Shell Casings

[awilden]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone had experience with Secret Weapon shell casings? http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=40

 

I wanted to add a bit of flavour to the bases of some of the heavy weapon teams that have Heavy Bolters and/or Auto-cannons (for the Guard Detachment), and maybe the Devastator squads for my Blood Angels.

 

I was curious how they look and how it is to work with them, they seem to come on sprues so could be batch painted with an airbrush then cut off the sprue.

 

Also is there much size difference between the 'Spent Shell Casings - Infantry Heavy', and the 'Spent Shell Casings - Vehicle Heavy' versions? If anyone has tried either or both of the kits.

 

(as a kind of additional fluffy question, do the majority of SM / IG weapons (aside for laser/flame/melta based weapons) use shell casings? I'm not 100% up with the fluff, but i thought maybe at least the standard bolters were meant to be case-less rounds that either fire the whole thing, or disintegrate the shell on firing, I guess for modelling it can be whatever we like, and whatever works best to get the look we want, I just thought i;d add that question out of genuine curiosity).

 

Thanks.

[Teetengee]

Bolt weaponry generally speaking shouldn't have casings, but repeatedly it is shown that it does. Perhaps it is just to keep them clean. Auto weaponry of all types will probably have it though.

[JeffTibbetts]

I have a pack but I haven't tried them yet. I just have the standard ones, not the heavy, though. You could probably paint them on the Sprite but you'd have to take care of the mold lines first.

 

As Teetengee pointed out, old fluff says bolters are caseless, but they sure don't seem to be anymore. These are sized to fit perfectly for bolters.

[awilden]

After looking at the website I thought to try look at the comparison photos and try make a list of what fits what, maybe anyone who has bought the packs and knows the scale could add to it.

 

Standard: bolters, Diameter:

Shotgun: shotguns, Diameter:

Infantry Heavy: , Diameter:

Infantry Assault: assault cannons, Diameter:

Vehicle Heavy: heavy bolters, Diameter:

Vehicle Assault: , Diameter:    

[furstyferret]

While very useful, why not just buy some cylindrical styrene rod and cut them to length? It'll save you a fortune and can be used for other projects. It's what I've used on the models in my wip log.

[awilden]

While very useful, why not just buy some cylindrical styrene rod and cut them to length? It'll save you a fortune and can be used for other projects. It's what I've used on the models in my wip log.

Well from looking at the pictures off of Secret Weapon website, the shells seem to have the complete appearance of a fired shell (so the rim on the back end etc.), there's a point where I just prefer to spend the little extra for both not having to make the thing itself, and having it look that little bit more realistic, considering the amount spent so far on all of my armies, spending $10 on a pack of 50 shells to decorate the bases seems fairly small really.

 

I totally get your point though, like I was looking at making my own bricks out of foam with a rectangle hole punch rather than buying a bag of pre-done bricks, but for a set of to size (hopefully once its worked out which go with which gun) shells, that just need to be cleaned up, the little bit extra would save a lot of headache and mucking about trying to cut tubing to size.

 

Also since they're really only going to be on the heavy weapon teams, and a few devastators, 50 spread around lightly should do the job, and getting the tubes may end up costing close to that for a good sized bag of them, and may make way more than needed (not to mention working out the correct diameter).

 

So yeah that is a good suggestion too and if we can work out the diameter of shells/rods needed, we could add that to the list if it'll help, then anyone wanting shells for a specific weapon to add to their bases, then maybe this thread will be of use, hopefully.

[furstyferret]

Well from looking at the pictures off of Secret Weapon website, the shells seem to have the complete appearance of a fired shell (so the rim on the back end etc.), there's a point where I just prefer to spend the little extra for both not having to make the thing itself, and having it look that little bit more realistic, considering the amount spent so far on all of my armies, spending $10 on a pack of 50 shells to decorate the bases seems fairly small really.

While very useful,

I totally get your point though, like I was looking at making my own bricks out of foam with a rectangle hole punch rather than buying a bag of pre-done bricks, but for a set of to size (hopefully once its worked out which go with which gun) shells, that just need to be cleaned up, the little bit extra would save a lot of headache and mucking about trying to cut tubing to size.

Also since they're really only going to be on the heavy weapon teams, and a few devastators, 50 spread around lightly should do the job, and getting the tubes may end up costing close to that for a good sized bag of them, and may make way more than needed (not to mention working out the correct diameter).

So yeah that is a good suggestion too and if we can work out the diameter of shells/rods needed, we could add that to the list if it'll help, then anyone wanting shells for a specific weapon to add to their bases, then maybe this thread will be of use, hopefully.

That's fair enough pal, there's nothing wrong with wanting to spend a little more on your models to get the look you're after.

Bricks is very different, so I'm with you on buying stuff like that. For me, the shell casing are supposed to represent something viewed from a distance, and rod is fine for that. It all depends on your budget, needs, etc.

[Ovidius Incertus]

I'll try to remember to measure some up when I get home tonight.  I have two sizes, I think, but have never used them yet.

 

Make that 3 sizes!

 

Dimensions (roughly):

 

Standard: .11" long x .03" diameter

 

Infantry Heavy: .15" long x .05" diameter

 

Vehicle Assault: .215" long  x.055" diameter

 

Sorry, they were still in the plastic, so I didn't take them out to put the calipers on them, so measurements are a little fuzzy.  It's sorta hard to tell on the smaller sizes where the rim actually is and the sprue/flash begins.  The "vehicle assault" size is, I think, considerably larger looking than the "infantry heavy", even though the dimensions aren't that much bigger.  "Standard" might, as I look at it, look a little small for a bolt casing (whether it should exist or not).  "Infantry heavy" looks like a good all-around choice; "Vehicle assault" really would look too big unless you're dealing with an autocannon-wielding model or vehicle.