Brother_Beork Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Ok, new project again, I’ve received a request to build a bionic arm for 54mm gaming (Inquisitor of course) from Charax at Warseer.com. He wanted a bionic arm in the style I use for my Ironbound Space Marines for a Adaptus Mechanicus Assassin. This of course was quite the challenge and I also received a small fee for building the arm. Sadly I will have to work without the miniature for reference. Therefore I have printed the picture of the target miniature to scale and I’ll be using a 1:35 British soldier as a holder for the arm (1:35 is almost 54mm, just a bit smaller and more realistically scaled). I will be posting step by steps of this build for as far as I can be bothered to take pictures during building. I first needed to decide how to build the arm and where to attach it. As the miniature is not a Space marine, there are no convenient pieces of armour to attach the arm to. A quick sketch to decide the basic direction: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm.jpg Then I started building. I diagonally cut of the shoulder of the Brit, embedding a 3mm magnet in his shoulder to hold the arm. Then I searched my bits for a round bit and found one, which I filed flat at one side and also embedded a 3mm magnet in. I then carefully cut out a bit of the plastic to create the idea of the shoulder being a ball within a casing like most action figures do. I then added the Humerus, which in this case is a 1,5mm rod I took from an old airplane kit. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm003.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm001.jpg After this I made an elbow piece from 5mm tube glued together at an angle, this is very similar to what space marines have as elbow protection and is just a tad bigger. In this protection I added the elbow joint which consists of a 2mm rod cut to shape to fit the elbow guard and with lines scraped into them to replicate the idea of a movable joint. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm004.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm008.jpg I then glued in the Ulna (1mm metal rod, cut to size according to reference picture) in the correct position using the picture as a reference. I glued this bone immediately because it move the least of both bones when moving the arm and in this way it is a bit easier to replicate a humanlike moving arm. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm009.jpg I took a hand which is about the same size as the hand on my reference picture. The zombie hands turn out be about 54mm (on the large side actually). In the wrist I drilled two holes for the Ulna and Radius, the elbow joint has two corresponding holes. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm011.jpg The Radius is cut to size and put into place without gluing it so I can decide on the pose I want. In this way it actually moves a bit like a human arm, creating the nice effect of the Radius going over the Ulna. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm013.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm015.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm016.jpg Once I had the desired pose I glued the Radius and the hand into place. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm019.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm020.jpg It still looks very thin and well, skeletal. But keep in mind that the tendons and wires still need to be added and I’ll probably add some little details as well. There will also be some small armour plates. The arm with the reference picture: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm021.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm022.jpg More in a few days C&C? Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I cant wait to see it "fleshed out" as it were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 your wish is my command: I added the bicep muscles, tendons or whatever you'd like to call them, Using 0,5 mm plastic rod. I drilled a hole at each end and simple superglued them in. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm024.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm025.jpg Also added the tricep muscles, same style, but because of the slight rotations of the arm, the muscles are a bit turned. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm028.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm026.jpg Lets shake hands http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/WarseerBionicArm027.jpg More tonight Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldenhaller Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 "what's the matter with jones?" "His arms have fallen of Sah!!" "Bloody poor show wot? get him orf down the carpool and see if private Beork can't sort 'im out a hook or something!" "YesSAHrightawaySAH!!" sorry wow - looks really cool - Wan't more bionic tommies myself !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 ok, update time again. I should do more work for money, I am very productive compared to normal. Could even be better, if I had more time, oh well... Anyway, started on the plating on the hand, alo added a wrist band: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5752.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5754.jpg Fingers get plated: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5756.jpg At this point I think the hand is growing to big. I'll need to go back to a smaller hand and beef that up, or make something from scratch (which is not too easy). The main problem here is that I don't think I have open hand smaller than the zombie ones. Alternatively I can take off one finger and shortem them, but I'd have a finger short.... Maybe add an extra thumb, that would be a real improvement over normal humans... thinking thinking. In the meantime I'll finish this hand and throw it in as a replacement in case it's neccesary. @oldenhaller, I can always make them for you ;) Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seres Blackthorn Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Actually you could scratch built a hand pretty easily if your going for the kinda robotic hand look in the 5ed manual when it switchs from rules to dark millenium. I think it would look more AdMech if the hand was more of a claw like that. Just my two cents, but pretty good work there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Captain Andrecus Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Wow, that looks great. Will the lower arm be "fleshed out" as