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Only bought one Finecast so far and that was Thorek/Anvil of Doom.

No issues with the actual models. One sprue was broken and several of the bitz were loose in the packaging.

I had it loosely transported in my painting box and Thorek's tong/rune snapped during transport, but that was quickly mended with super glue.

Otherwise, I'm so far fairly neutral on the subject, but most of the models I have in metal already, so I haven't had too much reason to purchase Finecast.

Ouze wrote:I made a excel spreadsheet of current results. There is a pie chart. It's accurate as of 6am CST (right after Tech Guard's post, before DarthDiggler).

I've counted individual models, rather then kits, since that seemed to make more sense.

Didnt include mine

I've only bought two so far...

The Good
Commisar Yarrick - a couple of ting bubble holes easily remedied. Pipe and hydaulic strut on power claw a bit iffy, but easily replaced.

The Abyssmal
Chaplain with jump pack. Sides of inlets messed up by mould slip. Chunks out of inlet edges. Detail lost between inlets. Purity seals so thin they're disappearing.Top of crozius detail missing, edges of wings bubbled.Hole in bottom of crozius.Overfill between arm and pauldron.Serious mould slip along right greave and left cuisse and greave.Bubbles on bottom of scroll between legs. Overall horrible mould lines in all the awkard and detailed areas - a lot more difficult and time consuming than a metal miniature.

Verdict - no thanks. As a collector of eye-catching figures (not a gamer) I should be the ideal consumer of these figures, but I'm not going to waste my money on something that at best has ever-so-slightly crisper detail than a metal figure.

Okay, here's the pic I have of my roommate's Chaplin. Mind you this is through the box on a phone camera, so it's less than ideal, also, there were other issues we found after opening the box up to take a closer look:

AvatarForm wrote:Didnt include mine

Yes I did - I just cut the picture off so it was legible without being gigantic. You can tell because there are only 13 visible cells for grade C, but the pie chart indicates there are 57 in grade C. In total there are 38 different user entries, and the totals and percentages are in the pie chart. I can send the actual spreadsheet to anyone who wants it.

Nice spreadsheet.

The only other thing that might be useful (but may not be practical) is the batch number, to see if %s get less flawed in later batches.

I have to say that if GW does do better QC moving forward, I am convinced that this material is capable of being poured into a flawless way by a skilled resin caster at GW. Which means I don't see that 'fix your bubbles and suck it up' will need to be tolerated or a barrier for people getting into finecast.

But I also don't know if retailers will get the same QC GW is doing. I will only buy finecast at a GW store right now.

Ouze wrote:

AvatarForm wrote:Didnt include mine

Yes I did - I just cut the picture off so it was legible without being gigantic. You can tell because there are only 13 visible cells for grade C, but the pie chart indicates there are 57 in grade C. In total there are 38 different user entries, and the totals and percentages are in the pie chart. I can send the actual spreadsheet to anyone who wants it.

Fair enough.

As you were

In theory, even if there are practical limitations on the pour of the resin, malformed sprues can be rejected after casting, so the models to be packaged will be nigh on perfect.

The drawback of this method to GW is firstly that it requires inspection of even casting, which is labour intensive, and secondly that rejected castings are waste. If 20% of castings have to be rejected, your labour costs for casting are 20% higher than they need be.

Also, unlike metal, rejected resin pieces cannot simply be recycled, so there is higher wastage of materials.

Kilkrazy wrote:In theory, even if there are practical limitations on the pour of the resin, malformed sprues can be rejected after casting, so the models to be packaged will be nigh on perfect.

The drawback of this method to GW is firstly that it requires inspection of even casting, which is labour intensive, and secondly that rejected castings are waste. If 20% of castings have to be rejected, your labour costs for casting are 20% higher than they need be.

Also, unlike metal, rejected resin pieces cannot simply be recycled, so there is higher wastage of materials.

Yes but GW as inspecting before. So it's not an additional expense like wastage of resin would be.

Are you suggesting that GW have in effect passed the QA costs on to the customer?

In other words, rather than reject bad castings at the factory, they are packaged and sold. It becomes the buyer's job to inspect them.

Certainly wouldn't put it past them.

I've just scanned through this, so sorry if it's be mentioned. The one I have noticed is that most people mention air bubbles, of varying amounts and size. What I find interesting is that for a product that is supposed to be of quality, posters are accepting this. It's like it's accepted that this is part of the process. To me I would expect something called "finecast" to be of a better standard than you bog standard resin cast. Or am I expecting too much?

