Great work on the infinity fig, the green cloth brings the trooper to the front and the red in the goggles gives the head nice focal area to draw eye to.

Looking great here merlin! havn't checked in for a while but glad i did, the bike/trike/monster machine is looking great, cant wait to see some more progress of it. XD I liked your infinity entry too! don't know if it's converted (knowing nothing about infinity) but the whole piece looks great.

Just looked through the whole Blog. I love your Ork conversions, especially the large Truck.

I'm also a bit scared of your bossbike. Looks like it'll become even bigger than mine.

Metsuri wrote:Great work on the infinity fig, the green cloth brings the trooper to the front and the red in the goggles gives the head nice focal area to draw eye to.

Thanks. It's nice to hear you like it!

J-paint wrote:Looking great here merlin! havn't checked in for a while but glad i did, the bike/trike/monster machine is looking great, cant wait to see some more progress of it. XD I liked your infinity entry too! don't know if it's converted (knowing nothing about infinity) but the whole piece looks great.

Thanks mate! Sadly, there won't be any bike updates in the next six weeks..... I'm travelling to Scotland I've been all round the UK twice before, I love the country!
And no, the infinity fig isn't converted.

Anung Un Rama wrote:Just looked through the whole Blog. I love your Ork conversions, especially the large Truck.

I'm also a bit scared of your bossbike. Looks like it'll become even bigger than mine.

Thank you as well! Atm, the trukk is my fav piece as well (till the tike is done, I guess...)
And I've seen your bike, looks great! Biker bosses are awesome to build!

My homeland, Bonny Scotland!! Where abouts you touring to??

We'll be touring around a lot... But I guess we'll visit Edinbourgh, and a lot of coastline...

Going through Oxfordshire?

MrMerlin wrote:Oh look, a new flag! I'll be in the UK for about six weeks, so there won't be any updates.....

Welcome!

MrMerlin wrote:Right now we (my family and me) are in Sussex, but we'll spend most of our time in scottland and northumberland.

Not wanting to be a grammer nazi (acutally I lie, I love being a grammer nazi), but correct english is *my family and I*. Grammer nazi, away!

Also, loving the models. Just thought I should add that as a footnote

@Pagarus: Already past it... I'm south of Aberdeen atm....
@p_grey: Quit the grammar-naziing on my blog! I don't want to be reminded of my incorrect english!!

Also, thanks for the footnote

Ahhh... I've never actually spent any time in Scotland, despite living a lot closer to it... Oh well. when are you getting back to working on the project? can't wait...

Scotland is really nice, but very wet.... We'll be here for another four, maybe five weeks....

MrMerlin wrote:Scotland is really nice, but very wet.... We'll be here for another four, maybe five weeks....

Can't be as wet as wales. (Luckily I'm not in wales, though). Anyway, I've started a new army and therefore suddenly taken a renewed intrest in every aspect of the hobby, so I'm eager to see any new P&M that you do!

Our spell of sunny weather seems to have abated, it was beautiful until I actually got on holiday - the way life seems to work I feel, it'll probably get sunny again as soon as my next exam come up. Aside from bemoaning the weather anyway, I hope Scotland is not too wet, and I shall eagerly await your return!

Enjoy sunny Scotland Mr Merlin.

The trikelooks great, I'm a fan f a big eshaust block going behind the seat / between the wheels. Not sure where this would leave your gun mounting though (side car?)

Haha, I was just in Scotland. Hehe. During their one good-weather week of the year, I'm told.

models looking great as always!

Nice to see the progess MrMerlin, haven't seen your thread in a while. Have fun in scotland.

Oy, plenty o' unreplyed comments on me blog! Fanks a lot ladz!

I just got back from the UK today, was amazing there! But after about 7 weeks, I'm happy to be home again!

Expect updates in a few days

Woooooooooo!

Finally an update! I used an editing programme to show you what I came up with.

Here are some ideas. I'm thinking about seperating the engine from the deffkopta bit and fitting a gas-tank and an ammo drum into the space between. Opinions?



