Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

The plastic has nothing to do with that. Anytime you mount something heavy out like that it's going to rotate ( or break ) something. Get a drop pin so the light is hanging. The tilt joint on the e640 has enough surface area to adequately hold the heavy load in any position.

http://amzn.com/B001GCUWDG

Profoto and Elinchrom parts are also plastic, as are most flashes. And, yes, you always need a drop pin in this situation. You are looking at a situation not unlike trying to tow a semi trailer with a Honda when you start attaching gigantic modifiers to a compact flash head and stuff like that. :D

Geeze... get a drop down pin. No screw will keep that weight horizontal. There are other solutions, even just using an umbrella adapter to let the head hang below the boom arm. It makes precise angle adjustments a breeze.

Like these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... _Down.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/503984-REG/Chimera_3865_Double_Axis_Stand_Adapter.html

I finally got a chance to take photos. Like I said before, the defects in the plastic doesn't effect the performance, but I was disappointed in the light appearing used when it was brand new.
In the photos you can see the discoloration around the buttons and the black is scratched or faded at the bottom of each side. My friend's Einstein he bought a week after me was identical to mine. That's why I was asking if it was a problem with the mold or with the buffing process.

Since we don't sell used equipment, I did compare your photos to units waiting packaging. The marks shown are a result of the molding process, and will be present with any Einsteins, as their housings come from the same mold.

Got a Drop Pin. Thanks for the Advice!

Based on the pictures, I sincerely hope that someone at PCB is having a frank discussion with the people that make the housings. What really bugs me is that PCB, Inc seemed to be unaware until it was pointed out by by the OP.