Arsenal Models, Recasters or Not?
- Thread starter PepMaster
- Start date
I think the poor job of recasting is inevitable. If they've already accepted in their own mind that doing their own sculpt is too much work, it is just a tiny step to deciding that planning seams and properly degassing and otherwise making a decent cast is also too much work. Once the bottom line intrudes, it takes over everything. A few years of pouring bulk-discount silicone, and they'll decide that it is cutting into their profits to even deliver in the first place. And then you get Snikt Shop.
TheSt.LouisKid
Sr Member
Yes it is. I have messaged as well as spoken to Wonderfest face to face about it. They are aware they are recasters yet every year Wonderfest lets them come back.
I have spoken to Arsenal/Cool Models at DragonCon and they became hostile when I brought up their recasting.
People need to stop offering their sculpts. I encourage anyone that is considering offering copies of their sculpts to 86 such plans. The recasters are bad enough but there are people who know about recasts, speak as if it's bad yet buy recasts anyway.
Recasting is out of hand with people making up their own rules as when it is okay as if they have the right to(and they don't).
Stop selling copies of your sculpts. Show sculpts off here but don't offer copies. It's not worth the hassle. In fandom the closest to help that you are going to get from anyone is them saying "sorry you got recast".
CB2001
Master Member
For conventions, they're like, "They're paying us to get a table. We need that money." So, that's how Arsenal Models keeps getting spaces at them.
Yeah, they've had that song and dance quite a few times when someone brings up their recasting. In fact, several members have stated that they've flat out told them they knew Arsenal recasted pieces of their work (I remember one member talking about it, and proving it by telling them about his original cast and pointing out the tell-tale details he put into his cast to show that it was his, and showed those same details in the recasts Arsenal was selling. It only ended with the member being escorted out of the convention. I could however be wrong about this detail, but they know they've been copying others works and get ticked off when someone calls them out on it).
Another way I can think of is this: since some of the pieces that are recasted are offered through the junkyard, we could always try to find out which accounts are associated with Arsenal Models (be it Arsenal themselves or their friends/family) and ban not just their accounts, but their IP Addresses, so that they can't get access to the RPF. Of course, I understand the difficulty in it, but it never hurts to suggest it.
As much as I agree with the idea of stop selling copies of the sculpts, the problem is that it hurts the community as well. Some of what people have in their private collections for replicas are often copies from other members here who offer them. I get the mentality behind it, but I'm just saying that it has its own downside to it.
OldSkoolEffects
Well-Known Member
Well, I'm sure if other people started selling identical resin kits at cons for better prices and higher quality, they'd start hurting.
TheSt.LouisKid
Sr Member
It's not just Arsenal/Cool Models. It's more people than you think.
Just stop offering sculpts. If you are sculptor and stop offering it saves you the trouble of having to put a stop to it(assuming you are successful) and if you have had your work recast you know how long that takes.
So the "community" misses out on a copy. Unfortunate. Seeing a picture on the web will have to do because the "community" isn't there to back you when you get recast. I'm not trying to be a downer about it but it's the god honest truth. I've spoken to enough guys who have called it quits and nobody offers help with their problem. So mark my words. If you get recast make a point to see how many people come rushing to offer substantial help beyond "sorry you got recast".
I have offered my work for years. I have been recast 8 times that I am aware of. I have been in the hobby as well as the craft since 1978. I enjoy seeing the work posted here and offer suggestions if I can. I will continue to post my work here for people to enjoy seeing and hopefully inspire them to do their own work. As far as offering copies anymore...
Just stop offering sculpts. If you are sculptor and stop offering it saves you the trouble of having to put a stop to it(assuming you are successful) and if you have had your work recast you know how long that takes.
So the "community" misses out on a copy. Unfortunate. Seeing a picture on the web will have to do because the "community" isn't there to back you when you get recast. I'm not trying to be a downer about it but it's the god honest truth. I've spoken to enough guys who have called it quits and nobody offers help with their problem. So mark my words. If you get recast make a point to see how many people come rushing to offer substantial help beyond "sorry you got recast".
I have offered my work for years. I have been recast 8 times that I am aware of. I have been in the hobby as well as the craft since 1978. I enjoy seeing the work posted here and offer suggestions if I can. I will continue to post my work here for people to enjoy seeing and hopefully inspire them to do their own work. As far as offering copies anymore...
darkev2
Well-Known Member
Hello Folks
For a while now I have been in search of a 1st Season Sidearm from Battlestar Galactica. Well now knowing this thread existed I took the plunge and purchased the replica from Arsenal. Upon opening the box I found that I was going to have to do a LOT MORE work on this thing (if at all possible) then the catalog and box art pictures made it out to be. Now that I have read "all" of the above comments I now know why.
