TKM Resin kits

[Khier]

Did anyone dare to build a TKM kit? They offer unique subjects but the quality is terrible. Is there any means to straighten these cars and build them decently? And why on earth do they produce such crap? I mean if they can master a model that accurately, why do not they cast it properly, or let someone else do it for them?

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

TKM...Totally Krap Models...for over 20 years. The guy lives in a time warp, his models haven't changed since he began. Some of the masters have potential, but his casting techniques are terribly sloppy, his chassis are so rough you'll cut yourself & need a tetanus shot. Don't be surprised if you find a stray bug, food particles, or pubic hair in the resin. Seriously. I'm not making that up...that's what people have found. It's just...awful. I bought a Lincoln MK VII back in the early 80's from him...it was so bad, worse than a soap carving, I eventually just threw it out. Could easily have ruined me for life on any resin.

I've seen some decent efforts to build his models...but it absolutely has to be a labor of love. They are awful, terrible, nasty models. You can tell he's incredibly cheap by the casting and poor quality. This isn't resin carefully mixed & poured into a nice mold and pressure cast. He does very few two piece molds, most everything is very simple open 1 piece molds, bodies slush-cast. Resin casting has come a long way since he started. He hasn't. He's the dark ages of resin casting. But worse.

They're not really "models"...they're more like bad folk art. Really bad.

[360spider]

Wow, now I'm really intrigued! I've never heard of TKM, any pix of the kits?

[jano11]

Originally Posted by 360spider

Wow, now I'm really intrigued! I've never heard of TKM, any pix of the kits?

Same here.

[Khier]

Originally Posted by 360spider

Wow, now I'm really intrigued! I've never heard of TKM, any pix of the kits?

Ebay is full of them. The seller is called tkmmodels or something like that.

[Khier]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

TKM...Totally Krap Models...for over 20 years. The guy lives ..... like bad folk art. Really bad.

Exactly my impression. I was lured by the subjects and fueled with optimism several times to buy his garbage. What I wonder about is how could he master these models, because the masters do not look as bad as the castings. Secondly, why did not the other casters consider these interesting subjects he offers. For example, the only 1948 Packard I have ever heard of is made by TKM. Could it be a copy of the old metal promo (forgot the name) models? I do not think so. His models, bad as they are, do not have the cast iron surface roughness. But, on the other hand, the cast on bumpers and grills point to those old metal bombs.

[hirofkd]

Originally Posted by Khier

Did anyone dare to build a TKM kit? They offer unique subjects but the quality is terrible. Is there any means to straighten these cars and build them decently? And why on earth do they produce such crap? I mean if they can master a model that accurately, why do not they cast it properly, or let someone else do it for them?

The reason why you don't see any finished TKM kit is because they are simply unbuildable.

This is the content of TKM's Lincoln Mk.VIII kit. Notice the asymmetric body shape.


Totally inaccurate side profile.


Inconsistent resin mixture.


Uneven body thickness.


The chassis.
No, it's not because of the photo, but the axis are indeed not parallel, and the tires are deformed.


Seats and dashboard.


Interior tub


If you want to torture yourself, go ahead.
I bought mine before the age of online shopping with photos and what not, so what do you expect! (LOL)

[jano11]

I'm sorry I've ever asked to see one of these things. Hopefully I won't have nightmares after seeing this thing.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by Khier

Exactly my impression. I was lured by the subjects and fueled with optimism several times to buy his garbage. What I wonder about is how could he master these models, because the masters do not look as bad as the castings. Secondly, why did not the other casters consider these interesting subjects he offers. For example, the only 1948 Packard I have ever heard of is made by TKM. Could it be a copy of the old metal promo (forgot the name) models? I do not think so. His models, bad as they are, do not have the cast iron surface roughness. But, on the other hand, the cast on bumpers and grills point to those old metal bombs.

Some of his "models" are based on the old aluminum promos (not sure if they're copies or modified), and they may be the better ones. As you can see from the Mk. VIII, that is your typical modern TKM subject.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by jano11

I'm sorry I've ever asked to see one of these things. Hopefully I won't have nightmares after seeing this thing.

+1...geez...

[vrossi85]

I think we can knead a plasticine and looks better than the Totally Krap Models. (Am i over exaggerating? I hope not)

Ro

[klutz_100]

i wonder what hiss feedback looks like on ebay?????

[star21]

Those pictures look like the car was made out of wax (ala "House of Wax") and began to melt away. Eck!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

i wonder what hiss feedback looks like on ebay?????

It's amazingly good. I have no idea why...

I think his handle is "scalingdown"...I don't see any models of his right now.

As for someone mentioning plasticene clay to better recreate a subject...I think that's what TKM may use on some of his masters to shape/detail.

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

The reason why you don't see any finished TKM kit is because they are simply unbuildable.

[IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Tom/Desktop/icon_yikes.gif[/IMG]

So... aside from that minor detail, what's the problem?