How to sculpt cogtooth crenelation?

[Razerz]

As the title says I'm looking for tips/tutorials on how to sculpt cog-tooth crenelations, such as on Techmarine shoulder pads and other parts of their armour.

The first variant I've tried is to first sculpt the "base" and let that cure, and then add the "teeth". When doing this, the teeth have a tendency to slide around due to being so small.

The second variant I've tried is to sculpt it all in one go. When doing this, I can never get an even thickness and/or width of the base and teeth.

 

Is there something I'm missing, or should I just be more patient try again?

[dswanick]

Go down to your friendly neighborhood discount hardware store (Harbor Freight/Mr. Seconds/etc...) and buy a 1,000-pack of various sizes of lock/star washers. Then all you need is a selection of human skulls to put in the middle.

[Razerz]

Ahh, sorry, I should have clarified, I want to do crenelations on the edges of the armour. But your suggestion is a good one for doing the symbol on the shoulderpad.

[TennisBall]

Plasticard strips. Evergreen models sells packs of thin strips. Chop them into squares and glue them in place.

[Prosedragon]

Try pressmolds of any existing symbols you have - a little creativity with them and you can do some impressive things.

[curnow]

roll the GS in to a even sausage about the width to want the edgeing " DONT USE UR FINGERS AS THIS WILL CAUSE IT TO BE WOBBLY" use a flat serface and a smaller flat surface eg. a square of plasti card or summing .

 

cut a small length off ( this you leave to dry and use as a template for size when you roll more )

with the rest lay it along the edge where you want it and idealy use a clay/colour shaper to press and smooth it along the edge to the width you want it (in total including the teeth) REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR TOOLS AND FINGERS MOIST USE WATER OR VASALINE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ! then the GS will stck to the model and not you :]

 

once you have both edges smooth and even you can "cut" the teeth out of the inside edge , you realy want the teeth to be even so you are going to have to use something to gage them ...i use a set of flat jewlery screwdrivers as they come in a nice range of sizes and they are small . chose the one thats the size of tooth you want and use this to "cookie cut " the teeth out as you are useing a set tool the depth and width of the teeth will all be the same as well as the being the same size as the bits you have cut out ,giving you a nice even tooth pattern .

[Lorenzen]

tbh...

 

use milliput.. its much better for sharp edged stuff as it can be carved and sanded after its cured.

[Bannus]

You could invest a set of Iron Hands etched brass. FW conveniently did the cog pattern all around the border for additional cog-like goodness.