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Post by ThatBlockoGuy on Feb 14, 2006 22:26:23 GMT -5
Always figured if you want to know about a particular part of a figure ask the customizer guys. Today's question: can anyone post a pic (or more, if possible) of the pins DC Direct uses in their figures. And if someone could describe how these things are actually inserted into the joints it would also be appreciated. Thanks.
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Post by Casimir on Feb 14, 2006 23:40:41 GMT -5
I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, Blocko. Almost every figure is different, and certainly each joint is different. Plus, they've changed mechanics over the years as DCD's manufacturing and design skills improve. (remember they started from almost nothing.) Any particular figure you're interested in?
C.
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Post by ThatBlockoGuy on Feb 15, 2006 21:07:38 GMT -5
I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, Blocko. Almost every figure is different, and certainly each joint is different. Plus, they've changed mechanics over the years as DCD's manufacturing and design skills improve. (remember they started from almost nothing.) Any particular figure you're interested in? C. Hmmm. I always thought the pins used in the knee and elbow joints were standard. I guess I'm interested in the more recent translucent pins DCD is using. BTW, what would cause one to snap? i was told that sometimes there could sometimes be air bubbles in the plastic which weakens them. Thanks.
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Post by Casimir on Feb 15, 2006 21:44:55 GMT -5
What would cause them to snap? Cheap plastic. Seriously, DCD cuts corners just like everybody else. I've had more DCDs break on me, right out of the package, than anything else.
C.
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Post by wayneson on Feb 15, 2006 22:04:00 GMT -5
My DCD "Hush" Scarecrow took a dive off of the shelf a month ago and snapped at the waist hinge - I was absolutely shocked to see it laying there in two pieces on the carpet. Granted, it had to land at the absolutely perfect angle to occur, but still - it's the first time in 20 years of collecting that I've had a non-custom figure break like that. By the way, the single straw "accessory" was intact - it wasn't even dislodged in the fall!
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Post by ThatBlockoGuy on Feb 15, 2006 22:18:22 GMT -5
What would cause them to snap? Cheap plastic. Seriously, DCD cuts corners just like everybody else. I've had more DCDs break on me, right out of the package, than anything else. C. No question almost everyone cuts corners in one way or another. I'm amazed everytime I get a ML fig that doesn't have at least one joint painted stuck or a totally loose joint. What I want to know about the DCD pins is there actual shape. I don't get how the larger ends fit through the hole of the limb that they're holding in place since that hole looks to be smaller. Is the whole pin uniform in size or does it taper at some point to fit into the hole on the piece it's holding?
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Feb 19, 2006 0:57:31 GMT -5
Well it not so much tapers as there's a little slot i suppose you'd call it at both ends.This"slot"is just a narrower portion of the pin which fits in between the outer and inner joint basically. It's a real bugger to remove intact,so if i have to do a joint i make my own out of Styrene Rod then fill the gaps on the outside of the joint.Stronger and easier all around.
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Post by ThatBlockoGuy on Feb 24, 2006 9:16:57 GMT -5
Well it not so much tapers as there's a little slot i suppose you'd call it at both ends.This"slot"is just a narrower portion of the pin which fits in between the outer and inner joint basically. It's a real bugger to remove intact,so if i have to do a joint i make my own out of Styrene Rod then fill the gaps on the outside of the joint.Stronger and easier all around. Thanks FB. Since you seem to have tried to remove these, how would you rate their sturdiness? Are they more brittle than the average joint pin, snapping off without much trying, or do you have to work at them a bit to get them out or apart?
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Feb 24, 2006 18:26:27 GMT -5
They are a nightmare to attempt to remove intact,if you can at all.A bit of heat may make it possible but they are very fragile and the slot is quite deep so you can pull the ends off trying to get them out. Not to mention you can damage the areas of the figure around the joint if you're not careful.I don't really try anymore,i just drill them out and replace with Styrene Rod as i said above,much easier and less stressful. I have come across other brand figures where it is easier to remove intact but i guess DCD don't want their stuff pulled apart.
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Post by ThatBlockoGuy on Feb 24, 2006 21:32:14 GMT -5
Thanks FB. When we're talking fragile, are you able to grasp the lower leg (below the knee, around the calf) and break the pin with a good yank or will that more likely damage the hole on the lower leg leaving the pin intact ?
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Post by Faithfulbutler on Feb 25, 2006 1:54:45 GMT -5
You're more likely to damage the area around the hole and the Pin itself in my experience using that manoeuvre.PM or email if you like and we can work through it.
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