What really is diecast?

the die is cast - julius caeser

QUOTE: Originally posted by traskos I say diecast does not mean metal. It is a method , or a procedure.Common usage has caused people to onsider it a noun. If tinstead of metal , plastic is used in the die, it is still diecast. The same die was used, but the material was differant.. Right or wrong I have spoken. Dave

At that rate you could, conceivably, call anything made with dies, diecast including our plastic models. However as I said above, diecast collecting is a very specific hobby involving the use of ZAMAC or Zink and more recently Aluminum. The only use of plastic may be in detail parts but really very little.

As far as I'm concerned and most of collecting friends would agree diecast = zamac or white metal. Technically anything made in a die could be diecast but as far as this hobby is concerned diecast = metal.

Hard to say, really.........
But generally I'd class a diecast model as being:
Diecast (usually a zinc or aluminum alloy) for the major components and plastic for the details.
There are quite a lot of very fine diecast models being manufactured today - in the auto genre, the local model shop sells diecasts exclusively - Biante, AutoArt (the two are really the same), GMP and others make 1/18 scale models that are simply superb. There's also a couple of 1/6 scale GT40's (Mkl and Mkll) that are just amazing - working suspension and latches.
No longer can the diecast level of detail be compared to those horrible Burago things. But then again, for the price of a single example of some of those lovely models you could buy 20 Burago models. You get what you pay for.
Cheers
LeeTree
LeeTree

I say diecast does not mean metal. It is a method , or a procedure.Common usage has caused people to onsider it a noun. If tinstead of metal , plastic is used in the die, it is still diecast. The same die was used, but the material was differant..
Right or wrong I have spoken.

Dave

Diecast is metal, period. Anyone touting materials other than essentially potmetal, are straphangers looking to make a buck of another industry's standards.

I would agree diecast is metal...low melting temp properties usually...and very in-expensive

The true definition of diecast as it's applied to the diecast hobby and industry, is that parts and in fact whole models are cast in ZAMAC or WHITE METAL, and sometimes PEWTER, via the use of molds made specifically for that purpose. You will also find some items from some very prominate makers that are stampings in tin or tin alloy. This makes for some beautiful models but they're not true DIECAST, however they are much sought after by diecast collectors, including myself. Some folks may apply this term to plastic molded products but to a true DIECAST collector, "If it ain't molded in metal it ain't diecast". YES, it's a small distinction, but it's a distinction that has defined the hobby of diecast collecting since it's inception.

In the context of plastic models I would expect diecast to mean the major parts are formed of metal that has been poured into a mould.

In a general sense diecasting can include plastic injection moulding, as it is essentially the same process with different media.

Did I add to the confusion?
Bruce

have you seen the Die cast on a Dragon 1/72 kit like the panther? becouse the hull is die cast
it melts at a low temperature aswell

In my book, if it ain't diecast metal it ain't diecast. If it's plastic it's just a preassembled model or what ever you want to call it.

I don't know if any body else has my book though... or has read it!

That's my worth anyway and y'all know what opinions are like.

Eric

I don't know the proper answer to your question, but if I run into a "diecast" made of plastic, I doubt I'd buy it. I collect diecast airplanes and 1:18 cars. I just bought an American Muscle brand Mach 5, Neat-O! www.rcertl.com