Hf blade molding problem.

[Jetrax99]

So, I just recently acquired Stormer XL, and the sword made me notice something about the blades used on him, BP, Breez and Batman. There's a slight molding problem. The cross axle at the bottom isn't properly aligned w/ the blade portion itself. This fact really irks me. And yes, I check the blade on BP to see if it had the same problem. It did. Sure, it's only slightly noticeable when looking at it on the afformentioned three, but on Stormer, it's a glaring flaw that really detracts from how good the set is. Still, I don't feel comfortable knowing that all versions of this piece may have that problem.

[Devorath]

Pictures?

[xxlrocka]

Pictures?

Yeah, forgetting one of the rules of the internet? Pics or it didn't happen? I do have the sword piece, just that I can't find it in my overfilled LEGO box.

[csi304]

Yes, I can confirm.

Edited December 30, 2012 by csi304

[bacem]

uhh, so, what's wrong exactly? can you show a pictures that show that exact flaw you've been talking about?

[Cahillrebel]

They are saying the molding of the axle makes the swords look like they were turn slightly.

[Jetrax99]

Easy, pics will be coming.

[Bfahome]

Wow, didn't expect that big of a problem. Probably looks terrible on Stormer.

have some pics

[Cahillrebel]

Oh I get it now. They aren't turned slightly to the left or right but leaning to the left or right. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Jetrax99]

Well, I was gonna take pics myself, but thank you Bfahome for covering them. And yes, I said it's obvious on Stormer and hardly noticeable on Breez, BP and Batman.

Edited December 30, 2012 by Jetrax99

[bacem]

oh wow. that's definitely noticeble on Stormer. I didn't have Stormer XL, but i imagine it would be annoying to see a leaned sword like that.

[Aanchir]

It's a bit of a problem, but at the same time it's fairly easy to bend them straight, and doesn't even leave any marks the way bending a piece of that material sometimes does.

Overall, I don't know if it's a genuine problem with the molds or an issue with the parts warping slightly at some later part of the process (perhaps while cooling). I'd be willing to bet the latter, since having the mold itself misaligned would be a hard mistake not to catch before production.

[dviddy]

I haven't had this problem with any of my sets...

[Cahillrebel]

Maybe it is how they are made and taken out of the machines that create them. They possibly have to pull on one end to make them pop out.

Edited December 31, 2012 by Cahillrebel

[Aanchir]

Maybe it is how they are made and taken out of the machines that create them. They possibly have to pull on one end to make them pop out.

Not likely. As far as I know, most molding machines are designed to release parts into bins automatically. Anything else would slow down production.

[Jetrax99]

It's a bit of a problem, but at the same time it's fairly easy to bend them straight, and doesn't even leave any marks the way bending a piece of that material sometimes does.

Overall, I don't know if it's a genuine problem with the molds or an issue with the parts warping slightly at some later part of the process (perhaps while cooling). I'd be willing to bet the latter, since having the mold itself misaligned would be a hard mistake not to catch before production.

I've tried bending them straight. Doesn't work, and too much force will break them entirely.

[Aanchir]

I've tried bending them straight. Doesn't work, and too much force will break them entirely.

I dunno, perhaps mine weren't as bent as yours. But the offset in, say, Bfahome's post doesn't look like it should be a problem to bend into place.

[Bfahome]

I dunno, perhaps mine weren't as bent as yours. But the offset in, say, Bfahome's post doesn't look like it should be a problem to bend into place.

I tried flexing them into the right position, and it seemed to work for now. I'm going to wait to see if they keep the new shape or if they re-warp after a while.

[Aethersprite]

Have you contacted Lego about the problem? I have Breez and Batman, the problem doesn't seem too obvious.

[Kalhiki]

Hmmm... Hairdryer or hot water may work. It'll soften the piece allowing you to safely bend it. Then when it cools it'll stay that way. In theory, that is. Haven't tried it on mine as mine aren't too badly bent.

Still, it's a glaring problem. Hopefully Brain Attack Rocka's sword doesn't share this issue.

Kalhiki

[Bfahome]

After a day, the swords are still offset, but not as much it seems. You might be able to bend them into the proper position after a little while.

[Logan McOwen]

Wow, didn't expect that big of a problem. Probably looks terrible on Stormer.

have some pics

YES

THIS

This has bugged me so much when building Furnos and Breezes aplenty :c

[Bfahome]

After numerous bendings, the problem seems mostly fixed. They're still off a bit, but not nearly as much as before.

[Front]

You guys should not bend the actual axle, but the rest of the part.

Parts like these are made in a soft material. They are like all other parts pushed rather straight out of the mould, but when they land in the box beneath the machine, they may actually bend a little bit under the gravity of all the other parts landing on top of it. Accelerated a bit because the part is still warm.

More likely, the part get bended a bit in the packing process, or from having a bit of pressure on it in the pouch.

You can subject it to bending a little bit in the other direction, for maybe half a day. Maybe by putting it under a book or something. And if you are lucky you end up with a perfect straight part.

Erland

Part Design

[Dorek]

Yeah, I had this problem with Stormer XL, but it wasn't an issue to just re-align it a bit. And it's not particularly noticeable on Breez or BP.