I've also found this great toy truck in the basement and smashed it apart for the wheelz (and the cab, which will be used for a battlewagpn )



And I tacked this minigun together, thinking about putting a twin next to it....



The space between the rear wheelz will be filled with a few exhast pipes.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS?

I think it looks ridiculously good! incredibly orky! I'm really excited to see it all finished, its going to be

That is awesome.
With the mini guns make sure they are orkey, otherwise say that they where looted.
Twin tyres more area to splat things with, a very good idea. You could also add spikes on the wheels.
The ammo and gas tank is a smart move because all ork things need them.
Keep up the good work

Thanks for your comments guys!
@hahli: no worries, I'll make sure they look orky!

But I'm not really sure about the twin tyres.... they look too big to me. I'm thinking about using the other wheel thats lying around in the pics instead.
Also not sure about how to make an ammo chain. Ideas?

you could put a big spiky / bladed ram from between the two tyres.

i am eagar to see more mini guns.

It's definitely looking good right now. Double minigun possibly? It's be far more orky.

MrMerlin wrote:
But I'm not really sure about the twin tyres.... they look too big to me. I'm thinking about using the other wheel thats lying around in the pics instead.
Also not sure about how to make an ammo chain. Ideas?

I'd say to use the smaller tire, or go a different route. Maybe a spiked tank tread front wheel (similar to the FW biker nob), or a scaled down deff rolla (I'd say about the same size as the tire, just made entirely out of metal and rusty nails)?

As far as the ammo feed, I was having a similar question about a conversion I've been planning. I came up with an idea, but I haven't tried it yet.

1 - I was thinking to take a wire, and bend it to follow the path of the ammo feed.
2 - mix up some green stuff to be on the firmer end of things.
3 - cut the GS up to be rectangular bits, about the size of a segment of an armored ammo belt
4 - slip each segment onto the wire (kinda like beads)

After it dries, theoretically you could have a curvy yet still blocky looking feed, that you could carve and/or add plasticard bits/rivets to detail it up. Or you could just cheat and get something like this:


Found it on a place called dragon forge design, or somesuch.

Anyway keep up the good work!

http://dragonforge.com/Painting%20service/for%20sale/conversion_parts.htm

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EDUARD-1-35-PRE-PAINTED-PE-SET-US-CAL-50-AMMUNITION-BELTS-TP509-/400303927073?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item5d33f92f21#ht_672wt_1163

good to see some movement on this post mate lol

UPDATE!
I've spent most of my hobby time thinking, not actually building stuff.... -_- I can't really build the trike the way I intended (with the tank and the ammo box between the boss and the engine) because then ot would get waaay too long. So I'll have to figure out a way to put these two somwhere else.... I guess the ammo-boxes can just go next to the miniguns, an the tank fills the space over the diff.
Da big dakkaz:




A fuel tank I quickly hammered (glued) together. Made it look propa orky by roughening it up a bit.





I tacked it over the diff.... does it look good there?





Oh yeah and this.... I was thinking about putting a hinge between the engine and the front half, for steering. Is this a good idea?


@c9805222: maybe, but I think a normal wheel looks better....
@cormadepanda: here they are ^
@p_gray99: Thanks. yep, double guns ofc!
@Vyler: Thanks a lot for the tips!! Sadly, the plans have changed, so I don't really need ammo belts any more.... But thanks anyway.
@wazzoo: Thank you as well!


NEED YOUR ADVICE/ HELP/ CRITIQUE!

SO Big aND shOOtY i LOVE it

How about ammo drums, instead of a box?

Great to see you back in action MrMerlin!
Since you are looking for some feedback on the trike, I have some for you.

First off, I'd have to say drop the dual front tire. Not only does it look a bit too clunky, it also messes with my bike-centric mechanical mind. That thing would be horrid to turn.
Stick with a single front wheel. If you want to spice it up and differentiate your bike from most (mine included) go for a larger diameter wheel and give it a nice aggressive drop spindle to keep the fork lower to the ground. Hell, give the thing some buzz saw blades, that will set you apart.

