Ethan Clarke
Tabletop miniatures are small figurines used in tabletop games, such as wargames and board games. They come in a variety of materials, including plastic, resin, metal, and lead. Plastic miniatures are typically made from polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and can be further categorized into hard and soft plastic. Hard plastic, as the name suggests, is hard and snaps when bent, while soft plastic is more flexible and can be bent without breaking. ABS plastic is commonly used for high-quality tabletop miniatures, while polystyrene is often used for traditional models such as cars and planes. Plastic miniatures are detailed and easy to handle, but they are not as durable as metal miniatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common materials | Resin, plastic, and metal |
| Plastic quality | Varies; better detail retention means more brittleness |
| Plastic pros | Rich in detail, easy to handle, affordable, lightweight, comes in various colours and finishes |
| Plastic cons | Less durable, prone to breaking, less detailed than metal or resin |
| Metal pros | Long-lasting, durable, high precision and detail, attractive to players and collectors |
| Metal cons | More expensive than plastic, heavy, harder to transport or handle, requires more preparation before painting |
| Resin pros | Can capture fine details, lightweight, easy to handle and transport, smooth surface finish makes it easy to paint |
| Resin cons | Fragile, more expensive than other materials, overwhelming to work with, time-consuming |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Polystyrene plastic is used for painting miniatures
Polystyrene plastic, also known as High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), is a commonly used material for tabletop miniatures. It is the same plastic used for traditional models such as cars and planes and is compatible with plastic cement, which is commonly used for assembling miniatures.
When preparing polystyrene miniatures for painting, it is important to address any imperfections that may occur during the casting process, such as incomplete casting, undercuts, or mould lines. Incomplete casting can result in thin pieces, such as swords or bayonets, not being fully formed. Undercuts refer to the presence of plastic material where there should be a hole, and mould lines are fine lines that occur where the two parts of the mould meet.
To remove mould lines from polystyrene miniatures, one can use polystyrene cement, which dissolves the plastic. However, it is important to note that the same techniques used for preparing hard plastic miniatures may not work for soft plastic miniatures. For soft plastic miniatures, alternative methods such as placing the miniature in the freezer to harden the plastic may be necessary.
Before painting polystyrene miniatures, it is generally not necessary to wash them as they are usually free of residue. However, washing with dish soap and water can be done as a precaution to ensure paint adhesion. Overall, polystyrene plastic is a suitable material for painting miniatures, offering a balance between detail and ease of handling.
Installing Plastic Interior Wall Panels: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic miniatures are less durable than metal ones
Plastic and metal are two of the most common materials used for tabletop miniatures. While plastic miniatures are detailed, easy to handle, and cost-effective, they are less durable than their metal counterparts.
Plastic miniatures are made from materials such as ABS plastic or polystyrene, which are known for their flexibility and ease of de-moulding. This flexibility can be advantageous, as it allows for intricate designs and easy customisation. However, the same quality also makes plastic miniatures more susceptible to crushing and breaking, especially when it comes to thin parts. Repairing broken plastic miniatures can be challenging, and it may be difficult to restore them to their original condition without noticeable signs of damage.
On the other hand, metal miniatures are renowned for their durability and longevity. Metal is the heaviest and most durable material when compared to plastic and resin. Metal miniatures can withstand more wear and tear and are less likely to break or crush compared to plastic ones. This makes them a desirable option for those seeking long-lasting tabletop miniatures.
The durability of metal miniatures comes at a cost, as they tend to be more expensive than plastic ones. Metal miniatures may also require more preparation before painting, including priming and cleaning. Additionally, their weight can make transportation and handling more challenging.
While plastic miniatures offer advantages in terms of cost, weight, and ease of handling, their lack of durability compared to metal miniatures is a significant consideration. For those seeking long-lasting miniatures with a timeless and classic look, metal may be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the choice between plastic and metal miniatures depends on the specific needs and preferences of the collector or player.
Polishing Your Plastic DND Dice: Easy Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Resin can be used as a miniature basing material
Resin is a versatile material that can be used as a miniature basing material for tabletop miniatures. It is a popular choice due to its comfort and ease of use, as it can be designed to fit miniatures perfectly, including scenery. Additionally, resin bases are often part of a set that includes the miniature itself.
One of the advantages of using resin as a miniature basing material is the ability to customise its characteristics. Resin can be tailored to be as hard as plastic or soft and bendy, depending on the specific type of resin and how it is mixed. This flexibility allows for easy de-moulding, preventing the material from snapping and getting left in the mould.
Resin is also a suitable option for those seeking high-quality miniatures. While plastic miniatures are straightforward to handle and glue, they lack durability, especially in thin parts that are prone to crushing and breaking. Metal, on the other hand, is the most durable material, but it is also the heaviest, and metal models often lack the level of detail achievable with other materials.
