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The mold produces sealed, open and broken barrels, and a large wine-cellar type barrel (very useful for those ImagiNations that produce "happy grapes" in all their charming variety!); buckets and large ceramic-style pots; a fountain/font/bird bath; open sacks and closed sacks both individual and piled; a treasure chest (suitable for any 17th to early 19th century game, especially those involving pirates!); three types of wooden crate (the largest size is open with an optional lid, the other two are molded in sealed configuration). There are a few items specifically for fantasy/sci-fi games such as crystals and stone formations, and a rough stone slab which can be used as a door or the back of a fountain and so on. These can also be adapted for wargaming purposes.
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I use Merlin's Magic, a hard molding plaster from Clint Sales produced specifically for the hobby and it produces good results as seen above. Another cheaper type perhaps more readily available in hobby outlets or online is Hydrostone. Both plasters are durable and take inks and paint easily, especially the cheap acrylics sold in most hobby stores. I don't recommend plaster of Paris as it's too soft for the molding process.*
The mold retails at $34, and lasts for years. Anyone can produce good casting results by following the simple advice given on the Hirst website. I think one would be of most use to a gaming group or club, who can spread the expense of buying the mold and plaster and share all the products therefrom. For a big gaming project that requires a lot of scenic items of this kind, I think it's more economical to produce them this way than to buy retail. Although it does take time to make castings in worthwhile amounts, there's a certain satisfaction gained from the process.*
For the record I have no connection with the Hirst Arts company other than as a very satisfied customer. The opinions above are just my 2 cents worth of contribution to my favorite hobby of wargaming.
4 comments:
What's the long thin slightly squiggly bit on the lower left of the mold, just above the circluar bit?
I have a number of Hirst molds, but haven't purchased a new one in quite a while. He does make quality products as well as provide quality customer service.
Fitz, the squiggly line is the stone door. It's molded in one half with detail each side, so two castings are needed to make up the whole.
Bruce Hirst does provide quality products and service. I'm aiming to buy some of his sci-fi molds to make futuristic buildings for my own skirmish rules.
You can also buy casts from a # of authorized Hirst Arts distributors (like myself). This allows people who do not wish to invest in the time or learning curve to make their own casts to still be able to build similar builds or accessories. Usually you can pick up a single cast of an HA mold for a couple dollars.
Very true, Naloomi. It's a perfectly valid way to do things, and is more economical for most purposes.
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