grogbro  | 16 Nov 2015 2:48 p.m. PST |
I've had a board game in the works for a while now and I had planned on going through china for the miniatures (mold/casts). Is there any place in the US that does this at a decent price or is it just all lead in the US? I've tried to get in contact with Troll Forge but they haven't gotten back to me. Not sure if they are doing outside casting anymore for companies (?) |
| imdone | 16 Nov 2015 3:09 p.m. PST |
Valiant in Madison does resin and works with some of the major US figure companies. |
| RavenscraftCybernetics | 16 Nov 2015 3:32 p.m. PST |
Iron Wind metals also does contract work. |
 Saber6   | 16 Nov 2015 6:59 p.m. PST |
Might want to talk to Reaper as well. I belie that they are starting to make there Bones here. |
| 45thdiv | 17 Nov 2015 4:56 a.m. PST |
The Bones material will not hold crisp details like resin or metal, so keep that in mind. Reaper may still do metal casting for you. They use to offer this years ago. I do not know if they still do. |
| grogbro | 17 Nov 2015 8:20 a.m. PST |
My board game Hoarders had a decent run on Kickstarter but I was asking for too much, as an indie. So I've reworked the campaign, made a gameplay video as the intro instead, made a cardboard version of the game, etc. The problem is a lot of people still want the minis version. there is a local metal shop that does the molds and will produce lead pieces for me, but they mentioned that each lead mini might be around $2. USD Should I go with them, or get the resin/plastic out of china, which is a huge deal with shipping etc. If I went with producing the minis locally I could offer a lower amount run on the minis and not have to deal with china, but it will be more expensive per mini, and it will be in lead, which…dont players like plastic/resin now? (I kinda do). So the cardboard version of the game is not a problem and in the cardboard version I include a large tray to either hold the cardboard pieces, OR the minis, if they get them as an addon. Problem, also, is that I will have to open the cardboard versions of the game and put the minis in, then reseal. |
| grogbro | 17 Nov 2015 8:25 a.m. PST |
If $2 USD per piece for lead (28mm or so) is typical then I think I might just offer the lead minis only. I would love to get plastic/resin pieces made but I dont think any US company makes them. I did just email Valiant though, thank you! Does metal really hold nice detail? I thought it was the other way around? |
| grogbro | 17 Nov 2015 8:28 a.m. PST |
btw, I asked the chinese manufacturer to make just the minis, and shove them in a 'box'. And they explained that the shipping would still be a huge expense because they cant just shove ie 3000 minis in a few boxes. So I am looking for other options. |
 EccentricTodd  | 17 Nov 2015 5:57 p.m. PST |
The warrior looks easy enough to mold. I'm not sure how to get the lancer into a mold in one piece (not including the spear of course). From my point of view, there is an undercut with the left arm. Can I ask how much 3000 minis are straight from China? Is that just one pose or a mixture? I'm just curious how cheap does one need to be to compete with China. |
 Frank Wang | 17 Nov 2015 6:35 p.m. PST |
not cheap even in china and the shipment for such large amount of metal thing is a problem too. in china we have a habit that is "the important thing need to be mentioned triple times" Pirating,
Pirating,
Pirating. |
| grogbro | 18 Nov 2015 6:28 a.m. PST |
I hear you about the warrior and the lancer. I might bring them to this lead place locally and see if they can cast them. I mean I cast them at home with no issue and so did my buddy with his vulcanizer. So that being said, should anyone else still have a problem molding the lancer with his left arm? I havent even begun to get a correct estimate from anyone in china about the production and shipping of 'just' the miniatures. Its basically cheaper for me to include them in EVERY cardboard game box, but take them out for only 'cardboard' buyers of the game. Know what I mean? They are more willing to package them like that, rather than make the minis and put them in several boxes separately… I was told that shipping the minis separately would STILL require 20+ boxes. which I think is silly but, they still have to be protected. So, my only other option is to try to get them produced here locally in pewter (OOPS, I've been calling the metal lead! sorry) |
| EccentricTodd | 18 Nov 2015 6:01 p.m. PST |
Sorry, the left arm could be an issue from a plastic injection mold point of view. I don't know much about metal casting, so I can't speak to that. |
| JoeCathedralArc | 30 Nov 2015 10:54 a.m. PST |
Hello! I would be willing to make your items in resin. You can check out my company, Cathedral Arcanum online and send me a personal message if you would like to explore some options. We are a new company and until now have only been producing our own miniatures under our name. Recently I've been looking to take on some new contracts for other peoples products. We have over 15 years of resin casting experience, we are based out of Virginia, and everything we make is Made in the USA. I hope to hear from you and I would be eager to get to work on your mini's, but if not, best of luck! |
| Old Glory | 04 Jan 2016 2:56 p.m. PST |
If I knew where to veiw the figures perhaps I could help?
Size?
Regards
Russ dunaway |
| Joez66 | 15 Oct 2016 2:46 a.m. PST |
Old thread, but….. I can cast any of these minis from 10mm to 120mm size. Smaller sizes are perfect for pewter castings…NOT LEAD. Any metal castings I do are LEAD FREE. Larger sizes are more suited to resin casting. The resin can can be white, tan or in color ( I have always preferred light grey, as details are much easier to see for QC inspection. And yes, I am in the United States. Joe |
