| nycjadie | 21 Nov 2008 6:51 a.m. PST |
With today's exchange rates, it's about $100 USD cheaper for us Yanks than it was 6 months ago. |
| Grizwald | 21 Nov 2008 7:00 a.m. PST |
£200.00 GBP !!! Thanks, but I'll pass … |
| eBob Miniatures | 21 Nov 2008 7:24 a.m. PST |
"With today's exchange rates, it's about $100.00 USD USD cheaper for us Yanks than it was 6 months ago." I don't know what grade you got in maths, but £200.00 GBP converts to $300 USD USD not $100. USD With post added it'll be $345 USD USD |
| John Treadaway | 21 Nov 2008 7:24 a.m. PST |
It's a lovely piece of work and probably worth the money (especially if you're on the other side of the pond). Not what Tolkien described, of course, but still lovely. |
| John Treadaway | 21 Nov 2008 7:25 a.m. PST |
I think the key phrase wasn't "$100" but "$100 cheaper…" |
| Phillip Forge | 21 Nov 2008 7:32 a.m. PST |
It is a superb terrain piece and I want one for Christmas! |
 20thmaine  | 21 Nov 2008 7:33 a.m. PST |
£200.00 GBP – you could build it out of foam card and corregated cardboard for much less…… |
Wyatt the Odd  | 21 Nov 2008 8:01 a.m. PST |
Three hundred and change is definitely high, but its not too out of line. This wouldn't be a gaming piece, but a way to display well-painted miniatures in a setting that fit. I suspect that someone who was able to build a piece out of foam card to the same level of detail would probably ask $200. USD Wyatt |
| pphalen | 21 Nov 2008 8:02 a.m. PST |
Assuming you have those sort of skills… |
| Gallowglass | 21 Nov 2008 8:06 a.m. PST |
Nycjadie's correct, Ebob – 6 months ago, that piece at that price in GBP would have set a US gamer back over $400 USD before shipping was included. It's a Very Nice Thing, although I've no bloody idea where I'd put it. |
| nycjadie | 21 Nov 2008 8:07 a.m. PST |
That's right. $300 USD now. Six months ago it would have been $400. USD That's how far the pound has plunged against the dollar. |
| nycjadie | 21 Nov 2008 8:07 a.m. PST |
BTW: It's a beautiful piece. There's one in the GW shop here. |
| akudjinn | 21 Nov 2008 8:21 a.m. PST |
Bruce Hirt's Gothic Ruined Tower is a close match for gaming purposes. The Castle Kit's version is $37: link I would add some Ebob Statues from the Accessories category to fill out the detail. I agree the Forge World piece is the best they ever produced. Aku_Djinn imartin@castlekits.com |
| pphalen | 21 Nov 2008 8:51 a.m. PST |
The Ruined Tower model was what got me started with Hirst arts. I think the pillars are too flimsy (and a pain in the ass to build). I would use parts of that model an differnet pillars from the Gothic Dungeon or even the Roman Temple. |
| akudjinn | 21 Nov 2008 8:55 a.m. PST |
Other pillars could work sure. The Hirst Arts pillars work fine if they are cast perfectly and you're using the right glue. I pre-assemble all mine first and let them dry completely. True the pillars from the Roman Hirst Arts set are thicker and probably easier to work with. They key to building that kit is to make sure everything is level as you add each section. |
| nycjadie | 21 Nov 2008 9:04 a.m. PST |
That's a nice kit. Can you use resin in Hirst molds? I thought they were made for plaster. Plaster is pretty heavy and tough to move, for me. |
| akudjinn | 21 Nov 2008 9:31 a.m. PST |
You could cast in resin but it wrecks rubber molds quickly. I cast everything in Hydrostone which is very strong. The kit weighs maybe 6-8 pounds when finished and based on something. Probably the same weight at the Forge World one. The high quality resin they use is pretty heavy too. |
| TheOtherOneFromTableScape | 21 Nov 2008 11:40 a.m. PST |
The Hirst moulds are silicone rubber. Using resin won't wreck them so long as you use a release agent. There are instructions for resin casting on his web site (http://www.hirstarts.com/casting/plastic.html). What makes the Forge World stuff so heavy is that it is a filled resin – they add a (cheaper) fine powder to bulk out the more (expensive) resin. |
| akudjinn | 21 Nov 2008 12:37 p.m. PST |
I have used those release agents and worked using those instructions. I got about 30 casts before my molds started to fall apart. I was told some time ago DuPont was making a new resin that wouldn't attack rubber and could be used effectively this way. Anyone know anything about that product? |
| UberTek | 21 Nov 2008 5:51 p.m. PST |
Awesome bit of kit, and actually well worth the £200.00 GBP |
| Neotacha | 22 Nov 2008 8:26 a.m. PST |
We bought one when they were first released. It painted up very easily and looks very nice, if I do say so myself. We have played with it -- there is very little terrain that we buy that doesn't get played with eventually, and most of that is because we tuck it away to hide from the players until we're ready to use it, and forget where we put it. |
| nycjadie | 22 Nov 2008 9:38 a.m. PST |
I'd love to see a photo, Neo. |
| pphalen | 22 Nov 2008 1:32 p.m. PST |
I've built two of them, but sold them both at the HMGS Flea Market. The biggest challenge is making the circular stairs match up to the tower… And, yes, the Hirst blocks paint up nice and easy! |
