Resin Kits and parts

[Guest]

Please can anyone tell me what a resin kit is. I've seen reference to model resin kits and add on items in the modelling magazines, but have no ide what these are.


Please could anyone explain to me the difference between normal (styrene I think) and resin kits.


Cheers guys many thanks.

[Ian M]

In short. your regular kits are injection moulded plastic which is normally as you said polystyrene.


Resin kits are cast from a cold liquid resin that sets hard in the moulds. More often than not small independent makers and the moulds made from a scratch built master model that has been lovingly made by someone that has a very good knowledge of the original subject and build one because they want to, rather than because they can earn a fortune.


Ian M

[Guest]

Hope you don't mind me hijacking this thread, but I've always wondered why some kits from smaller companies have resin pieces in addition to polystyrene? As an example, I recently picked up a Fairey Firefly mk. IV/V by Special Hobby. It comes with all the standard pieces, polystyrene pieces, decals and even PE, but the interior is in resin.


Anyone know the reason for this?

[Guest]

I think it's because the manufacturing processes allow crisper sharper detail in resin

[dave]

My understanding is another reason for using resin is that the setup costs are lower. For a plastic injection mould the cost of the mould are very high and therefore a large volume of sales is needed to cover the cost, but resin moulds are cheaper and have generally have a shorter lifespan and are better suited for short production runs.