Video
on how to cast with our Moulds (click play arrow
on image)
When you enter the Toy Soldier Factory Visitor
Centre, our staff will demonstrate (this is optional) how to cast
from a selection of our moulds and answer any questions that you
may have about the process.
The five most popular questions we have been
asked by visitors are:
Q.: What metal is being
used when casting the demo? Is it lead? A.: We have three types
of metal to choose from, including pewter. The demonstration
uses 'Model Metal' usually, which contains lead, tin and bismuth.
Q.: How long does it
take to cast a figure? A.: It varies depending
on the complexity of a figure, but it usually takes 5 minutes.
Q.:Do staff use this
method (drop-casting) to produce all the cast figures shown
in the shop? A.: Not usually, We use
special large round spin-casting moulds, which use centrifugal
forces to cast our figures. More details will be explained in
the demonstration or tours.
Q.: Do staff carve the
moulds? How do staff make the moulds? A.: No, we create a bronze
master figure and then sandwich that figure between two layers
of rubber, then place them in a press, which applies heat and
tonnes of pressure to melt the rubber around the figure, creating
the impression that becomes the dropcast mould. More details
are explained in the demonstration.
Q.: Do staff paint all
the figures in the factory? A.: Yes, or, in some
cases, in their homes over the weekends. The painters are professionals
that use acrylics specially designed for miniatures. These paints
are available in the gift shop as well.
Toy Soldier Factory staff will gladly answer
any related questions about the white metal casting process and
advise you on any equipment you may need to start casting.
In general most customers find that our huge
range of affordable and compact starter kits suit their needs
to begin the hobby, but we have a general starter kit (kit 2000)
which contains the basic equipment for using any moulds once metal
has been added to the purchase.
Full details on casting, filing and painting
can be located on our Prince
August website in the 'Tutorials' section
in the top navigation menu.
