jmccarroll
Assault Tripod
" The only good Martian, is a dead Martian "
Posts: 323
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Post by jmccarroll on Apr 22, 2020 16:50:16 GMT
Been dying for a Goliath. Hope I don't have to wait to long.
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Post by GySgtDave on Apr 22, 2020 21:07:41 GMT
Yes, while gearing up for plastic injection molding is expensive it does make the long term cost of the models much cheaper especially with the rising prices of metal. When I purchased the AQMF line we found all of the existing plastic injection molds had been purposefully destroyed, many of the metal spin-cast molds missing and all of the resin molds to be copies of copies. I have the prototypes for the Goliath and the Overseer and can make new molds for them but to be honest the Overseer was a train wreck of a model and the Goliath was not sculpted well for being a resin kit. This being said I will make a limited run of Goliaths and Land Ironclads. Most of the parts for the Land Ironclads are done and we are just starting on producing a run of the turrets. Do you still have the moulds for the BEF and USA metal troops and guns or are you planning on re doing them as well? Also are you planning on making all the troops now in plastic instead of metal? We have most of the resin molds and some of the metal molds for the BEF. We will be making a limited run of the old resin and metals as soon as we can shift focus. The plan is currently to move everything to plastic if possible. |
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Post by tackleberry on Apr 22, 2020 23:32:01 GMT
I would rathe see an Overseer or GOliath 2.0 be made. I own both of the original Goliath and Overseer models and was disappointed with both. When I first got into the game I was amazed at the decent prices of the models and their details. I still think the Assault Tripods and Steam tanks are some of the best gaming models. However, when I first began messing with the Goliath I was disheartened that it looked cheap and rushed. Additionally, I dont think it was a good representation for the Goliath in the rulebook artowrk.
I think the Overseer has a lot of potential including separate variants. The first model being the "battleship" variant, how about a more "carrier type." I know the original Overseer could carry drones, but maybe one that carried more in place of the sun gun.
I hate to hear that the original molds were destroyed (sounds malicious) but I hope the original models can e replicated and I hope to see the new models soon!
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Post by Quendil on Apr 23, 2020 12:39:44 GMT
Do you still have the moulds for the BEF and USA metal troops and guns or are you planning on re doing them as well? Also are you planning on making all the troops now in plastic instead of metal? We have most of the resin molds and some of the metal molds for the BEF. We will be making a limited run of the old resin and metals as soon as we can shift focus. The plan is currently to move everything to plastic if possible. I would still like to see troops in metal but the guns where a pain to assemble |
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jmccarroll
Assault Tripod
" The only good Martian, is a dead Martian "
Posts: 323
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Post by jmccarroll on Apr 23, 2020 13:57:00 GMT
" Most of the parts for the Land Ironclads are done and we are just starting on producing a run of the turrets."
I would love to buy just the turrets for my own home grown Land Ironclad, I hope that will be an option. Please!!!
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Post by paulnippress on Apr 23, 2020 19:53:51 GMT
" Most of the parts for the Land Ironclads are done and we are just starting on producing a run of the turrets." I would love to buy just the turrets for my own home grown Land Ironclad, I hope that will be an option. Please!!! Don't know if this will help, but have a look at the LIC parts HERE |
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jmccarroll
Assault Tripod
" The only good Martian, is a dead Martian "
Posts: 323
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Post by jmccarroll on Apr 24, 2020 14:55:09 GMT
Thank you paulnippress, I had forgotten about this great website.
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Post by hardlec on Apr 30, 2020 16:09:08 GMT
Concerning injected molded plastic:
What is the greatest expense in models? Making the original? Making the molds? (any type of mold) The material? No to all. The greatest expense involved in a model is the shipping. The lightest, and therefore cheapest, material is plastic.
Make 3 sizes of head and 3 sizes of legs and you have 9 basic tripod sizes.
Mold infantry in companies. 12 "stands" or elements per mold.
A battery of artillery in one mold
Vehicles can likewise have many variations with a few molds. The cost can be reduced without a loss in variety.
Mold pieces in the base color. Understand that if you scrub your plastic figure in Dawn Dishwashing Detergent and a toothbrush, you can paint it. Magic marker/ alcohol ink might be a better choice. (Which creates a market for custom sets of markers with custom blended ink.)
I do not like metal. The pieces do not fit well. It is just as hard to prep metal for paint as anything else, the figures are heavy.
I like resin even less. It chips without provocation.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and none are wrong. I'll but whatever comes out. I'd prefer plastic.
