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Subtle Discord

By Subtle Discord
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disease Veteran

disease

Posted
Posted (edited)

Chaos Knight -  Well, a full chaos knight would be lovely albeit time consuming, but i think your style lends itself well to pre-heresy too. 

 

FYI, forge world previewed thier own chaos knight the other day, in the style of the mhara gul dreadnought, so i expect rules will be out soon too.

 

as ever keep up the good work, and pushing those boundaries

 

Edited by disease
Sception Venerable Brother

Sception

Posted
Posted (edited)

Yes!  Restock!  I'm so stoked.  I got stuff for a single rhino, and will place another order when the second trim kit comes in.  It's my first time buying kits from you, and I'm super, super excited!

 

Cool as a knight titan would be, I think you're making the right choice holding off.  Because yeah, there are no chaos knight rules yet, and by the time there are FW will have its own conversion kit, and you'd kinda be horning in on their deal.  The Sicaran kit you're already considering, maybe fire raptor kit, those would probably be better uses of your time, and less likely to get you in trouble.  Ooooh, have you considered doing a trim kit for the dreadclaw assault pod? Or, failing that, are you still planning on doing that bulk trim sprue some time after the rapier platforms?

 

Per the knight, though, I suppose their kit will be more of the sort of irregular, semi-organic trim w/ teeth growing out of it a la the new chaos look, and yours would presumaby be in your more classic, clean cut style trim....

 

Actually, have you considered doing trim kits in the new style, now that you have a machine that can handle curves and whatnot?

Edited by malisteen
Brother Galfridus Veteran

Brother Galfridus

Posted
Posted

Got a question Subtle if you don't mind. You mentioned some time back you are using a cutting machine now. I'm finding I'm spending much more hobby time on projects that require lots of plasticard cutting and I'm getting tempted by a machine to do that so I can have fun with design and assembly more.

 

Do you have any advice about beginning to look into such machines? What I shouldlook out for and be aware of?

 

Thanks and keep up the great work this thread has been an inspiration for a long time.

masterdPm Battle-Brother

masterdPm

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hello there,

 

 

Subtle, a few months ago, I was looking for examples of conversions of Stormraven into a Stormeagle. The Almighty Gods of Internet Search showed me your topic. This topic. You just mentioned the conversion, but I found more. Oh yes I found much more. Inspiration.

 

 

I'm not into Chaos, but your work really inspired me. I'm not nearly as talented as you, but, seeing your work, I decided to take the leap. But that's something I'll discuss on a dedicated thread.

 

 

Your work is really impressive and inspirational. I wish you all the best in your enterprise !

Edited by masterdPm
  • 1 month later...
Subtle Discord Venerable Brother

Subtle Discord

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

*Subtle tosses an insomnia-fueled image out from under the rock currently residing over him*

 

While I've been quiet, I've also been active. More musings, ramblings, and updates to come soon...

 

tla3kI0.png

∙ After some creative struggles, my take on the Chaos Conversion Beamer has finally taken form.

 

BROCK: Aww no :cussin' way! Late 60's ultra death ray! She's amazing! Saddle operated with Doom-code gearing. Freakin' gorgeous.

 

MR. CARDHOLDER: If it were a woman I'd marry it.

 

MR. DOE: And I'd jeopardize our friendship by nailing your hot wife.

 

BROCK: Gyroscopic positioning?

 

JONAS JR.: At six points!

 

BROCK: Sick, tight.

 

JONAS JR.: And get this: it comes up out of the top of the skull!

 

BROCK: That's how it's done!

 

~ The Venture Brothers, e.36

 

Edited by Subtle Discord
+++ Image Data-link ∙ Repair +++
Nysse Battle-Brother

Nysse

Posted
Posted

Cracking work mate! Love the old school sci-fi vibe that it's got! You're seem to be getting the hang of Solidworks pretty darn quick. Considering that some of the older guys I work with still don't seem to get the hang off it after years of using it professionally. It's a great tool especially for something like what you are doing with it.

