Whitemetal...why?

[Helm]

I'd try some of the smaller firms Johan in my experience they are often better built ..... (Shameless plug for friends here ) like Gordon at http://www.mitchesmilitarymodels.co.uk/ or Steve at https://sites.google.com/site/reedeesminiatures/ They both offer really high quality castings that virtually snap together or if you want something from a dealer http://www.skminiatures.co.uk/ offer a great range of kits and Steve ( We are popular us Steves ) will bend over backwards to be helpful. I think you are missing out restricting yourself to just metal and trust me I'm a die hard metal man myself

Steve

 

[Carlos69]

I say go build a Knight Models figure and then tell me your thoughts on metal : )

Pitting, soft detail, heavy, need to pin and epoxy, dirty clean up. I'm sure there is more !!
Oh and every time I drop a figure they ALLWAYS land face down and come out looking like They have had a good smack on the nose, So add EASILY damaged to the list ! And then more pitting ... In deep creases ...

Then check out Alpine, Young and Life Miniatures, ready for paint in seconds ! And ultra crisp detail, nice and light so easy on the hands when enduring long paint sessions, can easily be mounted to light weight plastic kits
Etc etc ... I'm HEAVY handed, resin figures are Hard ! When I'm done cleaning metal, legs and arms come out all shapes and detail is even softer !

No comparison, white metal belongs in the dark ages : ) and toy soldiers !

There's some strange tradition with metal, I say get with the program and more modern harder materials that offer sharper detail etc ...

Imagine Knight Models with the casting by Alpine ! I'd start buying em' again ; )


Carlos

 

[old grumbler]

For all those who have issues cleaning up resin kits I found that while cleaning and sawing the resin keep it wet, like a medium sized plastic washing up bowl in front of you and keep dipping the piece in it. it's like when handling asbestos, when damp no dust. Works a treat. Even a spot of washing up liquid in the mix too helps.

 

[JonG]

Agreed - I will be happy if I never have to touch white metal again, with the notable exception of 28mm minis that would be too breakable in resin. Plus my general feeling is that they cost significantly more and getting them through the mail is even more costly. More money for less detail. The only time I would want metal is with a 2nd rate sculpt (e.g. rough surface) where I didn't want micro detail copied.

Colin

It was actually working with some Empress whitemetal figures that made me ask this question actually...I never thought of how they would in the long run hold up to being cast and handled in resin..good point.
Thanks for all the responses guys, much appreciated.
I will say this though, like most if the subject is what I want, then I don't really care either way.I was just wondering why they do cast in metal and not resin.As in the real advantages over each other.

Oh and I will say this, straightening out a 28mm figures bayonet[I have 80 odd Brits with Bayonets to do] is a bit easier then it would be if they was resin...

 

[Blind Pew]

Quality is quality, regardless of the materials used.

I have to say though, beyond 75mm and certainly 90mm metal figures get very heavy. Metal is oftern best used for small bits like rifles when resin is too breakable.

I have a 54mm by Degra miniatures that is sooo good I couldn't believe it was just one casting. Amazing stuff.

Daft question time, that metal is it anyway? I have noticed sometimes it's a lot softer than others.