well? BTW, just out of curiosity, how much are you being payed for that? I might want one of those myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sons of Horus Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 very impressive arm however i just noticed that the mini isn't PA :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 About the non-Pa: Indeed, the mini is not PA, but as clearly stated in the posts, the mini is a place holder for the Inquisitor sized mini that will be the recipient of this build. As inquisitor is also PA related (at least tolerated) and this topic shows a detailed step by step build of a bionic limb also usefull for PA (in fact, just as I do it for my marines) I figured it would be tolerated (Are you reading this Mods? Please don't kick my thread ;P). About the money: I get 20 euros for this arm including materials and shipping. But keep in mind this is 54mm, 40K sized are cheaper to do. If you are really interested mail or pm me and we'll sort out a deal. About the modellling: Yes, the lower arm is going to be fleshed out as it were, in fact it will get 4 tendons/muscles, wires, some armoured plating and rivets most likely. I'll try tonight to make a scratched hand, but I still fear it will be too fragile for gaming. Unless I sculpt it, which I can't... I did find better matches though, space marine biker hands (about as big as their helmets, talk about bad scaling...) I'll be tech-ing them up tonight (I hope) Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 I finally got some more work done. I added armour plates to the lower arm. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5759.jpg This shows the armour plate before adding, it’s just a piece of 0,3 mm plasticard which was cut, drilled and filed to shape. I was not happy with the placement of the old armour plate I already added to the elbow guard so I removed it (very carefully) and made a new one to put on the same place, but better placed. The wrist armour I deliberately turned compared to the elbow armour to enhance the effect of a turned arm. If I wouldn’t do this, it would just look like a static lower arm with a wrist that can turn around its axis. But now people will have to look a bit closer, first because it looks a bit weird, but (when the paintjob is reasonable) then they’ll see the inner workings with the turned bones and all. At least, that’s what I aim for :) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5772.jpg I also added a small twisted wire around the humerus and finished up the plating of the first hand. I haven’t had time to work on the other hands yet, but that will come either this weekend or next week somewhere. As I started building before payment, I’m way ahead of schedule. ;P Just to be cute, I added a small ‘how to’ on my amazing small twisted cables. First take a piece of electric wire which contains multiple metal wires (preferably not copper wire, but the silver sort as this is sturdier) like this computer connector thingy. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5760.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5761.jpg Strip the wire half way (for easier handling), making sure that you do not cut of the wires inside. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5762.jpg Start twisting the wire between your fingertips, (no pictures, I need my fingers to photograph) starting at the beginning and slowly, while twisting, moving to the tip. You have a lot of control here over how the cable will look at the end. Twisting it strongly will make a more dense cable, while twisting it lightly will make an almost spaced cable. Seal the end with (thick) superglue Remove the housing, seal and cut at the other end. Cable done. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5767.jpg You can now use it for everything you need a small cable for but where a straight cable would look too boring (bionics, powerclaws/gloves/swords etc.). You can easily bend it and it is pretty sturdy. Of course, using more wires or thicker wire will make the cable stronger and thicker. This also works with bigger wire for a larger than life effect (or dreads or something). ideas, comments, flaming? Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Spirit Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Love the way it's going right now. I like how the arm twists a bit, gives it a bit more 'motion' instead of just being a mechanical arm. the wire thing works great (given my personal experience). I'd like to see the cables going from the shouder joint to the elbow and then bulging out (without a 'skin' or armor to keep the cables inside). Same thing goes for the elbow towards the wrist. Can't wait to see the result and i'm sure Charax will be more then happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadaeux Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Very very cool matey. I wonder what it would cost for a working life-sized one :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 I like how the arm twists a bit, gives it a bit more 'motion' instead of just being a mechanical arm. Glad that the general idea comes across the wire thing works great (given my personal experience). I'd like to see the cables going from the shouder joint to the elbow and then bulging out (without a 'skin' or armor to keep the cables inside). Same thing goes for the elbow towards the wrist. I must honestly say that I do not quite understand what you mean. Could you explain it a bit? Or do you mean somewhat like this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/Misc/Contests/100_2557-2.jpg With the cabling forming the muscles? @kadaeux; I have been toying with the idea of makin ga life size bionic limb for a while. A friend of mine works in the technical IT branche and is quite good with motors, electronics and the like. So I could make a life sized working one if I had the time. Connecting it would be another story though ;P Beork Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Spirit Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Yea that's what i ment. Using lots of cabling to get the idea of muscles, some are bulging outwards more then others. I love those kind of arms, but it's just taste :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 It's something I can, and probably will, do for the rest of my Ironbound army. I want to have a diverse array of bionics in the army, maybe use different styles for different squads. I like the idea, but it's easier in large scale, Maybe I should transplant my 1:35 mini with bionics :) And yet another Dutchmen I