Response to Greatwazoo42

Ron Daniels aka Greatwazoo42 posted the following incredible piece of insight (my comments in RED):

"Straker - I've owned two original Richard Coyle Star Trek 3 phaser pistols. Both pulled from the same mold he used for the hand props in the film. Both had differences from each other and from the filmed prop because each one involved hand work and also as each one was built the artist's hand improved the design. I look at the MFX sonic in the same light. Keep telling yourself this if it makes you feel better. If Nick Robatto himself had built each of the 500 MFX screwdrivers using the same methods and the same materials and the same design as his original screen used props then maybe, just maybe you have a point. However, he didn't, so you don't. The comparison is totally wrong.

Unless you have everything made by machine using the exact same starting materials under the exact same conditions there will ALWAYS be differences. Some of the work in the sonics was hand work. Also there are always refinements between a prototype and a final product. Obviously you are showing your ignorance of this prop and the way it is constructed. These props were originally machined and were machined using defined, immutable templates with very little play in the basic dims. All the dims have to be proportional to each other or else it will be a different design. The construction also needs to be substantially the same. The only differences that manifest itself through handwork is the paint job and the blue activation stripe. Everything else should have been done by CNC. Here's a thought for you: all the MFX have the same errors in exactly the same place. If all or some of the work was done by hand, each and every one would be dimensionally different for your argument to hold water.  Obviously you are a numbnut or something but MFX's prototype was IDENTICAL to the prop. Their final product is not a refinement. Quite the reverse. It is a devolution. As ASP9mm pointed out, there is not a SINGLE screenshot or published picture where the sonic screwdriver prop looks like the MFX. Not a single fucking one. Plenty where it looks like their prototype though. Explain that one if you can you sad, deluded fool.

If you want better go build your own. If you can't then you'll have to settle for what you can buy. That is precisely what I am doing.

It sounds like you're demanding people justify themselves specifically to you and unless you have a badge and a gun (drawn) no one needs to. If you join a forum like the RPF, and sell a product on a screen accurate ticket then you are expressly allowing other members to question you on it and pull you up on it. You can't expect to use a forum like the RPF to sell a product and not expect difficult questions. Straker has a right to ask these questions and whether Neill chooses to answer them or not is his choice but that does not mean other members cannot draw inferences from his evasion or silence "

Essex boy Defstartrooper confirms what we all knew...

...that Essex boys are as thick as pig shit. Observe (my reply in RED):

"When have you ever seen a licensed replica be 100% exact to what is seen on screen from any licensed producer ? I admit, it is rare but it does happen and even the ones that are close are a lot closer than the MFX sonic is to the original prop. Most producers don't harp on that their products are 100% screen accurate. MFX did. If MFX hadn't promised a 100% accurate prop in the first place then what they delivered wouldn't be an issue.



Never, satisfactory answer ? No actually. Refer to my previous answer. Ironically, MFX's masks and helmets are virtually 100%. For fuck's sake, I know I keep going on about it, the prototype they exhibited is practically 100% screen accurate. So don't use this fucking argument with me you stupid fucking twat.


No offense intended towards Neil or MFX that's just the facts of the industry for varying reasons. You're a fantasist. A wannabe. You haven't a fucking clue about the industry, if you did you wouldn't need to suck up so hard.


For what it's worth Neil i'm sure the majority of folks see CT for what he is. So what am I? (Use comment box below so we can all have a good laugh) "

The mystery of the white ring

The classic sonic screwdriver has always featured what appears to be a white ring around the middle section.

As can be seen here:

This 'white' band has been consistently seen on the prop since it's introduction and for most of this period has also featured what appears to be a gouge or paint chip.

There are several theories as to what it can be.

