All I did was to give them a soak (with a bit of soap) and rinse. I haven't had any major issues with my FUD/SFDP minis thus far.
As a reminder, ShapeWays new pricing system kicks in the end of January, so all "grandfathered" prices will go up. ** Again: I do not work for ADB nor Shapeways. **
For those that aren't aware, Steve Cole is going in for major surgery tomorrow. Please send him positive energies for a speedy recovery.
From what he's posted on the SFB board, he's dong great. He's down 100 Lbs, walking a ton, and even taking yoga classes. All this means he's able to work full days instead of maybe an hour or two every other day. I wish he had this done years ago.
Not sure. I'll ask. ADB was selling "new old stock" plastic minis, but it appears they are currently sold out.
Steve Cole said the molds still exist, but due to low sales numbers, ADB has dropped the plastic minis from the catalog. He didn't say, but I'm assuming you can still buy them direct from Zocchi.
Over on the SFB boards, there is a suggestion that ADB should make a 3D print of the Federation Heavy Cruiser (aka Enterprise) and the Klingon D7 in an extra-large for-display scale. The first number tossed up was 1/2000 scale. However, Steve said he wants to do a scale that's already popular with collectors. Question: What is the most popular scale already in use by collectors???
1/2500 is the old standard for smaller AMT/Polar Lights Star Trek kits. Some of those are quite nice and some ... well ... frankly ... suck.
SVC just posted a message. The 1:1400 scale would be prohibitively expensive, up around $350 for best-material and over $50 in cheap plastic. The 1:2500 scale, while not cheap at around $60 for the good stuff, is affordable. Ergo, he's authorizing sculptors to make one "iconic" ship for each empire in 1:2500 scale. When they take the 3788/3125 scale minis and blow them up to 2500, they'll be able to add the little details to make the models eye-popping gorgeous. The weapon bumps are already there, of course, but they can add / enhance things like windows and access panels.
Good news. I hope the new sculpts are just scaled up Zocci's--I like that take. I wanted KLINGON ACADEMY minis
A guy by the name of Will McCammon made the 3D models for most if not all the Fed and Klingon ships. He tried very, very hard to stay true to the original source material (Franz Joseph Tech Manual & Zocci minis). There's six or eight 3D modelers working on different empires.
ADB said they are planning to release smaller 1/7000 scale ships. That will put the Constitution-class at about 41 mm or just under 1-5/8 inch long. It looks like it'll be six ships on a spur. The ships will be fixed/attached to their bases because they'd be too small to put a peg-hole in them. Steve said he wants to do at least two sets for each empire, one with ships you only need one or two of (e.g., dreadnought, tug, etc), and another with ships you need lots of (e.g., light cruisers, destroyers, and frigates). No idea on the price yet. Gunboats run about $12 - $15 per set, but they don't have built-in stands. DISCLAIMER: I do not work for ADB and do not speak for them.
I was all excited to get 2400 destroyer from Armadillo, but Mel over at http://starfightershipyards.com/zocchi-game-science-starships/ has the original ones I had in the 70s. they also have decals for several different scale minis http://jupiterivdecals.com/decals-for-star-fleet-technical-manual-zocchi-ships/ Mel runs both places and is a super dude. The 2500 sold by shapeway are bigger and more detailed. I had one in the cart until Mel told me about his shop.