Forgeworld switches to finecast

[Antigonos]

Today I got at the mail the new Tartaros Terminators kit and I was shocked to discover that instead of the resin that FW used for its other kits, the models in this one were made from finecast. The models were in sprues similar to the finecast sprues, but what convinced me was both the colour and the consistency of the resin. Simply put, the new resin is softer and more malleable than the older one.

As far as I have noticed, there were no miscasts or better not more than usual (a couple of mould misalignments and mostly on the helmets, which is extremely annoying). BUT there was a lot of flash and mould pieces left on some surfaces. Almost every bit has a flash "fur" at its edges.

I can't say I am thrilled about the change, especially since the new material resembles soft plastic (the sword of the Sergeant bends easily), but at least it was not the bubbly horror of Finecast.

P.S.: If you need pictures, I will try to get you some later.

Edit: After a closer inspection, I can attest that there are bubbles, but not as many as in the other finecast products. Still though, unacceptable for that price tag.

Pics:

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/IMG_2902.jpg
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/IMG_2903.jpg
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/IMG_2904.jpg
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/IMG_2905.jpg
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/IMG_2906.jpg
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/IMG_2907.jpg

[Chapters Unwritten]

I think I can speak for us all when I say

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Starchild]

This doesn't bode well for the FW models with the long pointy bitz.

[Antigonos]

Do you remember the legendary quality of FW resin casts? Well, gone are these days. Check the pictures at the first post and you will realise why my frustration mounts up the more time I spend preparing these models. E.g. not a single backpack vane has been formed fully. Incredible. 40.32 pounds in total for 5 models, just to get this!

[Lexington]

I've seen discussions of this in a couple of places. Apparently, someone asked about this in an email to FW, and got a response saying that, yes, they use the same material as Finecast in some of their molds, but only ones that they find appropriate. FW's always used different types of resins for different kits, so this isn't a huge surprise. When Finecast works, it's pretty great.

Sad to hear that the same casting issues seem to be cropping up for FW, tho.

[Dr Zoidberg]

I'd be sending 'em back given the quality. FW stuff is meant to be high quality sculpts and casts. If you wanted crap, you would have bought failcast.

[Tuttivillus]

OMG, the plague is spreading

[Carot]

Also, they switched to tamper proof packaging on most of the smaller items (elysian heads, dred arms, etc).

I find it ominous that they didn't announce this like they did when they began switching the metals over to..f***cast. It makes you wonder how aware they are of the stigma surrounding it.

[Antigonos]

Well, since I was not informed beforehand, first thing tomorrow morning I am calling in, ask for a refund and send these joke-of-a-miniature back.

[Rated_lexxx]

I think I can speak for us all when I say

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Not speaking for me

Whatever happens, happens

[spaint2k]

I don't trust the softer, bendy resin that is Finecast's hallmark. The temperature in my games room is well above 30 degrees for a good part if the year. I will return any Forge World finecast that was not marked as such with an explanation as to why.

[Captain Ventris]

Yeah a friend and I noticed this Months ago, we started a similar thread, then that thred was removed by mods and we were told it was not news...

I've received numerous models from Forge world using the Finecast plastic, Tomb Stalker, Kreig Korps, etc. they've been doing it for a while and phasing out all their old casts of the models with the new Fine cast resin. they are even using the "sprue" armatures that Finecast comes on...

[Carot]

I can honestly see a bit of the reasoning behind the move.

But the question becomes: Does this constitute the beginnings of a total shift over to the new resin? Or is it something that only effects the smaller models?

And is this something they'll actually announce? Their resin has changed before, but it's never quite had this amount of shock value to it. And being as that it has changed before, and we were all quite happy with what we had up until recently, it would indicate that they have the ability to refine the process and improve, because no one has ever made this much fuss before.

And considering that we see more and more third party companies making adaptable bits (if not whole models) out of resin these days, it certainly seems to indicate a shift in the industry as a whole.

Realistically it still comes down to: if we want the pretty bits we'll pay to get the pretty bits, and learn to adapt to the new problems.

[spaint2k]

Realistically it still comes down to: if we want the pretty bits we'll pay to get the pretty bits, and learn to adapt to the new problems.

Unless the problem is sagging due to the heat.

Example model that bent under its own weight:

[angelofrage]

Not really news as there have been other topics saying the same thing. Somebody got an email from fw with an explanation of how they use different types of resin for different kits. My most recent kit from them (the event only enforcer) isnt "finecast" and is the same as I have had before. You know what? I trust forge world to decide what resin is best for their business. I've had miscasts in their other types of resin and their customer support has always resolved any issues quickly. Some people have a real hangup on the name finecast.

[Oneofmany]

If your not happy, e-mail them the pic's and ask if this is the quality they should sell........

Thanks One

[Born Again]

Wow spaint2k, that's the first time I've actually seen a photo of any alleged sagging due to wait/ heat and it's pretty severe. What kind of temperatures are you getting? I'm in Australia and we can get up to mid 40's but my own Haemie has been fine.

[spaint2k]

Wow spaint2k, that's the first time I've actually seen a photo of any alleged sagging due to wait/ heat and it's pretty severe. What kind of temperatures are you getting? I'm in Australia and we can get up to mid 40's but my own Haemie has been fine.

35 degrees, no direct sunlight.

The model was already slightly bent at purchase so I straightened it out but it soon bent back and then continued to bend. It took a week or two to end up like that. The bending stopped once the miniature was taken off the base and placed in its package. When I return to the UK next week I'll be taking the model to a shop for an exchange.

[Haunter!]

I don't know, I've never had any issue with the Finecast material and I've seen some put through some pretty severe heat tests come out fine. This really isn't news as a lot of people have been getting FW models like this for a while.

[blurrymadness]

I think people are still freaking out too much. Finecast does produce some good detail and has it's issues; but it's easy to work with by comparison to metal; easy to glue by comparison to metal, less likely to break than metal (let's say, if you drop it, or it falls on it's side.. or something) etc...

I love the metal models. That said; on the issue at hand; I'm sure that FW and GW will clear up problems *over time* with Finecast as it's probably still being "perfected." The detail compared to even metal models is quite crisp however and it makes sense from almost any perspective to go that route if that's the case.