@ Pixelgeek:
Which tool? The GW Scraper? It was demoed to me in store years ago when it came out and Failcast was new. I wasn't impressed then, and GW have stated that this new one is the same thing with a new handle.
If you mean the other scrapers (like the one I linked to), then yes - I bought it and use it quite often now.
Have you used many scrapers on models? If so, what did you find was the best value/most useful?
@ Vermis:
Yeah, I kind of assumed that the "Wax 5" was the "W&NS7 Size 1" of the sculpting world!
However, you also covered my next comment which was why not use dental tools (which is what most "hobby sculpting tools" are in fact).
Personally, I am disappointed that GW wasted their effort on the nylon spatula tool when a silicone-tipped tool would have been a far more useful inclusion in the set. I mean, you can use pretty much anything appropriate to gloop textured paint onto a base (even coffee stirrer sticks).
@ Dr Zombie:
Excellent point, although I suspect that many dentists just use an autoclave now. Given the relatively high cost of such tools and the fact that they're usually medical-grade stainless steel, I doubt anyone sends old tools off to be sterilised anymore.
Still, worth asking as I'm sure they are likely to have some older tools that they don't mind parting with.
@ Fram Framson:
Files are tricky. You usually get two types: ones with cut faces, and ones with abrasives bonded to them.
For our hobby purposes, the cut files are usually better and last longer.
The quality is less important than with other tools though. Partly, this is because if you file metal (especially lead) models, the file gets all gummed-up and loses its usefulness.
If you chalk your files (as in, lightly run them over a piece of ordinary chalk - one stroke per face), the material arising from filing doesn't get stuck so readily. With a stiff brush, you can just clean down the files ready for next time; even cheap files last a long time like this!
Chalking can make a bit more mess though, and can remove some of the "bite" from the file. I don't really mind, as the filings make a mess anyway, and the softer abrasion is kinder to the models. It does also reduce the difference in quality between "good" files and "bad" files, so as long as they are not truly awful, I'd go with the cheap Chinese ones.
Based on that, I'd visit a good DIY or Electrical store and ask them what cut needle files they have. Or, if GF9 do a 5-peice set for $6, go with that.
If you happen to file lots of resin, plastic, etc, I'd swirl the files in some paint stripper from time to time to dissolve all the old build-up off them. I used to use Nitromors, but they the new formulation's rather pants now.
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Re: Wood Elves
I rather liked the old metals and plastics (from... 6E?), and actually feel that the plastics still hold up very well today (which is rare, as a lot of WHFB plastic troops from that time were a bit poor).
I do think that the WE need an update badly though; they are out of date by two editions, and used to have lots of metal models in the old ranges. Clearly, some new plastic kits are in order!
The new treeman... Hmm. I like that they are a bit more deamonic than the old (4-5E) treemen, although I never disliked the 6E metal one like many folks did. I do think that these new treemen may have moved a bit too far from looking like trees though! Durthu waving a huge glowing sword around isn't really doing it for me either. I'll wait for better pictures before I pass final judgement on them.
The new (plastic?) characters look great - of they are not £20 each, I'd let to get some.
I hope the plastic Glade Guard, Glade Riders, and Dryads remain though. I really like those, and with just a few extra bits and some thought, you can make a complete army just from them.
I wonder what we'll see to replace the treekin, Wild Riders, and Eternal Guard though? I'm a bit worried given the increasingly silly direction a lot of new GW stuff seems to have gone. Do we think that the eagles and Hawk Riders will go or be replaced? And will the WE get a unit riding stags?
In any event, I'm glad to see the WE getting some love at last. I always liked them (especially from 6E onwards, and I have a force of them!), but also felt that the general WHFB rules have been somewhat unsuitable/unkind to them over the various editions.
20 June 2008, 06:41:42 PM