Figarti and Fragility (2 Viewers)

[fmethorst]

Noticed on my Firefly that the gun barrel is not straight (looking down from above with the turret lined up in the center the barrel veers to the right pretty noticeably). Seems like it was glued/attached off center, and I don't think it can be bent (nor would it be smart to try it!). Anyone else have issues in this manner? Very nice model, but this is bugging me.

Thanks, -Rich

Is the barrel straight but the angle it comes out of the mantlet off or is the barrel actually curved?

These problems aren't unique to Figarti. You can imagine my horror when I unpacked this custom HB Panther:

As you can see in this case the barrel was actually curved which in my opinion is an easier problem to deal with than a straight barrel projecting from the mantlet at something other than perpendicular. In this case I decided to attempt a straightening and it was successful but there was certainly a degree of risk involved.:

 

[Wraith]

That is a beautiful custom paint job on that Panther Frank. Glad you were able to er....trying to figure out how to phrase it.....get the barrel up?
Good job.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Is the barrel straight but the angle it comes out of the mantlet off or is the barrel actually curved?

These problems aren't unique to Figarti. You can imagine my horror when I unpacked this custom HB Panther:

How did you straighten a barrel that thick.?

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I had a problem with a curved barrel on an Elephant, but am very hesitant to straighten it.

Seeing the bend on the Panther barrel, the bend on the Elephant doesn't seem so bad.

Terry

 

[rpk]

Is the barrel straight but the angle it comes out of the mantlet off or is the barrel actually curved?

Hi Frank,

The barrel is straight, but it appears to have been attached at an angle. Looking from the sides you wouldn't see it necessarily, but from the front and top you definitely see it veering off to one side. It was replaced by my vendor, and now all is good. The replacement was definitely straight, so I was reassured my eyesight wasn't failing!

I know what you mean with the HB Panther. I have a few of them, and one had the barrel bent down similar to the one pictured in your post. Was able to gingerly bend it back to straight without any damage.

-Rich

 

[rpk]

How did you straighten a barrel that thick.?

Terry

Hi Terry,

Had to do this with one of my HB Panthers as well. I just ended up grabbing the barrel with as much of my palm/hand as I could, then slowly bent it back towards straight, while trying to put counter pressure on other parts so as not to bend at an odd angle, or worse get breakage. Patience and moving slowly seemed to work, and I didn't end up with any paint cracking or chipping either luckily. I think with the Panther having a pretty long barrel it was actually easier. I had picked up a Char B1Bis K&C off eBay awhile back, and the barrel was bent similarly. That one was small, and the paint was brittle, so bending it back was harder and I had some paint cracking. A little paint matching and build up and it was good to go, but still a pain to deal with regardless.

Take care,

-Rich

 

[lancer]

Is the barrel straight but the angle it comes out of the mantlet off or is the barrel actually curved?

These problems aren't unique to Figarti. You can imagine my horror when I unpacked this custom HB Panther:

As you can see in this case the barrel was actually curved which in my opinion is an easier problem to deal with than a straight barrel projecting from the mantlet at something other than perpendicular. In this case I decided to attempt a straightening and it was successful but there was certainly a degree of risk involved.:

Interesting problem. I purchased an HB damaged Panther that also came with a curved barrel. My attempt to straighten it out ended in a near disaster. The barrel (under VERY light pressure) snapped off clean at the mantlet. Fortunately the break was very clean and right at the joint. A bit of glue solved the problem and the result was an all but unseeable fix. I also have a slight curve in my KC King Tiger (the big one) but I am unwilling to risk a correction after the HB problem. -- lancer

 

[fmethorst]

Hi Terry,

Had to do this with one of my HB Panthers as well. I just ended up grabbing the barrel with as much of my palm/hand as I could, then slowly bent it back towards straight, while trying to put counter pressure on other parts so as not to bend at an odd angle, or worse get breakage. Patience and moving slowly seemed to work, and I didn't end up with any paint cracking or chipping either luckily. I think with the Panther having a pretty long barrel it was actually easier. I had picked up a Char B1Bis K&C off eBay awhile back, and the barrel was bent similarly. That one was small, and the paint was brittle, so bending it back was harder and I had some paint cracking. A little paint matching and build up and it was good to go, but still a pain to deal with regardless.

Take care,

-Rich

This was exactly the process I used. My theory was that the barrel was malleable enough to be bent into that shape to start with so short of some one bend work hardening I should be able to bend it back. Slow and steady with lots of opposing support.

 

[Njja]

The secret is to hit it with a torch to get the atoms moving then it is easier

to bend back into proper position............oh yeah, its polystone, okay so now

you would simply have a burn up crisp fire damage tank.

Good job fixing that barrel, I bet it was nerve racking!

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I think I will just leave the Elephant alone. The bend is minor.

Terry

 

[fmethorst]

I think I will just leave the Elephant alone. The bend is minor.

Terry

Let me at it Terry....

 

[fmethorst]

The secret is to hit it with a torch to get the atoms moving then it is easier

to bend back into proper position............oh yeah, its polystone, okay so now

you would simply have a burn up crisp fire damage tank.

Good job fixing that barrel, I bet it was nerve racking!

Thanks, it was nerve racking when I first applied the pressure. Once it started to move I was confident it would go all the way and it just to patience.

 

[Njja]

Thanks, it was nerve racking when I first applied the pressure. Once it started to move I was confident it would go all the way and it just to patience.

.............................................

Well good for you. In my opinion the modern collector has to be prepaired on
occasion to do a bit of work from time to time. Items can fall over, get bumped, or in the case of older retired items just require a little attention at times.

Some of our collector friends like Alex, KV, Jeff (AUjj65) to name a few seem to have natural talent that allow them to create wonderful items, or repairs with ease.....although we know it isn't easy!

I myself possess no such natural talent or ability I'm sure God took one look at me and figured.....oh well he's never going to use this.....and just pased my share onto someone else!

However I have quietly learned how to do a little paint restoration (rejuvenate dull faded paint) blend colors, and the occasional repair on antique toys and trains. It can be fun if you are patient, have a nice work area and good light. I even try my hand at painting an occasional figure....though that is really pushing it. I am lucky to be quite able to repair antique Lionel Trains. Many years ago I bought a hugh box of old accessories that a young child had completely dissassembled! I spent a few days carefully rewiring and assembling each one until they worked perfectly. After that I spent many happy hours repairing all the trains and accessories my partner John could manage to break in our little shop in N.J. Right now I have a Lionel 313 Bascule Bridge sitting on my workbench while I look around for just the right gear to replace one that simply wore out probably 50 years ago.

So good for you on your repair, while I hope you don't have to do any more lets hope you have the same success next time!

 

[wayne556517]

I put mine in the basket on the back deck of the Prime mover.

Yeah same here that will do..............