I am now the proud owner of my first finecast figure.

I know there has been a lot of finecast discussion over the past wee while but I wanted to know a few things. Is finecast really a health hazard? And there was talk of finecast breaking down overtime/not lasting. Is there any truth to this? Should i be investing in fincecast Vault Wardens or should I shell out the extra for the metal ones on ebay?

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You're not supposed to file any form of resin because breathing the dust is harmful, but fine cast particularly, is so soft, that you'd be better off cleaning it with a sharp knife anyway.

Other than that, I've never heard of it being a health hazard.

Personally I avoid it because the old models in particular have quality control issues. It's also a very soft material, and so even when cast well, totally unsuitable for spear and pole arm weapons, and generally thin components. I also think it has shrinkage problems- fine cast models often seem to have shrunk way from the mold, and lost volume slightly, which can give faces and find details a ragged and hollow look.

But I'm quite fussy about such things. Many people don't notice, or simply don't care about really tiny issues. However, if you spend many hours painting a model then you'll probably agree that fine cast just isn't good enough for the calibre of producer who makes it. If you paint quickly to a basic tabletop standard then it probably won't be an issue for you.

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I think I noticed this issue on a model I bought like two months ago (the new Elrond) but I didn't care too much about it, I thought It was me being too much paranoid, it was also my first finecast model.

Do you guys think I should be asking GW for another model? The mounted version was perfect but I was quite annoyed because the foot version with this undernourished face.

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To be perfectly honest, if it doesn't bother you, I wouldn't worry about it. The new models which have been mastered recently, having learned from the earlier mistakes, are still a lot better. On the tabletop you certainly won't notice. If you're painting for display, then IMO it's a problem.

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The worst culprit are the older miniatures, most often the metal ones which have been altered to Finecast. I've had so many problems with these types of miniatures I just won't buy them anymore. Although I only have three new Finecast miniatures (Radagast standing, Grim Hammer Captain and Thror), I have to say there is a markedly noticeable improvement in the newer casts. Even Radagast's staff and the pole of the Grim Hammer's mattock are fairly rigid conidering it's finecast, the only issue I've had was Thror's sword which was completely bent over, but this was quickly swapped out for a better version by my local GW (even though the newer sword still needed a slight straightening). Luckily, 99% of GW staff know finecast is awful, so if you ever have any issues they'll often sort it out without any lengthy discussion or discrepancies.

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Sorry but I burst out laughing when I read 'undernourished face'.

On another note, the only finecast I have bought is 40k, but both of these were perfect, and I would even say the quality looked (being the operative word) better than metal, and these were some of the first models to be changed over.

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I have had mixed experience with finecast. From really good to total pants.
I have some finecase vault wardens and had no problem straightening out the long spear with some warm water. Yet my mounted Azog was awful and had more work and milliput than I would have expected.
Still haven't made my mind up yet, I find finecast glues and sticks together a little quicker and easier than metal which for me is a bonus and my recent treebeard finecast model was awesome and looks really great.

Thanks for all the informative responses guys. Appreciate it. I re-call reading on here about finecast not standing up to the test of time or something.

Can anyone expand on that?

I seem to think that someone was worried it would simply break down over a period of time? I think someone mentioned a mode that was sagging under its own weight? Dweller in the dark maybe?

Can anyone clarify? Is there any difference say in finecast life vs plastic life? I'd expect a plastic model to last a lifetime should it be looked after but I seem to re-call someone expressing doubt about finecast lasting at all.

Thanks for the replies.

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Oooh, I'm curious about the Dweller now. I have recently developed a soft spot for these guys and was hoping to add one or two to my collection. If they droop down over time though, I'm concerned.

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Fine cast has been linked to Gynecomastia. This may be a problem if you cast it.If you are young treat it like lead and wear gloves until it is primed.

Sagging is well documented with fine cast resin. You will find all kinds of advice on how to temporarily repair it online. Warm water will soften it so will warm air. Resin will become brittle over time. So will plastic. Even green army men oxidise and become brittle. I have some Marks plastic models that are too brittle to handle.Others seem better. It depends on heat and light.The Marks figures are 50 years old.

I cast resin. I don't use it for small thin parts. The flexible resins sag so does lead. GW LOTR models were tin. Lead is more malleable than tin. That is why tin swords break when you try to bend them. Hard resins also break. So will fine cast when it drys out.

Tin will last a long time. Some alloys are better than others. Prime metal and you probably not have to worry about it. Plastic can last 20+ years, longer if it is primed painted and cared for. I would not think a resin model with thin parts like swords would survive moderate gaming for long. How many plastic GW plastic horses break off the bases? How many swords or pikes break? I do not know. I do know that resin is more brittle than plastic.
The resin models will last longer on the display self than in the transport case.The same thing can be said for plastic and metal.
GW may have changed the resin in fine cast. It may be better but it is still resin.

How long will fine cast models last? I do not know. I am not going to buy any more so I wont have to worry about it.

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