I got around to looking through and assembling the rest of my finecast. Not nearly so positive as my last go, and here's the breakdown.

Urien Rakath (sp?) The dark eldar special character had a HUGE hole in his cape that I fixed with greenstuff. I probably should have returned it but the GW staff let me use their store's greenstuff and I wanted to practice my mediocre greenstuff skills. It fixed nicely but would have been a return for sure.

Grotesques x3: Two of them had mangled liquifier gun bits, and fortunately you can only have one liquifier gun per squad. There was some bubbling, and one of them had a jacked up face mask where the grill wasn't complete. I swapped out that one but fixed the minor issues on the others. None of these were ideal but two were manageable.

Haemonoculi x2: Heavy flash between the fingers, which were very time consuming to clean out. Warping that needed to be straightened. One of them had badly miscast tubing that I fixed with more of the store's greenstuff. I would have swapped out that one too.

6 models 3 I would have returned, and 3 that needed repair and work that I considered a bit beyond normally acceptable. I would still say overall I'm happy with finecast but will probably not buy any more for awhile until things get sorted better. I now have alot of finecast to paint and since now I've had 4 models I would have returned and 6 that I considered less than idea.l That makes more trouble with finecast than in the 15 or so years I bought metal models. I think they'll work it out. heaven help them if they don't do it quickly. No beginner would happily do what I did today. it took about 5-6 hours to clean, prep, repair and assemble those 6 models.

Wolfstan wrote:I've just scanned through this, so sorry if it's be mentioned. The one I have noticed is that most people mention air bubbles, of varying amounts and size. What I find interesting is that for a product that is supposed to be of quality, posters are accepting this. It's like it's accepted that this is part of the process. To me I would expect something called "finecast" to be of a better standard than you bog standard resin cast. Or am I expecting too much?

No, you're not. These are supposed to be the finest, highest quality figures we've ever seen; yes there will be flash and mould lines that need cleaning (you'll always get that) but to even contemplate sending them out with missing pieces, miscasts, mould slip, more bubbles than an Aero bar? It's just not good enough. With the prices GW are charging their QA department must be operating at 110%.

Kilkrazy wrote:Are you suggesting that GW have in effect passed the QA costs on to the customer?

In other words, rather than reject bad castings at the factory, they are packaged and sold. It becomes the buyer's job to inspect them.

Yes, but there is more, instead of just eating the miscasts they sent them out anyway knowing that many customers would just fix the bits themselves, thereby turning losses into gains. So not only did they not have to pay qc (which I believe is just the casters anyway, but they can cast faster if they don't have to check everything) they are making profits off of damaged goods. This, all while discouraging mail order and online sales, because if you can't see it first, there is no point in ordering it. What I find really amazing is that they are sending out flawed replacement too.

farmersboy wrote:

Wolfstan wrote:I've just scanned through this, so sorry if it's be mentioned. The one I have noticed is that most people mention air bubbles, of varying amounts and size. What I find interesting is that for a product that is supposed to be of quality, posters are accepting this. It's like it's accepted that this is part of the process. To me I would expect something called "finecast" to be of a better standard than you bog standard resin cast. Or am I expecting too much?

No, you're not. These are supposed to be the finest, highest quality figures we've ever seen; yes there will be flash and mould lines that need cleaning (you'll always get that) but to even contemplate sending them out with missing pieces, miscasts, mould slip, more bubbles than an Aero bar? It's just not good enough. With the prices GW are charging their QA department must be operating at 110%.

As farmersboy has explained, stan, you are not expecting too much. This seems to be the feeling of many of us and the new casts are something I would not recommend to a novice hobbyist due to the extended prep times, skill and repair materials required.

"More bubbles than an Aero bar"

Someone needs to make a Demotivational including this for me please

I bought a box of chaos raptors, and The only thing wrong was that I got loads of excess finecast material in each sprue.

Bought 3 Dark Eldar Haemonculi. All three of their swords were hideously malformed on the backsides. One of them was sort of repairable, the other two not so much. The Liquifier Guns that come with them have lots of bubbles along the bottom side of the "feed line". The amount of flash that comes on them is staggering to say the least.

AvatarForm wrote:

As farmersboy has explained, stan, you are not expecting too much. This seems to be the feeling of many of us and the new casts are something I would not recommend to a novice hobbyist due to the extended prep times, skill and repair materials required.

I would totally recommend this to a novice hobbyist... I would also recommend buying it in person and not accept any flaws. There are flawless finecast models out there. They do exist and they are not a fluke. I was able to de-sprue Gandalf, clean mold lines with a knife and assemble in less than 10 minutes without issue.

