The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
05/06/2014 9:39 am
Sunstar Packaging Problems
I love the Sunstar Platinum collection, I really dislike trying to dismount a car from the platform. The screws are frequently so tight they defy a Phillips screwdriver. I have had to cut these things out and use a hacksaw on the screws. Usually I wreck something small. Yeeeeccch.
05/06/2014 10:39 am
Charlie, if you're having problems then you need a different screwdriver. Honest. I must own......
...70 + screwdrivers and I kid you not only about 3 (yes, three) seem to work on those screws. The angle of the point and side wings on those phillip-type screwdrivers makes ALL the difference in the world.
Buy a large set of decent medium size screwdrivers and you'll solve your problem.
Don't use a hack saw! As you noted, you'll break something every time!
Just my 2 cents....
-Chris
05/06/2014 2:54 pm
Chris, you're absolutely right about using the right phillips screwdriver. I've found that putting a band of colored tape around the shaft helps locate it later when the next Sunstar has to be dealt with. It's also helpful to spray a small amount of silicon lubricant into the well on the underside of the plastic base and let it soak into the screw threads for a few minutes. Then just dry the screw head and make sure you have the right Phillips at hand.
05/06/2014 3:26 pm
I, too, have had issues with Sunstar cars and the screws...
I have stripped several Philips head screwdrivers due to unscrewing Sunstar ( And other makes of diecast cars) over the years. Never broke a single part off any cars while doing this- but do understand how tough a job it is!
05/06/2014 3:50 pm
Trying to remove the chassis screws from the body of a H61 model is always an adventure.
I wonder what is used to torque those suckers down? Power wrench??? I've stripped MANY!
06/06/2014 2:37 am
....again, if "we're" stripping screw heads..then...we have the wrong screwdriver. Trust me....
...the "right size" drivers are out there.
07/06/2014 1:35 am
Jason, it makes all the difference in the world. "It's the little things in life!"
07/06/2014 10:10 am
And sometimes things just fall in your lap. This morning I went to remove the screws from a new AA Jag XK-E roadster after getting all the tools ready for a tough, in-the-box extraction, but when I tried the first it came out without a fuss as did the other three. I was so surprised I almost forgot to separate the foam shell and hold the car when it came loose.