Ironwrought Huw Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hey all. I've been in the hobby about 7 years, but this is my first attempt at making a 'true-scale' character - I've seen the works of Doghouse and Lamenter, and decided that I'd love to try it too. The character I'm making is an Iron Hands techmarine type character for the game Deathwatch. I'm basing the design on this old 2004 design for a techmarine (I believe it was one of the origional servoharness design concepts) http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011589.jpg This is as far as I have gotten - http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011594.jpg Scale comparison with my Inquistor model http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011585.jpg But, I have a problem - to make his mechanendrites (I have no idea if that's the right spelling :lol: ), I need something like guitar string - but, having all the musical skills of an Ork, I'm stuck, and clueless. Can anyone tell me what type of strings I would need for those heavy duty power cables, and the big think "Doc Octopuss" style arms? *Edit* See later, pretty much solved* Any suggestions? How is it looking so far? (aside from the legs and feet which I know are rough) Edit - the little plasticard things next to his feet are going to be turned into 'stabilisers' which the 2004 concept sketch also has. Thanks for looking, all questions/criticisms welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminatorinhell Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 I would suggestbthe thickest string...is it called an f or g string im not an instrumental fellow. I do like where this is goinf and the female marine is cool, howd you go about it? I only ask because I also have a couple female marines in my army and wouldnt mind trying to figure out a better way than sculpting the entire upper body Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Garrod Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 oh shi . amberly ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 F or G string? Ok thanks, I'll look into it. Amberly Veil? No, never heard of her... :lol: Yes, bought her for that reason :lol: Sadly, I can't take credit for the female marine. She's a character called Libby from a british-based company Hasslefree Miniatures (I believe the sculpter used to work for GW too). She normally comes with a pistol and axe (or rugby ball if you buy the football version), but I replaced these for a boltpistol and powerfist from the Cadian command squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminatorinhell Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Oh wow shes from HF, I always buy heads from.there, I wonder why I didnt notice her lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Caedrius Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Thickest guitar string is an E Thinnest guitar string is also an E, just to confuse you :lol: They run like this (thick to thin) E,A,D,G,B,E If you want SERIOUSLY thick strings, go for Bass Guitar strings (from thick to thin) E, A, D, G You can buy individual guitar strings at most music places, but Bass strings are by the pack unfortunately Hope that helps :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny sam Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 You can buy individual guitar strings at most music places, but Bass strings are by the pack unfortunately Or fortunately, because it gives you a cool variety of cables that can be used in differents ways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dez Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Bass Guitar Strings are also the most expensive though. My advice is to ask any musically gifted friends to give you their strings, we change them pretty often. Though I used to change my bass strings less often, because they were $40 a set of 4. Guitar strings are relatively cheap, I'd changed those out at least once a week, bass strings...every 6 months or more. Another thing you can try is asking your local music shop if they have any old strings they are throwing out. I hope that helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother_Fatiswon Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 packages of guitar stings are based on the "thinnest" string in the package. So what this means to you is you should look into either brass acoustic stings or "heavy" guitar strings. if you are going to be buying only a single guitar string, ask for the low E or .48-.50 gauge string. you can get a package of strings for about $6-15 dollars USD for x6 strings Bass guitar string will cost about $45-60 for x4 stings and personally i think are too thick for model work. i've used the inner part of a guitar string as fuse wire for dynamite sticks on ork models good luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Ok, thanks guys, that's been helpful. I don't know of any music stores near me, and whilst I used to play the bass when I was in school, I don't think they'd be happy if I returned and looted all their strings... Buying bass strings online seems very expensive for what I'm planning, so I think I'll have to stick to guitar strings. I know these are medium rather than heavy, but do you think the .56 would be big/thick enough? http://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-EJ17-Phos...716&sr=1-10 - They're £7 for a pack, so it doesn't seem too expensive - and the ability to use the other, thinner parts would be useful. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghouse Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Looking really good so far mate, I really like the waist arm. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzen Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 as far as guitar string goes they are measured in guages so a 56 would be 0.056 of an inch (1.4mm) id say go for electric strings rather than acoustic.. it doesnt even say if those strings are wound strings or not where as these.