see, the B&C seems to be teeming with them ;P Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Spirit Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Yea taking over the world, one step at a time right bud? :D Okay back ontopic, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadaeux Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 @kadaeux;I have been toying with the idea of makin ga life size bionic limb for a while. A friend of mine works in the technical IT branche and is quite good with motors, electronics and the like. So I could make a life sized working one if I had the time. Connecting it would be another story though ;P The real trick is connecting the Nerves to the Servos with an intelligent program to control the arm itself. The less it can do the less complex but such is mechano-neural surgery. If every 40ker on Earth donated for bionics research we'd have it in a week ;) :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ameal2007 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Not to mention every Iron Hands player in existence would probably be a willing test subject. Plenty besides, too... I'd like to sign up for an entire left arm, detachable at the socket so it doesn't get in the way whilst in bed (XKCD had the right idea with the 'hole-y mattress'), and possibly a part of my jaw so I have that strange, rather cool "grimacing whilst looking hardcore" thing going on. Of course now I just need to have my left arm and half my face ripped off. Damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kadaeux Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Not to mention every Iron Hands player in existence would probably be a willing test subject. Plenty besides, too... I'd like to sign up for an entire left arm, detachable at the socket so it doesn't get in the way whilst in bed (XKCD had the right idea with the 'hole-y mattress'), and possibly a part of my jaw so I have that strange, rather cool "grimacing whilst looking hardcore" thing going on. Of course now I just need to have my left arm and half my face ripped off. Damn. Are you kidding mate! I'd go for a Bionic Arm (Full Deal, Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand) as well as a Bionic Eye. I could let the surgeons scoop one out for it. (Probably my left, I don't like it as much as the right.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Captain Andrecus Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 That would hurt like crazy though... Nice job so far Beork, I like how it's going... Unfortunately, I live in the US, so shipping one of those arms from Holland might be a little difficult... Hmm. But I really do like the design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vash113 Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 That's the most work I think I've ever seen go into a single arm, really nice work I look forward to seeing the finished product B). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midas Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Wow this is getting ludicrisly awsome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 Naw, shipping to the US 11 euro when uninsured and 25 euro when insured, it's not that expensive. Of course, when using the DHL or some other parcel service, the price will skyrocket. But you can just say you think it's too expensive, I don't mind ;P Sunday I'll try to do some more work, maybe till then. Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Captain Andrecus Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Haha, I'm afraid I pretty much extended my gaming budget for a while sadly... I just don't have the cash right now, maybe sometime in the future, perhaps... It's looking really good so far though, keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Beork Posted January 14, 2009 Author Share Posted January 14, 2009 So, update time again. I started working on another hand for the arm, took me about an hour to get everything right and then my superglue tube burst and it got covered in a nice thick layer of superglue. There was no saving it so I just trashed it. The ruined hand is the upper one in the picture. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5780.jpg I redid the wiring on another hand, this time applying the glue in a different way and also keeping the tube way out of reach ;P I forgot to take pictures from step one, but I’ll explain. I first, gently, made a shallow incision in the plastic along the length of the fingers. I enlarged the incision with a line cutter (or whatever you call those things, panel scriber or bla). I than brushed the hand strongly with a toothbrush to remove the dust and plastic residue that remains when scraping lines. This also polishes the hand a bit for a nice gleam effect when building ;P I also traced parallel lines somewhat in line with the metacarpals (hand bones). This hand is going to have poison injectors coming out of the knuckles and the lines are where the injectors will be sunk into. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5785.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5786.jpg I glued the injectors in per pair with one pair being longer than the other pair. This is mainly to remove the wolverine effect. The injectors themselves are about 0,3 mm thick iron tubes. I managed to scrounge them from work. They are needles from a DNA sequencer that has been out of use for years and I was allowed to take the spare parts with me. They are pretty strong considering their thickness, but can be bend and cut quite easily. Next I added an armour plate to cover them up. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/brother_beork/54mm%20Bionic%20Arm/100_5788.jpg This armour plate curves around the edges of the hand and is still way too thick. I already filed it down a bit but I did not take pictures of it yet. Maybe tonight (if the wife permits me, she needs attention once in a while as well ;) ) Also, thanks to this commission, I just received another commission. To make two bionic arms with scorpion claws instead of hands (what is it with people just wanting arms these days, I’ve not been asked for a full mini in years). New thread will appear shortly (sadly, this really cuts into my ironbound time. But hell, new things to make and earning a bit as well). This work also leads me to revise my Ironbound, I want to add some armour plates, as I did with this arm, to beef them up a bit and make them somewhat more attractive. Beork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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