| R1ch4rd | 15 Apr 2014 5:13 a.m. PST |
I've been working on some sculpts for a couple of weeks and think they are good enough to get turned into metal figures but I have no idea how to proceed. I've emailed a number of casting companies for information but I've had no replies! To provide some information, ive done 5 unique 15mm sculpts, so how do I go about getting masters done? does the casting company make multiple copies of the master to then 'fill' a production mould? Or do I need to have more sculpts done to fill both master and production? If anyone could offer some advice (and perhaps point me in the direction of UK based casters) I'd really appreciate it! |
| Rick Priestley | 15 Apr 2014 5:23 a.m. PST |
In the UK many independent sculptors who don't wish to make their own moulds or manufacture use Griffin. They are very capable – although it will obviously cost you more per casting than manufacturing yourself. On the other hand, setting up to manufacture is a big, and expensive, step. griffinmoulds.com |
| Chris Palmer | 15 Apr 2014 5:43 a.m. PST |
If you are looking at doing just a limited number of castings, you could look at home casting using silicon molds. |
| Captain Clegg | 15 Apr 2014 5:57 a.m. PST |
Sgts Mess do contract casting, they will make the mold(s) and turn the figures out for you, at a cost of course but they are nice people to do business with. |
| GarrisonMiniatures | 15 Apr 2014 7:03 a.m. PST |
You would start with a masters mould, cast a few of each figure then use them to make production moulds. 5 individual figures will not fill a mould though. The process is shown here: link |
| elsyrsyn | 15 Apr 2014 7:06 a.m. PST |
As Chris Palmer noted, you could try making silicone molds and drop casting them, but depending on the design of the figs you may not get great results. Doug |
| Henrix | 15 Apr 2014 7:11 a.m. PST |
Just out of curiosity, what sort of price range are we talking about to make a mould (perhaps like the one GarrisonMiniatures showed)? |
| Simon Jackson | 15 Apr 2014 7:16 a.m. PST |
Like Rick said, just give Stu at Griffin a call. Their quality is excellent and have been able to cast everything I've ever sent them no problem. Si |
Leon Pendraken  | 15 Apr 2014 9:49 a.m. PST |
We offer contract casting services, starting at £40.00 GBP for a master mould. The problem you're going to have is that you've only got 5 x 15mm sculpts, not enough to fill a mould. You could share a mould with someone else to fill the space, but then you've got shared ownership of the master mould, which isn't ideal really. If you've got any queries though, feel free to drop us an email through our website: pendraken.co.uk |
| GarrisonMiniatures | 15 Apr 2014 9:57 a.m. PST |
Pete Brown's prices are on his site: link |
| R1ch4rd | 15 Apr 2014 10:18 a.m. PST |
hey guys, thanks for all the excellent replies! Leon, may I ask how many 15mm minis would be enough to fill one of your moulds? Thanks! |
| dick garrison | 15 Apr 2014 10:57 a.m. PST |
Hi Richard, you can get 18 20mm figures in a master mould, 15mm should be about the same (or a little more). not sure of current prices but it's about £40.00 GBP+ plus VAT for a master. P.S. another vote for Griffen (he can cast just about anything!) |
| Leon Pendraken | 15 Apr 2014 12:01 p.m. PST |
In 15mm, you'd be looking somewhere close to 25 figures normally, with 20 being a minimum ideally. You can add other items in if you've got them, such as weapons and shields, or dollies for future sculpts maybe? |
| phicks1 | 15 Apr 2014 11:36 p.m. PST |
Griffin are great as Dick Garrison has stated they can cast anything. |
| arngrimson | 15 Apr 2014 11:54 p.m. PST |
R1ch4rd are your sculpts fantasy or scifi? If they are you could try contacting 15mm.co.uk as they do a range SHM. 'Self Help Miniatures' are designed by aspiring sculpters who in return for giving their creations to 15mm.co.uk get into the hobby and gain experience. As a result a dozen designers (some of them working on their own right in the industry now) have submitted designs which made it to the SHM Range and this website. If you are keen on seeing what it takes to get into this range then send us an email. Designers in the SHM Range include: Eli Arndt, Steve Hazuka, Fjodin (Nick Kondratov), Rob Alderman, Elton Waters, Jeff Worley, Hugh Bannerman, Eve Hallow and Will Grundy. |
| RFCasting | 21 Apr 2014 11:00 a.m. PST |
I've not really done any commercial miniatures castings at this stage (just little knick knacks and things for friends) but I could certainly do this for you – of course it would be better if you had 8-12 models to fit in a 9" mould (I only have the cans to do 9's at the moment) Although its the done thing to make a master mould then production moulds, if this is for a small scale run one mound would do you. Provided you covered the cost of the discs and metal for however many casts you want done, I'd happily do this for as cheap as possible just to build experience (or rather, I have experience, I just need something to show for working with people who aren't family and friends) Feel free to email me? – Redfeathercastings@outlook.com – Im in Northumberland. |
