Ready Made Vs Kits (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

JB, you were one of the members I thought of when starting this post. I always notice your numerous post showing you current project. I can tell from your postings the joy and satisfaction you receive from your work. I know this because I experienced the same when I finish one of my figures too. I think the difference is that you take the time to take some pics to post on the forum. I rather tardy in this respect and just more on to the next "creative experience". :redface2: I guess I should try and be more diligent in that respect.

Congrats on all your fine work! Plus the fact that you share it with us here. :salute::

Chuck

Thanks Chuck - Glad you like the pics.

The main reason that I show what I'm doing - is to try and encourage others to have a go.

Part of my reasoning here is - that if more people buy castings and paint etc, the more likely such companies will stay in business - and we will all get the benefits of more products.

There's another benefit too from posting a pic. At the larger magnification of a computer screen - you can see any errors MUCH more clearly - and then correct them before hitting the button!

Then there's another benefit too - and it's financial. By and large, where the companies sell both painted and unpainted figures - the unpainted versions are usually half the price (or less) than the painted ones. It's no accident that some of the more expensive painted only manufacturers don't offer unpainted castings - as I don't think that if they offered them at around half-price, they would get any sales at all. They would be just too expensive.

But the main reason is that I get SO much pleasure from my hobby - I just want others to know about it. It's a creative process and just so enjoyable that I would like others to just have a go. jb

 

[marco55]

Thanks Chuck - Glad you like the pics.

The main reason that I show what I'm doing - is to try and encourage others to have a go.

Part of my reasoning here is - that if more people buy castings and paint etc, the more likely such companies will stay in business - and we will all get the benefits of more products.

There's another benefit too from posting a pic. At the larger magnification of a computer screen - you can see any errors MUCH more clearly - and then correct them before hitting the button!

Then there's another benefit too - and it's financial. By and large, where the companies sell both painted and unpainted figures - the unpainted versions are usually half the price (or less) than the painted ones. It's no accident that some of the more expensive painted only manufacturers don't offer unpainted castings - as I don't think that if they offered them at around half-price, they would get any sales at all. They would be just too expensive.

But the main reason is that I get SO much pleasure from my hobby - I just want others to know about it. It's a creative process and just so enjoyable that I would like others to just have a go. jb

John
I disagree on one point you make,The major companies that sell castings are charging $30=$40+ for a 1 figure for a 1/32 casting,$60-$70 for a 75mm and so on.Now I'm talking about Andrea,Pegaso,etc.I don't know about Stadden,Tradition,Tommy Atkins,companies like these.
Mark

 

[maddadicus]

Just to elaborate on my " other " vote. Back in my youth, I bought and painted all manner of plastic kits ( Monogram, Tamiya, etc..) I thoroughly enjoyed doing so and regret never saving any of my models. After high school, I got out of the habit..( girls, jobs, model trains )..I rediscovered the TS passion in the late 80's when I found a Gettysburg shop selling glossy Trophy. I thought they were the most beautiful figures around and fast forward to today. I am mostly a gloss TS collector and the detail in sculpt as well as painting meets my needs. Really no need to reinvent the wheel as what I want is readily available by Hocker, Hiriart, Steadfast, Wessex etc.) I can no longer paint as well as what is offered, so why bother. I will repaint matte vehicles and even touch up figures as these are more forgiving ,with weathering and shadowing to cover up the missed lines and off color paint..:redface2: Michael

 

[skeeterbuck]

John
I disagree on one point you make,The major companies that sell castings are charging $30=$40+ for a 1 figure for a 1/32 casting,$60-$70 for a 75mm and so on.Now I'm talking about Andrea,Pegaso,etc.I don't know about Stadden,Tradition,Tommy Atkins,companies like these.
Mark

That's true Mark, but they are connoisseur and if you look around, ebay etc. you can find even them cheaper. Plus the fact that you you will have a figure that is unique and not available from the toy soldier makers. I have been able to pick up some Andrea and Pegaso figures in the $20 range and even some mounted 75mm in the $50 range, so they are out there. You just have to get out there and "beat them bushes." :smile2:

Chuck

 

[marco55]

Chuck,
I really do like the uniqueness of the kits even if there others out there they are all basically custom and each one is painted differently or has been converted.
Mark

 

[johnnybach]

John
I disagree on one point you make,The major companies that sell castings are charging $30=$40+ for a 1 figure for a 1/32 casting,$60-$70 for a 75mm and so on.Now I'm talking about Andrea,Pegaso,etc.I don't know about Stadden,Tradition,Tommy Atkins,companies like these.
Mark

As with any generalisation about prices Mark - there can be exceptions. I was trying to make a point about the TS Companies who DO NOT sell castings at all. Some of them are market leaders in the Toy Soldier market ( although some are trying to distance themselves from the term "Toy Soldier" at all - and insist that they are making models etc.) . They won't even try to sell a casting - because those who DO sell both - often offer them at AROUND half price to their painted versions. They simply won't do this.

