The Energon Pub

[Evil Eye]

As we all know, an old debate in the general toy fandom is whether die-cast metal should be used more like it was in the old days, or if it's a relic of the past and should be replaced with plastic entirely. Some love die-cast (like most of the good folks over at CollectionDX) whilst others think it's an overrated gimmick (like TJOmega, who sadly was traumatized by the godawful Titanium Megatron).

So, where are you on the die-cast debate?

Myself, I haven't owned a lot of toys with die-cast (apart from some really old die-cast vehicle toys that were originally my dad's) so I can't really comment. However, I do have 2 Alternators toys (Silver/Bluestreak and Windcharger, the latter of whom suffered from a broken bonnet/windscreen assembly) and I can say I think they would definitely benefit from the die-cast that the Japanese versions had, to stabilize them and increase durability. That said, I don't think die-cast should be used for just anything- toys made almost entirely out of die-cast tend to be unstable and get loose joints quickly (if I remember rightly, the SOC Mazinger ladies suffer from this due to being almost entirely diecast). Also, die-cast does jack up prices quite a bit, and needs painting.

In my opinion, die-cast should mainly be used for:

>Joints, especially long and thin ones or joints that would be put under a lot of stress.
>Internal skeletons and gubbins for transformations, especially on big toys where the entire waist splits and 2 huge chunks of toy are connected by a flimsy plastic connector (third party companies seem to be oddly fond of these- Hearts of Steel Shockwave, I'm looking at you).
>Feet, legs, and low-sitting pieces that would help with stability.
>Panelling on appropriate parts of the toy (legs, chest etc...)
>Stands and bases.

It should NOT be used for:

>Extremities, bits mounted on weak joints, parts on the top of the toy that aren't being supported by much (arms in particular, in my opinion, should only ever be die-cast on toys that can take the weight, like big SOCs).
>Big accessories, especially on 6" figures or anything using ball joints. As cool as a die-cast sword would be, it just isn't practical on anything that doesn't have monstrously strong ratchet joints.
>Components held together by small/weak connectors (like the aforementioned flimsy waist connectors). Die-cast should hold together plastic, not the other way around.
>Wings, capes etc. Kinda comes under "Extremities and high-up unsupported parts", but these I feel are particularly poorly suited to die-cast. Can you imagine if RID Megatron had die-cast wings? He'd never be able to stand up!

I would like to see more die-cast in figures, but I don't think that every single figure needs die-cast. It's a nice thing to have, and it can be useful, but it shouldn't be included just for the sake of it. If it can be done just as well or better with plastic, use plastic. If die-cast actually adds something to the toy that justifies the increased cost, then go for it.

Your thoughts?

[Cyber Bishop]

Back in the day I thought it was cool to have toys with plastic and die cast (Bionic Six figures had this too), now it does not bug me that they have little to no die cast. I don't know why, maybe just that things change.. I dunno..

[craggy]

I don't have any real love for die-cast. If it's required for structural reasons, or to add weight so something doesn't fall over then cool, but otherwise I'm happy to have plastic.

weirdly when I was a kid my folks started to try and get me off the TF bandwagon because of the loss of die-cast (and noticeable drop in engineering quality post-movie) but these days the engineering has come far enough that I think plastic is fine.

[MightyMagnus78]

The main issue I always had with Die-Cast metal as a kid was that it was always susceptible to paint chipping, pitting and corrosion. This is why my original G1's look so beaten up now.

That said I'm not against Die-Cast altogether. As mentioned in the original post if its used properly as part of the internal structure or for supporting weaker areas then I'm fine with that.

[Rodimus Prime]

I prefer die-cast over plastic, but it's not a deal-breaker by any means. It also doesn't have to do with my like for G1, as I own very few G1 figures. I do like the Titanium figures for this reason, though, as well as the MP figures.

[Shadowstream]

For transformers I say nay, because for the most part it's more often used improperly and detracts from plastic content budget. Other Toylines like Bandai's SRCs I think use the die-cast phenomenally well for what few figures of them I have(just one actually...), but the price tends to be higher and they don't transform.

Actually now that I've had a second to turn around and think, I'm not as sure about die-cast being used in feet/legs as they tend to weigh down on the joints in the legs and make them too lose. Defender is already a clear example of such, and I also remember trying to get J-Decker into a decent dynamic pose on his stand was a tricky feat because the hip joints kept wanting to fold down.

[Mykltron]

I'm all for die-cast if it's done correctly.

The Binaltechs did it quite well but they still had car parts in plastic so the colour didn't quite match (eg the bit under the doors on Overdrive).

Alternity OP and Meg didn't put the metal in a very good place and so OP has a tendency to limbo dance.

Quakewave does it perfectly, it gives him a real sense of presence and quality and makes him very stable as it's all in his legs and his joints are sturdy.

The paint chipping doesn't really bother me as they're all engaged in war. They aren't going to stay pristine with all the things they have to go through!

[fenrir72]

Die-cast for the heck of it IS wrong. it must have a practical use on the figure itself. That was the case in the original G1 crew. The Autobot cars had die-cast on what would eventually turn into the robot feet. The Seekers had it on their main bodies for strength and stability. The casseticons for their joints and feet.

Springer G1 is one reason NOT to use die-cast as a chest plate.....d@mn paint chipping on his notch that locks on the windscreen/cockpit.

Again it's the dang paint chipping that sucks!

Greatest wasted opportunity in the use of die-cast? The Titanium series. It was die-cast for the heck of it.

[Judas_Warlord]

I grew up in the 90's and other than one masterpiece and a few G1 re-issues, the majority of the stuff I own is either from Power Rangers or Beast Wars. Not having figures that contain die-cast metal doesn't bother me in the least. Matter of fact, out of the four Megazords I own, only one contains die-cast metal. Two clips used for combining.

[Noideaforaname]

Can't say I've ever said to myself "Y'know what this toy needs? Die-cast." Like clear plastic or rubber or chrome, it's just a (cool) gimmicky material that I could do without.

[shajaki]

im trying to think of recent diecasty things... theres been some third party items that had really nice diecast bits. warbot defender for example. but what annoyed me most i think was MP01. hes SO heavy, and i dont know about everyone else but mine is getting worse with age. lately he just stands idle, straight up like on the box. anything else is asking to much.

done well? sure. but i can live without it.

[fenrir72]

MP-01 diecast was just fine for the figure of its scale. It gave the figure balance. It's the paint that was used which sucked.My 2004 version is just chipping when I look at him funny.

My 1986 Kup, despite being older had nary a paint chip on his die-cast body.