Armorcast News: 3D Space Hulk

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**Kroothawk**

Hi,
I will use this thread to post news by this fantastic terrain company with a long history (Forge World is basically a copy of Armorcast

).

In July, Armorcast has released a set of 3D-corridors, which is basically a resin copy of Hirst moulds. Available single or as a big set (rooms around 10$, set around 90$):

http://armorcast.com/store/index.php?cPath=120_153

**Nurglitch**

So Hirst sells a Space Corridor mold? Cool. That Armorcast model seems nice, but I'd really want some Industrial Towers.

**Moopy**

Wow! nice!

I'm at work so I don't have my space hulk box with me- about how much would it cost to say make the first mission?

**Malika2**

Looking pretty tight!

**insaniak**

Nurglitch wrote:So Hirst sells a Space Corridor mold?

No, just a mould with various tiles.

For the sake of everyone's sanity, let's leave the Litko gag for its own thread.

**Alpharius**

As someone who does NOT want to mold his own stuff, this is VERY interesting indeed!

**grizgrin**

Litko? What do they make?

**Myrthe**

Now if only Armorcast would make the walls to go with the dimensional floors and REALLY take it 3D ...

**Nurglitch**

grizgrin:

At the risk of provoking insaniak, I suggest clicking this link to see what sort of products that Litko Aerosystems produces.

**Kroothawk**

Myrthe wrote:Now if only Armorcast would make the walls to go with the dimensional floors and REALLY take it 3D ...

You must always make a compromise with playability. Full 3D includes a roof, and you see nothing and can't move the miniatures. No roof but full walls still hampers with sight and playability.

Other 3D solutions:
JR Miniatures http://www.jrminiatures.net/28mmsciencefiction.aspx (walls should fit Armorcast floors)
Mal'Ja'Zar http://www.maljazar.co.uk/index.php?cPath=21 (clean Star Wars style)
Hirst Arts http://www.hirstarts.com/molds/moldssci.html (incl. perfectly fitting walls of course, moulds for plaster, on ebay also kits without moulds)
Ainsty Products http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/aiproducts.htm
World Works Games http://www.worldworksgames.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5 (paper, including an Alien ship!)

and Forge World's Anphelion Base of course

Other 2D solutions:
Doom Boardgame (!) http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=34&esem=2 (look similar to Space Hulk tiles!)
Litko http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/CTGY/CS

**SilverMK2**

Have to say that looks a bit... naff? Even in the above promo shot the doors are all wonky and have huge gaps. Plus there are no actual walls...

I'd rather buy the Hirst moulds and some plaster. Unlimited space corridors for not very much money, in any configuration you want. And lots of extra bits and details... and you can make actual walls!

But each to their own.

**JohnHwangDD**

Seeing this, I wonder why WGF couldn't do modular space rooms and corridors as a sprue.

Plastic SH terrain would be awesome.

Hint, hint.

**MajorTom11**

Here is my challenge for you fine gentlemen -

How much would it cost to create a complete set matching the pieces in the SH box, WITH walls???

Me thinks Reaver Titan territory...

**Kid_Kyoto**

I love armorcast, never had a bad experience with them.

But if you're looking for space corridors Dwarven Forge is really the gold standard. They're probably not perfect for space hulk but they're just fantastic.

http://www.dwarvenforge.com/sci-fi-sets

$50 (not what you'd call cheap)

Alas as far as I know they do not sell any Industrial Towers which does limit their utility.

**JohnHwangDD**

Design-wise, Dwarven Forge isn't good, without the edging and only 1x1 room parts.
____

But it's painted.

Playability goes to Armorcast / Hirst, and the decorative edge detailing is nice. The only downside of AC/Hirst is the relative fixedness of the pieces.

**grizgrin**

from gold standard to crap/ sounds like we need someone to do an in depth prduct review/comparison.

**Orlanth**

Myrthe wrote:Now if only Armorcast would make the walls to go with the dimensional floors and REALLY take it 3D ...

I agree deeper floors is a waste, just stick with the stuff you get in the boxset. Its embossed cardboard and well made so good enough. I was expecting walls for 3D and was admittedly disappointed as a result.

**Grot 6**

MajorTom11 wrote:Here is my challenge for you fine gentlemen -

How much would it cost to create a complete set matching the pieces in the SH box, WITH walls???

Me thinks Reaver Titan territory...

$30.00, give or take. 50.00 at the most.

Balsa wood, straws, small dowel rods, black paint, screen, plastic screen, plastic girder sets, plastic sets with scrap, etc.etc.etc. Mount the stuff on interlocking styro base, and the sections could even be made interchangeable.