 

On a side note, just got my order from you last week. Superb stuff. You really are miles ahead of all competition especially regarding quality.

Sception Venerable Brother

Sception

Posted
Posted

That conversion beam looks fantastic! I've already got conversions going for a rapier bettery - forgefiend hades cannons on battle servitor bodies, but with the way your designs are coming along I may have to scrap 'em and order some of your stuff instead.

Speaking of orders, I finally got around to assembling one of my new rhinos using several of your products, and I have to say the model looks amazing, thank you!  Your work is a godsend, I can't imagine running chaos tanks without your kits at this point,

  • 4 weeks later...
Subtle Discord Venerable Brother

Subtle Discord

Posted
  • Author
Posted

++++++++++Scanning…

+++…

++++++++++Signal Detect…

++++++++++Signal Lock…

++++++++++Transferring…

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Black_Legion_01.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Black_Legion_02.jpg

 

++++++++++Transferring...

++++++++++Decrypting...

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++++++++++Standby...

+++...

Subtle Discord Venerable Brother

Subtle Discord

Posted
  • Author
Posted

*Subtle dives from the shadows, beats back life and the real :cussing world with a heavy club, slams the door shut, and quickly turns the lock*

 

Can I hide in here?

 

When the summer started I had several things ‘up in the air’ inside and outside of the studio, and as life is apt to do, things just love to fall at once. So… juggle has been the order of the day(s) the last several weeks. I’ve been in a bit of a funk because of it, and don’t have as much focus and drive as I’d like, but those are the whims of Chaos, and I always try to find my center. As usual, my silence hides my progress; writing goods articles always takes a reasonable investment in time, and lately that time was better spent creating. I’ve been working at both the virtual workbench and real workbench, so I’m going to split this update into two parts and look at each.

 

But first, a little lesson about the fun of unexpected equipment maintenance. At the beginning of the summer I was able to do a reasonable restock as planned and everything went smoothly. I wanted to get to it earlier and do a second casting run, but life and a long planned (much needed) camping vacation forced me to wait. When I returned to my workbench I discovered my compressor (the heart of my casting process, really) was leaking oil quite badly. After tearing it apart it seemed lucky to discover that it was just a worn out gasket that needed to be replaced; it’s better than a bigger mechanical problem, that should be simple enough to replace, I thought. Then I tried to actually locate the part (like trying to find a specific needle in a pile of needles) or material to make my own that wasn’t sold in massive expensive sheets. It wasn’t until I came across someone who worked on a farm that recounted how they ‘temporarily’ solved the same problem with a piece of cornflakes box cut to size; the original gasket has a very cardboard-like texture. They had since purchased a replacement gasket, but decided to wait for the improvised fix to fail before taking the effort to dismantle the compressor. That was several years ago, and the cereal box gasket had yet to fail. Being in a pinch, I channeled my inner MacGyver, found a box (actual corn flakes, no less) and used the old gasket as a template to trace out a new gasket. I haven’t had a chance to really stress it with some serious work, but so far it looks like it’s going to do the trick. This hiccup delayed a fresh casting run to restock, but that is now on track to start in a day or two, and that will be as good a test as any. *Crosses fingers*

 

Now, on to some (lots of) pictures and a bit of (lots of) rambling about 3D modeling. In short, yep, I really enjoy building/creating in SolidWorks. It still takes a surprising number of hours to finish a reasonably complex 3D model, but the freedom to explore and adjust forms and create complex assemblies is amazing. If the 3D prints I’ve ordered are of the right quality (examples I’ve seen are promising) then I know that I’ve only just stated to scratch the surface of what I can create. Hands-on scratch building will still have its place when the scale makes it practical, but for small-scale high-detail parts the potential is boggling. So I’ve done several smaller kits (and a few that are a bit larger) to test the waters; if they meet my standards they will be the first of many. First up, the finishing of some earlier projects and ideas; some from quite a long time ago…

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Ammo_Drums_01.jpg

A long time ago when I first started dabbling with 3D modeling I did some Bolter ammo drums, because well, belt-fed Bolters just don’t do it for me (and many others, it would seem).

