Custom Minis, which operates out of Dallas, Texas, is the brainchild of Michael Sanford. He is one of a small group of Warhammer fans making accessories using 3D design and printing. Here we talk with Mike about his little operation.
1) How did you get started in wargaming?
I started wargaming when I was introduced Battlefleet Gothic about 12 years ago. From there I started playing Warhammer 40k where I played 3rd edition Chaos Space Marines.
2) What games do you play mostly now?
Now a days I'm a big player of Warhammer 40k, with a Chaos Space Marine, Eldar, and Grey Knight Army, and an avid tournament player enjoying many of the local Texas events such as Alamo GT, Wargames Con, Wastelands Wars, and The Railhead Rumble. I've also started getting into Warmachine/Hordes with a Legion of Everblight force that reminds me of my Eldar Army.
3) How did Custom Minis start?
I started Custom Minis when I was in the need for some bits with my Grey Knight army. I wanted to do some custom Rhino Hatches and Guns for Dreadnaughts so I went ahead and did some design work in 3D. And was introduced to a printing company online and decided to give it a try. After the success of the guns I decided to offer my 3D skills to use for those who wanted to have unique bits for their armies.
4) Is it safe to assume that there would be no Custom Minis if it were not for 3D modeling?
That is definitely safe to say. There is something about an undo button that has always made me more comfortable as an artist.
5) What is the state of 3D printing right now?
3D printing has come a very long way since I was first introduced to it 8 years ago. It has become much more cheaper then it was before, and there are now companies popping up offering the use of their printers that make it easier for start-ups
6) Is Shapeways the best place for a 3D modeler to have his wares produced for sale?
Shapeways is currently the best place for mass producing 3D prints. They offer their services to anyone and handle all of the payment and shipping. However if you're looking to do prints for masters for casting purposes there are other companies out there that can give better quality prints at a higher cost.
7) How long is it until every 3D Modeler has his own printer in his home/office and prints everything himself.
3D printers are still pretty expensive these days. Good quality ones can run you the cost of a car, and the cheaper personal ones are still in the $2,000 - $3,000 grand range but can't handle the quality a miniature company would want. But I think in the next 5 - 10 years we should be very close to having 3D printers at amazing quality and price.
8) You focus on shoulder pads and heads it seems, but are your autocannons your best seller?
The autocannons are by the the best cross-customer seller right now. But the Shoulder Pads are by far the most commonly custom commissioned. Shoulder pads are one of the best and easiest ways to customize an army, and they are a cheap way of making an army stand out.
9) You started casting items in resin. Why is that?
The cost of printing for larger items can get quite expensive. For the Autocannons I wasn't really making any money off of them, just a couple bucks. And then when the British pound dropped compared to the dollar it became cheaper for people to go through other methods, and I just couldn't drop the price below the printing cost.
Because of that I went ahead and started experimenting with resin, to provide cheaper products for my customers.
10) What is the future of Custom Minis?
As I expand into resin I'm hoping to be able to provide larger quantities of custom bits at cheaper costs. I'm also looking into the 15mm game range, where I can do entire sets of vehicles and infantry.
Thanks to Michael for his time. Visit his site at www.custom-minis.com. And next week we will be featuring two pair of his Dreadnaught Autocannon arms for our give-away!
Loken
I started wargaming when I was introduced Battlefleet Gothic about 12 years ago. From there I started playing Warhammer 40k where I played 3rd edition Chaos Space Marines.
2) What games do you play mostly now?
Now a days I'm a big player of Warhammer 40k, with a Chaos Space Marine, Eldar, and Grey Knight Army, and an avid tournament player enjoying many of the local Texas events such as Alamo GT, Wargames Con, Wastelands Wars, and The Railhead Rumble. I've also started getting into Warmachine/Hordes with a Legion of Everblight force that reminds me of my Eldar Army.
3) How did Custom Minis start?
I started Custom Minis when I was in the need for some bits with my Grey Knight army. I wanted to do some custom Rhino Hatches and Guns for Dreadnaughts so I went ahead and did some design work in 3D. And was introduced to a printing company online and decided to give it a try. After the success of the guns I decided to offer my 3D skills to use for those who wanted to have unique bits for their armies.
4) Is it safe to assume that there would be no Custom Minis if it were not for 3D modeling?
That is definitely safe to say. There is something about an undo button that has always made me more comfortable as an artist.
5) What is the state of 3D printing right now?
3D printing has come a very long way since I was first introduced to it 8 years ago. It has become much more cheaper then it was before, and there are now companies popping up offering the use of their printers that make it easier for start-ups
6) Is Shapeways the best place for a 3D modeler to have his wares produced for sale?
Shapeways is currently the best place for mass producing 3D prints. They offer their services to anyone and handle all of the payment and shipping. However if you're looking to do prints for masters for casting purposes there are other companies out there that can give better quality prints at a higher cost.
7) How long is it until every 3D Modeler has his own printer in his home/office and prints everything himself.
3D printers are still pretty expensive these days. Good quality ones can run you the cost of a car, and the cheaper personal ones are still in the $2,000 - $3,000 grand range but can't handle the quality a miniature company would want. But I think in the next 5 - 10 years we should be very close to having 3D printers at amazing quality and price.
8) You focus on shoulder pads and heads it seems, but are your autocannons your best seller?
The autocannons are by the the best cross-customer seller right now. But the Shoulder Pads are by far the most commonly custom commissioned. Shoulder pads are one of the best and easiest ways to customize an army, and they are a cheap way of making an army stand out.
9) You started casting items in resin. Why is that?
The cost of printing for larger items can get quite expensive. For the Autocannons I wasn't really making any money off of them, just a couple bucks. And then when the British pound dropped compared to the dollar it became cheaper for people to go through other methods, and I just couldn't drop the price below the printing cost.
Because of that I went ahead and started experimenting with resin, to provide cheaper products for my customers.
10) What is the future of Custom Minis?
As I expand into resin I'm hoping to be able to provide larger quantities of custom bits at cheaper costs. I'm also looking into the 15mm game range, where I can do entire sets of vehicles and infantry.
Thanks to Michael for his time. Visit his site at www.custom-minis.com. And next week we will be featuring two pair of his Dreadnaught Autocannon arms for our give-away!
Loken
2 comments:
Does Michael have a readily accessable website or store?
Sorry I forgot to post that! It is www.custom-minis.com.
Loken
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