Second, I'd be wary of putting anything between the seat and the engine. I think it's going to draw the frame of the bike out a bit too long and make it look kind of weedy and easily snapped in half. The ammo boxes might look good hanging off the sides of the bike, right about where normal Ork bikers Dakkaguns and ammo boxes hang. This is also where modern cross touring bikes put their cargo boxes.

Third, I think I liked the Vulcan cannons on the sides of the fork as opposed to the top of the fork. Lower slung seems more fitting to the profile of the bike overall.

Fourth, ammo belts are a pain to hand build but are possible. Here is the way Sukigod built his.

Pretty straight forward. clapboard plasticard and angle plasticrod.

Or you can buy some from Zinge.
http://www.freewebstore.org/Zinge-Industries/Flexible_Ammo_Belts__amp;_Cables/cat658642_584137.aspx

Fifth, the gastank placement looks good, but I'd probably double it in size. It looks wicked tiny right now with the size of the rest of the bike. Or you could make two more and stack them in a pyramid?

Sixth, Whatever you do, DON'T put a hinge in the middle of the bike. Too wacky. Impossible to steer well, and weakens the frame of the bike!

Lastly, and this is just me, but I think the axel system and rear frame might be a tad too long for my tastes. I'd shorten it up a bit and maybe lower it a little at the same time. By lower it, of course, I mean lower the BIKE, not the rear axel. Heh.

Other thoughs, and this is just brain storming...
Are you considering fenders for the back wheels? Maybe some mud flaps with some ork glyphs on them?
Exhaust? If so, you might want to design it now, It gets hard to trying to place it last (from experience).

I'll add more later. Hope this helped!

Wow. thanks mat!

1.Two front wheels.... I had already dropped that idea, for the reasons you stated. But the idea with the buzz saws sounds great!

2. Yeah I had the same thoughts. It looked ridiculously long, so as you said, no.

3. Good point. However, I tried putting them on the side, but that would have meant putting them very far apart and needing to build something to hold them there..... maybe I can still find a way though.

4. Awesome! Thanks, I'll need this if I put the boxes somwhere other than right next to the guns.

5. I think it's good as it is (as tall as a guardsman and about twice the sive of the tank of the GW trukk). Two wouln't fit next to each other i think.

6. Ok, won't do. Thanks for saving me from finding out about that myself!

7. i had the same thoughts, but I think it looks ok. I can't really lower the bike anyway because the lower cog should be as high as the axle, otherwise things would get comlicated to build

Yeah, thinking about mud guards... I could put plenty of things on it.
Yes, good point about the exhaust. Will get to it soon.

Thanks again for your post!

Oh second thought, never mind about the vulcans, I like them where you have them now.
Just took a while to get used to it.
Can't wait to see the next round of the build!

I'll get back to building now. Exhaust and ammo drums.

And I really need to figure out a way to do a seat for the boss!

Yes for the hinge. needs more ammo come on where talking about orks here.
ork mini-guns need tutorial please
Bigger/more for the fuel tank. Also did you consider nitro?
(maybe not)
in general good work your making a bike any warboss would be proud of
(maybe even wazzdaka might like it)

I agree with said above on the single wheel and the position of the dakka.
For the placement of the ammo drum why don't You put them under the seat with the belt going between the boss leg and around the dakka box.
Keep up the WAAAAAGH!!!

@hali: Thanks for the input, mate!
Don't worry, the ammo drums will be huge. Wikipedia tells me that vulcans eat 6,000 (!) rounds per minute, so I need LOTZ!
Minigun tut? Ok, will do whem im done with the bike (maybe earlier, when im done with the miniguns)
More fuel you say? How about a slightly smaller tank "wif speshul gas" in it?
@ Selvaggio: thank you as well! Sadly, there is no space for ammo under the seat. I't be to close to the ground..

You could stack a couple of nitro tanks on top of the gas tank and paint them NOS blue.

Hey Merlin, have you thought about using Zinge Industries ammo belts for this behemoth?

Link: http://zinge.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=17_70

They are made of a flexible resin apparently which sounds pretty handy for conversions like yours.

Looks like it's coming on nicely and good to see you back on the board.

*EDIT*

Just noticed someone else recommended Zinge.

