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Author Topic: Ral Partha vs. IMW  (Read 3547 times)

Degman

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Ral Partha vs. IMW
« on: 03 March 2011, 13:59:49 »
Which company casts higher quality Mechs?

I've read that both RP and IMW make their own molds so I'm wondering whether there were some differences regarding size, level of detail or checking the final product quality.

So far, I've only bought IMW stuff.
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Xtrahmxwohld

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #1 on: 03 March 2011, 14:20:01 »
Aren't RP and IWM the same company?
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Degman

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #2 on: 03 March 2011, 14:21:47 »
Isn't one in the USA and the other one in UK.

 @p? Yes, I've meant RPUK.

Sorry for posting it wrong.
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ONE_HELLCAT

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #3 on: 03 March 2011, 14:22:19 »
They are the same molds. Only difference would be in quality control, I think.
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phlop

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #4 on: 03 March 2011, 18:13:55 »
I have purchased from both and there is no difference in mins, as well as I can see. These eyes are getting old.
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Cergorach

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #5 on: 03 March 2011, 18:40:16 »
Quote from: ONE_HELLCAT on 03 March 2011, 14:22:19
They are the same molds. Only difference would be in quality control, I think.
I think them using the same molds is quite impossible, unless IWM/RPE have perfected quantum entanglement. They possibly have molds made from the same master, but more likely, they have each their own master(s) and make molds from that. Quality of the Mechs depend on the quality of the rubber they use, the quality of the master (how many times he has been used to create a mold), how many castings are made of each mold, the quality of the metal mix they use, skill of the casters and quality control. I suspect that the differences are so small that they are hardly noticeable. Also keep in mind that they import the newer mechs directly from IWM.

I can say that RPE quality control isn't perfect. Base on one of my 25mm Elemental needs to rebuild, should be relatively simple, no details were lost on the model itself.
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Ezekiel Crow

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #6 on: 05 March 2011, 01:10:02 »
The difference is in the archieve fees and shipping.  Ral Partha Europe doesn't have archive fees IWM does.  Even shipping is generally cheaper from Ral Partha Europe for non archived orders.  IWM shipping prices are outrageous.
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Sartris

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #7 on: 05 March 2011, 01:21:45 »
Quote from: Ezekiel Crow on 05 March 2011, 01:10:02
The difference is in the archieve fees and shipping.  Ral Partha Europe doesn't have archive fees IWM does.  Even shipping is generally cheaper from Ral Partha Europe for non archived orders.  IWM shipping prices are outrageous.

You can get the newest minis at IWM much sooner, though I generally concur on the shipping.  Obviously YMMV depending on your location.   I get a lot of archived stuff via RPE.

I order my IWM stuff through my FLGS.  No shipping and a 10% discount membership  :) 
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Ezekiel Crow

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #8 on: 05 March 2011, 01:51:32 »
You can get the new stuff faster on eBay than by ordering from IWM.  The only time I order from IWM direct is when it's an exclusive I want.  Though in general the shipping fees have just  served to convince me I don't want it that badly.
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will_scarlet

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #9 on: 05 March 2011, 04:39:23 »
Ral Partha UK have some of the older castings (not unseen) that are not available from IWM, and they also have the Mechforce UK variants. On top of that, they still sell some of the IWM stuff that IWM have put in their back catalog and charge a premium for, so it's a good place to get stuff from. That said, they don't always have what they say they have on their website, and they also get new stuff six to nine months after IWM releases a model. So horses for courses. Even in the UK, I buy direct from IWM sometimes.
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DEZOAT

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #10 on: 05 March 2011, 07:10:11 »
 I like to say that both companys do great work. I also do biz with both. The only pet pev with IWM is when they send you a mini in plastic baggies with just code number on the bag. So you have to save the packing slip find which mini is which. Now RPUK send minis in plastic bag to , but they put sticker on the bag with name and their code of the mini. Now I like that.
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HavocTheWarDog

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #11 on: 05 March 2011, 07:43:05 »
I've been buying minis from both Rp then IWM since 1990(i have over 1000 minis) I dont see much in difference in quality.
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Stormlion1

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #12 on: 05 March 2011, 09:21:35 »
S+H doesn't bother me as much, if I want something I'll pay for it.
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Paint it Pink

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #13 on: 05 March 2011, 09:40:27 »
IMO both are equally good, but offer different advantage depending on where you are, and if they are running a special.

New, new stuff I use IWM, older stuff RPE.
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agen2

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Re: Ral Partha vs. IMW
« Reply #14 on: 05 March 2011, 10:31:23 »
There's no reason x a "versus".They are 2 company and like PiP said they are usable for your demand.
In terms of molding it depends.I can say that I found most  molding line on top of stuff in both cases,missing parts seldom.
I can have better chance btw to have a change with RPE for geographical reason(postage packing rise up awfully).
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