If you get a good model, it really is easy to use and easy to assemble... But only if you get a good model. I am not going to tell people to buy a bunch of GS and re-sculpt half a gun and suck it up. GW will replace your miscasts for free, so just get them replaced.

I've actually not had any problems with the two finecast models I have bought- The Hive Tyrant and the Eldar Autarch. I know many people have, but even if they do have small problems, these are easily remedied, and if they're totally unacceptable, just swap them in store. True, you may say this is an unneccessary inconveinience and you'd be right, but having a hive tyrant smash to pieces on the floor after you've accidently knocked it off, is an unneccessary inconveinience too.

nkelsch wrote:

AvatarForm wrote:

As farmersboy has explained, stan, you are not expecting too much. This seems to be the feeling of many of us and the new casts are something I would not recommend to a novice hobbyist due to the extended prep times, skill and repair materials required.

I would totally recommend this to a novice hobbyist... I would also recommend buying it in person and not accept any flaws. There are flawless finecast models out there. They do exist and they are not a fluke. I was able to de-sprue Gandalf, clean mold lines with a knife and assemble in less than 10 minutes without issue.

If you get a good model, it really is easy to use and easy to assemble... But only if you get a good model. I am not going to tell people to buy a bunch of GS and re-sculpt half a gun and suck it up. GW will replace your miscasts for free, so just get them replaced.

We are yet to see proof of one.

Purchased 3 so far, all from the first shipment. I have posted this in another thread but have repeated here.

Gorbad Ironclaw- shields he's standing on are not fully formed. Picked him over the other one in store whose trophy head had a chunk of resin obscuring the face. I decided the shields could be buried in the dirt. Not happy in the least, but settled for it because I needed him for a game.

Eldar Shadowseer- big hole in head, can see where the vent didn't connect to the model, leaving a hole. This was my first purchase and it made me physically ill to look at, but I felt so bad because I had to return the guy below... Had to do multiple layers of glue, file, glue, file but I think it will look passable. Barely. The head may look a little squished, like a newborn baby, though. End result- should have returned it but kept it because I felt bad returning all of the stores first sales of finecast.

Azhag- I was SO excited to get this model. But this guy was a mess. Wings were full of holes and tissue thin. All three boxes in the store had two of the same wings (All rights, no lefts... or was it the other way? regardless, none had a set). Also, all three had the tissue-thin holey wings. I returned him and bought a metal one off Ebay for $55. Will not buy a finecast of him- don't want to go through that again.

I've checked out a few of the restocks in the store and found several more miscast, and several that might be OK. I just feel repulsed a the thought of having to do QC on a purchase like this. Overall, they would be great if they were half the price. At this price, I expect more. A lot more. Its like going to the porsche dealer and getting sold a kia or hyundai with a porsche sticker on it, for porsche price...

AvatarForm wrote:

We are yet to see proof of one.

I have a whole photo gallery of a flawless gandalf... No one is trying to promote the myth that there are no good casts out there ir it is impossible to get one... Finecast is capable of being cast without miscasts, mold misalignment's and bubbles all over. If GW does QC, it works. I have visited a GW with dozens of confirmed flawless casts and they open them at the cash register to confirm quality before sale.

I wouldn't accept anything less that perfect because it does exist and is common and your right as a customer.

nkelsch wrote:

AvatarForm wrote:

We are yet to see proof of one.

I have a whole photo gallery of a flawless gandalf... No one is trying to promote the myth that there are no good casts out there ir it is impossible to get one... Finecast is capable of being cast without miscasts, mold misalignment's and bubbles all over. If GW does QC, it works. I have visited a GW with dozens of confirmed flawless casts and they open them at the cash register to confirm quality before sale.

I wouldn't accept anything less that perfect because it does exist and is common and your right as a customer.

One is not the majority.

This is not a range that should be recommended to novices until GW pulls its finger out with the QC.

However, the fact remains that some of those deemed acceptable in this thread are not flawless, and a novice (most new gamers in GW stores) would not be equipped to prepare and fix the flaws.

Now, going upon what I have personally experienced in GW stores all over AUS, the Red Shirt usually does not have the incentive to assist the hobbyist beyond the cash register. Of course, they may suggest buying some of their 400% markup GreenStuff o resculpt those missing pieces and using GW super glue to fill bubbles, but these should not be required in the range that is supposedly the Second Coming...

AvatarForm wrote:

This is not a range that should be recommended to novices until GW pulls its finger out with the QC.

