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MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:49 pm
by donnieleblanc
Hi all,

Does anyone here know if MFH will replace parts? My MP4/8 has some bad ones. I’ve been building for over 30 years, so typically I’m able to fix even bad imperfections in MM kits, but there are some that are really difficult, if not impossible, on this kit to model correctly.

I started the MP4/8 about 8 months ago, but had to pause. I started up again, but immediately ran into a problem with the front shock absorbers. The absorbers appear to be molded off center.

I took great care while trying to sand down the seam, but it was impossible to preserve the detail given how badly off-center the mold was. You can see how the part is supposed to look in the instructions and how it came out (it’s obviously not painted yet)
06069913-E998-43CC-8482-82F7F807F7F5.jpeg
8DE15481-87FA-4E16-A5D0-42EFC2517021.jpeg
5F778B03-A2CA-4C84-8D4F-76DAF432073A.jpeg
Assuming replacement parts are unavailable, how would you handle? The “easy” solution (for me) is to build up and fill in with putty/filler and scribe/sculpt the detail back in. This can be done to get the shape almost perfect, but requires a ton of patience. I thought about scratch building this part, which will also be a lot of work. I’m not yet into 3D designing and printing, but I’m thinking this might be my entry into that world if I can’t figure how to address this and some other parts.

What do you think? I’m beginning to think I should have left the original part alone, but it was so badly molded that i felt (on a $550 USD kit) it needed to be addressed.

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 3:30 pm
by Flemming
Hi

Simple.

Contact Kyoko Hiro at kyoko@modelfactoryhiro.com and tell her about the problem and I'm sure they will find a solution quickly?

Best regards

Flemming

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2019 4:14 pm
by donnieleblanc
Thank you!!!!

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:14 pm
by donnieleblanc
Has anyone ever successfully reached MFH via email? I sent two email (subject = replacement parts) to them; one about 2 months ago and one 8 days ago. I never heard back from them.

Thanks,
Donnie

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:45 am
by acer709
Donnie,
I found Mfh to be great
Kyoko is polite and very good she sent me replacement decals for the Williams Fw11 cowling parts in a week they provide great service.
Just make sure you sent to correct email address and explain as clearly as possible.
Good luck. 8)

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 6:51 am
by Paul_OFarrell
Hi Donnie,

Welcome to the world of Multimedia kits.

Provided you approach MFH in a polite and courteous manner I expect they will be most willing to help you. MFH have had issues with their email servers.Try contacting Kyoko directly at the following address:

kyoko@modelfactoryhiro.com

However, be prepared: You may find that the replacement whitemetal parts might not be any better than the original item. For this reason, it might better if you use the WM part as a reference and consider scratch building a new piece instead. There are several different sizes of round and tubular styrene rods available from Evergreen. You could also choose to build it in brass or aluminium instead - in this case I would suggest sourcing your required material from Albion Alloys or K&S Tubing.

Yes, I know it's a pain in the rear to have to scratch build parts on such a high dollar kit, but this situation perfectly describes the unique challenge that multimedia kits often present. Look at it as a minor challenge rather than a hindrance.

I took this exact same approach with my current MFH kit and the replacement parts I made are better detailed, have no pesky mould line and are arrow straight.

Cheers, Paul
Sydney, Oz.

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 10:25 am
by donnieleblanc
Hi All,

Thanks for the advice. I’ll try contacting MFH again. I’m always careful to be polite when asking for a favor. Also, I’m very aware that what I consider polite may not be considered polite by the recipient, especially given language and cultural differences, so I took great care in how I prepared my emails, but perhaps I wasn’t specific enough (or perhaps it’s an email server issue as Acer indicated it could be).

Paul- to your point, I’ve sort of come to the same conclusion that a scratch built part may be better. I’ve been building kits, even MM kits, for a while now and haven’t had a part turn to “mush” like that ever. It was minimal sanding with 1000 grit paper. I was surprised. I was hoping to keep or re-work the original part, but that may not be possible.

What is a bit odd to me is I actually bought two of these kits and the second one doesn’t seem to have as dramatic a seam. It’s still there but it’s more manageable.

Looking at the real part, I got my work cut out for me. However, since I have two kits, it makes a little more sense to scratch build. I have tons of tubular styrene from Evergreen, so I should be ready. But as you can see, it will be a challenge to cut and shape this part correctly. Also, there are some other parts on this kit that I think I’m going to cast in resin, instead of white metal. When I start making progress on this kit, I will provide pictures.

Re: MFH replacement parts options?

Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2019 10:30 am
by donnieleblanc
Here is a picture of the actual part. It will be a bit of a challenge, but I should be able to come close.