1) White Paint - This is the obvious and easiest answer however it does not explain how in some shots this white area is clearly reflective silver yet displays the telltale flake mark. Such as here:

It therefore seems highly unlikely it is white paint. However that brings me onto the second theory

2) Chrome Paint - This is actually a pretty sound idea. When the prop, as built by Tony Dunsterville, first appears in Thunderbirds, the middle section is indeed a very shiny chromed finish:

What lends this idea added credence is that Chrome paint contains real metal (usually nickel or aluminium) and I have been told quite reliably, has a tendency to turn white and cloudy over time due to oxidation. This would explain why the prop goes quite visibly from silver during Thunderbirds and during Pertwee's time with the prop, to white during Davison's era.

However, I have doubts. Chrome paint is not particularly durable and would have flaked off almost entirely during the 15 years the prop was in use, not just exhibited the relatively minor flaking seen. For this reason alone I believe that while it is entirely possible, it is not very probable.

3)  Polished Finish - It has been suggested that the chromed finish on the middle section is down to the metal being turned at a higher speed, effectively polishing it into a mirror shine. I don't buy that at all. This would make the finish intrinsic to the material itself. This is intuitively wrong as the wear pattern can only be the result of something being remove from the base material: ie: electroplate or paint. This brings me onto my final theory and it's one I believe holds the answer.

4) Galvanic Corrosion - I believe that the prop was turned from aluminium and the ring section was plated in nickel to give it a bright chrome finish. However, it is widely known that nickel plating on aluminium is problematic because of the adhesion problems with nickel on aluminium (a quick Google will show the extent of flaking of nickel plate) and also, the danger of galvanic corrosion as a result of bad adhesion. Instead of me explaining what this process is, let me quote John Demakis of http://www.duro-chrome.com/:

"Galvanic corrosion refers to the damage induced when two dissimilar metals are coupled in a corrosive electrolyte. When this occurs, the less noble (less able to resist this type of corrosion) of the metals in the reaction becomes the anode (positive) and corrodes more quickly than it would by itself, whereas the more noble metal becomes the cathode (negative) and corrodes more slowly than it would alone.

What Is It?

Try to think of it in these terms. Consider the way a battery works. Typically in most batteries there are three things that must be present to create the desired reaction.

•A positive electrode that receives electrons from the external circuit when the cell is discharged. With respect to galvanic corrosion, this refers to the more noble of the two metals.

•A negative electrode that donates electrons to the external circuit as the cell discharges. This refers to the less noble metal or the anode.

•An electrolyte that provides a mechanism for a charge to flow between positive and negative electrodes. This would be the water in the solution for plating or the type of plastic used in the application or any other substance used. Even moisture in the air could act as a catalyst for the reaction.

Once all three of these elements are present, the battery creates energy in which galvanic corrosion is entirely responsible. When this sort of reaction occurs outside of a battery setting, for instance in a mold shop, the energy created by galvanic corrosion manifests itself between the two dissimilar metals and eats away at the less noble of the two.

 Aluminum has very little nobility and consequently is much more likely to corrode more quickly. Applying a nickel-based coating on your aluminum parts may be what is necessary to protect them from galvanic corrosion.

...suppose that you are using a nickel solution to plate an aluminum part. Now, if there were any imperfections in that aluminum part, such as pitting, there is a possibility that during the plating process some of the solution or a water molecule could get trapped in that deformity in the part. That water molecule ultimately could become the electrolytic component needed to complete a galvanic cell. The aluminum is less noble than the nickel and so in the plating process used to prevent corrosion and to prolong the life of your part, one could actually be promoting corrosion, and lessening the life of your tool.

So what do we have here? Essentially the above says that nickel can protect aluminium from corrosion IF the aluminium surface has been adequately prepared for the plating process. If it hasn't, galvanic corrosion can be quite rapid.

Here's the rub: the sonic prop was made from aluminium. The surface wasn't prepped properly prior to the nickel plating of the middle section, as can be evidence by the subsequent flaking and wear, which caused the less noble aluminium underneath (that was exposed via the microscopic pitting) to corrode at an accelerated rate in the presence of an electrolyte. In this case, the salt and moisture from sweat is the electrolyte, and this results in the formation of white aluminium oxides, or in this case, aluminium hydroxide - an opaque white substance.