However, the fact remains that some of those deemed acceptable in this thread are not flawless, and a novice (most new gamers in GW stores) would not be equipped to prepare and fix the flaws.

A novice is perfectly capable of visually inspecting product in the store and not handing over money for a flawed product. GW clearly knows the issues as they are exchanging without issue and are actively trying to send people home with complete unflawed boxes or NOTHING before a flawed piece.

Have you actually experienced a Redshirt telling you to buy GS and fill your own bubbles and refuse to take a return? I haven't seen anyone claiming GW redshirts doing that.

I would recommend it to novices, just make sure you get a flawless model or don't give them your money. Once the box/blister is opened and unpurchased, they have to return it to GW anyways.

I have purchased and assembled the following Finecast models.

Nurgle Daemon Prince
Space Marine Terminator Librarian
4x Tyranid Hive Guard

The only model to have any flaws was the Terminator Librarian. I have heard this same thing from many other people who have bought the Librarian. His staff was terribly mishaped but since I planned to replace it with a Force Sword from the GKT kit it wasn't a big deal. In fact the ease of conversion of the Finecast SM Terminator into a GK terminator has made me a fan of Finecast for "hero" models that you want to give a custom feel too.

The Hive Guard were all fine as far as the casting quality goes but the amount of cutting I had to do to remove the little strands of chaff was pretty ridiculous compared to the DP and Terminator Libby.

All in all not terrible, not fantastic. Better than metal imo!

nkelsch wrote:

AvatarForm wrote:

This is not a range that should be recommended to novices until GW pulls its finger out with the QC.

However, the fact remains that some of those deemed acceptable in this thread are not flawless, and a novice (most new gamers in GW stores) would not be equipped to prepare and fix the flaws.

A novice is perfectly capable of visually inspecting product in the store and not handing over money for a flawed product. GW clearly knows the issues as they are exchanging without issue and are actively trying to send people home with complete unflawed boxes or NOTHING before a flawed piece.

I would recommend it to novices, just make sure you get a flawless model or don't give them your money. Once the box/blister is opened and unpurchased, they have to return it to GW anyways.

So...... How come i have to QC my own models now?
yes, when i have bought models in the past (ironically most of the purchases i have made myself have been metal and totally without problem) i have checked them over to make sure they arent broken or something, but do you really expect me to look over everything with a magnifying glass just to make sure finest, highest quality figures we've ever seen isnt faulty in some way?!

I am a total novice when it comes to modelling and theres no way i would even be able to deal with bubbles. My point is though, why should i have to? If Finecast is so good (and they have put the price to match), then i shouldnt even have to think about it.


Also, someone mentioned above that the Red Shirts were opening blisters at the till to make sure there were no faults.
Does this not strike anyone as odd?
If it is the finest, highest quality figures we've ever seen, surely this would be unnecessary?

A novice is perfectly capable of visually inspecting product in the store

I suppose, if they know that it is now mandatory, but who expects to have to inspect everything they purchase.

Bought the Dark Eldar Succubus from GW direct (online) and it arrived this morning...

At a glance she looked fine (without taking her out of the blister) but then I opened it up and the list of problems began. Aside from similar problems (in the same places) as AvatarForm had with his, my girl also had no chin (a lovely gaping hole of an airbubble), horrifically scarred hair that would require GS and a little sculpting to fix, a badly pock marked back banner (would look very Nurgle), a deformed whip with chunks missing (don't look like airbubbles) and varying other rough/pockmarked areas that need to be fixed before I'd even consider painting the model. And I missed the worst bit for a while (not sure how), double checked her before making this post and suddenly realised her nose was little more than an airbubble purged sliver of flack. Cue the rant in the living room!

Yes it was a blind purchase but the quality is just stupidly bad. My husband got a Nurgle daemon prince at the same time and he seems to be fine and indeed due to being Nurgle, some of the minor flaws on him add to the character of the model. I did notice that he seemed quite warped though but until hubby begins putting him together will not know if thats going to be a problem. As for my lovely Succubus, its going to be amusing to phone up GW and see what they expect me to do with her. If they suggest I resculpt the nose... (I could just manage it but most people probably cannot.) ...I may just end up in fits of laughter!

Thus far finecast is very hit and miss for me... will be buying plastic Dark Eldar and converting a alot instead as I am not inclined to trust this product with delicate models.

Two Finecast Zoanthropes. One had an air bubble on the head carapace and one beneath a claw, one had 2 air bubbles in the head carapace. All of which will not be visible once painted.

So no serious issues, but a couple of minor issues usually related to resin models.