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Topic starter
16/04/2019 2:10 pm
Does anyone know how “white metal” models differ from Zemak ??
I know zemak is Zinc, Magnesium, Allumninum and copper. What then is a white metal model composed of? Is it better or longer lasting then zemac? Any advantages of one Vs the other?? Thank in advance.
16/04/2019 3:15 pm
The white metal is alloy of tin and lead ...
? it is melted at lower temperature and casted in rubber molds. Hence cheaper casting, cheaper manufacturing and much more accessible manufacturing process.
White metal is softer and less sturdier, therefore not appropriate for opening parts. Zamak requires steel molds and casting under pressure, hence the molds are very expensive. Once the molds are made, they are good for tens of thousands of copies.
The white metal models do not develop alloy cancer, but again they are only good for static small models. However some of the 1:12 FM models were done in pewter with opening parts. Raffi once told me they did them in pewter because of the cheaper molds that allowed FM to produce smaller number of models.
16/04/2019 3:21 pm
John Kuvakas posts regularly "Brooklin Diaries" on Forum43 that shows the manufacturing process at Brooklin factory at UK, the British are masters of the white metal. I believe Brooklin works with pewter that is also an alloy of tin lead and copper.
16/04/2019 8:05 pm
JK posts are worth the read - EXTREMELY useful informative
16/04/2019 11:05 pm
interesting thanks Chav
17/04/2019 4:42 am
PICS: I have the seven 1-12 FM pewter models. They were nicely done.
They were LE's of 1,000. The pics are of the 1954 300SL Gullwing coupe.photo no longer available
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
Joe Malaney
Sarasota, Florida
17/04/2019 5:26 am
That is an impressive collection Joe.
I wish they did the Delahaye and the Shelby Daytona in 1:24 though.
17/04/2019 10:26 am
Chav, The club did the 1939 Delahaye - LECC XI - back in 2012.
The club version was in red. I managed to win the two color samples (blue and black) on the Diecast Auction in 2013.
Joe Malaney
Sarasota, Florida
17/04/2019 10:59 am
Joe, yes I know ...
I also have the red 1:24 Delahaye along with the black color sample, I don't have the blue one. And I don't have the 1:12 pewter one either, just because it is too big for me.
But FM had the model developed, just had to scale it down to 1:24. These are 2 different cars:
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
17/04/2019 11:52 am
Hey Joe, Can you post a few pictures of those Delahayes?
17/04/2019 12:50 pm
Wow, beautiful pewter Mercedes... didn't know they made those in pewter.