Die Cast Lighted 1/350th TOS Enterprise (TOMY crowd funded)

xlowes said:
I thought with the holding strength of JB Weld it wouldn't crack. I used it to coat holes in an Aluminum thermostat housing on an older sports car I had. Never separated or cracked even thru the heat from the engine.
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking. Even with bondo, cars experience extremes in temp and abuse from all kinds of elements.
But I'm not in the position or mood to take the chance or warehouse another huge box for something I'll get to "someday".

Lord Abaddon said:
I look at it this way. For $600 shipped for a die-cast metal model 1/350 scale, full lighting effects, saucer separation, dual display, complete paint and decals, and solid as a rock it’s more than worth it.

Yes they should have had the “ugly side” of the screw covers on the same side as the saucer stand. Yes the saucer stand could have been at the tip of the delta so it wasn’t cockeyed. And yes they never, ever should have promised to cover the seams and screw holes to be invisible which isn’t possible on die-cast metal at those costs.

Regardless, it’s impossible to get that combination of features for that price. A PL model, lighting, construction, shipping, and more would put it way over that. I’ve priced builders and they want double or more. The MR is double and even triple that. And none are a sturdy, solid metal that won’t sag, droop, bend, and will last a long time. This isn’t an Unobtanium model.

Perfect? Nope. First shot for Tomy on such a project? Yep. So will they learn for next time? They aren’t a fly by night company so most likely yes. Also compared to Factory Entertainment with their $15K ships (also with flaws) and what I’ve read about PL pre-built (and their flaws), this still comes out way ahead.

I’m sticking with my order. Not a hard core perfectionist (no such thing as perfection IMO) and don’t have the skills to do something so massive and involved especially with lighting to that degree so for those out there like me this will be fine.

And I hope they do learn and do come out with 1701A as it’d be spectacular.
Click to expand...
All solid reasons.
If I wasn't already feeling swamped with "toys" and statues I don't need, it would have been easier to focus on the many positives with this and enjoy it for what it offers.
As it is, I have a couple last expensive collectibles due in the next year and a half, and I can't afford any more "kinda/sorta/why not" purchases, like this.
My journey is over, but I hope everyone who is still committed to it enjoys the hell out of it!
 
xlowes said:
In regard to filling the holes and seams with Bondo wouldn't something like JB Weld be a better alternative. It can be sanded. Not sure if down the road it would have issues though.
Click to expand...
You're not going to want JB Weld, trust Me. Devcon Plastic Welder is far better and cures much faster. You can literally apply, sand and paint that same day with it and it will not crack, ship, peel or any other nonsense. I've built entire projects with this stuff 15-20 years ago, and it still holds just fine.

Just apply a little, smooth it, let it cure, sand, prime , paint and you're good to go.
 
If Tomy wants to make this right (or at least better) they could send out an updated base so the “good” side could be displayed. From the pictures it looks like only the chevron part of the base would need to be replaced with the saucer section support holes on the side opposite from where they are now.
 
My concern is how to display it with one bolt with fear of it snapping. And the two stands thing is just too visually busy, taking away from the over all look of the model itself. It's being said that it can't be displayed connected without unsightly, underneath support because of 8 lbs. of primary hull sticking out, putting stress on that ONE bolt they thought would be a good idea, instead of two or three bolts to maintain such a serious weight. Even if the one bolt keeps it connected, I can imagine that 8 pounds pulling at that bolt and having it eventually dislodging the bolt housing, bolt and all, and a saucer separation will be for real.

I could JB Weld the neck to the underside of the saucer section, but why should I have to? It might seem like a nice project to rectify the 'mistakes' that appear, but if I can't display out of the box, then I don't see the point. $600 bucks is a lot to pay for extra concern and headaches. As refunds are issued, I wonder it there will be a restocking fee.

One question I have for those getting a refund, did you need to provide an order number, because I never got one in their order confirmation emails.
 
Last edited:
spc said:
If Tomy wants to make this right (or at least better) they could send out an updated base so the “good” side could be displayed. From the pictures it looks like only the chevron part of the base would need to be replaced with the saucer section support holes on the side opposite from where they are now.
Click to expand...
I think that would be a great idea on their part and make the model much more acceptable.
 
Not encouraging to cancel or not -- it's a personal decision. However, when I called it was a painless process. They quickly found me in their system. No questions asked. E-mail confirmation of full refund via e-mail the next day.
 
