Material Preference for Character Models

[dhagi]

Voted plastic for the simple reason that I have yet to utterly destroy a model made out of it. yet.
Metal: Space Marine chapter masters, I broke 2 of the 4 weapons. Can't get greenstuff to stay in place (small details like the end of the handle of a sword) so the models look funny.
Finecast: Feels like I'm going to snap it in half if I set it down too hard. Took 3 hours to clear all the excess flak off the model, and that was a dwarf (runesmith with great weapon)
Plastic: if I break it, oh well. Superglue it back together and pretend it's supposed to look like that.

[agent032125]

My friend destroyed an unpainted plastic Space Marine that he found in my garage last week. Of course he does hate 40k, and he used a 5lb sledge. Other than that though, plastic is very abuse friendly.

[Lord Dan]

My friend destroyed an unpainted plastic Space Marine that he found in my garage last week. Of course he does hate 40k, and he used a 5lb sledge. Other than that though, plastic is very abuse friendly.

He did...what?

[Ville]

Death to all but metal!

[Durloth]

When plastic models get the same level of crispness and detail as finecast/metal, I will prefer that. Untill that tine, I prefer finecast.

[Schmapdi]

I would say Finecast, if it weren't Finecast and didn't have all the extra expense and defects it has. But another company's resin certainly, it's cheaper, just as detailed and easier to work with than metal. And I'd say the plastic characters (as nice as they indeed are) aren't quite to metal/resins level.

Then plastic, then metal. (The latter being something that IMO the sooner it's phased out by everyone the better).

[Ponge]

Plastic, basically anything but finecast would do.

[Spiney Norman]

When plastic models get the same level of crispness and detail as finecast/metal, I will prefer that. Untill that tine, I prefer finecast.

When finecast models get down to the same level of deformity, casting failure, mold slip and bubbling as I see in plastic models then I will prefer that. Until that time I prefer plastic.

The clincher for me is that the huge problems with finecast haven't really improved since the release, whereas ever plastic character model that is released gets better and better. I love my plastic scar veteran, it's a much better model than the metal/finecast version and I'm very excited about getting my savage warboss next weekend.

My order of preference; plastic > metal > finecast

Finecast still has too many material problems to make it a serious contender IMHO, sure they might sort them out over time, but really they should have worked out the kinks before they started selling it. I refuse to believe they didn't know about the problems with bubbling and mold slip before they went into production, it's possible that they didn't know how big a problem sagging and deformity would be because that can take a while to become noticeable.

[panic_puppet]

I've said plastic as its more durable, and easier to work with. Kitbashing and conversions are easier, and its cheaper. I've not had finecast issues, but then I only own one finecast unit (techmarine and servitors) so I don't have enough experience to judge. The problem with plastic over metal is that the models are harder to take apart if, for whatever reason, you need to repaint or repose them...metal at least has the decency to break along the lines where you glue it.

[Why]

Plastic. Followed by metal.

Plastic has none of the problems of metal or fine(insert a word of your choice here)

Metal because it is metal and will always be metal, it just feels like it could maybe be worth the incredible price tag.

[Mallo]

Metal. I grew up with the lead minis of the early 90's and into the introduction of white metal. I have tons of metal Gobbos still sitting around and have never had any problems fixing them, working on them, or damaging any of them beyond a small chip of paint. They clean off nice in dettol (I like to buy 2nd hand off ebay + repaint the same mini again and again and again... )

I have no interest in finecast- especially with so many horror stories. I have held one in my hand and I was like what the hell- this is going to blow away!

As great as the new gobbo shamen looks it is too pricey for a single plastic character, I'd rather buy a whole plastic box and convert one up with 19 more spare!

[nightgant98c]

I've never dealt with a finecast model yet. But I hear alot of negative things about it. Metal is a pain, so my vote gos to plastic.

