Been busy casting again and the Goddess of Home-casting once again smiled on me . ( seeing I'm using a camping gas cooking stove to heat the metal - this could come under the auspices of Vesta ? the Roman Goddess of the Hearth )
I even managed to cast from the German Nürnberger Meisterzinn moulds I've had for quite awhile and been singularly unsuccessful in using .I read somewhere that it helps to warm the moulds first to get the metal to circulate around the metal moulds and it seemed to work !. The metal mould give a crisper casting and can be used more often , the Prince August ones need to cool between castings . The finish products - needing quite a bit of cleaning up .
On the Left the Prince August figures, on the Right the new Nürnberger Meisterzinn Infantryman Storming (?)- a bit larger than the Prince August but I don't think it will be noticeable once in their own unit and on the table .Think they will have to be something Germanic .
I also cast up from the Civilian mould I have, which comes with alternative heads and accessories to produce this 18th Century Lady and Gentleman . Having got all these cast it's time to undercoat them and start painting .
Tony
ReplyDeleteI like the civilian figures.
I have to confess that really struggle with the NM moulds, and have pretty much given up with them, although I do cast the odd Frederick the Great and Hussar as officers.
Although the PA moulds get very hot I have never found the need to let them cool very often - except when they get too got to handle.
Steve
I have pulled my hair out with them as well ! - but today I seem to get lucky ! . I also angled the mould slightly to one side and tried to poured the metal slowly while taping the mould - I know you need three hands almost . I have my mould in an old saucepan half full of sand to catch spillages - I'll post photos of my set up tomorrow , Tony
DeleteSplendid results for all the trials and tribulations that Hand Casting can cause- very glad You have been successful Tony. Regards. KEV.
ReplyDeleteSome days you just get lucky , Tony
DeleteWell done, I too like the civilian figures. I had no luck casting using a portable electric stove,the thermostat kicked in before the metal got hot enough to flow properly, but using the normal stove worked fine (this was with PA 25mm fantasy moulds).
ReplyDeleteYes I tried a portable electric hot plate and it took for ages , so I went back to my camping gas . My wife has sensibly banded me from casting inside the house ! , Tony
DeleteNice work with the Meisterzinns. I too have found them a trial to cast. Working hotter has helped but clean casts are still problematic.
ReplyDeleteYes I think you have to get both the moulds and the metal very hot for them to work , it also depends on the individual mould type - I've a mould of a mortar that I have yet to cast off properly. It's nice to know other people have had problems as well - thought it was just me !. Tony
DeleteA great job done there. I am most taken with the 40mm civilians and really look forward to seeing them painted.
ReplyDeleteThe Meisterzinns radiate charm as designs.
The NM moulds are slightly bigger but do add variety , Tony
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