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I just got issue 24 of NQ, which gives details on the new PP plastics. And guess what? The plastics don't come on a sprue!!

They come in plastic component bags, similar to how the metal comes. This is done to "Save the modeler time" and allows PP to "Recycle the excess plastic and keep packaging size down."

Hmmm, even wit plastics PP is doing it their own way. I know some folks like to paint on the sprue, so this may be an downer for some. What do folks think? Definitely different.

Also note, PP plastics are NOT styrene. So polystyrene cement will not work on them. Super glue is still, apparently, the glue of choice.

Too bad about the Styrene not working. It's my favorite part about plastics.

(That, and the citrusy smell of the Testor's squeeze bottles, mmmm)

malfred wrote:Too bad about the Styrene not working. It's my favorite part about plastics.

(That, and the citrusy smell of the Testor's squeeze bottles, mmmm)

Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed about that as well. I'm curious to see what this plastic looks and feels like up close.

I kind of like the efficiency of not using sprues. I never have to pay for plastic that isn't for anything. I use super glue for everything now so the glue thing doesn't really bother me either. Now all I wish is that my FLGS had a warmachine/hordes group.

You know, though, this does mean that PP can keep there cool bitz service going bit by bit, even with plastics. No need to buy a $20 sprue for a $2 bit on it.

Is it the same stuff the Monpoc figures are made of?

Typeline wrote:I kind of like the efficiency of not using sprues. I never have to pay for plastic that isn't for anything.

The bad side is the prices do need to include time for someone else to pack the sprues, unless they've got something cool like a dedicated cutting machine that chops the pieces, extract the sprue, and bags the rest...

Balance wrote:

Typeline wrote:I kind of like the efficiency of not using sprues. I never have to pay for plastic that isn't for anything.

The bad side is the prices do need to include time for someone else to pack the sprues, unless they've got something cool like a dedicated cutting machine that chops the pieces, extract the sprue, and bags the rest...

That wouldn't be overly difficult. The machine wouldn't have to cut perfectly at the model, just close enough to eliminate the sprue. As long as the machine knew what sprue was there, it wouldn't be an issue.

I can't see them being cut off the sprue by hand. It wouldn't be worth it, unless you just employed just minimum wage slaves to do it.

no but in the end its more steps and more machines they have to run so in the end whats it saving? I like using plastic glue especially the testor bottles because there precise and easy to use, i also like the sprues themselves because i dont have to worry about losing pieces i just cut them off as i need them.

So frankly i think having the sprue makes things easier.

I am pretty confident PP has a good idea of what they're doing. It's an interesting decision, though.

Seems like the plastic might be similar to what's being used in Alkemy. There are no sprues there and the plastic doesn't seem like styrene.

automated machines that can grab the piece, align it correctly, cut it, and finally bag it all without human interaction cost millions of dollars. PP is too small to make that kind of investment and hope to get their money back in a reasonable amount of time. the recycling of sprue plastic probably saves them a few pennies on each item's material cost but that won't be passed down to consumers (and i'm OK with that since it's such a small amount).

Wondering also if it's MonPoc plastic.

The use of non-styrene plastic does not seem like a fun idea. If they're going with the soft rubbery stuff, I will not be happy. The sheer amount of "going limp" jokes would blow up the Internet.

Ambroid pro-weld or Plastruct Bondene will probably still work on whatever version of plastic they are using.

The glue thing is an annoyance, but if they go with a soft plastic, even things like removing mould lines will be harder, as will getting paint to stick. And if they're not going with soft plastic, why not use styrene?

RussWakelin wrote:

malfred wrote:Too bad about the Styrene not working. It's my favorite part about plastics.

(That, and the citrusy smell of the Testor's squeeze bottles, mmmm)

Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed about that as well. I'm curious to see what this plastic looks and feels like up close.

I'm guessing it's going to be alot like the plastics that Mongoose did with Starship Troopers. That stuff did not like plastic glue, at all.

Maybe it can hold detail better than the ol' GW Styrene.

Then why do the new bastions look so blobby and toy-like?

Hmm. i've never seen or used plastics that were not originally on sprue...this may be a very good thing.

RussWakelin wrote:You know, though, this does mean that PP can keep there cool bitz service going bit by bit, even with plastics. No need to buy a $20 sprue for a $2 bit on it.

Nope, just pay an obscene amount for shipping. Honestly 7-11 dollars to mail me a 1oz peice in an envelope?

Again, Privateer Press puts their gamers into a box.

Hordicant wrote:

RussWakelin wrote:You know, though, this does mean that PP can keep there cool bitz service going bit by bit, even with plastics. No need to buy a $20 sprue for a $2 bit on it.

Nope, just pay an obscene amount for shipping. Honestly 7-11 dollars to mail me a 1oz peice in an envelope?

Just like eBay.

Actually on ebay if you choose an actual bits service (not just some guy who happens to be selling a powerfist) average rates are around 2-3 bucks plus .25 per bit.

I also had a bit of sticker shock when I went to checkout in their bits service cart.

warboss wrote:automated machines that can grab the piece, align it correctly, cut it, and finally bag it all without human interaction cost millions of dollars. PP is too small to make that kind of investment and hope to get their money back in a reasonable amount of time.

Given the number of companies out there these days offering outsourced production options, they don't need to.

Are we talking FW styled bits bags here?

I really like the sound of this not only will you be saving plastic from throwing unwanted plastic sprue bit at least most of us. But this sounds a lot more ecologically friendly because now they have reusable organic plastic bags, plus with this it must make it easy to store things much better. Not to mention you don't need to always have to have a pair of pliers with you. I really hope this will happen it would be a great idea on GW part & I hope all plastic miniature companies would do something like this it would be much better for the environment. Every piece of garbage counts now of days. Really do hope this happens though!

I think there are some model kits that are coming, at least in part, in bagged part form (rather than on sprue trees). Happy to not throw my sprues in the recycling bin and hope they don't get landfilled, though.

I'm also curious to see how the plastics turn out (and whether they have any fit issues).

Russ, any word on other kits?