Holly Crap them Guns look so good, you know im nicking them.

Some nice work here since I last checked in.
The WIP Trike looks like its coming together nicely, i'm very much liking your ideas there and imagine it will be pretty cool once finished.

UPDATE!
I've finally decided on where to but the exhaust pipes and how to build the nitro tank. I also smoothed the diff with some milliput, so now It doesn't look as chunky anymore, but you can't see it in the pics. Oh and I put some random rivets everywhere!







And thank you guys for all your comments again!!
@mat: just what I did, thanks!
@sock: Nice to see you here, mate. your support is appreciated!
@Wazzoo: looking forward to seeing your vulcans
@rodgers: thank you as well #



PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK, YOUR IDEAS HAVE ALREADY HELPED ME A LOT!

need more exists vents!

This is gunna be an angry lookin' bike haha
I like how it's coming out so far, your ideas are awesome

step aside wazdakka ere comes MrMerlin
the bike is some of the best conversion work i've seen and that's saying a lot.
For the wires use copper wires connecting the fuel tanks to the air intake
witch I believe is the top of the engine
Now what do you think you will do for the warboss rider?

Keep up the good work

Guns looking awesome on here Merlin! (sorry, late to the party for that one) The engine is looking phenomenal as well, all the work you've put into this is really showing through, looks great! how much more needs to be done before you can whack some paint on this beast of a bike?

Coming along very nicely! As for wires and pipes - um... everywhere?

That's some incredible detail you're capable of...I'm gonna start taking notes

Cheers guys, your comments are much appreciated!
The back of the bike is nearly done now, time for the front..... The front wheel and the ammo drums shouldn't be a problem, but the seat.... Any ideas??
Also, building the wreckingball / PK will be fun!

@ J-paint: Cheers mate! I fear it's gonna be a while till I get some paint on it.... don't want to rush the building process and have it look bad later, so I'll take my time....
@ hali: the warboss rider will be wielding a wrecking ball (as you can see in the early pics). However, I'm not sure anymore if I want to give it the pirate head..... doesn't seem too fitting anymore....
@ cormadepanda: what exactly do you mean?
@the others: Cheers again for the kind words.

So again: How shall I do the seat?

MrMerlin wrote:Cheers guys, your comments are much appreciated!
The back of the bike is nearly done now, time for the front..... The front wheel and the ammo drums shouldn't be a problem, but the seat.... Any ideas??
Also, building the wreckingball / PK will be fun!

@ J-paint: Cheers mate! I fear it's gonna be a while till I get some paint on it.... don't want to rush the building process and have it look bad later, so I'll take my time....
@ hali: the warboss rider will be wielding a wrecking ball (as you can see in the early pics). However, I'm not sure anymore if I want to give it the pirate head..... doesn't seem too fitting anymore....
@ cormadepanda: what exactly do you mean?
@the others: Cheers again for the kind words.

So again: How shall I do the seat?

i mean you need about -17 exhaust tubes for that engine. Just so it be loud and speedy.

Lol sure would look funny with that many exhaust pipes, but I like it the way it is lol

I'd run the fuel lines from the promethium tank into the bottom of the intake, and run the lines from the Nitro straight in to the heads. One line for each cylinder. This is as Orky as one can get since you are double feeding the engine fuel. It will give new meaning to "Turbo Boost".

LOL Great advice as always matphat, I'll do just that!

I find your shenanigans in this blog interesting, orky and funny!
Big fan of the lootas, great way to really make them your own if you have a big enough bits box!

And I´m really curious on where this latest madness will end.

Never ever stop doing what you´re doing, you beautifully crazy man!

Subbed. Like a good comic!

Loving the work as always MrMerlin!!

Im loving the extra detail on the engines and fuel tanks.

What you thinking for the hubcaps??
To make it look like its thrown together you could make it look like the tops of fuel drums.

As always top notch work!!

wow love the creativity and thats so cool!!
good paintjob waiting for the trukk

I'm back with an update! Sorry for the delay.....