[Balerion]

I've said plastic as its more durable, and easier to work with. Kitbashing and conversions are easier, and its cheaper. I've not had finecast issues, but then I only own one finecast unit (techmarine and servitors) so I don't have enough experience to judge. The problem with plastic over metal is that the models are harder to take apart if, for whatever reason, you need to repaint or repose them...metal at least has the decency to break along the lines where you glue it.

That's a good point that isn't mentioned often. If you're buying used, metal can be the best bet, since you know you can treat it very roughly during the refurbishment effort and you're still likely to end up with a model that essentially has all of the qualities as a brand new one does.

I know plastic can be stripped and refurbished, so I don't mind buying it used either. But Finecast is an unknown quantity. I still haven't read any reports of people stripping it, and I imagine it's even more fragile than plastic when you take a toothbrush to it.

[DarKolia]

Definitely Heavy Metal'
Definitely giving you the feel of buying a sculpt rather than a toy... (i.e. something that will endure time)
Plastic characters are too angular IMO (I think this is both related to the moulding process and to make them easier to paint for beginners)... and FineCrap are ...what they are...

I like some plastic units however (IoB, Dryads, Corsairs...) and In a way it's convenient...
And I will eventually buy some Dark Eldar characters or Juan Dias 'new work in FineCrap... but I would have rather had them in metal...

[Brother Muninn]

I'm currently leaning plastic, followed by metal for many of the above stated reasons. Durability, customization, etc. The details aren't all there yet, but a talented modeler (not me) can easily add their own flair & detail with GS & a fine paintjob.

~Muninn

[agent032125]

He did...what?

He took a Space Marine, put it on my anvil, grabbed a 5lb sledge, and (with my permission) smashed it to bits. 40k not well liked in some circles. It was an unpainted model that I got in a bin full of wood elf bits.

[ewar]

When finecast models get down to the same level of deformity, casting failure, mold slip and bubbling as I see in plastic models then I will prefer that. Until that time I prefer plastic.

The clincher for me is that the huge problems with finecast haven't really improved since the release, whereas ever plastic character model that is released gets better and better. I love my plastic scar veteran, it's a much better model than the metal/finecast version and I'm very excited about getting my savage warboss next weekend.

My order of preference; plastic > metal > finecast

Finecast still has too many material problems to make it a serious contender IMHO, sure they might sort them out over time, but really they should have worked out the kinks before they started selling it. I refuse to believe they didn't know about the problems with bubbling and mold slip before they went into production, it's possible that they didn't know how big a problem sagging and deformity would be because that can take a while to become noticeable.

How do you know this though? Don't believe everything you read on the internet, in my experience the problems with FC seem to be sorted out.

All the finecast stuff I've bought lately has been perfect straight out of the box - Empire Witch Hunter, Prince Apophas, Liche priest and Casket of Souls were all immaculate and with a stunning level of detail (same as all resin models).

I'd vote resin every time. Metal chips, is difficult to convert and difficult to pin. Plastic is ok but has way to many limitations for high quality single models. What they're doing at the moment with the plastic characters is nice, but not a serious contender.

[Urgat]

I put plastic. Up till now, I preferred metal, but we've reached a point where GW plastic minis are advanced enough that you can't really tell the difference when they're painted anymore. Haven't bought finecast stuff, and I merely consider it a stopgap, so I don't care much about it.

This is going to devolve into a finecast argument again, just watch. We don't have enough topics where people feel like they must share their opinions on the stuff's defects/qualities yet, clearly.

[Private_SeeD]

I voted for plastic, my view is shared by most of you, same as my line of succession being plastic>metal>finecast.

[Zephel]

I voted for metal, however I would gladly accept plastic at a cheaper price. While I like plastic for its ease of assembly I find the price for a non-REAL resin-hybrid model (Finecast is a joke durability wise compared to other resin hybrids out there like P3's) far too high considering how many tiny pointy bits we have now a days. Though the two new orc models in plastic at their price is for once a reasonable price. Though I doubt it is a trend unfortunatly.