**sonofruss**

Using the Hirst arts molds for the floor tiles you would need mold #s 276 277 279 325 this runs about $91 for the molds that are reusable if you follow instructions correctly. Following the directions here http://www.hirstarts.com/hulk/hulk.html will build you all of the tiles from the new hulk and some advanced tiles from the older hulk. The corridors are wide enough for 40mm bases and they sell other molds to kit out the hulk like 326 and 327 then there are the wall sections they sell if you want a wall. He recommends using dental plaster to make the parts but plaster will work as will resin but the molds wear out faster with resin than with the plaster

**Osbad**

Needs MOAR INDUSTRIAL TOWAZ...

Now, does anyone know a company that makes them?

**Ouze**

sonofruss wrote: He recommends using dental plaster to make the parts but plaster will work as will resin but the molds wear out faster with resin than with the plaster

As loathe as I am to second-guess the guy who makes the product, I strongly suspect I thinks would mostly happen if you do not correctly use a release agent when using the resin, or at least, you can drastically minimize the wear. I make silicone molds and generally do not need (or use) a release agent for the simpler ones, but the more complex ones will wear out quickly if I don't.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Osbad wrote:Needs MOAR INDUSTRIAL TOWAZ...

Now, does anyone know a company that makes them?

Yes, actually . Lots of different ones.

**sonofruss**

The material he uses is rtv low temp stuff it does work but it comes apart just like forge worlds molds do and then the mold dies you need to buy another one so just saying he has tried it but does not recommended it.

**Padre**

Osbad wrote:Needs MOAR INDUSTRIAL TOWAZ...

Now, does anyone know a company that makes them?

Someone told me once about some bunch called Litko...

Wonder if they make anything else?

**insaniak**

Padre wrote:
Osbad wrote:Needs MOAR INDUSTRIAL TOWAZ...

Now, does anyone know a company that makes them?

Someone told me once about some bunch called Litko...

Wonder if they make anything else?

You know what else is funny? When people's accounts get suspended for derailing a thread with a tired old gag that had its day long, long ago despite a public moderator request to not go there...

Seriously, as hilarious as the whole Litko thing is, it's irritating to those interested in the actual topic. So kindly drop it and move on.

**grizgrin**

You know insaniak, certainly willing to respect the requests of a mod, but "tired" is pretty dang subjective. It's also irrespective of the odd member (unlike myself, admittedly) who may have been exposed to it, played along with it, yet hadn't been here long enough to see the warnings. and heck, the Litko topics get shut down as well.

On Topic, Ouze has a point abou the mold release, it will extend the life of the mold. The silicone used for the mold can be selected for durability as well as detail, amongst many other qualities. I would guess he is not using the most durable stuff out there, and I cannot blame him in the slightest. Dude DOES have a business to run after all.

**DispatchDave**

Ouze wrote:
sonofruss wrote: He recommends using dental plaster to make the parts but plaster will work as will resin but the molds wear out faster with resin than with the plaster

As loathe as I am to second-guess the guy who makes the product, I strongly suspect I thinks would mostly happen if you do not correctly use a release agent when using the resin, or at least, you can drastically minimize the wear. I make silicone molds and generally do not need (or use) a release agent for the simpler ones, but the more complex ones will wear out quickly if I don't.

Bruce states on his site that using mold release or mold soap will extend the life of the rtv molds significantly. In fact, at this page ( http://www.hirstarts.com/casting/plastic.html ), he quite clearly states at the beginning you must use mold release OR (my emphasis) the casting plastic will deteriorate the mold.

**Samus_aran115**

Awesome! 90 dollars is a little steep for that whole set, but I'm sure they have to make money, and it looks good, so

**MajorTom11**

My previous question was directed more towards buying the pre-cast resin bits, as opposed to molds or making things out of popsicle sticks and chewing gum btw.

Yes, of course if you spend enough time and energy you can make ANYTHING from scratch with little or no expense, but reality is that sometimes it saves more money to just pay for it and go to work as opposed to spending hundreds of hours building it youself at a loss. I am not knocking DIY whatsoever, it is a very rewarding and if done right, very impressive endeavor. On the other side of the coin buying cast pieces isn't inherently wrong either... it's all about circumstances and means right?

**Myrthe**

@ MajorTom11 -
I completely agree ... I used to love scratch-building terrain but, with job and kids, I have no time to even work on my models let alone create decent terrain !! My time is more valuable than my money so I prefer someone to do the bulk of the work for me.

@ Kroothawk -
Thanks for the run-down of additional terrain sources. I was going to add Dwarven Forge to your list but saw that Kid_Kyoto already mentioned it. I don't collect the Sci FI line (yet?) but have a large collection of their Dungeons and Caverns and I have never found the wall heights (2") to be a problem. That added dimension really appeals to me whether I'm playing a wargame or a boardgame.

I love Armorcast product and I hope these floors sell well to induce them to add the walls to their offerings. I much prefer resin to plaster.

**DispatchDave**

For anyone concerned, Armorcast *is* a Hirst Arts licensed business. I emailed Hirst Arts to confirm; Bruce has not yet updated his links page to include them, so I thought I would post here, in case anyone other than me cared.

-Dave