 

An order for my first batch of 3D prints was actually sent before I went camping, (due to arrive late July) but they were rushed a little and I didn’t do a final test fitting in SolidWorks. When I returned and did a few checks I discovered that was a mistake (always do a final test fitting… always) and there were a few flaws that couldn’t be ignored. This forced me to cancel the order (creating a delay) but gave me the opportunity to make some final improvements and finish even more for my first order, like these ammo drums.

 

I’ve been adding the knives provided in the Chaos Space Maine kit as bayonets on the Bolters for a long time, but I was never happy with how weak the connection usually is at the join; they’re very prone to breaking off. So, I took the time to make some that should be much more substantial and add a bit of variety. If I (and others) like them it would be a snap to do other forms. When I got those done, a simple solution for a take on a combi-Melta along the same lines didn’t seem like a stretch; an ammo drum with an added Melta canister on the side completes the look.

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Siege_Ram_01.jpg

Started a few months ago, the Land Raider Siege Ram (AKA: ‘Dozer Blade) has been finished.

 

I made a few changes to this design, moving the smaller hydraulic arm from the top to the bottom to give better line-of-sight to the sponsons. Test fittings done with paper prints helped me get an idea what this will look like on an actual model. I was also sure to give the side-arms a key that will permit the part to lift while also stopping it from dropping too low. It’s a massive slab of plastic in the end that cost more than average to print (not enough volume to hollow to save cost) but I'm quite happy with the final kit, so it’s worth it. Still cheaper than the labour it would take to build something like this from scratch.

 

On a side note, can someone please confirm if Loyalist Space Marines are still unable to add the ‘Dozer Blade to their Land Raider? I’ll be happy to make a Loyalist version, but it only makes sense if they are an actual option for them.

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Combi-Weapons_01.jpg

I didn’t plan on doing these, but they just sorta’ came together. Sometimes when the voices compel an idea, you just go with it.

 

I came across a model I had dabbled with several months ago for the armored base/pintol, and that was all I needed to get distracted (in a good way) with this build for several days. Being a fan of options, I plan to do all of my pintol mounted weapons with a modular base; a starting post with a smaller footprint so it can be mounted in unique locations, with a larger disk that fits the hatch locations on many of GWs kits. I also took a little time to make a raised and sunken version of these disks to give a little control over the profile these will create on a vehicle.

 

This little kit will be magnetized for weapon swapping, but also to give it some range of motion in its final built form. You see, I’ve got this thing about plausibility in my designs; I understand that these are just sci-fi props, but I still want the objects I create to appear plausible and reasonably manufacture-able. Always keeping the ideas of ‘How would this be manufactured and function?’ during the build process helps with adding authentic feeling details, in my opinion. It doesn’t have to realistic, but it should have some level of logic and realism, if that makes any sense?

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Combi-Weapons_02.jpg

Mounted in the sunken disk it should also have a reasonably low profile, and I was careful to keep the top-down profile size close to that of the base so it can cleanly turn 360 degrees.

 

Being a small kit I also took the time to do a full Chaos/Renegade version and a more subdued version that can be used as a less overt Renegade or Loyalist part.

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Combi-Weapons_03.jpg

Mmmm… options. *Drool* From left-to-right: combi-Bolter, combi-Flamer, combi-Melta, and combi-Plasma.

 

All of the parts are symmetrical, and modular so the weapons can be mounted how the builder wants. Just flip the weapon direction and rotate the assembly around to change up the look a little. Oh, and knowing now that Heresy-era vehicles can add pintol mounted Heavy weapons, I’ll say it’s safe to assume that adding some Heavy weapons in the future would be a welcome addition?

