K&C Special projects commissions (1 Viewer)

[jules118]

Just wondering if anybody has an idea of approximately how much it would cost to commission the K&C Special Projects Group to produce a figure and what the minimum quantity would be?

 

[The Military Workshop]

Julian,
From my discussions with K&C the cost is quite significant. Involves original sculptor and design costs and a minimum order which is in the hundreds and requires payment up front.
Regards
Brett

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

So Brett what is stopping you from starting your own Australian range .Maybe you could get some of your valued customers to chip in and do a Australian at war series.I would be interested in the prospect.Simmo.

 

[wayne556517]

Me to brett a series on the Aussie digger in Vietnam and the "Phantoms of the jungle".

 

[arnhem44mad]

Just wondering if anybody has an idea of approximately how much it would cost to commission the K&C Special Projects Group to produce a figure and what the minimum quantity would be?

I had asked for a quote for a tank crew of dead and wounded figures to fit a custom made King Tiger tank which I had bought, and I was quoted at like £2,000 pounds for four or five figures, that was 3 years ago!?

 

[jazzeum]

Back in the early days, they would do special things for collectors but I believe that just involved an existing piece; Louis has many one of a kind pieces and he can probably add to this question.

 

[marco55]

People don't realize all the money it takes to create items in any hobby or business.
Mark

 

[The Military Workshop]

Chris and Wayne,
The start up costs are very significant. Apart from K&C UK with their Crimean series the only other examples have been special figures such as for Kings X and one of the French outlets.
The maths and time needed to break even is not favourable for a relatively small dealer like me to create a "series".
Regards
Brett

 

[marco55]

I think thats why 3 or 4 dealers went into partnership to get that special LE Civil War set made by Britains.
Mark

 

[Kurt]

People don't realize all the money it takes to create items in any hobby or business.
Mark

Well, I have to confess I must be one of those people. What fixed costs are associated with producing one special figure? 3 or 4 days labor for a sculpter and master painter?

If Gordon can create one of his dioramas for $5k or whatever, how can the fixed costs of a single figure be more than say $1k. If only 100 are produced thats only an additional $10 on top of the variable cost.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think the real cost is in the tooling (the making of the mould)

 

[Kurt]

I think the real cost is in the tooling (the making of the mould)

What is costly about that?

 

[marco55]

Ken Osen where are you?
Mark

 

[thebritfarmer]

What is costly about that?

I don't know but that is what I was told by RC2 regarding the tractors they make. I was told the mold making could cost upto $25,000. I can't imagine it is a straight forward job making a mold.

 

[jules118]

Thanks for the responses so far folks. Hopefully I can get a rough approximation of the costs for a small run. I'm curious as I have an idea for something that fits within my collecting interest.

Having studied a bit of jewellery design/manufacturing as a hobby, I am a familiar with the actual process of wax sculpting, creating molds and then casting. But not in commercial quantities. $25k is a lot of money though and I would question whether it would cost that much for single figures.

 

[Kurt]

Thanks for the responses so far folks. Hopefully I can get a rough approximation of the costs for a small run. I'm curious as I have an idea for something that fits within my collecting interest.

Having studied a bit of jewellery design/manufacturing as a hobby, I am a familiar with the actual process of wax sculpting, creating molds and then casting. But not in commercial quantities. $25k is a lot of money though and I would question whether it would cost that much for single figures.

What were you thinking about having made?

 

[jules118]

What were you thinking about having made?

Well, my main interest is French Indochina and I have been collecting the SOHK figures. I wouldn't mind recreating a large(ish) parade that somehow tied these two together. Maybe Boxer Rebellion up to early WW1era French colonial, marine or foreign legion troops, marching through the streets of the orient.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Well, my main interest is French Indochina and I have been collecting the SOHK figures. I wouldn't mind recreating a large(ish) parade that somehow tied these two together. Maybe Boxer Rebellion up to early WW1era French colonial, marine or foreign legion troops, marching through the streets of the orient.

If there are any figures that are close to what you want, you might check into converting them. You could probably get them done for much, much less than a dedicated run. Depending on what you start with, a cost of $30 to $80 per figure would be in the ballpark I would think.