The Charge of the Arse Brigade

Following on from Neill Gorton's delightfully obfuscative tirade against me and those that don't dismiss my scribblings as those of a madman, there has followed a sageley nodding bunch of morally self righteous arse licking hypocritical fuckmunches eager to be seen to be doing the right thing by voicing their outrage against me. Amongst the first is a toady little shite called Phez who posted the following (my reply in RED):

"Neill

You offer a fully licensed product, made in house by the effects team that works on the show with unquestionable proof that you have direct access to the screen used prop as reference. You have also been polite and shown great customer service to support your product (I have had no problems with my two but am very impressed with how you have helped out others in this thread). Actually Phez, Neill has not actually proved convincingly that he has had access to the prop. Because if he did, why the fuck did he produce what he did? All I can say for sure is someone did, and that was the person who made the prototype. I don't think it was MFX. As for great customer service, that is EXPECTED. It's not something that you give extra brownie points for.

That is being balanced against someone who is not licensed, has no affiliation to the show and absolutally no proof that they are using any refrence material that is not currently publicly avalible. The persons behavior has been very un-bussiness like (to say the least) and I would fully expect to be instructed to stick the product up my *** if I bought one of his products and had a problem with it. Well, actually you stupid fucking cunt, I'd like you to produce something that is to my level of accuracy using public domain material. The fact that I have dims that NO ONE ELSE should, except those that have studied and handled the actual prop, proves pretty danm convincingly that I have.  Neill knows I have. How else could I have called him out on the dims being off? I think I have proven my chops. If  anything, Neill needs to prove his. And he hasn't. Not one iota. His replica looks like it was made using photo reference material it is that inaccurate. As for my business practices, my customers will attest that I have amongst the finest out there. My testimonials speak volumes. Just because I take no crap from fucking morons does not make me a shit businessman. If you were my customer I would deal with your issue quickly, professionally and to your 100% satisfaction. As my customers will agree. So take your snide little suppositions and shove it up your rectum. Prick.

Keep up the good work man, if I can throw a few bucks in the direction of the people who are making stuff for a show I enjoy and get a sweet prop out of the deal, all is good

I'm happy you're happy. "

The Gorton finally speaks

Having created a splash in that little mill pond called the RPF over the past few days, it now seems that after weeks of quite telling silence, the ripples have finally reached that little backwater just outside London called Chesham...home to MFX Replicas.

Here is Neill's reply in full (my reply in RED):

"Before I get any more people banging on at me about CT and his accusations regarding our replicas and sending me PM’s let me make my one and only statement on the matter.

Firstly and most importantly – I have no interest in or desire to enter in to any debate with CT or anyone else who wishes to take up his ‘cause’ and I have numerous reasons for this. My primary reason is that CT is running a business making illegal unlicensed replicas and infringing my license, a license I have to pay for and meet many conditions on. If you say so Neill, but if you want to use that to avoid answering the difficult and relevant questions, so be it. It's not going to stop me or anyone else asking them. The conditions you speak of, honestly, are no where near as stringent as imposed on others. My heart really fucking bleeds for you.

He is stealing from me in effect. Why on earth would I want to then have a cozy chat with him about anything! I have nothing to say to him because he is doing everything he can to damage my legitimate business. He is attempting to take business away from me and damage my livelihood and livelihood of my employees by trading illegally while also making libelous accusations about me. What on earth makes anyone think I’d then feel obliged to communicate with him never mind be asked to ‘defend myself’ against these ridiculous claims from someone who is so blatantly ripping me off. Ridiculous claims? What ridiculous claims? Do you honestly think anyone really believes you fellated Russell to get the licence? The fact is, if you hadn't worked on the show and leveraged your existing relationship, you would not have gotten the licence. FACT. How did you manage to get a licence without actually producing a run of prototypes to prove you could do it? Everyone else who applies for a licence has to...but not you apparently. Mutant Moulding had to, as did Codsteaks and TPE. Change the fucking record Neill.

