MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Kibble

2006-12-04T00:30:23Z

142.227.41.1: Question RE: Undercarriage junk

Would 'Undercarriage junk' fit in here?

Is it important enough to warrant a mention?

I mean, it DOES plague pretty much every jet Transformer to some degree.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Die-cast

2006-10-12T16:15:58Z

142.227.41.1:

'''Die-cast''', as a fandom term, is a metal that was used for parts of early [[Generation 1]] Transformer toys; More correctly, 'Die-Cast' describes the process of pouring molten metal into a mold (die). Die-cast metal was used originally as a production material because due to various oil shortages and embargoes of the late 70's, it was determined to be cheaper to include die-cast metal in toy construction rather than full petroleum-based plastic.

The amount of die-cast in old Transformers toys varies wildly, though it almost never makes up the majority of the toy. In most cases it was used merely for car hoods and occasionally side-panels for the larger toys. In some examples, like [[Tracks]] or the [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]/[[Grapple]] mold, only a very small amount of the toy uses die-cast metal. The Generation 1 toys with die-cast metal are among the most breakable of Transformer toys. Examples include [[Bluestreak]]'s and [[Jazz]]'s roofs, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage's]] waist, and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop's]] wings and beak.

Die-cast has largely fallen out of favor for Transformers toys for a variety of issues, from durability (both in construction and the paint applied to the metal), shipping costs (due to the extra weight), and mold-detailing issues. Nowadays, die-cast is only used extensively in more "adult-aimed" toy lines, like the now-defunct Japanese ''[[Alternators|Binaltech]]'' line, and [[Hasbro]]'s [[Titaniums]] series (which still uses much plastic, including the 3-inch figurines). Parts of the online Transformers fandom complain that current toys are made out of "cheap" plastic instead of the sterner stuff.

==Fiction==
The legendary [[Autobot]] starship known as the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was created using die-cast construction. By the era of the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, this technique was considered to be a "lost art."

[[Category: Fandom]]
[[Category: Technology]]
[[Category: Beast Wars]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Talk:Die-cast

2006-10-12T16:13:48Z

142.227.41.1:

This article should be renamed, but I'm undecided on the better way to go. The current name is no good because it's an adjective. Possible renames are "Die-cast metal" or "Die-casting". I kind of prefer the latter, since even "die-cast metal" is sort of unspecific. You can cast a lot of different metals in a die. Also, the first sentence needs to be rewriten, since die-cast is not a type of metal, but I figure we may as well wait until a new article title is decided upon. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 03:58, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

: Die-cast in Transformers, covering both hit's hsitorical uses, attitudes towards, and in-jokes about. DC is still short for 'die cast metal,' but that's a common shortening. Spell it out more explicitly in the opening sentence. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 04:03, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Do we know WHAT metal was used for the G1 figures? I've heard Zinc, but that wasn't from a metallurgist or anything... In any event, the first sentance needs a rewrite. Die-cast is a method of forming metal, not the metal itself.<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>