Modeling Mediums 103

StephenLawson · 29 July 2003, 07:46 AM

Now were getting into it. Pop Quiz; What is 'white metal' composed of?

29 July 2003, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Pop Quiz; What is 'white metal' composed of?

About 92% Tin, 6% Antimony, and 2% Copper.

StephenLawson · 29 July 2003, 09:53 AM

vonLemming - Bravo sir well said. Now are there variations of this formula? If so why if not why?

We have white metal figures/ detail parts because its;
1. Easy to mold
2. Easy to work with.
3. Less toxic than lead.
4. Easy to paint.

The disadvantage is its weight over all. T.A Adkins of the UK used to provide 1/72 scale all metal WWI airtcraft. Has any one here ever built one of these. Can you describe the process? How do you prep white metal, why do you primer it, what advantage does it have over other mediums?

RLWP · 29 July 2003, 11:51 AM

I have done quite a bit of whitemetal figure painting and I always prime, if only because the detail then becomes easier to see.

One advantage is in the use of rubber moulds that allow parting lines to follow the contours of the object being cast e.g down a torso then down a leg. This allows quite complex shapes to be made without using expensive injection moulds. A lot of detail is also possible. Another advantage would be the strength of the castings.

A mixed blessing would be the ductility of the material. Great if you want to bend the arm on a figure into a new pose, but a damn nuisance if you had a bent set of struts.

Richard

29 July 2003, 10:41 PM

And here I always thought it was lead with a light coat of white paint.

StephenLawson · 30 July 2003, 06:56 AM

As I have had a question posed to me off line lets go back on the topic of resin momentarily. The question was; All the resin piece I have seen are not that great does anyone make a good affordable figure or detail set in 1/48 WWI subjects?

StephenLawson · 30 July 2003, 06:58 AM

Here's the Aillied pilot group.

StephenLawson · 30 July 2003, 07:02 AM

Heres some of their Field assessories packs.

StephenLawson · 30 July 2003, 07:10 AM

Then there is Copper State Models. Evidently Justin Young (Jager) sculpted these as well.

Rob_Owens · 30 July 2003, 02:34 PM

Can anyone imagine those gems above being done in whitemetal? The weight of such accessory parts alone, much less the nature of the material to bend/distort between manufacture and assembly, has essentially spelled/spellt the demise of WM as a serious medium. Just look at what Ross M was able to do w/resin "on the bench" for his duplicate Albi radiator. I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 1/24 Nie.17, and simultaneously, wondering what I'll do to replace the WM parts. Hey, Ross, Ol' Buddy, care to do some contract work???