Studio Scale TIE Fighter

Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Yes, it took two years of emails and phone calls. It ruined our friendship because I finally gave up and took it public, which honestly was the only way I was ever going to get those hero wings. Now he thinks negatively of me. Nothing I can do, since I just told the truth, publicly, you know?

He said he changed the way he took orders and sent models out - it looks like he has, because all of the ATST clients got their models, right? Good for him.

I can't speak about things first hand, because I choose not to order from him any longer. The TIE experience poisoned the well.

Maybe you are an unfortunate left over from the "old order system".
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Honestly, at a minimum, weekly publicv communication is the key to keeping things positive. It's always been true and always will be. It doesn't matter how many PM's and emails get ignored, if a public posting to all those you owe is made weekly, all is forgiven, ya know???

Dave
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Yes, it took two years of emails and phone calls. It ruined our friendship because I finally gave up and took it public, which honestly was the only way I was ever going to get those hero wings. Now he thinks negatively of me. Nothing I can do, since I just told the truth, publicly, you know?

He said he changed the way he took orders and sent models out - it looks like he has, because all of the ATST clients got their models, right? Good for him.

I can't speak about things first hand, because I choose not to order from him any longer. The TIE experience poisoned the well.

Maybe you are an unfortunate left over from the "old order system".

For my part , i thing that he wait to begin the production of the tie interceptor for to " restart" or star again the production of tie fighter (i hope it' s correct ) because i'm not a perfect english man !!!!!!!:confused

Michel.
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Yes I'm in the same boat. He tried to coincide the remoulding of the TIE with the Interceptor to save time. I'm totally cool with that. :)

Dave
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

I ordered some stuff from Steve back in 05 and I didn't get it till last year! It took forever and communication was sparse BUT HE CAME THROUGH. He has a great rep here on the RPF boards. One must be patient.
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Guys,


Just an FYI.

1st- Steve is currently going to be VERY busy for the next few months. He started his new career as a Police Officer and started the very intensive academy last week. I'm guessing, with commute time, etc, that he's only going to have about a full day a week to both see his family AND pour molds and casts.

2nd- I can no longer get by and help Steve out like I used to, my career as a State Trooper has taken me about 2 1/2 hours away. So I'm no longer able to be his full time resin monkey. Though once I'm done with my field training in the end of this month and switch to the "normal" 5 on 4 off schedule I might be able to get by and help him out like I used to. We have talked about it and it could happen.

3rd- Steve WILL get his orders out, he is good for it and always has been. In his own words, he sometimes may be slower than Christmas, but eventually, he does get there. I know its frustrating to wait, I've been on BOTH sides of that coin. Thats why Steve ate so big $$ on the BRSF and ATST, he fronted everything so that when he took $ for it, he could ship right away having product in hand. Its VERY hard for a GK'er to do that, initial start on a kit is VERY pricey.

4th- Those waiting on TIES- The wing mold failed after an odd curing resin pour *I* did more that 6-7 months ago locked and ruined it. Its a biatch to remold, and takes a good sized slug of rubber to do. Its on the bench to redo from the last time I talked to Steve, he was retouching the master and getting it ready to remold. He was waiting for the INT to remold it because thats all going to come from the same $1K rubber kit.
Those waiting on "Others" like the PD, he has plans to mold that soon too since he had "farmed" out the original hulls and the person doing that has been tied up with their "real world" job for a long time and looks to be for awhile, and he wants to get you ALL taken care of as promised.
AFAIK, thats the only 2 types of kits owed right now, and WHY they are owed. If you are owed anything else, LMK and I *Might* be able to tell you whats going on if I know.


So, please be understanding of his current situation. Its not easy going from career military at the top of the NCO totem pole and back down to a lowly recruit. Trust me, I went from where I was to the State Patrol Academy, and it doesn't matter WHAT you did before, they do a DAMN good job of "tearing you down" and getting you into the "mold".
Factor in that he's in WY, his family is in CO still, and he's trying to sell the house AND go to a VERY intensive Academy and try on the weekends to catch up on homework and his family, AND pour molds and casts, and he's a VERY busy guy right now. In fact, I don't think he gets online but maybe 1 day a week right now. I haven't even been able to catch him on the phone since he started his academy, and we normally talk at least 1-2 times a week.

