I think this point is especially relevant. 3D printing with proper post-processing gives us something that's more than half as good as the original at one tenth the price. That's a nice tradeoff!
Is it time to offload your Star Wars collection?
- Thread starter Sluis Van Shipyards
- Start date
I think this point is especially relevant. 3D printing with proper post-processing gives us something that's more than half as good as the original at one tenth the price. That's a nice tradeoff!
jkno
Legendary Member
I gave up on my Hasbro action figures decades ago, for some time already I only collect what I can display on shelves. No place to put it, not buying it, this goes for statues, busts, 1/6 Hot Toys figures, props, helmets, models/studio scale etc. The only exception is the Action Fleet, which has been very close to my heart, and have most of it in storage and not interested in selling that collection for now. Despite the new Jazwares line called Micro Galaxy Squadron appeared not very long ago, in a way similar to Action Fleet, I only got a handful of pieces from this line, and stopped almost completely in acquiring more.
The same with high end statues, 1/6 Hot Toys figures, props and helmets, I stopped almost completely in buying more. I'm in that phase of collecting I call ZEN COLLECTING, where I'm happy with what I have, and except one or two items a year, I don't intend to buy more.
Still I do collect some vintage diecast tanks, made by Solido (Verem) in the 60-90's, which I liked because of the metal tracks that are fully functional like real tanks, but slowly I'm completing that collection too. From Solido I only collect WW2 tanks and weaponized vehicles, no other tanks, trucks or vehicles.
The same with high end statues, 1/6 Hot Toys figures, props and helmets, I stopped almost completely in buying more. I'm in that phase of collecting I call ZEN COLLECTING, where I'm happy with what I have, and except one or two items a year, I don't intend to buy more.
Still I do collect some vintage diecast tanks, made by Solido (Verem) in the 60-90's, which I liked because of the metal tracks that are fully functional like real tanks, but slowly I'm completing that collection too. From Solido I only collect WW2 tanks and weaponized vehicles, no other tanks, trucks or vehicles.
Apologies in advance for the long post, but I’ve given this a lot of thought lately and have a slightly different take on it…
I know there’s a handful of “youngins” like myself (who were born in the wrong generation it seems) who will definitely keep as much going as we can.
With that said, (and I don’t mean to be too bitter about it) it’s been made pretty difficult by some to allow new or younger people into the hobby. Whether it be ridiculous price inflating of found parts/reference books, or lack of care to share information. For the real fans, I feel that’s a bigger push towards the 3D printing since found parts and truly accurate stuff is too far out of reach anymore…(even for those that prefer it)
I do quite a bit of 3D printing but keep that hobby separate from my “prop hobby” as a rule of sorts with myself (excluding some resin printing of un-ID’d parts). I know of a few others that feel the same way, that nothing really beats the real thing.
I regularly find my friends and family who come over to visit stopping by my display shelves and asking about it, and when they see the enthusiasm in what we do, the interest does rub off (I’ve even caught them trying to look things up on eBay lol). So the interest isn’t gone, it even has the potential to spread if shared with others.
Perhaps something could be said about 3D printing not really having gatekeeping…
I know there’s a handful of “youngins” like myself (who were born in the wrong generation it seems) who will definitely keep as much going as we can.
With that said, (and I don’t mean to be too bitter about it) it’s been made pretty difficult by some to allow new or younger people into the hobby. Whether it be ridiculous price inflating of found parts/reference books, or lack of care to share information. For the real fans, I feel that’s a bigger push towards the 3D printing since found parts and truly accurate stuff is too far out of reach anymore…(even for those that prefer it)
I do quite a bit of 3D printing but keep that hobby separate from my “prop hobby” as a rule of sorts with myself (excluding some resin printing of un-ID’d parts). I know of a few others that feel the same way, that nothing really beats the real thing.
I regularly find my friends and family who come over to visit stopping by my display shelves and asking about it, and when they see the enthusiasm in what we do, the interest does rub off (I’ve even caught them trying to look things up on eBay lol). So the interest isn’t gone, it even has the potential to spread if shared with others.
Perhaps something could be said about 3D printing not really having gatekeeping…
This is a very valid point.
There are some builders who have openly stated “I can’t let this information out” when it comes to some discoveries regarding greeblies, dimensions, etc.
It’s my biggest disappointment in this hobby, when I see it.
Thankfully, I pretty rarely run across it.
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Wakeem
Sr Member
That reminds me of a story Adam Savage told about someone he worked with that didn't want to share the technique on something they were building. I think it was in one of the old ILM building tours. There are people like that and it sucks to meet them.
I remember when I was young thinking someone like that was a friend. They didn't want me to know how they made something very basic. And when I figured it out, they made it seem like I stole from them. Little did I know at the time that the instructions were in a book.
It’s definitely a shame.
Fortunately I’ve not personally encountered this with any direct interactions either. (Also don’t want to get this mixed up with cases of “this isn’t mine to share,” that is a different scenario entirely and is understandable).
It is sad though, especially as some of the people mentioning leaving the hobby or selling things off in this thread or in Facebook groups, are actually the members I’ve taken inspiration from, gotten help from (even indirectly), or simply look forward to seeing posts from. Hoping to still see you all stick around even if it’s not in the Star Wars section of the RPF. I’ve even found myself looking into the other sections with things like Blade Runner, Alien(s), Harry Potter, BTTF, etc and peeking at the Star Wars section less.
Fortunately I’ve not personally encountered this with any direct interactions either. (Also don’t want to get this mixed up with cases of “this isn’t mine to share,” that is a different scenario entirely and is understandable).
It is sad though, especially as some of the people mentioning leaving the hobby or selling things off in this thread or in Facebook groups, are actually the members I’ve taken inspiration from, gotten help from (even indirectly), or simply look forward to seeing posts from. Hoping to still see you all stick around even if it’s not in the Star Wars section of the RPF. I’ve even found myself looking into the other sections with things like Blade Runner, Alien(s), Harry Potter, BTTF, etc and peeking at the Star Wars section less.
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