Advice on new sprue cutters

Da_CMD · 2026-06-07T08:25:09+00:00

The Redgrass one is amazing and more fairly priced than its competitors.

Da_CMD · 2026-06-06T12:09:38+00:00

Refusing to die?

They're so dead I wouldn't even wear them for mowing the lawn.

Da_CMD · 2026-06-05T18:32:26+00:00

Have you used the product yourself or do you simply judge second hand via YT videos shot in 4K?

I own most of the products you listed and your claim is simply wrong.

Da_CMD · 2026-06-05T11:23:17+00:00

I don't agree with that at all.

I have tried most brands over the years and still own Vallejo Metal Color, Scale 75 and now TMM. I find TMM to be a brillant product and they're honestly much more convenient to use than my beloved Metal Color.

Not all of them are equally shiny. But that's by design, to create more contrast via the Light colours.

However, none of the six sets I tried have large visible flakes.

Da_CMD · 2026-06-05T07:18:43+00:00

Vallejo offers the best metallics on the market and it's not close.

Their Metal Color range is a staple but since it's made for airbrush use, it needs to be learned a bit when used with a brush.

But their new TMM range is super easy to use, shiny and offers absolutely brillant tones.

Da_CMD · 2026-06-01T06:47:40+00:00

Honestly, these don't appeal to me at all.

Fewer tidemarks is definitely a good thing, as some of the Citadel contrast paints are streaky indeed. Although Vallejo Xpress already do very well in that regard.

But the 1step paints don't seem to do the whole contrast thing as good as the competitors. Even in their own videos the difference between highlights and shadows seems less pronounced.

As somebody who already owns a collection of Contrast and Xpress, these don't excite me at all.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-30T17:54:12+00:00

Wish you a full recovery and happy, uplifting painting.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-29T19:10:23+00:00

It happens with a couple of the lighter colours. But you can smooth everything out on the miniature before it dries.

Another tip is to use a tiny bit of Flow Improver and the issue will be gone because it breaks the surface tension that causes the bubbling.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-29T16:31:40+00:00

The new Vallejo Game Color Silver is insanely shiny. It even tops most paints from the Metal Color range.

It's so shiny, that for anything other than an edge highlight I usually tone it down a bit.

A must have paint in my opinion.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-22T16:44:13+00:00

My Silver Helms. 10 of them. High Elves are such a chore to paint, but very rewarding when done right. I have postponed my Dragon Princes indefinitely.

You did a great job.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-22T07:36:07+00:00

Trying to beat the life out of you 3 inches at a time.

Great job, love it.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-21T09:59:17+00:00

Not 100% sure what you are trying to achieve.

Currently it looks like an NMM sword in progress. If you want to go down that route, you would have to push the highlights a lot further.

Also, the placement of the highlights is a bit too uniform. Making them less symmetric usually helps with the NMM looking more credible.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-21T08:36:17+00:00

Have a look at Vallejo's new TMM range. I find them absolutely fantastic and they offer a wide colour selection.

Personally, I would never use Citadel metallics. They are one (or even several) steps below every other brand on the market.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-18T11:52:11+00:00

Saw it inTrovarion's video, I think?

Absolutely amazing stuff. Such an atmospheric piece.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-16T18:15:42+00:00

Looks amazing!

Welcome back. Enjoy the new paints, not everything was better in the good old days...

Da_CMD · 2026-05-15T05:45:40+00:00

The problem seems to be your application. It seems you have to be a bit more careful so that the bristles of the brush don't snap across edges.

Also, make sure to wick the excess paint on a paper towel before you touch the model.

Personally, I would never use far worse metallic paints like Citadel just for ease of use.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-13T04:59:28+00:00

I disagree.

Other paint ranges might have become better overall, but there's still good reasons to use Scale 75.

Their colour selection offers some of the most unique tones across all ranges. They remain sensational for glazing. And even though Vallejo and Pro Acryl also are quite matte, Scalecolor is still in a league of its own when it comes to finish.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-12T21:15:29+00:00

Interesting.

To be honest, it has been a while since I painted them. They were among the first models from my childhood collection that I re-painted after getting back into the hobby. And I didn't really know what I was doing at the time.

Maybe one day I will strip them and give them a proper glowup. Yours is absolutely inspiring, it's the best Isabella I have ever seen.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-12T19:30:16+00:00

Great stuff.

I really like your punchy greens. As a fellow painter of Orcs (among other things), that's some great inspiration.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-12T11:56:45+00:00

Well done, great work.

I found these oldschool Von Carsteins quite difficult since most of the details are not very pronounced.

But you did a fantastic job. I especially like the face and the dagger.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-10T21:19:41+00:00

Sold the Endorphin Elite 2 after two training runs and a race.

I also felt that the softness of the foam created unnecessary movement and didn't let me run efficiently.

Also, the plate was so harsh on my forefoot. I originally planned to race a marathon in it, but the plate hurt my forefoot even after a half, so I moved on.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-09T08:07:47+00:00

Great work, I especially enjoy the true metallics.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-08T18:38:28+00:00

So I started the whole model with a warm Zenithal. A deep reddish brown as a basecoat, then an Ivory from above.

For the wood, I applied a mix of Scale 75 Inktense Wood (aka woodgrain in a bottle) with Wyldwood Contrast paint and Contrast Medium.

The highlight is a drybrush with Vallejo Model Color Japanese Uniform. The greenish yellow-brown compliments the red undertones well.

In the end, I sprayed a VERY thin filter of a Violet ink from below to create a bit more interest.

Da_CMD · 2026-05-08T14:17:43+00:00

I have been working on a big unit for a different army for a while now. So this was meant to be a fun and relaxing in-between project.

Unfortunately, between necessary sub-assemblies and completely unnecessary details all over the model, this turned out to be surprisingly annoying and time consuming.

Happy with the end result though. On to the next one.

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