Hope this helps everyone and gets anyone worried a little less apprehensive.

Ryan
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Ryan, I had heard bits of his situation, but thanks for filling in the blanks. Wow, law enforcement!!! Very cool. Before I got accepted into Dental School, I had decided to join the NC State Highway Patrol. Then my first career choice opened up one day and the rest is history. Yeah, his time is definitely not what it once was.

I hope you two can work it out down the road because you make a fantastic team and do an awful lot for this hobby.

On a side note, I'm owed a hero kit as well as a replacement Escape Pod kit. If you could look into that for me as well. I was told it was already finished and was only waiting on the Hero.

Dave :)
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Guys, don't bug Ryan to do Steve's job!
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Moffeaton, with all due respect, Ryan made that suggestion himself and I responded in kind. My deal with Steve is of no concern to you. Ryan can speak for himself I believe.

Dave
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Tell them model nerds to chill!

pulp_fiction-bible.jpg


Everybody's gonna get what they ordered. We're gonna be like little Fonzies here. And what's Fonzie like? Come on, modelling nerds!

What's Fonzie like?

He's cool.

And that's what we're gonna be. We're gonna be cool.
 

Attachments

  • pulp_fiction-bible.jpg
    pulp_fiction-bible.jpg
    29.2 KB · Views: 66
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Yeah, I'm not frustrated over this whatsoever, I am totally used to delays in the props world. This is not even a bump in the road in this hobby. I'm excited!!!! I'm extremely excited to get what I know is coming. Will I take every snippet of information I can about my orders..........you betcha!!! I'm no more impatient than if I were expecting that delivery this very day if you know what I mean??? I'm very particular about what pieces I choose these days and there is no way not to be excited about the things Steve has created for us. And thank God there are "Ryans" out there to lend a hand on these projects.

Steve, in my book is a military war hero!!! He's also one of the best if not THE BEST SS modeler in the hobby. I mean that with every fiber of my being. Just because someone asks for info on their outstanding order shouldn't be taken as some sort of "doubt" or "attack" towards the guy doing the hard part of the project. My part is easy, I sit on my bum all day just wishing for a new toy, I just have to wait it out and then act like a kid on Christmas morn, when the thing arrives!!!

Steve and Ryan have had the tough parts.

I'm cool as an ice cube..........just waitin for Santa to drop in.........LOL

Dave :)
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Hey Dave,
With all due respect, you're fooling yourself if you think Ryan can get your model. Only Steve can. I have been in your shoes and it was a crappy journey to getting the model deal completed. Good luck.

You are going to REALLY need it.

And if you think Steve is the best, you need to do your homework. There are MUCH nicer kits out there. Just not in the same subjects he happens to sell. When you're the only game in town, of course you are considered the best, you know?


There is no excuse for the delays I experienced and sub-par castings I received (and therefore at the time judged Steve by) for him to consider himself a "business". His current back log does not concern me, but does that mean I cannot tell someone what happened to me? It is on topic, right? As a kit maker, if you want to elevate yourself past hobbyist and into the realm of "master model caster", you have to provide quality and timely deliveries. That is all I am saying.

Every time you guys chime in with talk of "he will eventually deliver - be cool" you essentially give him a free pass to NOT deliver. You guys are selling yourselves short - do you not see that?!

And I have seen the ESB and ROTJ walker kits in the flesh - the castings are a LOT nicer than what was expected 10 years ago, but guys, this is 2008. You can get flawless castings with a little forethought and effort. Steve isn't even casting these - he has said that he has his kid doing the pouring for him - do you know what you are paying for?

I am just tired of people giving casters a free pass on foggy delivery dates, over-extended work loads, and dodgy parts, when there is a standard - a very attainable standard - that can be met. Steve has no love for me and I got nothing to lose since I have no outstanding orders, so why not say what other people are too afraid to say. I've got the balls to do it - don't get all irritated with me for saying what others say privately, okay?

