Scream Man Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Im more and more convinced that the main cause is they didnt test the shoulders to the pressue put on them in the transform. Quote
eugimon Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 I don't care what the reason is the shoulders are cracking and breaking. What I want to know is what yamato is going to do about it. Quote
nightmareB4macross Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Are you making the shoulders and also the elbow swivel joint? It is both these sections that have problems. Graham Only working on the upper arms. The donor VF-0A I recieved has been repaired, at the elbow, with remarkably great success. The break was caused due to improper handling by the owner. Sorry, Kirith, there's no other way to say this. The upper arms are still holding strong. I'm still trying to get the color match right. I won't be supplying the rubber cap inside. Again, the problem is not caused by the actual shoulder, but the seem line on the shoulder ball joint. Color matching is such a pain. AAARRGHHHH!!!! Quote
nightmareB4macross Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 ***HERE'S WHAT I TRIED AND DISCOVERED: Here's a summery of what we know so far regarding the problems with the VF-0 arms. Please let me know if anything I've written is incorrect or something is missing. 1) Stress marks and cracks are appearing on the inner (front & rear) shoulder sections. ***It happens to both versions of the VF-0(s) to some degree. 2) Stess marks and cracks are also appearing on the lower part of the bicep swivel joint. ***This happens during transformation. While transforming to different modes, don't pull the arms at the lower arm. Instead, pull at the bicep cover or the shoulder armour to reduce stress. 3) The problem seems more prevalent on the VF-0A, but has also occured on the VF-0S. ***True on both accounts. 4) Some toys have stress marks and cracks right out of the box. ***No comment. 5) One theory put forward by some Macrossworld members is that the seam line on the shoulder ball joint is contributing to probelm with the shoulders, as it may extert exess pressure on the shoulder parts when the shoulder is moved. ***This is what seems to be prevalent. It's like trying to turn an inner, stronger oval inside another outside, weaker oval. 6) Another thory is that the top screw on the back of the shoulder joint is too tight and causes the plastic to crack. ***Not really a problem. It relates back to #5. 7) As a preventive measure, the seam line on the shoulder ball joint should be filed down. ***This does help, but also leaves you with shoulders. Also, the two silver color screws located on the rear of the inner shoulder, especially the top screw should be loosened slightly (about a half turn?) to decrease pressure. ***Refer to #5 & #6. 9) Some members have theorised theat the rubber O-ring o the bicep swivel joint may be too thick, causing the joint to crack. ***Refer to #2. 10) As a preventive measure, the bicep screw should be looseend slightly and/or the rubber O-ring removed. ***Refer to #2 and #9. 11) Initial coments from Yamato are that these problems have not been reported in Japan yet and also the problem may be caused by an adverse chemical reaction between the rubbber and ABS, which weakens the ABS. ***I have received a few e-mails from Asian members regarding replacements. I can't say for sure that some are fro Japan or not but it appear this problem is pandemic. Anything else? ***Is there any way to get Yamato to actually see these pics or read these comments. Graham Quote
Graham Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 MORE PICS please!!!!! The more pics I can show Yamato, the easier it is to convince them this is a serious problem, not just a few isolated cases. So far only a couple of people have posted pics of cracked shoulders and I don't recall seing any pics of the broken bicep swivel. I have emailed them the link to this thread, but don't know if they have read it. I have also informed them verbally about the problem during my last meeting a few weeks ago. I've sent them another email today, to follow up to see if any action is being taken and I will try to speak with them on the phone next week. Again: MORE PICS please!!!!! Graham Quote
Hiriyu Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 I just steeled up the nerve to take my 0S apart and check it. Sure enough, the left shoulder joint is heavily stressed and has started cracking through, though it is still intact. The pattern of the stress is the same as in eugimon's avatar. The right shoulder shows stress marks, but it is not nearly as far advanced as the left. The left shoulder pivot was the tighter of the two (have since loosened the shoulder screws slightly), so the additional stresses stand to reason. I will get pictures up as sson as I can. Might be tomorrow. Quote
wickedpr1nce Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 here's some pics of my 1/60's somewhat busted shoulders graham. i took the liberty of checking my 0A thoroughly and of course there's stress marks and a "Y" hairline crack on the same shoulder. i've only transformed this valk into battroid mode and it has stayed that way ever since... same goes with my two 0S valks. talk about fragile shoulders. Quote
jenius Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Do not that many people on these boards on a VF-0 yet? Seems like there should be more responses here. Either that or maybe the word is sufficiently out now and everyone knows to immediately unscrew the shoulders on their zeroes now. Quote
Graham Posted January 29, 2007 Posted January 29, 2007 Bicep armor should also be unscrewed and removed on the VF-0A to check for cracks around the swivel joint. Graham Quote
Graham Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Great news guys. I just got off the phone with Yamato and they told me that for future releases of the VF-0, starting with the upcoming VF-0A Shin type, the shoulder and elbow joint part will be changed to POM. Regarding replacement arm parts, these will be made available, but only in Japan due to licensing issues. However, if you purchased your VF-0 though HLJ, contact them in a month or so when the parts are ready and ask for parts as Yamato can supply parts to HLJ as they are in Japan. If you didn't purchase your toy from HLJ, another possible way is to have one of our members in Japan get in touch with a Japanese toy shop and ask them to arrange a bulk order of replacements for us. Graham Quote
Scream Man Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 thats great news Graham, well done! and good on yamato for stepping up. Quote
jenius Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 That really is great news! It's especially nice to hear that the Shin will include the upgrade. Quote
Arthurius Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 I hope someone here will have it available for us. I would need 2 pairs if they are not too expensive, eventhough i havent seen a crack yet, better safe than sorry. And besides, i would not be interested in the Shin, the vf-0a (plain) and the vf-1s are still my 2 favorate toys ever. Quote
