Bending

[Potentia]

I just got a box of nice new Grey Knight Termis and some of the halberds are quite horribly bent. I was wondering if anyone new some \"safe\" bending tips so I don\'t break the dang things. Thanks!

PS. if this is mentioned some where else on this site could you please direct me? THanks.

 

[Chrispy]

GW\'s minis are more bendable than other companies.. If it had been a Rackham fig, it would be shattered. I\'ve had this problem myself. I bend things easier when I clean them with warm water, as it makes it softer. To make it totally straight, I have a good, solid brass rod around I compare it with.

In the event of any breakage, I would pray that it breaks clean, that way you can re glue it. Sometimes you might get an air bubble, and then your really screwed but this usually happens with plastics, and they don\'t bend at all. I guess metal figs need more work, and try as they may, GW can\'t cut corners any more than they already have!

 

[No Such Agency]

I\'ve never tried this but would immersion in boiling water soften the metal at all, so it could be gently bent back?

 

[Dragonsreach]

No Such Agency

I\'ve never tried this but would immersion in boiling water soften the metal at all, so it could be gently bent back?

This works on resin stuff, but for metals a blunt pair of pliers can be used. Try to get an old pair that the grooves can be ground off the jaws.

For thin stuff like sword blades & spears. I use my fingers pressing the blade back against a steel ruler. OK so sometimes this hurts and occasionaly the metal breaks, but thats always the risk.
I always try to find an unbent mini on the rack. (doesn\'t work for mail order though.)

 

[frankietanch]

Hi there, the white metal ones seems more brittle that the others (the older lead ones are easier to bend).

Try bending slowly and no sudden jerks or the shock will break it, never try hot water but think it helps !

 

[Errex]

And in case it breaks...

... you can always drill a hole on the shaft and the hand of you mini and pin them with brass rod (I use paper clips).

 

[Lurch]

Jewelry benders are pliers built specificaly to bend soft metals and can be found at most hobby or art stores.
In fact, a quick search on the web found these from DickBlick Art materials.
Hobby Lobby also carries these items.
Just do a search for Jewelry Pliers and youll find literally thousands of suppliers.

 

[Sturmhalo]

Oh the joys of dangerously over-bent mini parts! Just gently and slowly bend the parts by hand. I find once the piece is reasonably straight (as in not at right angles!) it\'s a good idea to lay it on something like a metal ruler (as Dragonsreach said) and just press the little kinks out.

Incidentally, I just bought and painted Sister Catherine (or was it Candice) Battle Nun from Reaper, and her sword blade is very thin (and realistic!) and a real bitch to straighten! With the model being tin/lead alloy, the blade is sooooo prone to bending. The slightest knock could probably put a kink in it!

 

[Impernouncable]

Should all else fail you can always cut away the shaft of the weapon entirely and replace it with brass rod.

 

[wickedboy]

definately a blowdrayer
it gives you time to model it before the plastic starts to melt :flame: