Thursday 26 September 2013

Quick tips on working with resin model kits

Some miniature brands carried by Shire Works, namely Ax Faction and Nocturna Models, are purely resin model kits which require preparation and assembly before they can be primed and painted. Below are some quick basic tips on preparing the resin for paint.

Basic tools
Available in most local hobby stores or hardware shops, the basic tools that you will need to begin working with resin models are clippers, hobby knife, fine grain emery boards (or abrasive papers) and super glue.   



Safety precautions
Because resin dust particles may act as an irritant to your lungs, the use a dust or face mask when working with resin model kits is recommended.


Removing resin parts from the sprue
As with most model kits, a majority of the resin parts come attached to a sprue so the first step would be to remove the said parts using clippers. When doing so, it is perhaps best not to cut too close to the part in question. Cutting too close to the part with clippers can sometimes cause accidental damage. Also leaving a bit of the sprue on the part to be worked on by finer tools such as hobby files and emery boards allows you greater control when removing the rest of the sprue.

Removing a resin part from the sprue

Once the part has been removed from the sprue, first use the clippers to cut away as much of the remaining sprue as you can. Subsequently, smooth out what remains with a hobby file. If the part is delicate, you can replace the hobby file with a fine grain emery board. 

Using clippers to cut as close as possible to the part
Further smoothing out using a hobby file


Removing mould lines
One by-product of a resin model kit's casting process are mould lines around some of the parts. The mould lines are easily removed by scrapping a hobby knife gently and carefully over them. Any imperfections left over from the mould lines removal process can be easily rectified by smoothing the surface with a fine emery board. However, such imperfections are also easily covered up when you spray the model with an undercoat or primer.   

Using a hobby knife to remove mould lines from a resin part


Removing flash
Occasionally, you may also find some flash - a thin membrane of resin that is also a by-product of the casting process. This are very easily removed using a hobby knife.   


Removing flash with a hobby knife


Warping
In some instances, resin model kits may contain parts that have warped slightly. One key advantage to using a resin kit is that it can be warmed up and reshaped slightly. As such warping can be rectified by blasting the warped part with hot air from a hair dryer for about 5 to 10 seconds or more. This allows the part to be straightened and held in place until it cools and hardens again, which is about another 5-10 seconds or more. Be careful not to bend the parts too much to prevent breakage.

A warped resin part - shape is slightly bent


Washing
Once you have cleaned up the resin model kit by removing the mould lines and flash, there is yet another casting by-product to be removed i.e. the release agent used by manufacturers to remove the resin castings from their mould. Such agents can prevent paint from adhering well to the resin parts. To ensure proper removal of any such release agent that may still be present, the resin parts should be washed using soapy water and scrubbed carefully with an old toothbrush with soft bristles.

Washing the resin part with some dish soap and an old toothbrush


Gluing the resin model kit
For the final stage, the resin parts are glued together using superglue. Do not use plastic glue as it will not work on resin parts and will only result in a gooey mess.

Nocturna Models Freya - Assembled and ready for priming and paint
Ax Faction Giant Hunter - Assembled and ready for priming and paint

Well that's it for this basic guide on working with your resin model kits. Have fun!

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Shire Works in Figure Painter Magazine

A miniature that was painted as a promotional piece for Shire Works has made the pages of the latest issue of Figure Painter Magazine, a UK publication that caters to the miniature hobbyist. If you want to check out detailed photos of the painted Nocturna Models Freya, please visit my personal blog, more specifically here is the exact link to the post in question => http://foureyed-monster.blogspot.com/2013/08/nocturna-models-freya-completed.html.

Figure Painter Magazine - Issue # 5

Figure Painter Magazine is a fairly new publication but one that has plenty of information for hobbyists, both new and experienced.

Latest issue which shows Freya as painted by Shire Works (bottom right corner)

Below are selected photos of Freya which shows how a Nocturna Models miniature could look like after assembly and painting.


Thanks for reading and have a nice day. Coming soon are tips on how to work with resin model kits such as Nocturna Models as well as an in-depth look at another brand that Shire Works carries i.e. Knight Models.
 

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Knight Models stock arrives

Knight Models miniatures has arrived in Malaysia and can now be purchased from Shire Works. Imported from Spain, the initial stock comprises characters based on the Marvel Universe and the Madrid-based company's own Terror Series.

Superheroes or zombies ... take your pick

A more detailed description of the Knight Models white metal and/or resin miniature kits will be shown soon, so do check the Shire Works blog for future updates. 

Monday 2 September 2013

Introducing Ax Faction miniatures

Ax Faction is a UK-based company which produces edgy and exquisite 32mm resin miniatures with brash styling and provocative design based on the semi-secret sect of Hunters from history. All Ax Faction miniatures are all sculpted from the outset at 32mm scale by hand. They come packaged in a sturdy protective cardboard box measuring about 5cm (length) by 5cm (width) by 2.5cm (height).

Simple but effective packaging for the Ax Faction miniatures
A sample unboxing, in this case the Forsaken Princess or Witch Hunter

Produced for the painter, collector, role-player and wargamer, the Ax Faction miniatures also come with collectible A5-sized art cards. These double-sided cards contain a brief description of the miniatures on one side and it's artwork on the other.

Each Ax Faction miniatures comes with an A5 art card
Both sides of the Forsaken Princess art card

Being a resin model kit, the Ax Faction miniatures are highly detailed and come unpainted as well as require assembly. As with any other resin kits, the miniatures do contain the usual mould lines, flash, etc, which must be removed during the preparation stage prior to priming and painting. Coming soon in the Shire Works blogshop will be a post on how to work with resin miniatures so stay tuned for that. Shown below are some official pictures of unpainted but fully assembled Ax Faction miniatures.

Zombie Hunter - Fully assembled but unpainted
Troll Hunter - Fully assembled but unpainted
Giant Hunter - Fully assembled but unpainted

And here are some official photos of how the Ax Faction miniatures can look like when fully painted up. As you can see, the miniatures make an excellent canvas for painters who delight in smallest of details.


Victorian Darling - Kraken Hunter (painted)
Forsaken princess - Witch Hunter (painted)

Shire Works has brought in a selected range of Ax Faction miniatures into Malaysia and priced them at attractive introductory prices. COD is available at selected locations in the Klang Valley / Kuala Lumpur. Please email me at shireworks@gmail.com to know more.

Coming soon: Tips on working with resin model kits.