provide the necessary abrasion resistance. I've already seen very short-run injection-molding tools made from composites in proof-of-concept demos.
Scale-Master Posted November 8, 2018 Posted November 8, 2018 10 hours ago, regular guy said: The reissue of Wynn's Jammer is an example of how they are missing the mark. Original came with clear body. Reissue looks like it is just plain old plastic. Doesn't get much worse than that. Called Autoworld about clear plastic bodies. They said 'We don't know how to make them." I know you are wrong on this, I suspect you just made it up. There is no way anyone at Round2 who knows anything would tell you 'We don't know how to make them." as you claim. If that were the case, kindly explain how they managed to mold (quite well I may add) the recently released Piranha set with clear bodies (in clear and yellow tint). I know the reason(s) why they opt to not reissue some kits with clear bodies. But your claim is downright misinformation.
Richard Bartrop Posted November 8, 2018 Posted November 8, 2018 46 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said: There are also hard-surfacing materials applied via plasma-coating. Very high compressive-strength composite materials that are also thermally-stable to fairly high temperatures (which have been in use for industrial press tools for decades) could allow tools for injection-molding to be pulled directly from masters, and coated with hard-surfacing materials that provide the necessary abrasion resistance. I've already seen very short-run injection-molding tools made from composites in proof-of-concept demos. So the future is here. Sounds good if you want to make something simple, but I'm wondering if they're tried making the multi part moulds that something like a car body needs? If they can, great,. If not, worst case scenario is that we go back to multi piece bodies for our limited run car kits.
Snake45 Posted November 8, 2018 Posted November 8, 2018 23 minutes ago, Richard Bartrop said: worst case scenario is that we go back to multi piece bodies for our limited run car kits. I'd have no problem with that at all. Just another day for a model airplane builder.
Richard Bartrop Posted November 8, 2018 Posted November 8, 2018 If it's a subject I like, and the price is right, I could live with it too.
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