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Launcher_01.jpg

If I was going to redesign at my counts-as Havoc Launcher I wanted to make my own pintol mount for it, and it had to have options. Mmmm… more options. *Drool*

 

Like the pintol combi-weapons, I started with a smaller post (same size footprint) that could fit into a larger disk; again this gives the option to mount it with the higher or lower profile, depending on preference. In this case I also added a small key and placed the yoke of the pintol on a rail that can slide from side-to-side. This gives the builder the option of shifting the launcher off-center for some added variety.

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Launcher_02.jpg

I had several different motivations for redesigning this kit, not the least of which was adding a Heresy era version by popular request.

 

Racks of missiles are also painfully difficult to build by hand, so anything that can help in that case is also a welcome change. From drilling the holes, to making and placing the missile points, and trying to do it all as accurate and symmetrically as possible, it’s enough to drive you mad. If the printing process is up to the task of cleanly reproducing these curved surfaces it will completely convince me that I can do soft/round forms. This will be critical to go forward with some of my future ‘mutated’ and/or ‘warp-touched’ kits, and also kits for other races that use many more curved surfaces.

 

Also, I wanted to create a lower profile version of the Havoc launcher for mounting on tall vehicles. I think the larger square-faced launcher looks great on the back of a Rhino, but it becomes very bulky if you move it to the front, and it’s just too tall on the top of something like a Predator. By changing the missile layout and placing it in the sunken mounting disk, the profile is reduced nicely.

 

Finally, a look at the Chaos Rapier platforms in their 100% completed forms…

 

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Weapon_Platform_01_1.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Weapon_Platform_02_1.jpg

http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j332/SubtleDiscord/2015%20WIP%20Photos/Chaos_Weapon_Platform_03_1.jpg

After finishing the weapon systems I went back to the chassis and gave it one last refinement; I’ve got curves at my disposal after all, I may as well use them.

 

Unfortunately, it was the weapon platform that had a somewhat major flaw in the first print order that needed to be cancelled, so this kit was going to see a delay no matter what. This became a mixed blessing, providing an opportunity to do some final refinement and add several kits, but it’s still a little over a week before they ship. That’s ok, as it will give me time to do much-needed casting and more building of some other planned ideas. *Eyes his Storm Raven kit*

 

I have also invested in a third casting pressure chamber, and this will be the second chamber suitable for mould making (shop info tangent: my high pressure chamber is flat bottomed, and that’s not the best for making moulds – a round bottomed chamber lets you more easily level the rack holding the moulds); this new chamber will double my mould making abilities and give me a boost to casting production as well. It should arrive next week and will take a day-or-two to assemble and get into working order, just in time to help me make new moulds for these kits as quickly as possible. This, combined with the increased ability to produce fresh kits (if everything goes as planned with the 3D printed components) and other improvements in my process that have helped reduce reject parts should also mean that I can look at a price reduction on my more expensive kits. With three casting chambers, and enough variety of moulds to run, I should be able to get a proper non-stop cycle going and improve on my labour costs. I firmly believe the quality and attention to detail in my kits justifies the cost, but I also recognize that I have room to improve for the benefit of me (more sales) and my customers (better prices).

 

But that, so they say, is another story for another day. Keep an eye open for an update on these kits in the next 10-14 days. All of the 3D models shown here were ordered, and they have all passed physical inspection so far; they should be rapid prototyped over this coming week and I have an estimated ship date of Aug 18th. I’ll be sure to post up some fresh-from-the-box super macro photos and give my first brutally honest impressions. All of the components have been made with sprew sections attached for production, so they won’t fit together for assembly until I have my first casts done. Expect the Rapier to be one of the first up.

 

Before that, as promised, I’ll be showing what I’ve been up to at my real-world workbench including some more painted models (I final have some stuff actually… finished! *boggle*), build progress on my Sicaran and Fire Raptor, more fun with plastics and Servator Zing, and perhaps some other general ramblings for the fun of it. As always, comments, questions, input, feedback, and general musings are always welcome.

 

/wall-o-text: off

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