Shipping battle engines in the summer heat

[necronomitron]

I've not ever dealt with resin (which is what the battle engines are made of?), but I've heard that it gets pretty melty when in heat. I'm thinking about ordering one but with this heat that we've been having (I live in the mid-west US) I'm cautious about how hot it might possibly get in transit. Is this a legitimate concern?

[MeniteTom]

Not really an issue. Most of the parts made of resin aren't load-bearing and thus aren't subject to warping. The ones that are (Wraith Engine comes to mind) won't be an issue unless assembled and THEN subjected to heat.

[necronomitron]

So the War Wagon or Vessel of Judgement should be fine?

[jandrese]

Normally Resin is pretty heat tolerant, it's the thermoplastic minis (Jack kits for instance) that are problematic.

[PG_Ghool]

Normally Resin is pretty heat tolerant, it's the thermoplastic minis (Jack kits for instance) that are problematic.

I disagree. I had my Storm Strider sitting on the seat beside me last summer, and the platform (it was a early release from LnL) became severely warped as a result. It was extremely soft and bendy after being in the heat.

That said, the parts should be fine inside a box. The only time they'll get soft is in direct sunlight, or under direct heat, like a hair dryer.

[sourclams]

Absolutely do not leave the BEs in a vehicle for any period of time. Don't use the trunk for transportation either, keep them in the cab.

I had the axle/undercarriage assembly of the Khador BE warp irreparably when I left it in my truck cab while running errands.

[PG_Sobek]

Absolutely do not leave the BEs in a vehicle for any period of time. Don't use the trunk for transportation either, keep them in the cab.

I had the axle/undercarriage assembly of the Khador BE warp irreparably when I left it in my truck cab while running errands.

Wait.... You say to keep them in the cab, then tell us how you had one melt after leaving it in said cab?

Regardless, leaving it inside a car, especially on a hot day, is usually a bad idea. All the glass letting sunlight in is like a greenhouse. However, I've never had a problem leaving things in my trunk. They're usually pretty insulated from the main car, and aren't subjected to direct sunlight, or the heat that comes with it. It still probably wouldn't be good to leave them even in the trunk for an extended period of time though.

[moorg]

So the War Wagon or Vessel of Judgement should be fine?

Well, I live in Australia. And my Vessel hasn't warped. And it's gone through some pretty damn hot days.

[KhisanthMagus]

The resin used for the BEs is more damaged by direct sunlight in combination to heat than by heat alone, hence why leaving it sitting on the front seat of a vehicle is very very bad, as it will be hit by direct sunlight there. Obviously if there is enough heat it will cause problems, but I don't think shipping it, even in this heat, would cause problems.

[PG_Agamemnon]

I think it matters more if there is stress/weight on the part that is unsupported when it is heated. Ordering models will not be a problem as you can rewarm any affected parts in hot water or with a hairdryer, bend them into shape then set them instantly by running them under cold water.

In building the model you can drastically limit the potential for sagging by putting reinforcements in it. Pins are not just to hold parts together but can be used to strengthen things as well. Such as the platform on the Storm Stryder... though I doubt you will find one with a resin platform for sale.

[PG_Alviaran]

Agree with everyone about don't leave it in the car when finished. I left my Wraith Engine in the car for about a day and he went soft at the waist. Now he is stuck in his foam tray until I decide I care enough to dig him out.

[Maou_Mint]

Things you don't leave unattended in a hot car during the summer:

-children
-pets
-senile grandparents (the car might be gone when you get back...with or without your grandparents in it)
-old records
-just about any plastic miniatures and many other plastic products (petrolium based or otherwise)
-flameable chemicals
-frozen foods/fruit that easily spoils
-me

YMMV on prioritization of the above list.

[MeniteTom]

To answer your question more specifically, the Vessel will be absolutely fine in the car. There's nothing on that that could warp.

[necronomitron]

Thanks for the info guys! Life has been pretty firmly in my way concerning modelling and gaming for about a year. So I missed the excitement that the battle engines brought with them. (At least I'm back in time for the colossus/gargantuan fun!) I'm pretty stoked to be getting my engines.

[Lead Farmer]

Don't leave minis in the car period. They will only be melted and stolen. Treat your army like a newborn baby.

[x3tsniper]

I had a buddy who left his bags in his car while he was at work a couple times. So many things came unglued. His Arcantric dudad had things come apart. Not sure that he had any warping, but it was a few months ago and was only into the 80s and maybe low 90s outside. Now that it is summer, and we hopefully will manage to break the record heat wave(3 days short last year) on the number of days over 100*, I don't think he will chance it. If he does, maybe I will get him to post pics.

[zor]

Move somewhere more mild and voila! Everything will magically not melt and dissolve in heat!

[Nuriochi_sol]

I never leave stuff in the car, period.

That said, my Stormwall arrived via UPS today. It was over 100* here. The parts inside a shipping box, and then inside the actual Stormwall box, were warm to the touch, but unharmed. I was actually surprised that they were so warm, but no damage.

So there's some firsthand experience from your neck of the woods.

[PG_Menite Messenger]

I wish i lived somewhere hot enough to melt models !!!!

The worst ill get here in the UK is maybe a few models will drown.

MM

[moorg]

I wish i lived somewhere hot enough to melt models !!!!

The worst ill get here in the UK is maybe a few models will drown.

MM

If Australia isn't hot enough to melt my models with 40+ Celcius heat, you're not gonna get anywhere in the UK.

Maybe you can leave something outside in the snow until it freezes.... then smash it with a hammer.

[PG_JonWebb]

If Australia isn't hot enough to melt my models with 40+ Celcius heat, you're not gonna get anywhere in the UK.

Maybe you can leave something outside in the snow until it freezes.... then smash it with a hammer.

We don't really get snow anymore either Just rain...