 He's simply making these claims solely as a means of propaganda in order to try and claim a bigger share of a market he has no legitimate right to!!!. Would you entertain a guy who had burgled your house and stole your TV if he came knocking on your door a few days later asking you to show him how to operate the remote control? You'll be accusing me of funding terrorism, prostitution, drug smuggling and people trafficking next. It's not as simplistic as simple theft. This is about free market economics in a free market world. Competition is healthy so instead of bleating about the injustice of it, do something about it, then you can both bleat about it and still be making money. Seriously though, you're producing 500 of these things, the vast majority have already sold. Mine is not yet out. Those who want one would have bought one of yours by now. Where's the theft? By the time mine is shipped in a couple of weeks yours will have gone, sold out, never to be repeated. You are accusing me of stealing customers that couldn't have bought yours anyway becuase they would have sold out. So I'm stealing something that was never yours to begin with. You've got your cake, you've sold it. I'm just baking another as you have no intention of baking any more cakes.

Secondly CT has also posted a blog which includes many untruths and half truths and makes – I’ll say it again – libelous claims against myself and my business. Two years ago he started out by posting what he called an ‘open letter’ to me in which he accused me of getting a license by “blowing Russell T David on set!” and proceeded to make even more crude homophobic remarks. Yeah, that was pretty fucking funny. Did anyone seriously believe that? Get a fucking sense of humour Neill. IT WAS A JOKE.

 Do you think I really want to have any discussion with this foul mouthed fool. My wife read that letter which made lots of crazy claims about me, and in which CT directed vile, vitriolic bile at me, and was very upset because she couldn’t understand why a person who has never met me, and knows nothing of my business or me as a person, would be so aggressive in his attacks on me and make such crude and offensive remarks in such a public way. What, she asked, had I done to deserve such uncalled for abuse? All I could say to her is, sadly it comes with the territory! Again, why would I wish to communicate with this individual??? Actually, my remarks have a basis underneath the bombast. Ask yourself that Neill. If you read my subsequent remarks here, I have nothing against you. You're a very talented guy but you have absolutely no clue when it comes to making screen accurate props. I stand by that. I hate the game, not the player. I'm sorry you are part of this but I semi seriously offered to make these things for you but you blanked me. Was that a mistake? Probably. But I'm not bitter. I'm just going to continue to make the best props I can and nothing you or the BBC can do to stop me short of declaring war on 1.3 billion rice eating MSG fuelled fist throwing motherfuckers. If you had communicated with me, this would not have happened, everyone would have won. You chose to not to and this is the result. Sorry but that's the truth.

His comments are designed to mask the fact that he is producing replicas illegally and his attitude is designed to justify these illegal actions and convince you all that what he’s doing is perfectly ok. He’s not just a fan producing a small run of an unavailable prop, he’s a full on business charging a lot of money for these items. In comparison to me his profit can be much higher as he’s producing in China and has no royalties to pay! Actually that not accurate Neill. You're the one fudging the issue. You're the one producing an inferior piece and charging more for it. I am producing  a better quality piece, using more expensive machinery and with a level of sophistcation and design higher than yours. And I'm charging less. All in all, I think it works out about the same.

He’s also hugely inconsistent. I recently read a thread in which he attacks an RPF member for not divulging photographs and his source for information regarding the Tom Baker sonic while, at the same time, CT himself claims to have had access to new series sonics but also refuses to back up these claims with any evidence. There’s just no winning with this guy and ultimately no reason to enter in to any discussion with him as, no matter what you say, he’ll just run in circles saying and claiming whatever suits his purpose and version of reality as he sees it at the time. Ok, here's the challenge. What are my inconsistencies? My proof is my product, old chum. How do you explain the fact that I have better blueprints than you? How do you explain that I have caught you RED HANDED selling an inaccurate piece if I didn't have access to an original filming prop and original dims? Cut the fucking bullshit Neill, it stinks. If you think I can produce what I have produced using publically available material, you end up making you and your company seem like a mickey mouse outfit as my replica is head and shoulders above yours. I am deliberately vague as to how I accessed the prop as I clearly do not want to land the persons who helped me in hot water. That's a good enough reason isn't it?