HoveringCheesecake Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 As I said in the other thread, I am very happy with Yamato now. Quote
recon Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 (edited) Great news graham, a relieve for me in the sense that i have being holding for a fix by that of yamato. In addition, graham, could you suggest to yamato to also replace the grey plastic of the fuselage hinge with that of pom plastic too as it it seems some members have either experienced stress marks or broken pieces on their YF-19. Tks Cheers Edited January 30, 2007 by recon Quote
jenius Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 So now for the update on NB4M... I mean, kinda seems like this whole thing has put him out more than anyone. Quote
Wicked Ace Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 So now for the update on NB4M... I mean, kinda seems like this whole thing has put him out more than anyone. Maybe not. I'd be curious to see if NB4M's parts are better than Yamato's replacements. It seems they'll be easier (or at least faster) to get in the USA. Quote
myk Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 So, would the replacement parts be made of POM, or would they be of the original material? Quote
eugimon Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 (edited) ah, this is good news. thank you graham for your hard work and diligence. I suppose it's time for me to change my avatar... well, maybe in a month or so. **well, this puts me in a tough spot. I've dealt with twin moons almost exclusively for a while now. But right now, it looks like they won't be able to get these replacement shoulders... which makes me nervous for future releases... like the SV-51. So if shopping with HLJ is the only way to ensure I get customer service, then unfortunately, that's what I'm going to have to do. Edited January 30, 2007 by eugimon Quote
nightmareB4macross Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 What if someone was to contact HLJ and place a large group buy order for replacement shoulders? I'm in for this. Also, I know some of you would rather have original replacements than my recasts, but they are still going to become available should the Yammie replacement become difficult to obtain. Still working on the color match. I keep getting lighter then darker renditions of the color. The first is still holding strong. I'm almost there. Quote
Dante74 Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Great to hear that Yamato are finally going to do something about the issue. My VF-0S and A are still in good shape, but I'll sure order some replacement parts from HLJ to have as back up. Also glad to hear that the Shin/booster combo will have the POM shoulderparts. Quote
Graham Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 I'm definitely still up for buying the recasts though as back up. Graham Quote
Graham Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Please don't contact HLJ yet anybody, as the parts won't be ready for a while. I'll advise when they are. Graham Quote
Dante74 Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Graham, Do you know if Yamato will charge us for the replacement parts? Quote
tom64ss Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Is this going to delay the release of the Shin type? Honestly, my wallet could use a break after the 19. Quote
do not disturb Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Graham, Do you know if Yamato will charge us for the replacement parts? they'll charge HLJ for the parts, then HLJ will charge us for the parts. Quote
eugimon Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 they'll charge HLJ for the parts, then HLJ will charge us for the parts. hopefully, this won't be the case. yamato usa just shipped me a new garland, I'd rather yamato japan do the same. I'll pay for the shipping, but I want the replacement parts at no cost. Quote
Dante74 Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 I'll pay for the shipping, but I want the replacement parts at no cost. I wanted a toy that doesn't break when I look at it the wrong way, I didn't get it though. I have over $300 in VF-0's sitting in my display cabinet and I'm affraid to transform them cause they might fall apart into little pieces. My guess is they'll charge us between 5 and 10 USD for a set of replacement shoulders.(+shipping) Quote
Kyp Durron Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 Great news guys. I just got off the phone with Yamato and they told me that for future releases of the VF-0, starting with the upcoming VF-0A Shin type, the shoulder and elbow joint part will be changed to POM. Regarding replacement arm parts, these will be made available, but only in Japan due to licensing issues. However, if you purchased your VF-0 though HLJ, contact them in a month or so when the parts are ready and ask for parts as Yamato can supply parts to HLJ as they are in Japan. If you didn't purchase your toy from HLJ, another possible way is to have one of our members in Japan get in touch with a Japanese toy shop and ask them to arrange a bulk order of replacements for us. Graham What's "POM"? -Kyp Quote
HoveringCheesecake Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 Some different type/mixture of plastic. From what I understand Yamato usually sticks to ABS. I have no idea what they stand for though. Quote
eugimon Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 I wanted a toy that doesn't break when I look at it the wrong way, I didn't get it though. I have over $300 in VF-0's sitting in my display cabinet and I'm affraid to transform them cause they might fall apart into little pieces. My guess is they'll charge us between 5 and 10 USD for a set of replacement shoulders.(+shipping) I'm in the same boat as you. I'm think of just ordering something from HLJ and have them include the replacement arms. I still think yamato should just outright replace the VF-0s though. given it's other problems and the shoulder issue, they should do right by those of us who bought it. At the very least, just give us new lower legs and a back pack that actually stays up in battorid mode. Quote
eugimon Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 Some different type/mixture of plastic. From what I understand Yamato usually sticks to ABS. I have no idea what they stand for though. ABS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS_plastic POM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyoxymethylene from what I gathered, pom seems to be a harder plastic used in higher tensile stress environments. Quote
Beware of Blast Posted January 31, 2007 Posted January 31, 2007 (edited) What's "POM"? -Kyp What eugimon said. But when it comes to Yamato, it's Pieces Of Manure. Edited January 31, 2007 by Beware of Blast Quote
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