Okay, How do they make those figures?

[SpaceMouse]

The link above has a three-part tutorial on making figures. I may have to try some. His are G scale. I'm going to have to use a BIG magnifying glass.

[robengland]

I turned a number of the Preiser 50s figures into 70s by adding hair and removing skirts [:)] I'm sure you could do the reverse too to make 1880s figures. Just add lots of skirt and remove hair! I use the blue modeler's "putty"

[Anonymous]

I know a guy who designs figurines, etc. - some very tiny flowers, etc., and he uses what he called "super sculpy".

[jrbarney]

SpaceMouse,
In addition to the companies already mentioned, you might want to check Kramer Products:
http://www.kramerproducts.com
Their line includes construcution workers and baseball players.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Javern]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Check out this guy. He makes his figures from aluminum fold and clay. Granted they are G scale but Holy Moly.


http://www.mylargescale.com/articles/articles/figureclass/ch3/figures-01.asp

this is WAY WAY cool

[Tracklayer]

I'm sorry SpaceMouse, but I don't have any advice or info to offer on this matter. However, I do have a story you might enjoy. About 20 years ago, someone gave me a model of the Apollo Saturn V moon rocket that just happened to be N scale which is what I model. Back when I first got the rocket model, I assembled it according to the instructions and pictures in space history books that I had on hand. Included with the model were three figures. One was an engineer holding a set of blue prints, another was of a guy talking to the engineer and pointing something out up on the rocket and the third was of a NASA employee with a note pad in one hand and a pen in the other as if he were writing down notes. When I built my present layout, I was looking to save a little money on figures, so I went out to the storage room and dug the rocket model out and pulled these three guys off the base. The engineer with the blue prints has been painted white and is now a statue on a pedistal in front of the local school as if he were the guy that established the town. The guy that was pointing is now the gossiping ice man that is talking to one of his customers about someone or something over there, and the NASA employee with the note pad and pen is now a police officer giving someone a speeding ticket... How's that for recycling figures ?.

Good luck to you with your figure problem.

Tracklayer

[loathar]

I remember back in the 70's, MR Mag did an article on makeing your own figures useing a soldered wire frame that you could make and pose.They then covered the wire frames with plaster in small coats and then filed with micro files. They even had a chart to show different scale sizes of the people. They looked great, but I know I don't have the patients for that level of work.

[ARTHILL]

I have been expermenting with plastic clay, Sculpy, Feemo and others. It takes learning and practice and an artists eye, but I got some good pheasants. I haven't tried anything else, but I think I could learn if I wanted too and practiced enough. One thing I learned was to get part way done and to put them in a refrigerater to cool, before I finished. If you learn how I would appreciate some additional instruction.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cheese3

I have been experamenting with wax and wire. I find the wax doesn't like to stick to the wire. I am thinking about trying some clay that you can harden in the oven and wire. And after you heat it up you can carve and shape with a knife.

There are a few types of such clay, Sculpy and Feemo. Hardens in the oven, real hard!

Bob Boudreau

[cheese3]

I have been experamenting with wax and wire. I find the wax doesn't like to stick to the wire. I am thinking about trying some clay that you can harden in the oven and wire. And after you heat it up you can carve and shape with a knife.

[SpaceMouse]

Check out this guy. He makes his figures from aluminum fold and clay. Granted they are G scale but Holy Moly.


http://www.mylargescale.com/articles/articles/figureclass/ch3/figures-01.asp

[Javern]

you can heat up the plastic ones and pose them

[MisterBeasley]

Roco USA at http://www.rocousa.com has a good on-line catalog of Preiser figures, with pictures for most of them. Their prices are good, too.

[SpaceMouse]

I'll check into Rustic Rails. I've been through both Walther's Catalog and Walther's website and I haven't had much luck. I don't typically like pre-painted figures, because I have yet to use them that way--I just end up repainting them and paying more for the privelege. I just bought a pack of seated Preiser's figures, but I have found them to be very European and what I am working on now is 1880's western. Perhaps they will be more compatible with 1917 Northern California, but I'm not there yet.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

The largest selection of white metal figures in the hobby are from Rustic Rails, which is a division of Musket Miniatures

That's them! The dealer that I saw at the NG convention! I do remember all of the little critters they had too!

I also meant to say in my previous post - does it say somewhere that George Sellios actually does make or modify figures for his layout? I don't think I've heard of that previously, and I have the videos and books he's put out. I could have missed it though

Bob Boudreau

[orsonroy]

The largest selection of white metal figures in the hobby are from Rustic Rails, which is a division of Musket Miniatures (a wargaming company; Google Musket Miniatures for the website). Rustic Rails has dozens of figs available, including children. They also have the largest like of woodland creatures. Check out the bunnies, squirels, racoons, etc!

As for modifying figures, it's easy, especially with plastic figs. All you need is a LARGE selection of figures, and some craftiness. Preiser's figure line is great. Don't ignore their huge military line of figs, as they include things like toolboxes, people working on machinery, etc. Many of Preiser's figs come with arms you have to attach yourself, giving you a range of options for customizing. But the BEST way to customize figs is to just start chopping them up, shuffling parts (arms, heads, legs) and gluing them back together. It's important to stick with one figure manufacturer (which is why I suggest Preiser; they've got the biggest selection around). If you start mixing parts from different manufacturers, you'll quickly learn that not everyone's idea of "scale" is the same!

[Anonymous]

There are many figures already made out there, and there is probably no real need to make your own unless you really want to. At the Narrow Gauge Convention in Denver two years ago there was a fellow offering all sorts of white metal figures, many like you are probably looking for. Unfortunately I don't recall the firm's name - not helping you here much! Maybe someone else can point you in the right direction.

Also have you checked the latest Woodland Scenics prepainted sets? There are loggers and almost everything else too. I've bought quite a few of their sets.

Lastly Preiser offers thousands of wee folk, check the Walthers website or one of their catalogs. Since their painted figures are too expensive, I've bought packages of unpainted ones over the years. I have a whole divided tray with all sorts of figures, sorted by types and poses. I pick and choose which ones I need for my photo scenes.

Now that I'm working in On30 as well as HO, I've started collecting O scale figures too. This can get expensive!

Bob Boudreau

[SpaceMouse]

I just got through reading another article about George Seilos's South Manchester and Franklin and I again have to ask the question. How do guys like Malcom Furlow and George Selios make figures? I'll never get to where I want to be in this hobby without figuring that part out.

They can't just buy them--at least I can't find what I'm looking for. Most of what I've done has been a reshaping--like getting an 19th century blacksmith from a 20th century mason. Painters out of paperboys. (Is just me or is every other figure a boy hocking papers?)



So far I've been lucky to a certain extent. I've been able to manufacture most of what I need from other figures. But if I really want to create scenes, I'm going to have to start producing custom pieces and do so rather efficiently.

I don't want to go the wax and wire route ala John Allen unless I have to. What are people doing?