Straightening Finecast Weapons

[StillLifeMiniatures]

I just started on my first "Finecast" commission. I've managed to fill all of the bubbles, file away poorly lined up mold lines, and resculpt some parts. However, I'm not sure what to do with the weapons. They are all crooked, making these wonderful sculpts look like cheap plastic toys. I filed down the edges a bit to take away from the toy sword look, but haven't been able to straighten the blades as I would be able to do with metal. I'm debating heating up the plastic but have read all about the extreme sensitivity to heat, and this being a commission, I would rather not ruin these models trying. So, I ask the more experienced crowd here.... has anyone been able to make Finecast weapons straight? Any help is much appreciated as I'm stalled on this commission until I figure it out.....

 

[freakinacage]

Warm water should be ok

 

[kathrynloch]

Did you save the sprue? Always save the sprue for that particular piece until you have finished the piece.

A hairdryer might work but it depends on the specifics on how the thing is mixed and cooked. If you have the sprue, you can experiment without worry.\

ETA: Freak, hot water works but usually follow it with ice cold water to "set" the resin, it's worked for me and it doesn't allow the piece to snap back.

 

[StillLifeMiniatures]

Thanks to both. I was playing with a mini torch in my hand, somehow knowing that would be a bad idea. Off to get bowls of hot and cold water...
And I did save the sprues. I should experiment with those as well.

 

[jcichon]

As much as I dislike GW anymore, their customer service is really good. If you call them they will more than likely send you a replacement weapon. It's worth a shot!

 

[QuietiManes]

Oh they'd send a replacement sprue at the least. Maybe a whole new blister/box (even if the whole model isn't on a single sprue).

There are a few Finecast models I'm wanting to grab but I don't feel like paying full retail sorting through dozens of blisters OR playing the lottery ordering online. Too many of these bad casting stories at the moment for me.

 

[freakinacage]

As much as I dislike GW anymore, their customer service is really good. If you call them they will more than likely send you a replacement weapon. It's worth a shot!

Oh they'd send a replacement sprue at the least. :smile: Maybe a whole new blister/box (even if the whole model isn't on a single sprue).

Yeah, agree with those two too

 

[StillLifeMiniatures]

I did the warm/cold water thing and it helped to some degree. Much better than it was anyway. I thought about contacting GW as I know their customer service is good, but wasn't sure how it would be handled as these are models bought by the customer a while ago and sent to me. These are incredible sculpts, its too bad that they are cast in material that isn't very strong. The upside of course, is that I didn't have to pin anything. While the prep work for the Finecast vs metal is more with the bubble filling and such, there is less time lining up pins and putting holes in my fingers. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[kathrynloch]

If the hot water isn't cutting it, we use hair dryers or heat guns to straighten resin horse's legs. Being a weapon it will probably work with a hair dryer but you'll want to test the sprue first. Because when it gets hot enough to move it happens fast so you have to be ready for it.

 

[Battleworthy Arts]

micro-mark sells a "heat gun" for reshaping resin. Its hotter than a hair dryer and with less blowing force. Totally worth the $25.

 

[marjedi]

Nooooo heat guns or hairdries for finecast, they melt. Use hot water although it might take several tries to get straight.

And they might not get 100% straight

 

[Battleworthy Arts]

Nooooo heat guns or hairdries for finecast, they melt. Use hot water although it might take several tries to get straight.

And they might not get 100% straight

That's not true at all. The heat gun works incredibly well. You only need to blast it for about 3 seconds. Also, dont just straighten the weapon... stretch it a bit as well... helps keep it straight.

 

[Einion]

Also, dont just straighten the weapon... stretch it a bit as well... helps keep it straight.

Makes sense, but don't they end up slightly longer then?

Einion

 

[Battleworthy Arts]

Makes sense, but don't they end up slightly longer then?

Einion

I should clarify not to crank on the like you're pulling taffy, lol.... just enough to add a bit of tension.

 

[Einion]

Roger that. Just checking, since without familiarity with the material I didn't know if it is actually stretchy when warmed (it could be, given all the other dodgy things about it!) and even if a weapon ended up just a few percent longer that could still be a problem.

Einion

 

[MrPickles]

sounds terrible. are the finecast really that bad?

iv had a few requests for special characters... maybe ill just do plastic squads only. this doesnt sound worth all the extra trouble unless the price is right.

 

[marjedi]

Finecast varies alot in quality. Some are great, some horrid. Always open the package in the store before you leave.

Go for the new sculpts, they are usually the better ones.

 

[Battleworthy Arts]

the newer casts are much better than the initial ones, but bent weapons is just something inherent in any resin casting.

 

[Einion]

...bent weapons is just something inherent in any resin casting.

True (just got a doozy from Kingdom Death) but it wouldn't be if they did the job right... it's not like the weapons come out of the mould bent :suspicious:

Einion

 

[Dragonsreach]

True (just got a doozy from Kingdom Death) but it wouldn't be if they did the job right... it's not like the weapons come out of the mould bent :suspicious:

Einion

If I've understood what I've been told about the casting process correctly resin can still be curing after its de-moulded, which to me suggests production number targets, over quality product.