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ernie-Ball-Slinky-...2830&sr=1-3 are definitley the type of string you see used on most models and are thicker guages than your average set of guitar strings. (reason i can be sure.. these are the strings i use on my guitar and subsequently my models ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutters Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Also, since nobody's said it, go for guitar strings made of steel instead of nickel or nylon. Steel strings are built for trashing, they're shiny, they're tough, and they're wound round pretty well. Lorenzen's got a great idea, those Super Slinky's are great guitar strings. The steel counterpart are these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ernie-Ball-Stainle...6264&sr=1-8 Either way, Nickel or Steel is the way to go. They'll both look awesome on your model. The nickel is a few dollars cheaper usually, but sometimes they sell the steel ones cheaper once in awhile when they have a sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexington Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Actually, rather than guitar string (which I've found more than a little troublesome to work with), I recommend running a brass rod through some of these. They're flexible, cheap, and have exactly the kind of look you're going for. :huh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Ok once again, thanks guys. I've ordered a set of the strings Lorenzen mentioned, simply because niether Mutters or Lexington had responded at the time. Since they aren't that expensive, I may order the others mentioned and have a play around with them. *Edit* - I've just realised, I don't actually know howto use and work with the strings... How do I fix them in place, or keep them in position? Doghouse thanks, your guides have helped me when I've been making this guy (and another TS marine I've yet to post up here) Does anyone have any suggestions for his left arm and hand? In the GW sketch, he has a chainblade, like the apothicary's arm doo-dah (I'm not even going to bother attempting to spell it...) and his hand is simply in a fist. Should I have him holding a weapon? I have a FW left bionic arm and pre-heresy plasma pistol I could give him, but I have a feeling that they may appear too small. Cheers again guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 Ok, a little work done on Ferrik Archellus (suitable IH name?) http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011594-1.jpg The arms and torso are only held in place by blue-tac, he's a little bit wonkey - he is meant to be stood upright. Anyway, here is the wrist mounted blade - it's missing the power cable at the back. Colourscheme wise, since this is a character for Death Watch, I'm going to experiment with the left shoulder pad - half of it will be the Inqusitorial DW logo, the other half the cog-wheel of the mechanicus. He brought another friend from the Death Watch with him... (And a servitor!) http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011593.jpg I don't know how to use this second marine. Any suggestions? I'm thinking a captain type. And finally, a size shot http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011591.jpg All critcisms, suggestions and questions welcome, Cheers for looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorenzen Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 as far as working with guitar strings.. bend them to shape.. they usually require bending a little further than the desired shape as they tend to flex back, if you've worked with plasticard its essentially the same idea as bending that.. just made out of metal. superglue is your glue of choice for them.. what with them being metal and all. and finally drilling holes into minis in the same way that you would to pin something is always usefull but it will require bigger drill bits than your standard pin vice one.. most hobby stores sell these and you can figure out which ones you need based on the guage of the string. id highly recommend some closer shots of the model.. its difficult to see the detail on him when hes that far away from the camera and crop your pics a bit too.. if you are confident with you greenstuffing why not give him a red shoulderpad with the cog overlaid with the iron hands hand? that way you can leave the deathwatch symbol alone whilst adequetly showing his allegiance to the iron hands and the mechanicus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 16, 2011 Author Share Posted July 16, 2011 Right, thanks for the assistance Lorenzen I like the idea of the cog-wheel and logo, but I think I'll just try and paint it on. Working with guitar strings is fun, and easier than I thought. I was expecting them to unbend at every opportunity, or spring out of shape. In the past 2 days I've managed to get this far - (this is a dry fit, I'm not going to glue him until after I've painted him) http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/goodpic.jpg http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/IMG_0411.jpg What do you guys think of him so far? (Again, I'm working on the legs, trying to make them a little bit more presentable) Cheers for looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 Well, I started painting him. I'm not sure if you can tell from my (pretty poor quality I'll admit) photos, but I haven't actually used pure black on him apart from a few small places. Instead, I've used a technique I learnt in A2 art, and mixed regal blue into a nice dark tone, and only used the black for the really deep shadow areas. Also, this is my first attempt at NMM (and I know it isn't very good). http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011602.jpg http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011594-2.jpg http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011604.jpg What do you think of him so far? I'm not entirely sold on the AdMech cogwheel on the chestplate. How are the colours looking? Could I do with adding brighter colours to him, or stick with the dark tones? Cheers guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironwrought Huw Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 Ok, I think I've finished Ferrik, appart from the base (which I'm doing once I sort out the rest of the unit). I'm not entirely sure - any opinions? I'm pleased with the plasma-cutter thing, with the glowy blue light on it :) Scale shot http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011601.jpg The back, showing the exhaust http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011604-1.jpg "Look ma, no legs!" http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011607.jpg And a final looking at his chest in detail http://i1123.photobucket.com/albums/l545/Huberticus66/P1011608.jpg Do any of you have any suggestions? Like I said, I'm not sure if I've finished. I feel like I could do more, but at the same time I'm not sure. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminatorinhell Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 This is definitely one of my favorite techmarine models I have seen to date! I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.