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Hey Dave,
With all due respect, you're fooling yourself if you think Ryan can get your model. Only Steve can. I have been in your shoes and it was a crappy journey to getting the model deal completed. Good luck.

You are going to REALLY need it.

And if you think Steve is the best, you need to do your homework. There are MUCH nicer kits out there. Just not in the same subjects he happens to sell. When you're the only game in town, of course you are considered the best, you know?


There is no excuse for the delays I experienced and sub-par castings I received (and therefore at the time judged Steve by) for him to consider himself a "business". His current back log does not concern me, but does that mean I cannot tell someone what happened to me? It is on topic, right? As a kit maker, if you want to elevate yourself past hobbyist and into the realm of "master model caster", you have to provide quality and timely deliveries. That is all I am saying.

Every time you guys chime in with talk of "he will eventually deliver - be cool" you essentially give him a free pass to NOT deliver. You guys are selling yourselves short - do you not see that?!

And I have seen the ESB and ROTJ walker kits in the flesh - the castings are a LOT nicer than what was expected 10 years ago, but guys, this is 2008. You can get flawless castings with a little forethought and effort. Steve isn't even casting these - he has said that he has his kid doing the pouring for him - do you know what you are paying for?

I am just tired of people giving casters a free pass on foggy delivery dates, over-extended work loads, and dodgy parts, when there is a standard - a very attainable standard - that can be met. Steve has no love for me and I got nothing to lose since I have no outstanding orders, so why not say what other people are too afraid to say. I've got the balls to do it - don't get all irritated with me for saying what others say privately, okay?

Thank you.


I'm buying from very talented hobbyists, artists, really full blown professional level ablilities far beyond my feeble hands. I know they have real jobs. So I hear what your saying, but I also know I am not ordering from Master Replicas exactly, which of course had huge delays for many items over the years as well. And that is a full on major business entity.

But your point is a good one, it's real money we put down.

Pulling a "Scotty" is more preferred I think,

Maybe you think you can get it done in an early window, better to give a much larger window just in case.

I remember some advice when I was doing my own musclecar project.
Calculate all costs and time needed. And then double it.

I recently ordered a prop, put down a half payment, and not too long later the builder realized he was selling them far too cheap for his time and efforts, and had to raise prices dramatically. I got in under the wire, and he will honor the original price.
But clearly even years of experience was not enough for him to realize the actual time needed and appropriate costs.

Even NASA has these problems.
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Every one has these problems, myself included. But when it's a chronic pattern of behavior, and the people keep getting a free pass, so to speak, it allows a misrepresentation of the "scene" or services offered that can be easily corrected.

It's not an easy problem to correct or even properly address, that's for sure. No matter how tactfully or nicely you say it, Steve is still gonna get steamed. I'm trying to be as to-the-point as possible in this thread. I'm just trying to stick up for the buyers, not start arguments... sorry.
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

Points taken Moffeaton. I just don't consider the wait I've had at this point with the TIE fighter, over the top. Especially considering how long I've waited for other items from other people. I didn't send the guy any money until this past fall, and that was before the Hero kit was fully moulded. I can wait a while longer. Other things I've ordered from Steve have come in pretty short order.

Yes I know there are kits of other items that are as good or better than Steve's kits, but so far, I've only found one other that was simpler to work...............at least in my personal experience.

On a side note, I received a set of R2 feet today that are resin castings, and they are practically perfect.........I found like 3 little resin blurbs and will only have to drag them across my belt sander once or twice and they will be ready to paint..........honestly!!!! That is perfection. That is better than I can do and I'm a dentist!!!! I also got them in roughly 2 weeks and that included one of the parts being moulded, and all of them being cast. These are life size mind you.

Dave :)
 
Re: STUDIO SCALE TIE FIGHTER **UPDATED PICS**

That's awesome! R2 feet are big, too.

And that is good news about the shorter wait times. I really don't want to rankle any feathers. I am all about keeping a higher standard in the models I buy and make.

And of course, I look forward to seeing what you and others do with these new Hero TIE kits.
 
Back
Top