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Hey all, this is actually my first serious vehicle mod, I just couldn't being my self to blow ridiculous amount of money on a Necron superheavy, but i figured $30 was tolerable. I ordered three monolith sections off ebay and set to work. i think it's turned out nicely for my first serious bit, but now I'm basically set to paint and have hit that "duerrr ehhh maybe metal??" phase. I'd love to go for the menacing aura look with light effects and all, but that might be just beyond my painting skills . I know a WD just came out kind of recentally that basically spelled the technique out for kindergarteners, but i can't seem to get my hands on it. Still, If anyone's interested I'll post progress, etc...

I'm thinking about making a bunch more of these and selling them for $50 + S&H, but I don't even know if the market is there for them.

Anyways, the remaining big work left is some clay modeling to shore up the sides of crescent support and of course the metal bits etc. surrounding the crystal itself.

Thoughts, ideas, etc. always welcome... save for pictures of hip thrusting guardsmen. lol

Nice use of 'lith parts there .

That actually works quite well. Nice job.

Consider that stolen. I have a number of 'extra' monoliths lying around that I am trying to figure out what to do wiht. I think I will cut some of them up and make one of these too.

It's insanely easy to do. In fact, almost all of the modeling I've done has been cutting off extra bits n' edges here and there to squidge it all in together. I actually took some wall putty and pieces it together like 4-5 different ways until I just settled on this one and started pinning the major components together.

Thanks guys, and THIEF!!!! lol, I appreciate your... appreciation? lol

Nice, must draw a helluvalotta fire in games.

Awesome and simple idea. Always the best type.

Nice improvising good work

I love seeing creative things like this !!

Great idea !!!

Forgeworld's sole Necron piece is now completely irelevent. I like it.

Smart thinking. I like it a lot. Is it about the same size as a pylon or is it smaller?

Here's some more shots and progress with it. I've filled in a few gaps near the base I didn't like, addressed the areas on the sides I felt I really needed to and have done some work on the crystal. Pshhh, fashioning clay can take an annoying amount of time, but i like how the look turned out. I think I really am close to painting, but I still need to think how I'm going to connect the rods with the crystal,etc.. right now I have them putty-ed against it so I can see in concept how it looks. I'm pretty happy with it.




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and as for true size comparison to the FW product....
[img]
http://www.gatesofmysticism.net/Other/Miniatures/NecronPylon1.JPG[/img]

All you need is a globe stand and a crystal!

The exact kinds of mods I like, using existing kit parts to look completely different and replace an expensive FW model.
Fine, fine work.
I see a cease and desist coming...

That is a awesome idea!

that is very clever. Even without the top gun section it makes for a very cool terrain/archeo tech terrain piece and would work very well with some of the cities of death stuff. excellent work. You realy should add this to modelling articles section of the web site.

wow, that's quite a complement, but I don't really think i'm quite vetted to throw my lot into the articles section quite yet.

besides, I'm fairly certain anyone who would bother making this can fairly instantly deduce how I did it.

1) Gather 1 crown/base section, 2 sprues of the top/engines

2) ?

3) PROFIT!

lol

Nice conversion mate, it's roughly the right size too. Great bit of lateral thinking.

That is amazing! A lot better than my cousin's improvised pylon:

Thats cool but to get those parts it dont look liek its that much cheaper. Thought you do have the advantage of not building the real ones Ive got 2 and they are bloody gak to build easily the worst model ive built after the thunderfire cannon for straight out lack of quality and fitting parts.

eh, not really. It's a $138 US before S&H from forgeworld (90 GBP) for the pylon and only $26 + S&h for my conversion if you get the components off ebay, also assuming you have a crystal handy. It might cost an additional 5-10 US$ if you're having to hunt for crystals to go with them, and of course, that's assuming you feel you need to have a crystal to go with it.

Even assuming you need to buy the crystal, the conversion is about 1/4 of the cost of the original.




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if you already have the parts laying around? well... you can't beat free now can you? lol

And so it comes to pass.

The modding skills that are neccessary to save money have been adopted by the few and used to make themselves a God.

Venture forth my friend and become drawn into the world that is... Your Imagination!

Looks good, can't wait to see it painted. Is that the extra crystal your brother got from me to give to you?

