Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

What do you prefer your model to be made of?

1st post!
Plastic is the best, no question about it!
so much easier to work with

Pewter.

DaemonJellybaby wrote:1st post!
Plastic is the best, no question about it!
so much easier to work with

I assume you mean Acrylic. I think Resin is a type of plastic.

As a general question this is hard to answer. Miniature figures are great in metal, larger models like vehicles are by far much better in injection molded plastic.

A Black Ram wrote:Pewter.

Really? I like how its more detailed but I hate working with it.

Why is "people" not an option?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what most people consider 'plastic' models are Polystyrene, not Acrylic.

While Plastic (not Resin, that is) is easier to convert...Pewter simply feels right. It reeks of Ye Olden Times and its weight has a strange, reassuring effect. When I pick up a Dire Troll, it gives me the vibe of a quality purchase, simply through its weight, whereas I can barely feel a Land Raider.
It's strange and not logical, but that's how it is for me.

GCMandrake wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but what most people consider 'plastic' models are Polystyrene, not Acrylic.

I consider acrylic plastic. You don't?

Flesh

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

GCMandrake wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but what most people consider 'plastic' models are Polystyrene, not Acrylic.

I consider acrylic plastic. You don't?

There are different kinds of plastic - which is why polystyrene cement (aka plastic cement aka modeling glue) doesn't work on PP's plastic War Machine figures.

plastic, the grey models you mostly get... conversions are so much easier done that way...

Eumerin wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

GCMandrake wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong, but what most people consider 'plastic' models are Polystyrene, not Acrylic.

I consider acrylic plastic. You don't?

There are different kinds of plastic - which is why polystyrene cement (aka plastic cement aka modeling glue) doesn't work on PP's plastic War Machine figures.

Yes, and acrylic is one of them.
So who else uses polystrene? Is it that common?

Acrylic = plastic in this poll?

When I say "acrylic", I'm thinking the thin clear sheets that I cut on a laser cutter at work... I didn't think GW plastic was pure acrylic, but perhaps it is of a different type.

It would probably be clearer to just call it "plastic", though... like, plastic, metal, and resin. Not that that covers it all, since GW is using a plastic/resin hybrid, but it's at least a little more all-encompassing and clearer.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:
Yes, and acrylic is one of them.
So who else uses polystrene? Is it that common?

Nearly everyone uses polystyrene for plastic miniatures that need to be assembled. The only notable exception off the top of my head is Privateer Press.

Plastic scale models (which existed long before plastic wargaming miniatures) are made out of polystyrene as well.

Privateer Press's plastic leaves Much to be desired, too...

RiTides wrote:Acrylic = plastic in this poll?

When I say "acrylic", I'm thinking the thin clear sheets that I cut on a laser cutter at work... I didn't think GW plastic was pure acrylic, but perhaps it is of a different type.

It would probably be clearer to just call it "plastic", though... like, plastic, metal, and resin. Not that that covers it all, since GW is using a plastic/resin hybrid, but it's at least a little more all-encompassing and clearer.

I thought GW models were acrylic but I guess I'm mistaken. So just "plastic" is more accurate?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Eumerin wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:
Yes, and acrylic is one of them.
So who else uses polystrene? Is it that common?

Nearly everyone uses polystyrene for plastic miniatures that need to be assembled. The only notable exception off the top of my head is Privateer Press.

Plastic scale models (which existed long before plastic wargaming miniatures) are made out of polystyrene as well.

RiTides wrote:Privateer Press's plastic leaves Much to be desired, too...

Is it different than GW's plastic? Like should I add that as an option or once again does simply "plastic" cover all things plastic?

Privateer Press's plastic is different. I'm not sure what it's made out of, though.


Polystyrene cement (which is the technical term for GW's plastic glue) works by melting the connecting pieces to each other. And it only works with polystyrene. Which is why if you try and use it with a plastic Warmachine figure, the pieces won't adhere at all.


Nine times out of ten, when people are talking about "plastic" for miniatures, they're talking about polystyrene. So either 'plastic' or 'polystyrene' should work.

Eumerin wrote:Privateer Press's plastic is different. I'm not sure what it's made out of, though.


Polystyrene cement (which is the technical term for GW's plastic glue) works by melting the connecting pieces to each other. And it only works with polystyrene. Which is why if you try and use it with a plastic Warmachine figure, the pieces won't adhere at all.


Nine times out of ten, when people are talking about "plastic" for miniatures, they're talking about polystyrene. So either 'plastic' or 'polystyrene' should work.

I thought GW's plastic cement had some sort of acrylic melting, acrylic glue melding thingamabob.

I like metal miniatures. I can live with resin....plastic is simply not my favourite.

Alright, I'll change it to plastic.

Pewter 'cause it sounds like 'puter which is short for computer which robots have inside their heads which are metal. I like metal.

djphranq wrote:Pewter 'cause it sounds like 'puter which is short for computer which robots have inside their heads which are metal. I like metal.

.....ok, then.

Ambull wrote:As a general question this is hard to answer. Miniature figures are great in metal, larger models like vehicles are by far much better in injection molded plastic.

I agree. Polystyrene for large models. Metal for small ones.

So not one person for Resin? Is it really that bad?

I like polystyrene plastic for the stronger bonds you get with the glue

KamikazeCanuck wrote:So not one person for Resin? Is it really that bad?

It's a bitch to work with and it's simply not fit to be used on Table Top, most of the time.
The only company I can think off that managed to do good, playable resin miniatures was Kraken with Alkemy.

Resin is nice for big showcase miniatures. I don't like to play with it.

Hard plastic is definitely my favourite. Easy to cut, easy to file, safe, robust, generally comes with extras.
I can live with metal but they'd better be designed to go together without pinning or I get pissed off. PP have some really annoying models to put together.
I don't much like resin except that it's not as heavy and liable to break at contact points, but it's so soft and I think it's harder to paint.

What? No balsa wood option?

Fine then. Plastic.