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I want to order two griffons to replace my mortar team on a higher point army, but I've heard, and in one instance seen, quality issues with forgeworld resin models. The hydra I saw was really rough looking and was told about all the resin was warped and even after smoothing and straightening a few pieces didn't fit. Is this a common problem?

Resin is, by and large, more malleable than hard plastic. Because of this, it may well warp in transit, especially if it sits in a box for two weeks while it makes its way across the globe to you. It also has a tendency to form air bubbles.

The former is typically fixed with warm water and gentle bending. The latter is something ForgeWorld will actually fix by replacing the ruined part.

I have seen an instance of a Hydra kit arriving badly warped, but about an hour under a warm faucet and some very careful bending fixed it right up.

As for the lack of detail, I've never seen that happen. Sounds like the kind of thing they'd be nice enough to replace.

Bottom line, if it's somehow malformed, you can probably fix it yourself, or, if you can't, ForgeWorld will often replace it. Have no fear, order those Griffons!

Yes, order away.

If you have ANY issues at all *try* to call them directly - much better than email. I have always found the guys on the other end of the phone to be stupidly helpful, and if they send out replacement parts its normally express delivery as well.

My Hydras came in warped to hell. Not the worst I have seen, but I am still struggling to get them into proper shape after a few broken barrels and a few failed attempts with hot water.

The kit looks so awesome, but it is a nightmare to put together. For the Griffon, I have no idea and it looks like it would have a lot less of a chance for warping, so I wouldn't worry too much about that one.

The older FW kits are of poor quality. I've not built any Hydras, but I do have 3 FW Manticores, and as they're based on the same design, I'm going to say that my experiences would be quite similar.

However, the more recent stuff has less of these problems. I built a Bombard at the same time as the Manticores, and despite being a far more complex kit, I had few problems with it. Building my all-resin Stormblade nearly made me give up my will to live, yet the all-resin Macharius' I have all went together fine.

The newer the kit, the better engineered it will likely be.

I've had some issues with most models I have bought with some poor deatil crispness. Nothing major but doesn't look great on close inspection. But then again the models do have a much higher level of deatil than GW ones so it's worth the risk. And if you do feel your purchase isn't up to a good enough standard then give FW a ring straight away. In my experience GW/FW customer servcie has exceeded expectations (to the point where I receievd TWO copies of WD FREE for 4 years) And when I rang to let them know they were sending two they couldn't find the 2nd order so said I could keep it and then sent a gift voucher as an apologie! I Think they've reigned it in a bit since then but I've never had any problems with that side of the business.

ForgeWorld puts out some great kits. You just have to remember that you'll be working with resin not plastic or metal and prep accordinglg. There is more prep involved with resin then there is with a plastic kit.

I'll be getting my first Forgeworld models at Christmas. What sort of prep are we talking about?

Because of the release agent used you will need to wash the parts thoroughly in warm water. Also dry fit at every stage so that you are sure it will go together correctly. The old addage of check, check, check again and then glue is important not to ruin an expensive kit. If a part is warped, stick it in some fairly hot water until it 'remembers' the shape it should be then plunge it into cold water. If you have small air bubbles then they can be sorted with a small amount of green stuff, and it also pays to pin whenever you can just to add more strength into the mini. If you have problems with any badly cast parts, ring FW and the guys will sort you out.

Just a final note, if using in games. Remember that fine resin is not as durable as plastic or metal and requires more care when carrying/using

Oh, I'll be making a special case for my winged hive tyrant and shrikes (which will have forgeworld wings).

I always dry fit models anyway. About the warm water - do you need to actually bend it back, or will it bend itself back?

A bit of both - depends how patient you are Just be gentle with the stuff I have FW Tau and Elysian armies and whole host of other resin bits, it just takes time and patience above and beyond using metal and plastic. Have a look on some resin forums for advice, resin addicts for one

Sometimes it'll bend itself back, but my experience is that a little bit of manual bending is almost always required.

This is making me nervous about ordering from there now. I don't want to accidentally snap a wing in half or something.

From my experience with forgeworlds, I hypothesise that smaller items tend to have more flash/be lower quality than larger items. My World Eaters terminator kit had large amounts of flash in awkward areas whereas my Lord Zhufor model and land raider doors were more or less perfect. In general, the Zhufor model and LR doors appeared to have experienced a higher quality casting process with crisper edges and detail than the terminators.