In the process of looking for the pistol, I found other sources for the replica but after being told they all were "re-building" THEIR molds I "choose" to jump the gun and get the version of the prop offered and go for the others as soon as they came available. I now readily admit I should have waited. Hopefully I will not make this mistake again.
darkev2
For a while now I have been in search of a 1st Season Sidearm from Battlestar Galactica. Well now knowing this thread existed I took the plunge and purchased the replica from Arsenal. Upon opening the box I found that I was going to have to do a LOT MORE work on this thing (if at all possible) then the catalog and box art pictures made it out to be. Now that I have read "all" of the above comments I now know why.
In the process of looking for the pistol, I found other sources for the replica but after being told they all were "re-building" THEIR molds I "choose" to jump the gun and get the version of the prop offered and go for the others as soon as they came available. I now readily admit I should have waited. Hopefully I will not make this mistake again.
darkev2
CharlesHouse
Active Member
More work you mean fill resin bubbles, sand, prime, and paint?
darkev2
Well-Known Member
Hello CharlesHouse
If that were all there is I wouldn't be complaining because that was to be expected (garage kit = FAR MORE WORK)!! There is a side to side "mismatch" towards the rear of the piece that seems to suggest that the mold halves were off center to each other in that area when the resin was poured. Besides that the one problem I have to work out is in the muzzle area. There seems to have been a leak such that about a fourth of the gun barrel is filled with this resin "tumor" in both the recessed part of the muzzle area (the trapezoid shape (s)) as well as barrel itself. The barrel is no big deal, the circular sanding bits I have for my dremel should work perfectly. The "trapezoid"shape recessed point cleanup is to me a bit more complex and requires a far far lighter touch.
darkev2
If that were all there is I wouldn't be complaining because that was to be expected (garage kit = FAR MORE WORK)!! There is a side to side "mismatch" towards the rear of the piece that seems to suggest that the mold halves were off center to each other in that area when the resin was poured. Besides that the one problem I have to work out is in the muzzle area. There seems to have been a leak such that about a fourth of the gun barrel is filled with this resin "tumor" in both the recessed part of the muzzle area (the trapezoid shape (s)) as well as barrel itself. The barrel is no big deal, the circular sanding bits I have for my dremel should work perfectly. The "trapezoid"shape recessed point cleanup is to me a bit more complex and requires a far far lighter touch.
darkev2
AtrumAntics
New Member
i noticed this post after there Facebook page went missing not long ago cant believe they have been getting away with this as long as they have
Sean
Sr Member
TheSt.LouisKid
Sr Member
Be creative and think about what you can legally do. I can think of things when recasting is found in both the real world and on the web.
TazMan2000
Master Member
Other than not supporting the recaster, what is the "average Joe" to do? Perhaps there should be an area more prominent on this website to denote "proven" recasters and bad vendors? Of course there would have to be proof beyond a shadow of a doubt. I've read a recent posting on Starship Modeler that accused another member of recasting their work, but it ended up in a misunderstanding and long story short, everybody is cool with it after appologies have been made...but it does show how an accusation, without proof can go horribly wrong.
In the end, you are never going to prevent recasting...only hopefully cause it to be less profitable for the recaster. There will always be the ignorant to buy their items (and you can't really blame them), but what is worse is a person knowingly buying a recast item. You will never fully prevent that from happening, since the collector is either unable to buy or can't afford the original item (or some other reason).
I've also noticed a few threads, that have mentioned "Recasting is okay, if..." ...and several reasons are given, such as; The collector has bought the original casting, and is recasting the item (or parts of) for their own use and not planning on reselling it: The company who originally made the item is sold out or out of business. In the end it's going to be "I want it because I want it, and screw whoever stands in my way for me to get it". I'm not saying the aforementioned is right, just mentioning what I've noticed.
As for myself, I always would like the original artist, because without them, we wouldn't be able to have such a diverse amount of collectible items. I certainly don't have the talent of some of these GKers, or it would take me several months (maybe years) and many dollars to recreate what they have already acheived. In the past couple of years I have purchased several resin models and replicas that I am happy to have supported the original artist. Have I got the shaft by ignorantly buying a recast? Absolutely.
All I can say for all those GKers, is to keep doing what you love, and if you feel like sharing your work, please do so with the people who can appreciate it, even it if means you will eventually get recast.
TazMan2000