For those seeking a simple and fast solution, pre-made resin cast bases are readily available from hobby and miniature gaming companies. These bases come in various shapes, such as flat or round, with or without bevel edges. Users can simply glue their model to the base, paint it, and their miniature is ready. Alternatively, one can create their own resin bases using liquid resin and a suitable container for the desired shape. This do-it-yourself approach allows for a unique look for the miniature, although it requires extra time and effort.
Resin, plastic, and metal each have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of material ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user. It is worth noting that a collection need not be limited to a single material, as mixing different types is common and can enhance the overall modelling experience.
Plastic Wrappers: What's the Harm?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic miniatures are easier to modify than metal ones
Plastic, resin, and metal are the most common materials used for tabletop miniatures. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on the specific needs and preferences of the project. Plastic miniatures are rich in detail and easy to handle, making them a popular choice for custom miniatures. They are also cost-effective and readily available, making them suitable for large-scale projects.
One advantage of plastic miniatures is that they are easier to modify than metal ones. Plastic can be glued and converted without much difficulty, whereas metal miniatures are more challenging to work with. Metal is the heaviest and most durable material among the three, but it lacks the same level of detail as plastic and resin miniatures. Metal miniatures are also more expensive and may require additional preparation before painting.
The flexibility of plastic makes it easier to de-mould, reducing the risk of snapping and getting left in the mould. This flexibility also allows for customisation in terms of colour and finish. Plastic miniatures come in various colours and finishes, and the material can be tailored to the desired level of hardness or softness.
Additionally, plastic miniatures are lightweight and easy to transport, making them more convenient to work with than metal miniatures, which can be heavy and difficult to handle. The weight of metal miniatures also makes them more prone to breaking, especially during transportation or handling. While plastic miniatures may also break, their lightweight nature makes them less likely to suffer damage.
Overall, plastic miniatures offer a good balance of detail, durability, and ease of modification. They are a cost-effective and versatile option for creating a wide range of products, from cheap toys to high-end miniatures. For these reasons, plastic is often the material of choice for custom tabletop miniatures.
Replacing Plastic Keys: Volvo's 2006 Model Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
ABS plastic is used for Lego and some tabletop miniatures
ABS plastic is commonly used for Lego bricks and some tabletop miniatures. Lego bricks made from ABS plastic are strong, stable, and scratch-resistant. ABS plastic is also used for “classic” Lego bricks because it offers the characteristics necessary for the interlocking of these elements, known as Clutch Power. Lego has also used other plastics such as CA, a thermoplastic that softens when heated and hardens when cooled, and polystyrene, which is very durable but can be brittle.
While ABS plastic is commonly used for Lego bricks, it is not the only plastic that Lego uses. Lego uses a variety of plastics depending on the specific application, such as HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) for baseplates, PA (Polyamide) for gears and connectors, and MABS (Methylmethacrylate Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) for transparent parts. Lego tires are made from SEBS (Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene), a plastic similar to rubber, while the Lego brick separator and other transparent elements are made from TP (Thermoplastic Polyester).
In the world of tabletop miniatures, a variety of materials are used, including plastic, resin, and metal. ABS plastic is commonly used for miniatures in some tabletop games, such as "Of Mice and Mystics" and "Scythe". However, polystyrene or High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is the most common plastic used for models produced by companies like Games Workshop and Wyrd. Resin is another popular material for miniatures as it can be tailored to the desired level of hardness or flexibility, and it can also be coloured.
The choice of material for miniatures depends on various factors, including production costs, the specific style of the game, tradition, and the preferences of producers and clients. Plastic miniatures are detailed and easy to handle, but they may not be as durable as metal miniatures, especially if they have thin parts that are prone to crushing and breaking.
Overall, ABS plastic is a versatile material used for Lego bricks and some tabletop miniatures, offering advantages such as strength, stability, and scratch resistance. However, Lego and miniature manufacturers also utilise a range of other plastics and materials to suit specific functional and aesthetic requirements.
Understanding Plastic's Melting Point: Degrees of Transformation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Tabletop miniatures are made from a variety of plastics, including ABS plastic, polystyrene (or High-Impact Polystyrene, HIPS), soft polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PLA Filament.
Plastic miniatures are rich in detail and easy to handle. Gluing and converting plastic miniatures is usually straightforward, and they are lighter than metal models of the same size.
Plastic miniatures are not very durable. Thin parts made from plastic are susceptible to crushing and breaking, and repairs are often challenging to hide.
In addition to plastic, tabletop miniatures are commonly made from resin and metal. Resin miniatures can be as detailed as plastic ones, while metal miniatures are the most durable but lack the same level of detail.
Yes, resin miniatures can be either hard or soft and bendy, depending on the specific type of resin used and how it is mixed. Metal miniatures are typically made from a white metal alloy, which may include lead or be lead-free.
