Mold Seam "Grading" for Manufacturers

[blf]

I recently purchase a, new to me, manufacturer FER & have been a little frustrated as I've discovered multiple casting defects (mainly mold lines that were tough to see until I got past primer onto paint!) - as a result, I've had to strip the part/figure and start over with cleaning up.

I know many of you have had exp with MANY of the top manufacturers and wondered if you have any suggestions on the top (i.e. cleanest castings) manufacturers in this regard. I focus on resin & metal in 54, 75 & 90mm. Andrea are my mainstay, but have really taken a liking to Altores recently.

 

[fogie]

I've found that Castle Miniatures stuff is excellent....... perhaps one or two minor clean-ups here and there but
otherwise virtually faultless.

Mike

 

[blf]

Nice! I'll add them to my list

 

[Tecumsea]

Castle, Altores, Tartar, Troop54, Mercury, Dolman and Avanpost are all good from my personal experience as I have a very low tolerance level to Resin dust. Anything with large casting blocks is out for me unless I am commissioning the painting. There is some lovely 90, 120 and 200mm stuff around that I would love to buy but the casting blocks on these larger scales makes them a health hazard for me, however they are very popular and I would love to paint them...it all depends really on how much clean up you want to do or are able to do.

This list is not comprehensive but based on my recent purchases and I am sure other members will add others. The worst I have experienced is Borin Models and Semper Fidelis I would never buy either again.

I must add that it is essential to check for casting lines both before and after priming and if possible in different light settings wearing or using a magnifier.

Keith

 

[Alex]

Add Alpine to the list of excellent manufacturers.
With resin, I ususally use small japanese chisels to remove the mould lines. Much less dust this way.

 

[Babelfish]

There is some lovely 90, 120 and 200mm stuff around that I would love to buy but the casting blocks on these larger scales makes them a health hazard for me, however they are very popular and I would love to paint them...it all depends really on how much clean up you want to do or are able to do.

Keith if there's anything in these larger scales that's really floating your boat but you're not buying it for that reason, I'd be happy to clean it up for you. Bring it to WR and I'll return it to you prepped at the next meeting - easy-peasy!

Genuine offer mate, don't be afraid to ask.

- Steve

 

[Babelfish]

I recently purchase a, new to me, manufacturer FER & have been a little frustrated as I've discovered multiple casting defects (mainly mold lines that were tough to see until I got past primer onto paint!) - as a result, I've had to strip the part/figure and start over with cleaning up.

That surprises me, in my experience FeR casting has always been very good with minimal clean-up. Which figure is it?

The Russian companies like Mercury, Altores, Revolution, Irbis, Medieval Forge etc. are also excellent, as are Troop 45 / Stormtroopers (to all intents & purposes the same company).

Pegaso I find are generally decent, although they are prone to the occasional "off day", which leads me to suspect that they're not the quickest when it comes to making new moulds.

I agree with Keith's comments about Borin, I only ever had one figure of theirs but the casting was so bad that I sold it on. A shame because it had the potential to be a lovely figure.

- Steve

 

[Forté]

FeR are usually top quality but it does depend on the range. I found one to be cast by GRX (greenish smelly resin) which took quite a bit of cleaning up (but I actually enjoy that funnily). All the others I've had (about 6 to date) have been much better quality.

As for companies to recommend; depends on your genre likes.

 

[kevininpdx]

I’ve come across some great casts recently. In metal Pegaso and Alexandros have been great. In resin FeR, Altores and Revolution have been the cleanest.

 

[blf]

Thanks for all the replies! The FeR was George Washington at Valley Forge. In the end it worked out to my satisfaction but took more work than it should have IMO. I agree 100% on Altores being fantastic and would like to try some of the above mentioned. My personal preference are Ancient, Roman, Medieval and Americana Revolutionary but I tend to browse the pictures and choose based on realism.

I seem to gravitate towards Pegaso subjects have yet to build one. I've heard mixed reviews..

 

[housecarl]

Keith if there's anything in these larger scales that's really floating your boat but you're not buying it for that reason, I'd be happy to clean it up for you. Bring it to WR and I'll return it to you prepped at the next meeting - easy-peasy!

Genuine offer mate, don't be afraid to ask.

- Steve

I was going to say the same thing.

 

[Hawk_Uk]

As a modeler I hate to see large casting blocks, as it means lots of clean up, and also if the casting blocks are located over the models detail, such as fir or creases in clothing. All of which have to be repaired before painting and just cause head aches. I remember there was a nice kit I really liked but after looking at several castings over a period of time I gave up.

As a manufacturer we are always happy to show our casting to people if they ask, and have done so at many shows. I have even sent pictures by email for someone in the USA. So they could see the raw castings.

 

[Alex]

Even though there are great resin casters out there, I still prefer metal for figures (and resin for busts).
Sometimes, the parts cast in resin are too thin (you can easily see the light go through), too small and will break just by looking at them. Call me an old fart but I love my metal figures. After a few hours spent on prepping a resin 75mm knight I had to put it back in its box : resin inside was not cured properly, small parts were brittle and broke just by holding them.. Yeah, everything is fixable but I just gave up on him.
now back to a Soldiers metal casting !