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Post by boxholder on May 1, 2020 13:07:14 GMT
I routinely wash models and figures before attempting to paint them. Both metal and plastic have some kind of mold release agent on them. And DAWN is the primo choice for both
My comments about painting were directed to painting the flexible polyethylene that is used for several brands of minis. For some reason, they always feel greasy even after washing. I understand that Krylon has a spray primer that is formulated to adhere to this kind of plastic. I have not had a chance to try it yet.
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Post by scottwashburn on May 1, 2020 13:23:53 GMT
Concerning injected molded plastic: What is the greatest expense in models? Making the original? Making the molds? (any type of mold) The material? No to all. The greatest expense involved in a model is the shipping. The lightest, and therefore cheapest, material is plastic. Make 3 sizes of head and 3 sizes of legs and you have 9 basic tripod sizes. Mold infantry in companies. 12 "stands" or elements per mold. A battery of artillery in one mold Vehicles can likewise have many variations with a few molds. The cost can be reduced without a loss in variety. Mold pieces in the base color. Understand that if you scrub your plastic figure in Dawn Dishwashing Detergent and a toothbrush, you can paint it. Magic marker/ alcohol ink might be a better choice. (Which creates a market for custom sets of markers with custom blended ink.) I do not like metal. The pieces do not fit well. It is just as hard to prep metal for paint as anything else, the figures are heavy. I like resin even less. It chips without provocation. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and none are wrong. I'll but whatever comes out. I'd prefer plastic. You make some good points and for certain things I prefer plastic over metal. But I must say that while shipping might be the biggest LONG TERM cost, it can be spread out over time and much of the direct cost passed on to the consumer. But for a start-up company the cost of making the molds for injection molded plastic can be a huge up-front cost. I remember when Ernie Baker was first developing All Quiet, he really wanted more plastic models, but he just could not afford it so he was limited to the assault and scout tripods and the American tanks. Everything else was in metal or resin. Things have improved just in the few years since ALL Quiet came out involving 3D printing of masters and computer engraving of metal molds, but there is still significant costs involved. |
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Post by hardlec on May 3, 2020 16:40:45 GMT
I may not live to see this, but I'm guessing that by 2040, miniatures will be sold as digital downloads and printed by the individual.
Paper models made a big comeback when so many are offered as digital download. Remember, 20 years ago a color printer was not a household item like it is today. Now I can find the Lone Ranger's town, as based on the Radio program, that was once printed on the back of cereal boxes.
I once had a conversation with Robin Wood, an extremely talented artist I met at conventions. I would work in the booth next to hers quite often. She lamented that programs like photoshot would but commercial artists out of business.
"I can't draw to save my life. I'd like to, and yes, I buy the software. But I don't have the gift. Music, yes. Graphic arts, no. We will always need people with vision."
She thanked me, and has continued to work.
Small-time artists have more tools now, but it's their minds and imagination that we "pay for." I patronize the individual artist whenever I can.
AQMF is, most of all, the concept. The game has been beautifully executed. The figures are wonderful. The contributions from the fans as well as the pro's have made a great thing better.
Sell me downloads, I will buy them.
Sell me plastic kits. I will buy them
Sell me metal kits, I will buy them.
Sell me resin kits. I will buy them.
Just sell me something.
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Post by tackleberry on May 3, 2020 16:47:14 GMT
I may not live to see this, but I'm guessing that by 2040, miniatures will be sold as digital downloads and printed by the individual. Paper models made a big comeback when so many are offered as digital download. Remember, 20 years ago a color printer was not a household item like it is today. Now I can find the Lone Ranger's town, as based on the Radio program, that was once printed on the back of cereal boxes. I once had a conversation with Robin Wood, an extremely talented artist I met at conventions. I would work in the booth next to hers quite often. She lamented that programs like photoshot would but commercial artists out of business. "I can't draw to save my life. I'd like to, and yes, I buy the software. But I don't have the gift. Music, yes. Graphic arts, no. We will always need people with vision." She thanked me, and has continued to work. Small-time artists have more tools now, but it's their minds and imagination that we "pay for." I patronize the individual artist whenever I can. AQMF is, most of all, the concept. The game has been beautifully executed. The figures are wonderful. The contributions from the fans as well as the pro's have made a great thing better. Sell me downloads, I will buy them. Sell me plastic kits. I will buy them Sell me metal kits, I will buy them. Sell me resin kits. I will buy them. Just sell me something. WELL SAID! |
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