New Tomenosuke Blaster Pro "Retail" version
- Thread starter staermose
- Start date
And each run is a little different.
staermose
Sr Member
300 per run is hardly what I would call mass produced. Especially as each has to be assembled entirely by hand.
But I can understand why you would like them to stop producing these as you both are aiming at the same market. But why should they? As long as they can sell these and make a profit, isn't that the very core of what every business should be?
But I can understand why you would like them to stop producing these as you both are aiming at the same market. But why should they? As long as they can sell these and make a profit, isn't that the very core of what every business should be?
It is a mass production system.
I had a quote for a Classic Phaser once that they could produce 5000 a month, and that was a very slow hand injected system.
I would think such a run of 300 is a one to two day run with high speed production system.
And there is NO product that does not take some hand assembly, and again that is figured in how many can be done in a day. Say 300 / 20 units per worker per day = 15 days for one worker to turn out your 300.
Want it faster? Two worker’s = 7 days, three workers 5 days. Etc.
Rich
I had a quote for a Classic Phaser once that they could produce 5000 a month, and that was a very slow hand injected system.
I would think such a run of 300 is a one to two day run with high speed production system.
And there is NO product that does not take some hand assembly, and again that is figured in how many can be done in a day. Say 300 / 20 units per worker per day = 15 days for one worker to turn out your 300.
Want it faster? Two worker’s = 7 days, three workers 5 days. Etc.
Rich
Considering Rich makes a true, hand assembled version which is as close as you can get to the actual prop, I would think he would do nothing but benefit from a $2000 retail built version of this gun. It would make his even more valuable, his sell for $1600+ as it is.
Yes,but very nice looking,cheaper and very sharp in the details.And why is mass production ever bad?
A lot of props out there are coming from mass production and are a lot more accurate as the fanmade stuff.The first point is,that the big companys are having sources for originalprops direct from the studios.Most fans didn´t have this source.
I sadly have to agree.
BUT the pricing is what is so out of range:
Consider MR did a classic com, sold for $350.00 with nice display stand and packaging.
Then The Star Trek Experience did almost the very same com, only they sold it on a blister card for $49.00 and they did three or four runs of 1000 each run and were very happy...and the com was 90% the same as the MR even the back could interchange.
Then Diamond Select did their com, (same as the last one only a touch cheaper in quality) and even paid for using actors voices, and did what two or three runs as well.
IT sold for $29.95!!
These three were the same manufacturer by all appearances.
So what did all three companies pay for these coms?? Remember DS sold at $29.95 and made money, enough to go back two or three more times.
Rich
BUT the pricing is what is so out of range:
Consider MR did a classic com, sold for $350.00 with nice display stand and packaging.
Then The Star Trek Experience did almost the very same com, only they sold it on a blister card for $49.00 and they did three or four runs of 1000 each run and were very happy...and the com was 90% the same as the MR even the back could interchange.
Then Diamond Select did their com, (same as the last one only a touch cheaper in quality) and even paid for using actors voices, and did what two or three runs as well.
IT sold for $29.95!!
These three were the same manufacturer by all appearances.
So what did all three companies pay for these coms?? Remember DS sold at $29.95 and made money, enough to go back two or three more times.
Rich
I suppose one could argue as the actual props from older movies like Blade Runner were hand made that a replica that is made in a similar fashion does better represent what was on set and seen on film. These blasters are beautiful, but they mostly replicate an idealized version of the prop whereas Rich's represent a more accurate representation of what was actually there in the real world. It's an interesting distinction and each collector will assign value to what they want to own.
I´m not talking about only the Blade Runner Blasters.I would also say,that Richs Blaster could be more accurate,because its made from original weaponparts,like the Original.But the black covers on the sides of the japanese blaster are looking sharper and more accurate in my eyes.And a big point is: Ricks blasters are very expensive...too expensive for the most people I think.If he would sell his blasters for 600$ he would sell a lot more of them and he would kick the japanese replicas from the market.
IF I had their production systems I bet I could sell them for $300.00 and make money.
BUT I don't, I have to buy raw supplies at the best prices I can get and they are not cheap.
Then work like a dog for months to make a small run of 10.
WHY do you think I had a quad bypass??
Rich
BUT I don't, I have to buy raw supplies at the best prices I can get and they are not cheap.
Then work like a dog for months to make a small run of 10.
WHY do you think I had a quad bypass??
Rich
True, but were the plastic parts on the original pristine? Do the Japanese blasters have a removable ammo clip? Considering Rich has to machine tool all the parts based on real firearms, all the plastic, all the electronics, and then hand assembles them he should and deserves the premium price. He can't make 300, he can't make more then a few per month in the best of circumstances. So collectors need, and will, pay the associated premium. If he mass produced the guns and sold them for $600 they wouldn't even remotely be the same product he produces now, which, IMO, is the most screen and set accurate version of this prop ever made.
serrecuir
Active Member
Agreed. One propmaker working out of their garage cannot compete with a company's factory line. Does that mean the company's product is better? Absolutely not. I would love to pick up one of Rich's blasters too (and I'm watching his current eBay auction now), but it is simply out of my price range. One has to consider the options available for the price one has to spend.
And Rich, glad to hear you're doing better! All the best!
Kind regards,
Craig
And Rich, glad to hear you're doing better! All the best!
Kind regards,
Craig
As long as there are older films we cherish, there will always be a place and a market for hand crafted prop replicas of those props we love which were made by hand, Rich. Your blaster looks and feels not like a functioning firearm from the year 2019, but the actual gun Harrison Ford carried in a film shot in 1982. ANd I value that far more.
In truth they are much worst, the left side cover is cracked from being dropped. The side rod is also cracked.
And the barrel was so rusty it will be totally unsafe to fire.
The ammo housing and clip were ratty as well.
I am unsure if having it cleaned up before the auction was a good idea or not.
It was in sad shape BUT In MY BOOK you do not mess with a historical artifact.
(Watch Pawn Stars some time and see what happens to old guns..)
The wires they put in was a shame and crappy.
The prop was found with paired cut wires... they reconnected them. And with loose wires...
The grips had a layer of mud and they cleaned them.
All in All I think this work devalued the prop.
Rich
As long as there are older films we cherish, there will always be a place and a market for hand crafted prop replicas of those props we love which were made by hand, Rich. Your blaster looks and feels not like a functioning firearm from the year 2019, but the actual gun Harrison Ford carried in a film shot in 1982. ANd I value that far more.
Thank you.
I really hope your right...
Rich
I say what I see.I have very good pics of the originalblaster from Karl Tate...and they are showing every detail of the hero prop.And I see that the black covers are a lot sharper as the parts on Richs blaster.And the little wheel on the right side looks different,too.But the other parts of richs blaster are really accurate I would say.
racprops: I understand what you mean...but you must also understand the people who wants a really good replica and have not the money to pay you 1600$ and more.
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