Reaper Advanced Dollies - dealing with cracks.

[Speak_Centurion 242]

Does anyone know if the old version of the Reaper Advanced Armatures were made from a softer material? I bought four packs of the Mk2 ones, which I think are pewter, and they are very prone to cracking.

I've got a fairly delicate touch, but I've broken two of them. In principle they're great, and I think it made sense to remove the hip bones (I don't have a pic at the moment - sorry) and the slightly more angular finish allows for better precision, but they are too brittle.

 

IMO they would be the best pro-level armature available except for the problem of cracking.

(edit - changed title)

 

 

Edited August 18, 2017 by Speak_Centurion

[Thes Hunter 42137]

I don't know if it's quality or just the nature of pewter. I've had some cracking issues as well, but I always chalked that up to me man-handling the pewter too much. (Just like pewter minis break off as I manipulate them too much.) 

 

(And btw, I'm not saying you are manhandling them. I am saying I think I did. So, really what I'm saying is I have seen them break off, and I would love some other peoples feedback as well.)

[Speak_Centurion 242]

7 hours ago, Thes Hunter said:

I don't know if it's quality or just the nature of pewter. I've had some cracking issues as well, but I always chalked that up to me man-handling the pewter too much. (Just like pewter minis break off as I manipulate them too much.) 

 

(And btw, I'm not saying you are manhandling them. I am saying I think I did. So, really what I'm saying is I have seen them break off, and I would love some other peoples feedback as well.)

 

Perhaps "quality" is the wrong word to use; the quality is fine I guess, it just seems like the wrong material to make dollies. I still like them, but there is a distinct sound of "click-click-crackity-click" as any pressure is applied, and the torso - the thickest part - seems to be the most fragile point so I file it down before I start bending it.

 

[Thes Hunter 42137]

Ooooo like make a wedge shaped cut out of where you are going to make the bend? That is something I had not thought of. 

[Speak_Centurion 242]

3 hours ago, Thes Hunter said:

Ooooo like make a wedge shaped cut out of where you are going to make the bend? That is something I had not thought of. 

 

I take it back, the Reaper armatures are fine, they just need a little bit of filing. I'm not sure why, but gently filing all over the dolly seems to prevent cracks from starting. Perhaps it's because it rounds-off the surfaces, or it might be something to do with mold-lines.

 

Also, I compared the Reaper dollies with a couple of dollies I bought from Greenstuff World; the GsW dollies are made from a softer material but are actually more prone to breaking than the Reaper dollies.

[Speak_Centurion 242]

I've noticed that "squeezing" with pliers is less damaging than trying to bend the armatures. The problem is that the more often you squeeze, the more the armature stretches out. You'd be surprised how far it will stretch btw, it's like rolling out dough with a rolling-pin. It's a shame there's not a smaller or female version; I can keep the standard armature to 32mm with  lot of filing, but  it's so much easier to squeeze it to shape.