"Advice on metals and more." Topic
6 Posts
All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.
Remember that you can Stifle members so that you don't have to read their posts.
For more information, see the TMP FAQ.
Back to the Moldmaking and Casting Message Board
Areas of InterestGeneral
Featured Hobby News Article
Featured Recent Link
Featured Ruleset
Featured Profile Article
Current Poll
|
Please sign in to your membership account, or, if you are not yet a member, please sign up for your free membership account.
FusilierDan | 14 Jul 2016 7:02 a.m. PST |
In a moment of enthusiasm I bib on some Zinn Brigade molds and won. Now I'm looking for advice on which type of metal is needed to cast the figures with and who online would have a good price and service. I've been to the Dunken's and Miniature Molds sites. Any others? I haven't checked out any tutorials other than the ones on Dunken's so am looking for recommendations there also. Thanks. |
FABET01 | 14 Jul 2016 8:27 a.m. PST |
|
Sgt Slag | 14 Jul 2016 12:17 p.m. PST |
What type of casting will you be doing: gravity/drop, or spin? This will affect which metals will produce better quality. Also, are you interested in quality, or quantity at a low price? Lead can be had for free, from tire shops -- they pay to dispose of used lead tire weights! Pure lead is of little hazard to humans, even if ingested: it will harm you mechanically, but the digestive juices will have little impact on it as it passes (hopefully!!!) through your body. Lead-oxides mixed with paint, is far different, and vastly more toxic… Cheers! |
Kropotkin303 | 14 Jul 2016 3:26 p.m. PST |
I am a drop caster using RTV moulds. Generally I find that the more "modern" metals give a better cast than using higher lead content. Not sure what "modern" metal really is but I find that sprue from say, Foundry Miniatures will give a crisper drop-cast than a bunch of old "lead" from 20 years ago. Having said that it is also quite dependent on how hot the mould is. A drop-cast mould has a window of opportunity. I find that the first casts are not good, then the mould heats up and things cast OK, then it gets too hot and the casts deteriorate. Hope that helps. |
goragrad | 14 Jul 2016 8:20 p.m. PST |
Actually, the local tire shop is starting to charge for lead weights. Cost me about 5.00 for 20 pounds a year ago (4 years ago I got about 200 for nothing just hauling it off). As scrap they run about .50 a pound. Tire weights have a bit of bismuth to reduce shrinkage on cooling. Otherwise it is as I recall about 3 percent. Last gravity casts I ran were problematic – old lead soldier casting set. Plan on preheating the molds next go round. Do have some miscellaneous sprue clippings and other trim form minis to use at some point. Will probably end up being about 60 tin 40 lead. |
altfritz | 16 Jul 2016 2:22 p.m. PST |
"Pure lead is of little hazard to humans" Really? Whatever happened to lead poisoning, being absorbed through the skin and all that? google found this: "Lead is a highly toxic metal and a very strong poison. Lead poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal condition. It occurs when lead builds up in the body. Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years. It can cause severe mental and physical impairment. Young children are most vulnerable. Children get lead in their bodies by putting the lead containing objects in their mouths. Touching the lead and then putting their fingers in their mouths may also poison them. Lead is more harmful to children because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused cannot be reversed." |
|