"Any manufacturers like Prince August?" Topic

Hello. I like casting my own miniatures, and I've used Prince August's moulds for more than 20 years. I'd like some more variety though, does anyone know of any other manufacturers?

toysoldierfactory.ie

hmwrs.com/ToySoldierMoulds.htm

I think that the stuff at the first link is Prince August too.

try this facebook group.
link

These days there are far more print your own models for 3D printers.

I do not consider 3D printed models to be better than casting my own, with PA molds. The quality, is different; they take much longer to print, compared to drop-casting with a ladle, in my garage.

I really enjoyed my PA molds, and castings, but they are just another facet of this multi-faceted hobby, as are 3D printed models.

For those of us who want to build armies of miniatures, drop-casting in molds, is much faster compared with 3D printed armies. The varieties may be severely limited for variant castings, but with armies, not every figure is unique.

The learning curve for 3D printing, is far steeper than learning how to successfully drop-cast mini's. I achieved decent results with my PA molds. I needed 60 Wolf figures for a "Battle of Five Armies" game, many years ago. I had the PA mold for Goblin Wolf Riders, so I cast up 60 Wolves, and we played the battle, with great enthusiasm, and fun! I hate to think how long it would have taken me to print out 60 Wolves…

The cost of casting the Wolves, even using expensive Model Metal, was very inexpensive, compared to buying professionally cast mini's. I have no regrets from it. I am re-using those Wolves, attaching Caesar plastic Goblins, as riders, as most of the Wolf castings never had riders! They will be a fantastic addition to my Goblin hoard army. Cheers!

I agree with both of the previous posts: my 3D printer is a source of joy, and when I need a few battalions of Napoleonic Russians I heat up some lead!

I have, at times, 3D printed objects, made molds from them, and cast them in metal. Maybe I am crazy, but to me, some things are OK in plastic (terrain, vehicles) and some things (soldiers!) are better if they are made of sterner stuff! ;-)

Cheers,

A. Gregory

Dunken Company carries over 1,000 molds to cast a wide variety of figures. dunken.com
Email me rich@dunken with any questions.

Hmm..

All good comments.

Perhaps the answer is learning to make a mould yourself. I can totally recommend Castaldo Quick Sil. It's a jewelers product, so look up jewelers supplies, it's easily found. It's a two part silicon like Blu tac with oil in it. You just take two equal parts and mix within a couple of mins and push in mould frame and clamp or weight on top. I use kiddy plasticine to stand in for one half while making the other, then flip mould frame and pull out plasticine and make other half. You can use wood or Lego to make a mould frame. All very easy. Makes a good hard mould good for 1000s of casts.

As for a figures, that's where 3d prints could help. If you contact the 3d file seller, they may allow you to print one (use a third party) and make a mould for personal use. Perhaps offer to pay a little more for the privilege. Same for traditional sculpting outfits. They may let you pay a royalty if you want to mould and cast your own, for personal use. Means the business could make money without having to cast things themselves, free money for them! Just send out some emails and ask, don't be scared, the worst they can say is no. Don't think anyone will say yes? You don't know for sure until you try.

Or you can have a go at sculpting your own figures. A few new aspects of the hobby are opening up for you. Congratulations!