Okay Boys, FJ25 Hood Emblems Finished (Good and Bad news)

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Hey guys, the emblems were finally ready and I picked them up yesterday.
Here's the scoop:

I took 7 zinc emblems in great condition individually wrapped in cotton cloth.

Got them back with the usual minor pits from handling before plating. A couple had a single pit less than 1/16" long.

I used to look at these things as jewelry as I was making them and stress over every little defect they came back with. Why don't I anymore? Because I have 2 rejects that I didn't feel good about selling on my Cruisers and they look great. To put it in perspective, an original sold on ebay for $198 in great condition, and everything I've sold blows that one away.

NOW THE BAD NEWS:
Out of the 7 emblems, 1 got a little twisted and 3 more ended up with the center of the emblem slightly bent back. In otherwards, when you look down the back of the emblem, it is not perfectly flat. They will flatten out on the hood when the nuts are tightened, but I'm afraid over time they might crack from the stress and vibration of the vehicle.

First 3 guys in line are:
LandCruiserSteve (1)
Foxfab (3)
Cruisernerd (1)

Here's what I'm thinking. Steve, if you don't mind I'll send you the one off my Cruiser that I sent you before for your photoshoot. As you know it's solid brass and wouldn't break if you rear ended a train. Mike, this time around you take 2 emblems instead of 3, and I'll send you another down the road from another batch. I'll pm you on trades. This way Steve gets 1 brass, Mike gets 2 zinc, and Jim 1 zinc. I'll put one of the bent ones on my wagon and see how it fairs.

The next batch:
For the next batch I'm gonna have a new mold made and cast them out of bronze. They won't be solid like the brass, but the walls will be 1/8" thick.
It might be a little while before I make them since I've lost a lot of money on the zinc.

I'll keep you guys posted on whether or not the other three crack.
FJ25 zinc emblems (2).webp
 
Here's a pic of one of the bent ones. It's not much, but it still concerns me.
 
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This is the one that sold on ebay for $198.
 
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This is one of my zincs.
20 Series 14.webp
 
Gene-

If it makes it easier for you, hook up Steve with a good one and put me last on the list or even next time (or send me the worst reject :D ). That way I'll have my loaner t-bird back and I should be good for a few years or so. ;) Perfection takes time. :D

And they all look pretty damn good!
 
Here's a couple pics I've collected:
original bib shot.webp
 
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Steve's
 
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Armando's
20 Series 6.webp
 
My LV
desert2006april 03.webp
 
Love this one of Steve's 25.
Steve's 25 Bib.webp
 
This is the 1st one made (solid brass).
1st Polished Brass T-Bird.webp
 
Believe it or not, the one above was cast from this one that Jim gave me. I had to sand it and fill it with bondo to make a mold.
TBird.webp
 
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The first one chromed.
FJ25 REPRO EMBLEM.webp
 
The first 20 were solid brass. Hey Jim, do you have a good pic of yours?
20 Series 00.webp
 
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