From my experience with forgeworlds, I hypothesise that smaller items tend to have more flash/lower quality than larger items. My World Eaters terminator kit had large amounts of flash in awkward areas whereas my Lord Zhufor model and land raider doors were more or less perfect. In general, the Zhufor model and LR doors appeared to have experienced a higher quality casting process with crisper edges and detail than the terminators.

I’d also like to point out that there was nothing broken/faulty with the terminator kit with a decent amount of love and care, they turned out fine.

So basically - buy some green stuff for any air bubbles, and take my time cleaning any flash and washing the parts?

Not sounding so bad. I'm mainly just worried about snapping a warped wing :(

I wouldn't worry about ordering Loki. Any major issues are quickly rectified. GW and FW Customer service lines are manned by hobbyists who generally understand your issue with minimal explaination and are empowered to actually help you with your issue.

The quality issues are also not limited to FW. I recently purchased a battleforce with only 8 bases for 25+ Minis, and a Chaos maine kit with some really bad bubbling and running on the leg sprues. Its unfortunate that the customers do some of the quality control on the minis but I've never had a problem setting it straight with more then a 5 minute conversation.

Heh. Reminds me of not even noticing that the assault squad I bought years ago had tactical marine legs and torsos until I had built and painted it and my friend pointed it out.

-Loki- wrote:So basically - buy some green stuff for any air bubbles, and take my time cleaning any flash and washing the parts?

Not sounding so bad. I'm mainly just worried about snapping a warped wing :(

FW is very hit and miss. In my experience, the more popular and older something is, the more likely you are to get a poorly formed piece, as the molds decay with use. However, it is pretty rare to get a problem that you can't fix fairly easily. The resin the use does have some give, so normal use probably won't snap a wing. If you drop one onto a hard surface, however, it's much more likely to break then a plastic counterpart.

If you're referring to snapping a warped wing while treating it in hot water, not possible. It gets very soft and flexible. Just microwave some water, drop in the piece, fish it out with a spool, place into a bowl, bend and hold to the correct shape, and then while holding it, pour in some ice water to set it. Repeat as needed. I got some rhino doors once, I had to do that like 5 or 6 times with - I just couldn't get one straight.

The stuff I'm ordering definitely isn't new. Winged Hive Tyrant and Scythed Heirodule. Here's to hoping I don't get some bad molds, I guess.

Ouze wrote:If you're referring to snapping a warped wing while treating it in hot water, not possible. It gets very soft and flexible. Just microwave some water, drop in the piece, fish it out with a spool, place into a bowl, bend and hold to the correct shape, and then while holding it, pour in some ice water to set it. Repeat as needed. I got some rhino doors once, I had to do that like 5 or 6 times with - I just couldn't get one straight.

I like to use glass brick as a flat surface - hold the piece down on it and shove the whole thing under the cold tap.

Loki- one key thing: Don't file it without good ventilation and a dust mask. Resin dust is nasty, it can do serious damage to your lungs.

just got done! hot hot hot water made the barrels pretty straight.

4M2A wrote:Loki- one key thing: Don't file it without good ventilation and a dust mask. Resin dust is nasty, it can do serious damage to your lungs.

Yeah, I'll definitely be doing any filing outside. I'll grab a sanding mask as well.

Any "messed up" pieces i've received, i've had them replace without a hassle. i did spend a little money calling across the pond.
i've been happy overall with any purchases i made.

Well, my nightwing needed clamps to stay together while the glue dried. But other than that, it's had no problems.

4M2A wrote:Loki- one key thing: Don't file it without good ventilation and a dust mask. Resin dust is nasty, it can do serious damage to your lungs.

1000x this... resin dust is seriously dangerous stuff.

Indeed, you may want to think of hoovering it up so it doesn't kick up into the air again when disturbed. This goes double if you're using a rotary tool like me.

Like I said - any filing or smoothing I need to do, will be done outside. I'll get a sanding mask as well for when I'm doing it.

Wet sand for the find details if you can. It helps keep the dust down, and the finer the particles the more dangerous they are.