Honestly, I'm more bummed about the stand than anything. Seems like a weird design choice to force you to display the "ugly" side or to obstruct the other with the saucer stand. Given some time, I'm sure we'll see some custom-made or 3D printed alternative display options.

I really wish they could've added a way to deliver power to the lights through the base. It has to sit on the stand for display anyway, why would I want to deal with batteries?

Still, as someone who doesn't have anything else to compare it to, I'm mostly satisfied and will keep it. I was really hoping to see the D, E or G in the future, but I doubt that's going to happen now. Need someone to step up that isn't going to charge 15K
 
nurturer said:
Ant1988 said:
Watch this thing become a much wanted collectable one day...:D :p
Click to expand...
I have no doubt this will happen. It's one thing to watch the project from the beginning and feel let down at the end. It's quite another to be fully cognizant of the positives and negatives up front.
Click to expand...
All the drama is going to lend some mystique (or at least an interesting narrative) to it as well.
But at the end of the day, or ten years from now, it will always be what it is- a large, well lighted replica with "toy signature" seams and an unfortunately large base that some will find visually intrusive.

Also by that time, the show, for as iconic as it is, will be even more of a relic. Uber fans of the TOS will be aging out and dying off, so there may be only be a short window where this is appealing enough to be that collectible (in our lifetimes...not a hundred years from now).

JMO
 
Last edited:
cryptkeeper12 said:
Given some time, I'm sure we'll see some custom-made or 3D printed alternative display options.
Click to expand...
I wonder if that lower dome support can be printed and then just use the vertical rod without the huge cluster support?


IMG_2844.jpeg
 
Miles Kendig said:
All the drama is going to lend some mystique (or at least an interesting narrative) to it as well.
But at the end of the day, or ten years from now, it will always be what it is- a large, well lighted replica with "toy signature" seams and an unfortunately large base that some will find visually intrusive.
Click to expand...

Well the thing is there are a lot of Star Trek collectors out there that just collect Enterprises or the odd star Trek collectible. This would fill both those collectors needs. There is an interesting story behind this one now.
 
Last edited:
nurturer said:
As refunds are issued, I wonder it there will be a restocking fee.

One question I have for those getting a refund, did you need to provide an order number, because I never got one in their order confirmation emails.
Click to expand...
No restocking fee mentioned in the reply I got. Just full purchase price quoted.

TOMY is a Japanese company. They've already lost face with this project. I doubt they will compound that by POing everyone off by tacking on an unforeseen, and undisclosed restocking fee.
 
Did a little research. Found some die-cast car modeling sites where they claim baking-soda and superglue (cyanoacrylate) would made an adequate fill - even for pot-metal die-cast. One guy gave it a try on a cracked part he had , sanded it, painted it , put it in the freezer, put in the sun and did so repeatly over a week and wasn't able to get a crack in his paint.
 
I am on the fence about cancelling. I planned to have this on my side desk, sitting next to me every day. I can probably learn to live with the plugs, but the base is just overpowering, especially since it covers half the now "good" side. If only they mirrored that front base and had it on the plug side.

I called Tomy support and asked them if they had any plans for a modified base - even one that we paid more for. Firstly the support person was very friendly and understood my concerns. He said that there were no plans for a different base, and even if they did plan that they'd have to go back to Paramount and get approval. He said that would take 6-8 months and said it just wasn't something that was going to happen. Maybe if enough of us called and asked they would take note.

It seems like someone with skills could make a better saucer base, one less intrusive, even just a mirror of what are going to get. I am not that person. I would gladly pay for a better base if someone ever sold one, but is it worth the daily disappointment every time I looked at it in the hopes that someone someday makes a better base.

I was really looking forward to this, cleared the space for it back in July 2022 and was eagerly awaiting its arrival. What a bummer.
 
I caved and decided to keep it. I got a very kind response from Jennifer after I sent them a very angry email. She said she could cancel it no problem and just needed my order number. I told her I changed my mind and wanted to keep it. I just feel I will regret it and I think I can fix it. At least the display part.

She was very nice and confirmed shipments start October 9th.
 
I still had my order # so I provided it in my request, so I don't know if it's necessary. The email with the number came from "TOMY Shop, Inc." via an address of their invoicing partner, Stripe..... as opposed to the "we received your pledge" email that was from PrestigeSelect@tomy.com, which did not have the number.

I got an email today saying they'd refunded my CC. Hasn't showed up on my CC yet, though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Gimpdiggity
Preparing to Build 1/350th USS Enterprise, I Have Some Questions...
Replies
9
Views
2,586
Splat
S
Back
Top