So, what's QMX got up their sleeve?

[exoray]

If you have questions post 'em here or in the comments there and I'll try to answer.

Yeah I have a question your review clearly states

It’s made of polycarbonite, a heavier duty resin than most consumer prop replicas are made of (same stuff they use for notebook computer shells).

OK first off who fed you this line of BS?

polycarbonite(sp) polycarbonate is Lexan (thermoplastic) it's not a 2 part pourable resin like the table full of silicone molds and the pictures on the QMx website clearly shows... It can be heat formed, machined or injection molded but it's not a mix and pour resin...

Unless they are machining the now NOT cast from original molds (contrary to the advertising yet again) barrel and other parts from polycarbonate... As implied from the customer support email response above... But, this is also contrary to the molds displayed on the site...

I guess some people believe everything hook line and sinker...

 

[cabridges]

OK first off who fed you this line of BS?

I asked QMx what the name of the resin was, and got that. Just did a quick Google search and found some examples of polycarbonate being poured into molds -- although it's certainly not a common method, the first two hits were patents -- but as I wasn't there to watch the pistols being made I can't vouch for it. So I changed the description and went with "professional-grade resin."

 

[Patattack]

I guess some people believe everything hook line and sinker...

Don't have to turn it into a personal attack, man..

 

[exoray]

Don't have to turn it into a personal attack, man..

Sorry wasn't a personal attack, just an observation it seems like QMx changes their story every day and several people believe it and preach it to be the God's truth without any research or backing... Or are at least they are expected to...

 

[Blad]

The Lexan isn't going to weigh much more than any other plastic, the 'added weight' surely is the bronze and steel powder.

BTW I agree with Exoray that it's likely to be Polyurethane rather than Polycarbonate.

To be honest though the photography looks just like paint, can't see any visual evidence of cold-casting.

Would love to see a review from someone here when they finally arrive.

 

[DrStranglove]

Sorry wasn't a personal attack, just an observation it seems like QMx changes their story every day and several people believe it and preach it to be the God's truth without any research or backing... Or are at least they are expected to...

Did you expect anything different from these guys?

 

[claudehaus]

Did they ever ship the BSG dog tags?

 

[exoray]

Did they ever ship the BSG dog tags?

I believe not, and I believe they have only shipped a portion of the Abbot and Costello rings leaving the remaining dealers and paid customers in the cold on that product as well...

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Cold-casting is just like any resin casting with the difference being the added metal powder, unless there's some method I'm not familiar with (which is quite possible). I did it with my Luke ROTJ and Darth Sidious cutaway sabers (steel powder and polyester resin). The only visual evidence would be the color of the casts (mine came out a dull metallic steel). From the pictures it seems clear that they dust the molds with metal powder to give the surface extra shine. If the powder is fine enough it should stick to the mold just like graphite powder does and give an even coat, but I'm curious as to how durable it will be and how hard it adheres to the resin. Most likely they seal it in with the weathering dye, which dulls the metallic sheen a bit.

To be honest though the photography looks just like paint, can't see any visual evidence of cold-casting.

 

[CustomCreations]

agreed with the last two posts- to have enough metal powder in the resin to make it 'metal' it almost goes like a paste- I dont think you would be able to pour it. It would have to be hand brushed into the mould........then polished with wire wool, and lastly with metal polish (for a shiny finish)
For reference, those supersexy Cybermen from Dr who were made using 'cold cast' production......

 

[cabridges]

Oh, I freely admit I'm ignorant of casting methods and the world of resin. I generally review for the average Browncoat consumer and in here I'm aware I'm talking to people who know way more about this than I do, so if I try to sound like an authority please feel free to shoot me down.

I figured the main thing I could do here would be to offer clear pics and say look! The pistols exist! Here's one in the wild! They're not vaporware any more!

 

[darthgoat]

Not that I expect a certain band of "The usual suspects" to give QMX a break if they pull anything off, but it would be nice to see something move beyond the planning stages. It might be a sign that QMX is at last turning the corner.

Why should they get preferential treatment? They're way late and not delivering what they promised. You guys never give MR or other licensee a break so these guys don't deserve one either.

 

[lingarn]

Why should they get preferential treatment? They're way late and not delivering what they promised. You guys never give MR or other licensee a break so these guys don't deserve one either.

To be honest, I personally just get fed up at seeing the same people making the same attacks every time the name QMx comes up.

There are as many people who rabidly attack anything QMx comes up with as people who stalwartly defend them; that doesn't seem to be the case on either side for most other licensees.

 

[defstartrooper]

Then you have selective eyesight.

When a company announces products and takes preorders and fails to deliver those products you think they deserve praise for that ?
Well good for you for being so liberal but speaking for myself i'm not going to praise any business that does that regardless of who they are.

 

[Patattack]

To be honest, I personally just get fed up at seeing the same people making the same attacks every time the name QMx comes up.

There are as many people who rabidly attack anything QMx comes up with as people who stalwartly defend them; that doesn't seem to be the case on either side for most other licensees.

I tend to agree. Sure QMx has made some pretty massive mistakes with this whole Mal pistol thing. And from what I hear, their other physical props have been dicey as well. But that's no reason to discount the stuff they do right, y'know? Paper props might not be pistols and dog tags, but they're something.

 

[darthgoat]

Why on earth would you not use past experience as a barometer for future performance? That is really what it comes down to here. They promised X in timeframe Y and NONE of that has shown up on the radar as far as I'm concerned. That is why you will continually see the same people voice the same concerns over and over again about this or any other company that will come along.

QMX's track record is not good. In fact it is horrible. Screw up with the Drac rings, screw up with the folded maps, incredibly delay and screw up with the pistols. One mistake is a growing pain of a company. Two is SOP.

Also if you don't want to see the so called "attacks" put the people who "attack" on ignore.

 

[micdavis]

Has Sideshow delivered on every promise? Has every Sideshow product been perfect out of the box?

I don't think so.

But I know I don't see endless numbers of negative threads about Sideshow products.

Why? (if you are paying attention at all around 'the hobby') You know.

 

[juno]

I think part of the issue is that you don't see Sideshow posting on the RPF. That made it a bit more personal / approachable. I see MR's customer service person get asked a lot of tough questions, and I've see quite a bit of taking MR to task for business decisions, etc.

I don't think there's anything wrong with discussing a company's failings or successes. This thread has been very civil, and I enjoy reading the debate.

Heck, at least it's not this thread: http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=32596&highlight=fett+ears

 

[cabridges]

Sideshow also has produced a large body of decent material, whereas QMx is still in its infancy. Screwing up four items isn't as big a deal when you've made 400 of them.

I think they've had some lousy luck compounded by some poor PR (and dumb forum posts) that has been getting better. Their decision to stop promoting stuff they don't have yet is a good first step, as is no longer doing layaways. I'd be pissed if they continued to advertise vaporware and take more money for it, but it seems as if they've identified their problems and moved to correct them. I don't think anyone needs to give them the benefit of the doubt, but focusing on what they're obviously realized themselves was wrong might make you miss out on what they do right.

 

[Birdie]

Has Sideshow delivered on every promise? Has every Sideshow product been perfect out of the box?

I don't think so.

But I know I don't see endless numbers of negative threads about Sideshow products.

Why? (if you are paying attention at all around 'the hobby') You know.

Maybe people give more of a crap about the properties involved than those that Sideshow have.

I seem to recall plenty of bitcaing (sic) about the Samaritan, and no way is Hellboy as popular here as Firefly.