Before starting it is always advisable to heat the mold and use it while warmed. This removes dampness, which can cause the hot metal to splatter and to allow a better flow of metal in the mold. The temperature may vary depending on the mold and metal used but I…
Category: Tutorials
Casting Tutorial: Melting the Metal
Melt the metal over the hob (Fig.1). Make sure metal is dry beforehand otherwise metal may spit and water escapes during melting. An electric hob is preferable for better control of the heat. Clamp molds together (Fig.2) and make sure rough sides of boards are facing into the mold. Do not over-clamp the mold as…
Casting Tutorial: Pouring the Mold
After following the previous two tutorials you should be ready to pour the properly heated metal into a correctly clamped dry mold. Pour the metal steadily, avoid hitting side of the pour hole. Do not stop until the pour hole ‘well’ is full. The weight of the metal in this ‘well’…
Casting Tutorial: Fine Tuning the Pour
After following the previous three tutorials you should be ready to vent the mold to get the metal into those hard to reach places like reins of horses or the bayonets on rifles. In the case of sprues surrounded by a frame you just cut a small vent from the…
Filling Tutorial: Clean up the Casting
Casting and cutting are finished but remember to file the parts before putting them together. Tools you will need when filing and Cleaning parts before putting the pieces of the figure together: (Fig.1). Curved Modeling Knife, Large Flat File (Medium, Fine), (Half-round) Needle files, small, medium large. Brass Wire Brush…
Filling Tutorial: Assembly
Casting and cutting are finished but remember to check the parts before gluing them together. Using a soft brass bristle brush, polish the figure: (Fig.1). Do not brush too hard (lightly brush) for the best results. You may reduce fine detail otherwise, especially around face or decorations. Polishing will show…
Painting Tutorial: Preparing the Figure
You must now begin the preparation for painting the figure, and this means priming it, the very first layer of paint to be added. (Fig.1). The items you need to use. Using a soft brass bristle brush, lightly dust the figure and parts again. Your choice of primer colour depends…
Painting Tutorial: Base Coat
Painting is often a very individual style so your style may vary but this is how I work.. (Fig.1). The instructions that came with the 80-series figure plus the box label for references. Attach the figure to a board so you are not handling the figure while painting. This avoids…
Painting Tutorial: Painting the Face
Today we concentrate on painting the face of our 80- 54mm figure. We are using the Acrylic paints from Vallejo. Part.1: Since we already primed the figure in grey we must add a base coat to begin this process. Make sure the face is clear of any dust first or it…
Painting Tutorial: Final Touches
Today we finish the painting of our 80- 54mm figure. We are using the Acrylic paints from Vallejo. Part.1: We have the basic uniform painted already and the skintones. Now we move on to the smaller areas. If any paint is difficult to squeeze out of their containers it may be…