Metal or resin, would you pay a little more

[Gra30]

Hi all

I wonder how many prefer a nice, WELL cast metal figure to resin.

I have painted many figures and looking at them now I have only ever painted 1 resin.

I appreciate in todays climate metal is expensive and value to us modellers is a must but just interested to know what you prefer.

Would you, and if there was a choice, go for a full metal figure and pay a little more, or prefer a resin ???

Just sowing seeds

Best wishes

Graham

 

[captnenglish]

I prefer resin, but understand why manufacturers prefer metal. Regarding cost, for me it is about subject, quality of the sculpt and casting, so metal or resin doesn't matter, but once the kit is purchased prefer resin.

 

[Gra30]

Hi,
I dont think manufactuers prefer metal as it is expensive, but I do think it shows quality straight on first glance where resin can be tricky.
As an example would you pick the David Grieve as he initially produced in metal ( and pay a little more) or go for resin as on the right, neither are wrong by the way and both are as good as each other as in casting but just a question

 

[bagelman1952]

In my youth metal was all that was available apart from plastic airfix figures. Never touched a resin until just recently. The quality of fit and detail is far better on resin. However you can't beat the heft of a completed metal figure.

Ken

 

[Gra30]

So is there a market to offer both ????

 

[housecarl]

I hate white metal, pain to clean up, drill, prime, paint and more expensive to ship due to weight. All that about white metal holding more detail is a fallacy, may of held true once. But if you look at the quality of castings now, I think resin is far far superior.
Having said that if I like the subject/sculpt enough I'll paint it regardless of media.
Resin rocks,
Carl.

 

[stu]

I prefer resin, but what you fail to realise is you are buying a copy of an original.

Resin will give you as close as you can get to a copy of the original master, this is quite simply down to % shrinkage of the mould. Modern silicones are less than 1%.

I have never understood the theory that metal is dearer, after all get a dud cast, chuck it in the pot and get another. Resin once set, is set.

Resin all the time

Stu

 

[legend69]

Deffinately resin, I find that the details is better defined and it is easier for the modeller to make alterations and changes to the figure.

 

[Gra30]

"what you fail to realise is you are buying a copy of an original."

Mmmm not sure why you have judged me yet!

Thankyou all for your replies and there was a good reason why I asked. Best wishes, and believe me there is justification in why metal casts are dearer as in the price of the metal compared to resin. I was testing the water and thanks to all. I do realise Stu that it is a copy of an original, more than I can say at present, but if the original was sculpted with the intention of being cast in metal, and before resin was the norm it feels wrong somehow to see in a lower quality material ( price wise only) even if finish is the same. Anyway as said many thanks and I have a good feel for what is preferred.
Best wishes
Gra

 

[Einion]

Some previous discussions on resin v. metal and preferences for one or the other:
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/metal-vs-resin.28341/
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/resin-or-metal.15012/
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/resin-v-white-metal.40955/
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/white-metal-or-resin-preferences.29219/

Perfect example right there of a reason to prefer resin: check out how smooth the kilt is on the right (presumably exactly as on the master) and compare to the left...

Einion

 

[MCPWilk]

Metal has more 'presence', but while its weight is in its favour for smaller scales, it's a disadvantage in larger scales. The cost of a decent resin 120mm mounted figure is less than half that of a 90mm mounted metal figure or the same as a 90mm foot figure. Metal obviously has a long life span, but I do not know how many decades resin will last. However, whichever the medium, it is the quality of the master and casting that matters.

Mike

 

[housecarl]

You mention the life span of metal Mike. Never seen a post on resin "degrading", but there's plenty on metal.
http://www.planetfigure.com/search/292023/?q=metal+rot&o=date
I also think there's a snobbery with metal. It must be good because it's white metal, mentality.
Resin still rocks,
Carl.

 

[Gra30]

And sometimes bad hand pouring doesn't help )
Bit my bum there, the master is actually pewter and both are taken from Moulds from the master, so I am not copying, left was a test cast from a 20 year old mould.
The kilt is smoother in real life and the camera does pick up any imperfection, but I agree resin does give smoother results if flash is avoided.
See you all soon and thanks for the feedback
Best wishes

 

[housecarl]

Wouldn't mind a resin casting of it.
Carl.

 

[Gra30]

Wait out Carl , soon )

 

[Redcap]

My own choice is WM but simply for the satisfying sense of weight it imparts when finished, mounted to a nice quality base and held in the hand; as opposed to any issue or debate as to which holds the best detail or casting etc.
Gary

 

[balder]

I love working with resin kits. I don't like metal kits at all. I find metal a pain to work on compared to resin. My preferred scale is 90 or 120 mm and the cost of metal figures at this scale is high. Resin is the way to go for me!
Gerald

 

[FigureLover]

Resin, Resin, Resin all the way. Although I have worked in both mediums and would not turn down buying a kit if it only comes in White Metal, I prefer Resin. Resin in my opinion is always easier to work with, convert and postage is cheaper coming here to Australia, by up to $20 for a 90mm figure in my experience, a big difference.
I have bought kits that have both mediums included in the kit ie resin body and metal arms or firearms and have always noticed how the resin is smoother and tends to have better detail
Ben

 

[housecarl]

Wait out Carl , soon )

Thanks.
Carl.

 

[Bailey]

I think most of us pick a kit based on the quality of the sculpting and the quality of the cast (and of course an interesting subject). Whether its resin or metal doesn't play a big role in my decision to buy a figure. With that being said, resin is far easier for me to clean up and do conversions. And saving a little money is never a bad thing, especially with how expensive figures have become.

The one downside I see to resin is that, from what I've seen, pirated figures are usually cast in resin. So, if you cast in metal it is easier for me to know I'm getting an authentic version. Of course that's usually only a concern when I'm buying online from a dealer I haven't had experience with... something I try to avoid anyway.

Still, I think I agree with the rest of the group, resin is just as good if not better.