Ah, is that YOU he who will not be named?
and the answer is yes, lol

I have found that people are bastards about selling those crystals at stupid prices.

Does ANYONE recall a site where they make their own or at least aren't charging for my left nu..... er... arm?

The Dragon wrote:
Does ANYONE recall a site where they make their own or at least aren't charging for my left nu..... er... arm?

Remember that Alumilite or whatever stuff I got from the hobby store? It costs $70, but for the kit to have a rubber cast of a crystal would be awesome! You could mass produce and resell online plastic casts of the model... if you so deem to cross GW's righteous hand.

Simple steps:
Caution-- May ruin one crystal

1. Glue crystal to cardboard plate.

2. Create WATER PROOF boarder 1 inch taller than crystal and build a wall around the crystal. This acts as containment for rubber. Use hot glue in the corners to prevent leakage if you are not sure with the holds.

3. Mix the rubber solution. I believe it is 1 teaspoon cementing solution (supplied) to every 10 ounces rubber solution (supplied) Could be wrong.. it has been a while.

4. Pour slowly over the top of the crystal making sure you have enough rubber solution to fill your little box.

5. Wait overnight. Trust me it says 2 to 5 hours max... but you don't want to break the seal and have rubber leak all over you.

6. Peel the cardboard away revealing the crystal half embedded in rubber.

7. Remove crystal slowly so you don't tear the rubber.

8. mix 50/50 the plastic solution. This settles in 1 to 3 minutes and gets really hot so be careful!.

9. Pour and wait.

10. Make another plastic crystal half.

TA DA! Two halves of a crystal with enough solution to possibly make... 15 to 20 MORE crystals before the plastic solution is empty.

Warning, your rubber mold will rip if you aren't careful! But this rubber mold, if taken care of will produce 50 to 100 copies before wearing out. Pro-tip. After about 10 crystals, store the rubber in a cool place and let the molecules settle.

Too much heat and reproduction weakens the rubber. I haven't tried the fridge b/c I'm unsure what that kind of cooling will do to it.

You know you may be able to mold it to get a solid crystal instead of just halves. Though I have not seen the crystal in a while.

Lorne wrote:You know you may be able to mold it to get a solid crystal instead of just halves. Though I have not seen the crystal in a while.

*Points at The Dragon's pictures* That green crystal.

You can, but that leaves a bit of stretching when you pull the crystal out of each mold. Increases the risk of the rubber ripping. Best to make half a mold and print two crystals. You could make two crystal molds and hold them together with a rubberband, then pull them appart for one solid crystal, but then you'd have to keep buying the rubber release so that the two molds don't heat up with the plastic and fuse together. It takes a little more time to make halves, but you save money and prevent loosing your mold quicker.

If there is a person who is willing to make a metal casting with a two frame sheet that pulls appart, then damn you got money on you! But for the hobo-bro that wants a few crystals... Go rubber... or buy those cool "Grow Your Own Crystal" things and measure how much powder you need to form the right size crystal without over-growth! That IMHO would be the most MOD-tastic and personal way to go.

Hell... make a monolyth out of pure crystal! Bring that to a WH40K Tourny and see if it don't turn heads.

lol, take an ALL crystal monolith to the Golden Demon competition?

I'm thinking it wouldn't count since it's not paint, but there'd be much picture taking.

What sucks, is that right now i'm wanting to model like a madman and get to painting, but I have some class finals right on my doorstep. soo. it's having to wait...

so frustrating.

The Dragon wrote:lol, take an ALL crystal monolith to the Golden Demon competition?

I'm thinking it wouldn't count since it's not paint...

If it is being presented to the Golden Deamon Competition, then give it a wooden base and paint is like some sort of lava field. There is your painting and to construct a CRYSTAL MONOLYTH out of those wiggy science packets... c'mon... they would gak bricks, build you a castle and name you grand ruler of all necrons. They expell power from their crystals right? So give the crystal monolyth a rule like "Loses living metal, but gains appocolyptic barrage template at str 12 ap 1."

Enter a game with the three monolyth formation with the crystal in the middle. Burn horde armies in an instant. Laugh as they can't shoot you.

they would gak bricks if it was tinged a translucent green and somehow illuminated

Wow, that looks really well done and so easy! Thanks for the idea.