TheReclusiarch Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Hello everyone! I have a question/request from you awesome guys at the B&C! I just started my third Space Marine army and was thinking about making the chapter more "official" looking by adding the correct symbols and chapter markings. Having had some bad experiences with transfers (read: I am too bad applying them!) I have been looking for some shoulder pads with the markings already modelled onto them. I ordered some from Chapter House Studios but those didn't work well at all (too flag, too long, didn't fit well at all) so now I'm going for my second (and only, it seems, haven't found tactical shoulder pads anywhere else) choice; buying tactical marine shoulder pads from Games Workshop. The reason I am slightly concerned about ordering the GW shoulder pads is because it is said they are smaller than normal shoulder pads (the shoulder pads are very old it seems!). I have not seen any pictures of them on models though, and that's why I turn to you guys. Anyone of you have pictures of Space Marines with any of the Tactical shoulder pads from GW? I'd love to see them! Thanks! TheReclusiarch Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 The GW tac pads are just shy of a millimeter smaller on all of the edges. They fit on the shoulders just fine, but it's the edges that don't extend far enough. Here's a shot of one of the old metal Ultramarine pads on my Master of the Forge, which is the same size as the tac pads: http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/MotF/motfcomplete04.jpg http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z43/goalie20/Warhammer%2040K/MotF/motfcomplete02.jpg You'll notice that I added arim of plasticard behind and below the pad to thicken it up and make it cover enough of the model's bicep area. If you're comfortable adding a bit of card to the back of the pad and then filing it smooth at the join, go for it. A little Liquid Greenstuff would probably help shore up the gap as well. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160061 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReclusiarch Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 Thanks for the reply! Hmm.. Not sure about the shoulder pads yet, not to good with modding with greenstuff or plasticard. I tried looking for Etched brass tactical symbols, that seemed like a good third idea, but it seems not even those exist! :P In any case, thanks, got me something to think about. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160068 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonaides Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Is painting them out of the question? It really isn't too hard once you get your method sorted, and the tac marking is probably the easiest. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160102 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReclusiarch Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 I have been trying to paint them (some time ago, though, might be a better painter now), but it didn't turn out that great. Perhaps using a stencil is the way to go? That said, making such a small stencil might be a tad complicated. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160109 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhg033 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 you could try making a press mould of either a flat tactical arrow or existing pads eg the AoBR marines? relatively easy to do. you can then trim the arrow from the cured gs and glue it in place on a normal shoulder pad. the trick will be not to make the moulded arrow too thick good example of press moulding here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...3888&st=125 you could use gs to make the mould too if you wanted. use some vaseline to stop the mould sticking Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peredyne Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Your decal problem is not necessarily that you're bad at it. The decal paper GW uses in their kits is thick. It's fine for flat surfaces, but sucks on curved surfaces like the shoulderpads. Get some decal softening solution or try one of the aftermarket decal producers like Armorcast. The AM producers tend to use thinner decal paper. The decal softening solution does exactly that- it softens the decal so it will conform to the surface. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160137 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReclusiarch Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 Oh, interesting. Never thought of that. So perhaps some http://armorcast.com/store/product_info.ph...products_id=603 or http://armorcast.com/store/product_info.ph...e6a259eb3f3b20a could help me get those decals onto the model? EDIT: After watching a few reviews and "How-To":s on YouTube I have decided to try out the dcal softening solution. Thanks Peredyne! Let's hope it helps. <_< Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160140 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenith Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 If you are concerned about the size of GW pads, then you should be ok if you are ordering both chapter and squad pads - as both pads on your marines will be the same size. I have used lots of metal ads on my iron warriors and they look fine. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160143 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenith Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 If you are concerned about the size of GW pads, then you should be ok if you are ordering both chapter and squad pads - as both pads on your marines will be the same size. I have used lots of metal ads on my iron warriors and they look fine. Just remember that power armour is usually a hotch potch of marks as it is. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160144 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShinyRhino Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Good idea with retrying decals with the solutions. I'm told they work really well, but do take some practice. Skip etched brass and greenstuff press moulds. Neither is a good idea for shoulder pads because the rigid materials don't conform to the curved surface of the shoulder pads. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160408 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peredyne Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Skip etched brass and greenstuff press moulds. Neither is a good idea for shoulder pads because the rigid materials don't conform to the curved surface of the shoulder pads. Not true. The etched brass will conform to the shoulderpad with some burnishing work.I've use the FW etched brass for my Minotaurs on shoulderpads, torsos, weapons, and banners. The brass is soft enough that burnishing it will do the job nicely. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/259748-gws-tactical-shoulder-pads/#findComment-3160478 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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