15mm - Multiple part castings or not?

list_lurker · Post by **list_lurker** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:22 pm

Do you prefer your 15mm figures to be single piece casting for ease of use, but limited variety/spaghetti spears. Or do you like the option to mix and match parts to give optimum customisation/variety?

Strategos69 · Post by **Strategos69** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:41 am

It would be hard to take a decision with such a poll. That is mostly even!

By the way, just for the sake of knowing, why do you prefer the single casting?

titanu · Post by **titanu** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:06 pm

list_lurker wrote:Do you prefer your 15mm figures to be single piece casting for ease of use, but limited variety/spaghetti spears. Or do you like the option to mix and match parts to give optimum customisation/variety?

I do quite a bit of converting hence I like multi-part figures but only for weapons, heads and even split at the waist. I do not like separate arms as it is difficult to get a them to stay stuck for ever! Unless these have a proper spigot on the arm and a hole in the shoulder.
I always swap the cast weapons for wire spears, lances javelins etc. So I like a chunky hand so I can drill a hole with a pin vice.
I also make sure lances etc. have two points of contact hand and horses neck of shield. I use the pin vice to reem a channel to hold the spear shaft.
Here are a few pics.

Delbruck · Post by **Delbruck** » Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:25 pm

Very impressive Persians

will05 · Post by **will05** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:53 am

Definitely multi ,part and separate spears, but must be able to make good and lasting bonds when glued or pinned. This allows for greater variety and a much more dynamic mini.

Irmin · Post by **Irmin** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:19 am

Multipart but only because I don't like "regular" or "drilled" troop formations.

paulburton · Post by **paulburton** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:44 pm

I definitely prefer single casting (even for mounted figures). I find that weapons and shields never stay fixed indefinitely and riders almost always sit awkwardly (slight lean anyone?) when glued to their horses unless the horse and rider are sculpted specifically for each other rather than the common 'a few standard horses for the whole range' set up.

But then I have always favoured footslogger armies anyway

ethan · Post by **ethan** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:46 pm

Strongly prefer that spear/pikes are not part of the casting. I replace all my lead spears with wire these days.

horse and rider seperate is fine.

Irmin · Post by **Irmin** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:33 am

paulburton wrote:I definitely prefer single casting (even for mounted figures). I find that weapons and shields never stay fixed indefinitely and riders almost always sit awkwardly (slight lean anyone?) when glued to their horses unless the horse and rider are sculpted specifically for each other rather than the common 'a few standard horses for the whole range' set up.

But then I have always favoured footslogger armies anyway

Do you ride? A slight lean is normal, nobody sits the same way in the saddle as everyone else no matter how well trained. A massive lean on the other hand is unacceptable

Jilu · Post by **Jilu** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:43 am

for me as long as only torso and legs are separated it is ok

heads/hands or arms in a bad idea these come off to easely

important is to have several horse poses 3-4 is ideal as you can add lots of diversity

weapons adding swords etc instead of spear would be even better as i think most of us now use wire spears/lances and one handed weapons might enable us to add diversity or to decide to make cv bow cv lance

Strategos69 · Post by **Strategos69** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:47 am

I prefer detached shields and arms, especially if, as noted, there is the possibility of having separate spears or swords. However, it is true that it requires that the connecting points are good. In the other hand, I do not like separate hands or arms as they might be troublesome for little gain (unless we are talking about plastic, for sure). It is also good to have castings that are not monolithic. I mean that they are not a single trunk of metal but the arms and legs are slightly separated. That way you can make some conversions whereas with very compact miniatures it is not possible.

lawrenceg · Post by **lawrenceg** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:18 am

I much prefer a figure with an open hand to one with a spear, javelin etc because lead spears generally get bent or broken.

I have found it handy to have separate shields in some cases, also separate horses as I sometimes find myself making up non-standard figures, or disagreeing with the figure designer's research.

marco · Post by **marco** » Fri May 13, 2011 7:12 am

multipart is a good thing
you can get different figure with it

one of the best with this concept in 15 mm are mirliton
with spear/shield/sword/heavy weapon given separetely

ravenflight · Post by **ravenflight** » Sat May 14, 2011 1:52 am

list_lurker wrote:Do you prefer your 15mm figures to be single piece casting for ease of use, but limited variety/spaghetti spears. Or do you like the option to mix and match parts to give optimum customisation/variety?

I've cast

my vote, but I just wanted to specify:

Multi-cast is the way to go, but it's gotta be well done. I don't mind spending time assembling miniatures if I get a good 'end result', but I have found many multipart miniatures don't do well. The old Chariot did fairy well with multipart.

I also don't like 'open hand' figure. Give me a closed (slightly oversized) fist with a dimple in it so that I can drill through the hand well at any angle I wish to.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:12 pm

Weapons---Yes, Heads-Yes---Torso-Yes Arms----Never! So how the hell do I vote?

hazelbark · Post by **hazelbark** » Tue May 17, 2011 5:11 pm

OPen for spears and such is fine.

But heads and arms, I understand why, but it is usually a reason not to buy for me.

hammy · Post by **hammy** » Tue May 17, 2011 9:00 pm

Open hands are OK but anything more and I suspect I would steer clear completely. I really really hate sticking tiny things together.