Bruticus mold issues

[kurdt_the_goat]

I was in Akihabara last week, and only saw 1 Encore Bruticus - in a specialty store next to an original japanese Bruticus! I also never saw Cassettes Vol2. Places that had Transformers in the first place, only seemed to have Hoist & Trailbreaker, Cassettes Vol1, with an odd Ratchet or Jazz here and there.

[reillyd]

I think one reason why Bruticus is so popular is because among the 1986 Scramble gestalts, both he and Defensor were seen as cool because their limb-formers were all distinctly different and unique looking. The problem with the Stunticons and especially the Aerialbots is that the limb robots kinda look the same. Breakdown and Dead End have the same transformation scheme, as do Slingshot, Air Raid, Fireflight and Skydive. In fact, the Aerialbots look so damn alike that when combined as Superion, G1 artists and animators often just drew and coloured all the limbs uniformly! When you see pics of Superion in the G1 comics and cartoon can you tell which arm or leg is which Aerialbot?

Sacriledge! Could always tell in the Marvel UK ones.

[bruticus]

My encore bruticus arrived today. what a fn let down.

For those that have not already bought this encore bruticus set, i recommend you save your money and buy an original or buy something else.

Even though it is brand new, the plastic feels really cheap and light....
The edges and details are all worn and not prominant compared to the original.
Onslaught's arms and legs dont line up or click together properly....
the wheels are loose and rattly...
and I also cant believe that they skimped out on a single sheet of plastic that would have protected the holes in the gift box and now its susceptible to snagging and tearing on something. so much for buying cos the giftbox is nice....

Sure, onslaught's launcher gimmick is awesome and its the first time i have seen it in real life, but that alone can not save this set.

Its very inferior compared to the metal and non metal chested G1 combaticons..

[Adzma]

Even though it is brand new, the plastic feels really cheap and light....
The edges and details are all worn and not prominant compared to the original.
Onslaught's arms and legs dont line up or click together properly....
the wheels are loose and rattly...

Aw these are the things I didn't want to hear. Sounds like TT are falling back into old habits.

[Gutsman Heavy]

Sounds like TT are falling back into old habits.

Probably more to do with the mold being used to death.

[TF76]

In all honesty I don't think it is that bad, there is little difference between swindle and my classic (gold card) no difference in quality compaired to other encores I can see.

The mold is tired but still think it is NOT in any way as bad as people say, I can understand that it not having really crisp detail can be anoying but it's expected. (at least to me)

I just don't see how the quality is cheap, the price is GOOD (for what you get) the packaging is awsome, tray, cards stickers are good (better quality to the classic). I really don't see anyway a better bruticus could be released now or anytime soon.

Really sick of hearing so much complaining about what I think is no secret, encore reissues probably aren't going to be as good as originals.

There is just something really cool about getting a new 'old' toy. Toys should be fun not heart breaking.

[reillyd]

Well lets hope the release depresses the price of older metal versions for those of us looking for them

[bruticus]

In all honesty I don't think it is that bad, there is little difference between swindle and my classic (gold card) no difference in quality compaired to other encores I can see.

The mold is tired but still think it is NOT in any way as bad as people say, I can understand that it not having really crisp detail can be anoying but it's expected. (at least to me)

errr, you must have got a half decent batch... the circular tabs on my encore onslaught's legs couldn't even click in properly and when i applied force, it caused the the two plastic halves to bulge...solution widen the hole (but why should i have to modify a legit transfer that i paid hard earned money for??)
my vortex rear wheel was not even centred at the pin so if you try to roll him it doesnt turn properly.

all in all, i was left with a very cheap impression. similar to owning a KO. I have 5 regular size bruticus btw. 1 metal chest G1, 1 plastic chest G1, 1 armada camouflage ruination, 1 regular KO and now this 1 encore makes 5. If it wasnt for the launching mechanism i would rate the encore set as a whole well below the armada ruination and slightly higher than the KO (mostly because i have to modify the toys to make it do what its suppose to do).....but since it has the launching mechanism i would rate it on par with armada ruination which is still well below metal chest bruticus.

I just don't see how the quality is cheap, the price is GOOD (for what you get) the packaging is awsome, tray, cards stickers are good (better quality to the classic). I really don't see anyway a better bruticus could be released now or anytime soon.

Do you even own a legit G1 brutiucs? the plastic feels completely different. rough and light weight. sounds more hollow too...

But i guess you are right in that aspect... if you pay less, i should expect less right? well for 110AUD i didnt expect near KO quality.

Outside packaging is sh*t IMO... and trust me, without some form of plastic sheet, if you are not careful, you are quite likely to rip the cardboard display holes. Cardboard tray was falling apart and needs new sticky tape. Plastic packaging inside was alright.

Really sick of hearing so much complaining about what I think is no secret, encore reissues probably aren't going to be as good as originals.

Dude, my encore metroplex with rubber tyres and chrome is way better than my original G1 Metroplex with platic tyres. The QC at TakTom is just so damn inconsistent!!!

There is just something really cool about getting a new 'old' toy. Toys should be fun not heart breaking.

yes, i totally agree with you mate.....but just go tell Taktom that!!!

Anyways, you can take my rantings however you like. I just felt an obligation to warn collectors what to expect. I have never felt the urge to sell a transformer as much i do with this...

[GoktimusPrime]

Aw these are the things I didn't want to hear. Sounds like TT are falling back into old habits.

Probably more to do with the mold being used to death.

Adzma, I agree with Gutsman Heavy. The fact is that the G1 Bruticus mould has been used over and over again to the point that significant mould degradation should come as no surprise.

Let's look at how often the G1 Bruticus mould has been used since the original 1986 release:
+ 1991: Classic reissue
+ 1992: Battle Gaea
+ 1994: G2 Bruticus
+ 2000: Vuldigus
+ 2001: Ruination
+ 2003: Ruination (Wal*Mart)
+ 2004: Ruination (Universe)

This makes Encore Bruticus the ninth use of this mould.

[jaydisc]

I find the general concept of mold degradation annoying and somewhat unacceptable. Has anyone ever experienced the result of a degraded Lego mold? I haven't. They ditch the molds like clockwork after x presses and make new ones. I wish HasTak had the same discipline.