So, an old friend came visiting the other day, and we had a nice battle (1800pts Orks vs Orks, seize ground, it ended in a draw). I did take lots of pics, but afterwards I discovered that the light was to weak and they are ALL screwed up too much to be published here. DAMN! I'll give you a report anyway, later.

Anyway, we did some trading and I got these awesome old grots and snots from him, see pic below. I in turn surrenered an equal number of my own, painted grots. Pic below.
And he asked me to build him a PK wielding nob, so I build this guy. However, he soon stopped being a nob and started looking like a mek.... oh well, I'll just give him one of my other nobs....







And I tacked/glued some cables onto the trike's engine. Thoughts?


oh and here are the grots:



@Grunt: Cheers man, you comment is much appreciated!
@Coyote: thanks mate! what exactly do you mean?
@davis: Cheers!

So that's the mek that built the bike.
Give him around of apluse for building all of your amazing
wagons. You should paint him very well.
Good progress made on the bike
Grots that need to be green, hurry up.

keep up this orky goodness

The grots look like good fun. Which of your nobs will you be giving away, though? I like all of them!
The mek and the trike look great, as well.

great blog full of conversion ideas i will be stealin... Ahem* borrowing in the future!

Cheers guys!
yes hahli, I'll paint him as good as I can. Thanks for the comment! And I'll paint the Grots once the bike is done....
gray, I think I'll just give the mek to him anyway, I'm sure he can use a force field too
And welcome to the blog drglnc!

Nice drum mags mate, some one really good mush of inspired you hahaha

As always, brilliant and inspired work Mer. Can't wait to see this all come together.

Looks like you have your miniguns down pat! The cabling on the trike engine looks good too. Impressive work, keep it up, looking forward to the finished product(s).

I really like the mek haha, I love the wire that goes from the KFF to his head

MrMerlin, you are a crazy guy. And that, for orks convershiunz', is great.

I especially love that kustom V8 motor. I'm definitely unable to build anything like that !
As for the mek, I think that he deserves an exoskeleton on his legs, 'cause with all his cybork augmentations he should have difficulties to bear his own weight with his short legs ! ^^

I just had an awesome thought, and I'd happily pay £20 to see it done (if I had £20 )
Would it be possible for you to get your hands on a Stompa kit and kustomise it to look awesome? Because if you did I expect you'd be quite capable of getting in the 10s for coolness here on dakka.

Loads of character. Love the giant buzzsaw!

D

Great trike I'm stealing some ideas from that for my own (if you dont mind).

Love the Mek-Nob too. Made me smile. Thats a HUGE PK!

UPDATE!
Well, I'm done painting him.... not entirely happy with how he turned out. But I guess he looks passable....

I've delivered him to the "commissioner" lol, who liked it a lot.



@waz: cheers mate, yes im quite fond of the mags!
@mat: tanks mat. nice of you to keep returning!
@Arakasi: thank you as well... and here you are!
@Awesomesauce: thanks
@Minus: Thanks a lot man. Nice of you to drop by.... lol, the V8 was easier to build than it looks, and lots of fun.... and yes, an exoskeletton would have looked cool. However, I had already started painting when I read your comment.... -_-
@gray: I'd love to do just that! Its a shame they cost 100€.... so I'll not get there soon
@evildrcheese: Chers man!
@TaWaagh: Ofc I don't mind! Why should I? lol. And anyway, how could I stop you from copying? Steal away!

i dunno why it took me so long to look into your thread... you are a very talented scratchbuilder... and a very good painter... your style is very good and i like the fact that you paint your orks rather bright and cheerful, which is for me something that inspires me... you bet that i will be following your work more closely from now on!!!


cheers, vik

"Passable"?! None of this talking yourself down, Mr. M, he's fantastic! The checkerwork is ace, and the rust effects are brilliant too. A really characterful model, well done!

Cheers guys!
Yeah Scarper, the checks and the rust look quite good I think, and the clothes too.... and I'lm also really proud of the build....but there's no weathering and barely any highlighting on the black, and the base looks meh... much too plain. And I didn't do any osl on the eyes as I intended to do in the beginning.
I've found that strong self-critism gets you better results next time. You'll try to do the things that looked meh on the last model better on the new one. I have actually repainted the checks twice, because I didn't 100% like the former ones lol.
I guess if I'd had spent more time on him, the black and the base would look better too now....
but you're right, "passable" might be a little understated....