As with anything - you frequently get what you pay for. BUT it IS possible to buy a TS casting (in the UK anyway - which is the market I know best) for around half of the painted price. I know this - because I have recently bought some. I recently bought some for US$5 - the same figure can be bought painted for US$10. ( from Dorset Soldiers). Have a look at the web-site - where prices are shown for both.

You mention some others I know - like Tradition and Tommy Atkins - where again - they sell both - at roughly half price again for unpainted castings. The same can also be said about many of the British "Cottage Industries", such as Asset and Yeomanry Miniatures - who both make "model quality" Toy Soldiers.

As to some of the other major companies who sell castings for upwards of US$30-40 (or more) for a foot figure - I wouldn't know - as I don't bother looking at these at those prices - when I can buy all that I enjoy for far less. I do agree, however, that these sometimes crop up at far less than their RRP prices on some sites - which makes me wonder why someone can apparently make a profit at far lower prices than the Manufacturers RRP's.

No - I think that I' will stick by my "economic" statement about castings being available for ROUGHLY half the price of a painted version - at least - in my neck of the woods - and from the manufacturers that I know best. It may be different in the USA though. jb

 

[marco55]

A lot of us over here don't know too much about the small cottage industries over in the UK.Not many places over here like that.We mostly hear of the big boys (KC,FL,Britains,etc.).Of course if we dug into deeper we could find the smaller manufacturers over there.
Mark

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

I've never tried to collect, nor ever followed kit instructions. Growing up in my part of the world, I had never come across metal toy soldiers for sale. It was only much later when I was over in the UK that these were available and by then, I was already fully making and converting my own pieces from Airfix. I also could never complete a kit from instructions, not even Airfix's simple kits...? Hence I started converting from an early age, and Airfix collector series were the basis for a lot of my early and very bad conversions. Then in the UK, I came across a windfall of Historex kits at a show (the company was closing down then) and never looked back. I have supplemented these with many early metal figures which are very interesting to me, and can form the basis of future conversions. Most of the subject matter in my collection are not covered by manufacturers anyway, and it is more fun to make your own unique pieces, converted or scratchbuilt.

Rgds Victor

 

[johnnybach]

A lot of us over here don't know too much about the small cottage industries over in the UK.Not many places over here like that.We mostly hear of the big boys (KC,FL,Britains,etc.).Of course if we dug into deeper we could find the smaller manufacturers over there.
Mark

Yes - it's always that bit more difficult dealing with some TS company from overseas Mark - and then possibly having the "extra hits" of International Postage, Insurance and possible Import taxes ( and in our case - extra postage charges on our side too) - which all add up.

It depends what you're after though. One smaller TS supplier that I bought from in the USA - was Camp Randall Toy Soldiers - which came as castings. They were quite reasonably priced - and our customs boys must have been having an off day - as they let them through without demanding the customary arm or a leg! They have a limited TS range - which may be worth a look? jb

 

[Mirof]

Always a bit surprised

This post atracted 426 view and 28 votes from wich 56% said to like a lot painting their figures .
What ? Does this reflect the reality ? On a forum dedicated to " Painted Toy Soldiers"
Would the makers follow your opinions and stop making painted figures ?
Please participate only 1 second to send your vote . It cost nothing, jus a bit of socializing .

When you are in the restaurant you have also to poll... choosing what you will eat ... I don't thing you are just waiting for a "surprise meal"

 

[johnnybach]

Always a bit surprised

This post atracted 426 view and 28 votes from wich 56% said to like a lot painting their figures .
What ? Does this reflect the reality ? On a forum dedicated to " Painted Toy Soldiers"
Would the makers follow your opinions and stop making painted figures ?
Please participate only 1 second to send your vote . It cost nothing, jus a bit of socializing .

When you are in the restaurant you have also to poll... choosing what you will eat ... I don't thing you are just waiting for a "surprise meal"

When was this forum dedicated to "Painted Toy Soldiers"?? I think you may be over-generalizing a bit there Mirof.

There are MANY companies will still provide both painted - and unpainted, though there are some who don't, for a variety of reasons. There may indeed be more people who like to buy them ready-painted, but there are still many who still prefer to paint their own - and some who like to buy both types, I should have thought - otherwise the companies wouldn't offer them.

Incidentally, when I'm in France, we sometimes go to a restaurant for a "Gourmet Surprise meal" ( always on a Sunday). The patron here chooses the menu - and you eat what he decides will be the menu for the day. It's a bit of fun - and he hasn't served us with a poor meal yet!