MPJ
New member
I\'m considering moving into miniature production (as you may have guessed by the subject) and have a few ideas of where to start but as always there are more questions than answers.
It\'s my understanding that for serious mini production a spin casting setup is pretty much the way to go and I\'m looking at a few different setups, unfortunatlly I can\'t find any dealers/manufacturers in Canada so am leaning towards Contenti.
But my question(s) more lean towards whether or not a Long Arm Centrfugal Casting Machine whould be appropriate for getting my feet wet. I assume this would mean making RTV moulds and casting minis one at a time, obviously not cost effective for mass production but I\'m hoping this might be appropriate for testing the water so to speak.
Other than those old pour moulds by Prince August Metals from back in the 80s (some of you old timers might remember those) I have no experience in casting and I can\'t sculpt worth a darn. Part of the inspiration for doing this has come from viewing greens here on CMoN and seeing the high quality of freelance stuff available with production rights.
So any thoughts, comments, concerns, experiences, etc... In this area would be most appreaciated. If/when I do this then I\'m sure I\'ll be back here looking for ideas for target markets. Currently I\'m thinking small selection of fantasy figures but concentrating on scenic accessories like doors, windows, chimney pots, bits, etc...
PS: As for the business side of things, don\'t worry about me there. I often jump into things full bore with no experience, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn\'t. I own a successful roofing business but when I started that company I had never been on a roof before, it\'s more about willpower and perseverance (thankfully not spelling) than it is about previous knowledge and I\'m a very fast learner. It\'s only the $10,000+ startup costs (I started my roofing company with about $200 cash outlay for hatchets and shingle rippers and now do over $500k sales a year in only 5 years) when I have 2.5 kids to support that keeps me from getting the full production equipment off the bat.
It\'s my understanding that for serious mini production a spin casting setup is pretty much the way to go and I\'m looking at a few different setups, unfortunatlly I can\'t find any dealers/manufacturers in Canada so am leaning towards Contenti.
But my question(s) more lean towards whether or not a Long Arm Centrfugal Casting Machine whould be appropriate for getting my feet wet. I assume this would mean making RTV moulds and casting minis one at a time, obviously not cost effective for mass production but I\'m hoping this might be appropriate for testing the water so to speak.
Other than those old pour moulds by Prince August Metals from back in the 80s (some of you old timers might remember those) I have no experience in casting and I can\'t sculpt worth a darn. Part of the inspiration for doing this has come from viewing greens here on CMoN and seeing the high quality of freelance stuff available with production rights.
So any thoughts, comments, concerns, experiences, etc... In this area would be most appreaciated. If/when I do this then I\'m sure I\'ll be back here looking for ideas for target markets. Currently I\'m thinking small selection of fantasy figures but concentrating on scenic accessories like doors, windows, chimney pots, bits, etc...
PS: As for the business side of things, don\'t worry about me there. I often jump into things full bore with no experience, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn\'t. I own a successful roofing business but when I started that company I had never been on a roof before, it\'s more about willpower and perseverance (thankfully not spelling) than it is about previous knowledge and I\'m a very fast learner. It\'s only the $10,000+ startup costs (I started my roofing company with about $200 cash outlay for hatchets and shingle rippers and now do over $500k sales a year in only 5 years) when I have 2.5 kids to support that keeps me from getting the full production equipment off the bat.