He’s claimed that he approached the BBC to get a license but was re-buffed. This is a lie as the BBC have no record of any contact from him. They even asked me if I knew who he was as they’d become aware of his website? If he was making applications for licenses they’d know who he was. It’s all lies to justify his behavior and his illegal practice and to convince you he’s some modern day Robin Hood character. Smoke and mirrors. I have approached the BBC and not in the way you realise. Do you think I would have started this little venture if I thought I could get caught? Trust me, there was contact, both substantial and detailed but nothing that would get traced back to me. I am that good.

So I just thought I’d state my position right now before I got any more PM’s or post from members hassling me to enter in to discussion. Not interested guys as I’m offended by and disinterested in having anything to do with this individual or answering anything he has to say. I’m also saddened to see his illegal operation given credibility here on the RPF. You’ll get angry and indignant at people who re-cast but it’s okay for this guy top blatantly operate an illegal, unlicensed business and peddle his wares on this forum and even have members giving him support and congratulations!!!... I’m completely shocked and UTTERLY disinterested. Welcome to the RPF Neill. If you had done your job correctly and the BBC had done their's we wouldn't be here. You pay your money, you take your choice. This is not recasting. This is original work done to a higher standard. If it embarrasses the licence holder, so be it it. You just need to up your game as people like me are always going to snapping at your heels.

I’ve been nothing but polite, consistent and as helpful and honest as possible to our customers and to anyone who has asked questions or PM’d me on this forum but I refuse to get involved with or comment on anything that is said by, or originates from, CT.

End of discussion.

Neill "

Nice smoke screen job Neill, but you still have not answered the question as to why your replica is so inaccurate and why it differs so much from your prototype? Your customers deserve an answer and just offering them their money back does not cut it.

I think the real reason is that they can sue you for misrepresentation. What you offered for sale is not what you delivered. Oh yeah, you can bleat all you like about me being a cunt but that is irrelevant to the real issue which is both pertinent and valid.

The fact you haven't addressed this speaks louder than I ever could.

Awwwwwwww.....poor Risu

"What's with defending the guy all of a sudden? I really don't know why you're pushing it so hard, was he somehow polite to you while being rude to everybody else? So what if I prefer to post here? He can feel free to say what he wants on his blog, shouldn't I get my own "home base" as well? This argument is pointless anyways, those of us who are going to avoid him will and those on his side will probably stay there until he gets angry with you too and posts your name and picture on his blog with a bunch of "descriptive words". Nothing anybody says here is going to change that. The only reason I'm still responding is because you're on the offensive. If you want to take this to PMs and continue discussing the issue feel free, but I think it's time the mods did away with this thread, it's become redundant. "

Danny-boy, I know you're reading this so go dry your eyes, calm down and shut the fuck up. I'm going to spell it out nice and simple to you.

There are some people in this world who are nice, polite and respectful. Those people deserve to be treated in kind. Mr Straker, amongst a great many others, is one of those people. I treat others with the respect I am treated with and if others show me contempt or are rude to me, I treat them the same way PLUS interest. You dig?

If you had shown a bit more respect, politeness and common courtesy, it would be reciprocated.

Look at me rather like a urinal. I take no shit.

Jet Beetle, step up to the plate...

Cuntmeister General Jet Beetle has accused me of being cowardly by writing my blogs.

What this fuckwit hasn't noticed is that under my blog there is a COMMENT BOX. If anyone wants to avail themselves of such a remarkable facility, they are welcome. In fact, I encourage it.

So Mr Hernandez, you have something to say? Come and say it, you dumbass stupid chickenshit cunt.