Hirst Arts Molds

[Norseman]

Anyone use Hirst Arts Molds for making terrain?

I was wondering if they were pretty easy or if it was difficult.

[MagickalMemories]

It's been a LONG time, but I used to.
I'd say it takes a batch or 3 to get the hang of it. Once you do, though... not difficult at all.

Time consuming as all get-out, though.

I ended up dumping my molds because I just didn't think the time spent was (for me) worth the end result. If I had a need for them, I'd far prefer to buy precast pieces & build with them. Of course, that's just my opinion.

If you give it a try, read all the tips & tricks on their site. It'll make your experience that much better.

Eric

[Linrandir]

I do, and I have about 15. I agree with Eric - the tips & tricks on the site definitely make it a FAR easier process than it would otherwise be.

I built this back in 2003 for the Games Day; molds are still perfectly viable:

[Norseman]

Lin, What material did you use for the mold.

[athelu]

[Trade ads, however they may be veiled, do NOT belong in this forum - Admin]

[Linrandir]

For that I used Hydrocal Lite, which is commonly used in railroad tables. http://plaster.com/HYDROCAL.html

I'm going to be trading up to Merlin's Magic, which came highly recommended to me. http://www.clintsales.com/dental.htm

[athelu]

sorry about that. Just trying to help a mate out.

[MagickalMemories]

sorry about that. Just trying to help a mate out.

Understood.
Just be more mindful in the future, please.

You know, you could always PM him. (?)


Eric

[Timbor]

I have made a few things using the fieldstone molds. I really like the results, and I enjoyed making my terrain. I have mostly followed his intstructions, but my next project will be a scratch build. It is indeed labour intensive, and you can probably get more detailed things for a comparably reasonable price when you consider parts and labour of making your own terrain (I'm thinking of stuff by GW or tabletop-world.com )

I would highly recommend them if you are interested in being creative, making something yourself, and enjoy the hands-on aspect. If you just want some nice scenery, then save up and buy something like this:
http://www.tabletop-world.com/guardTower.php

HTH,

Tim

[HarlequinZero]

Tabletop World makes INSANE terrain. I want some of that stuff badly for the Empire army I'm planning to fight around. Did you look at the Merchant's House? Laundry hanging out the window? The loose stone around the chimney? Not to mention the interior detail! Now I just need to sell a kidney so I can outfit a board with their stuff....

[Crushar]

HarlequinZero brings up a good point. What is better for a person? Paper terrain or something like Hirst?

I have made several LARGE projects with Hirst, and I love it! But it's HEAVY to lug around and takes up loads of room, is pretty fragile (if dropped), not to mention the time spent actually casting, glueing and painting.

Then you have paper terrain, light, not nearly as fragile, and already painted!!

Me? I am sticking with Hirst! I tried the paper stuff and I could not for the life of me fold all those crazy lines. Now since then I have learned that there are other ways (cut it, put it on foamboard and then glue), but I still think there is just something to the thought that something with a bit of "heft" to it is better. For one, Hirst actually is 3D. It has crevices and recesses, and I can paint it as I like. Paper stuff looks cool, but it just feels to me that I am playing on a poster!

My $.02 (not that anyone asked)

P.S. You can see my stuff here for examples:
http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee18 ... r/terrain/

[Norseman]

Those are some nice tables Crushar.