This has to be new--Metal fatigue

[Spartacus]

Having had to handle all my 15mm figures over the last few days, I have noticed that some of them have suffered over the years.

Mostly XXXXXXX MXXXXXXXX, I am now scared to even touch one as they break at the ankles. I can assure you that all my stuff has been kept in the finest conditions available.

This must be a metal problem and maybe one for Martin as they are not his

So over to the boss:-

Terry

[Lluis of Minairons]

Oxidation perhaps?

[Colonel Kilgore]

Terry,

Ouch, that sounds heartbreaking.

Without being funny, what conditions (temperature, humidity, type of box...) have they been stored in?

Also, did you fully prime and/or varnish them? I've read various articles on the dreaded "lead rot" and there seem to be several theories around.

Simon

[Spartacus]

All my stuff has been under 50% humidity for ages. It is only one manufacture that has suffered. Even my older stuff has not been affected.
I am at a loss to work out why. All my figures have been in the same environment.
A bit gutted but C`est la vie.

All fully primed and varnished.

Anyone want to buy a cheap Han Chinese army?

Terry

[Colonel Kilgore]

Terry,

Good news that the damage is limited.

Could it perhaps "just" be some dodgy metal in that particular army?

Simon

[Spartacus]

@ Simon--That is my theory, It all seems to be the same manufacturer. So that raised a few alarm bells.

[John Watson]

I have read a lot about lead rot and that's what i thought it was -a load of rot, until it happened to me. Fortunately it was only a few fantasy models from the 1970's. I think they were Real Partha figures. They were unpainted. I have never had a problem with painted figures, which I undercoat and varnish. My figures have been stored in relatively damp conditions for many years so I don't think damp is the problem per se. It could be a catalyst, perhaps, if the alloy is poor. I suspect it might be impurities in the alloy that is the real problem. Perhaps we should demand that figure manufacturers disclose the contents of their alloy so we can decide which figures will stand the test of time.
John

[Colonel Kilgore]

That's a very interesting idea John. A material quality badge of some kind? I know Martin chooses his alloys and their specific uses carefully. If only others were as thorough it would have saved me selling off unpainted stuff I just couldn't be bothered with in the past...

Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

Flames of war figures are a typical one for snapping at the ankles. A load of the 8th Army figures Colin gave my, had that same problem. A load of "ACW" figures I bought years ago the same thing, from some manufacturer off the old gaming circuit. I assume it's a combination of the figure posses and crap, cheap metal that some of these companies have used over the years, attempting to cut costs etc.
Miles

[Leman (Andy)]

Any chance of a couple more letters? I'm not the greatest at word puzzles and that one has me stumped.

Andy

[Spartacus]

@ andy

Cxxxxxx Mxxxxxxxxx

Reason I have not named is that they have been taken over by somebody else who seems to have rectified the problem.

Terry

[Leman (Andy)]

Thanks. Yes they have.

Andy

[Colonel Kilgore]

That's good to know it's fixed. I remember admiring figures from that manufacturer when I was into Essex Ancients. CM's figures seemed very slender and elegant.

When I bought a bunch more recently to mix in with Dark Ages figures from other manufacturers, I found them a little skimpy. How tastes (maybe just my fickle ones) change!

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

Similar experience in the 90s with the CM 10mm FPW figures. I had originally started my collection using Wargames South figures, but when CM's came out their detail was exquisite and I switched to collecting them, but their "skimpiness" resulted in heads and outstretched arms coming off. The project was abandoned and sold off. I switched to Pendraken in the early 2000s, and have now added to these with the original WS figures, now supplied by Red Eagle. They may be a little cruder than the old CM figures but they are so much more sturdy, and in my view have a charm all their own.

[Noggin]

Completely agree. I sold off my FPW and replaced them but I do still have an Classical Indian army minus a few bows - definitely try not to touch them.