"Reinforcing" small delicate parts that are partially broken

[Rich97]

Email was received today stating my requests have been approved! But still 8-10 weeks for fulfillment and no payment requested to this point.

 

[Rich97]

Still nothing in the mail.

I recently lost a photo-etch part for the second AT- ST. As you can see in the photo, sometimes you just get lucky (excuse the cat hair and litter in the vacuum).

 

[Glenn S]

Still nothing in the mail.

I recently lost a photo-etch part for the second AT- ST. As you can see in the photo, sometimes you just get lucky (excuse the cat hair and litter in the vacuum).
View attachment 168309

You're a lucky dog!

 

[Proximitas]

I think my problem trying that is a) not breaking thru the side of the fragile piece while drilling and b) holding the tiny piece to drill it. I find any tweezer manipulation of thin delicate pieces will result in breaking said piece or springing the piece to tweezer graveyard.

A pair of reverse opening tweezers are helpful in this case. They are the kind that open when you pinch them and hold themselves closed otherwise. Find a pair that are made of ferrous metal, and you can use magnets to prop them up. sometimes I put a piece of tape over the tweezers and the part to ensure they stay together as one unit.

The other helpful tool is a small jewelers vise or one like the Dspiae Table Vise (https://newtype.us/p/CPvVocCqCb8TFXtwSxsd/h/dspiae-omni-directional-table-vise-set) it is great for holding those super small parts steady.

 

[Rich97]

It's been four months since my last update! Still nothing from Bandai as far as the replacement parts are concerned, other than on February 4 when I requested an update:

"At this time, we are still waiting for replacement parts to come back in stock from the manufacturer. We deeply apologize for the inconvenience. Once these come back in stock, we will notify you of the shipment. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding with this process."

The irony is that I'm now comfortable enough with attempting to build my own replacement parts.

 

[Rich97]

Check out the update that I received today:

We sincerely apologize for the elongated wait and lack of communication; we have been having system and shipping issues with our Japan branch, who usually fulfills these part requests. It seems they are finally back on track, so we are now able to move forward with requests. We have been backed up since last September and are just now going through all the older requests, so please bear with us as we catch up on all pending requests.

Since your initial request, we had made multiple attempts every month (since your request had been approved) to source your replacements, however, they had all remained consistently out of stock from the manufacturer. Despite how long it has been, we had been hoping for a restock, (when the part is no longer available they let us know; since we've been reaching out-all we have been told is that it is still out of stock) so we had continued to ask for the replacements until it became available. Last month they finally confirmed your parts, sent them, and we have finally received them to our office. I have packaged and sent them to our mailroom-they should be picked up tomorrow afternoon-once picked up, please allow 2-5 business days to arrive to you.

We apologize again for any inconveniences this may have caused and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thank you,

BNTCA Customer Service

 

[PatW]

Which manufacturers are these?

 

[Rich97]

Check out the update that I received today:

We sincerely apologize for the elongated wait and lack of communication; we have been having system and shipping issues with our Japan branch, who usually fulfills these part requests. It seems they are finally back on track, so we are now able to move forward with requests. We have been backed up since last September and are just now going through all the older requests, so please bear with us as we catch up on all pending requests.

Since your initial request, we had made multiple attempts every month (since your request had been approved) to source your replacements, however, they had all remained consistently out of stock from the manufacturer. Despite how long it has been, we had been hoping for a restock, (when the part is no longer available they let us know; since we've been reaching out-all we have been told is that it is still out of stock) so we had continued to ask for the replacements until it became available. Last month they finally confirmed your parts, sent them, and we have finally received them to our office. I have packaged and sent them to our mailroom-they should be picked up tomorrow afternoon-once picked up, please allow 2-5 business days to arrive to you.

We apologize again for any inconveniences this may have caused and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thank you,

BNTCA Customer Service

I recieved the parts today via FedEx. Everything requested was received.

 

[Rich97]

Bandai's replacement program is not free, and it's only for use in Japan AFAIK. I didn't see your message earlier, otherwise I would have offered to try ordering the replacement for you. My local hobby shop is a Bandai Pro Shop affiliate, where I can get parts pretty easily (as long as Bandai has the parts in stock).

It was free and I'm in Canada. This is why I don't believe everything I read on the internet. Thank you for the offer though but it sounds like it probably was going to take the same amount of time, unless they lied to me in their email.