Only 'passable'? Are you freaking kidding me, it looks great!

If only half of my minis looked that good. *sob*

D

And now to something completely different.....

AN ORKY COOKIE FACTORY!

Yes, I'll pause work on the trike... but only because the terrain piece has a deadline. I'm participating in THE -=]_=- TERRAIN COMPETITION. The rules say you have to build a terrain piece from a cookie container.... so I'm doing a cookie factory!

First thing to do was to fil it with plaster for strenght:

Then I started working on the roof and put some PVA-and-sand-mix on the wooden base. With a few random bits and pieces stuck into it, it looks quite good:

and the rear. I made some tracks where the trukk will be parked:

the roof is some good ol' cardboard, with the top layer removed. looks ok i think:


and here is the the mess I created... gotta tidy this up tomorrow.... -_-

Ork Kookiez? Exalted!

In the grim dark future, there is only biscuits.

D

Mr M! wicked Ork painting you did there, I really like the way you used the browns and muted colour to give him that rusted look and the burn marks on the gatling gun are excellent too! :-) not to mention the way you built him! fan-bloody-tastic

the grooves are certainly a nice lil detail!

That is exactly how Ork Meks should look. Excellent work on the conversion and then bringing it to life with a great paintjob.

Regarding your self criticism - unless it's really subtle OSL can look a bit rubbish so IMHO he looks fine as is. I can see why you might think the base is a bit plain, but what would you have put there to liven it up? With both feet planted on the ground and the model having low ground clearance there's not a lot of room on a 25mm base to insert extra details. It takes me ages to base my marines who aren't running as the resin bases I use don't often have convenient places for their feet to go, they are a bit too detailed sometimes.

@Castiel, evildrcheese: lol, Cheers guys!
@nerd: thanks a lot mate! I'm quite fond of the many browns myself, they make the Mek look less comical, lol.
@Vik: thanks mate... Luckily the trukk fits into them....
@sock: Thanks a lot for the compliments! And yes, osl looks crap if its overdone, and there isn't much room for fancy stuff on the base... but I still don't like the look of it.... I should have put some dead grass on it at least....

anyway, I'm nearly done with the roof (many chimneys and very many rivets.... yay) but my cam is low on batteries so you'll get pics tomorrow.... oh and I built a big tank for the trukk, which will contain cookie batter, lol

see ya tomorrow with lotsa pics!

Update!

Being a laty git, I'll just copypaste my post from the competition thred into this one

worked on it some more. The roof is mostly done now, the rest is wip
Please excuse the poor image quality....
This tank'll have "kookie batter" written on it...

plenty of rivets and chimneys:



random pipes and stuf:


what do you think?

love your work as always mr merlin! my own ork thread will soon be bushing up.

me likes^^...

and the little details strewn all over the model... awesome looking!!!

Epic...... brilliant!...... awesome..... what more needs be said! :-)

Haha I want that same truck, but for Imperial, and with some sort of fuel.

And here you go make a cookie batter truck!

This is really cool, very creative, It's not even done and I love it

Big Mek Gitkicka is upset with you. He only cares about seeing more of your trike.
WER DA TRIKE!?

Also, the factory is coming along very nicely. If only we could get corrugated roofing in polystyrene!

@cormadepanda: Thanks! Ork thread you say? Be sure to message me a link when its up!
@vik: thanks mate! I love making details btw! lol
@nerd: Thanks a lot nerd!
@sparky: Well then build it! Things always look hard to do until you try!
@Gideon: Thanks alot! I hope it gets one before the deadline....
@mat: Don't worry, I'll get back to the trike soon enough.... But that cookie comp has a deadline, so I can't do it later....
and yes, polystyrene roofs would be nice!

details are everything

All you need now is a leaky pipe making a giant 'milk puddle' so the orks have something to dunk their biscuits into.

some squig milk to dunk da kookiez in? Great idea edc, thanks a lot!

UPDATE! I've been slighly ill the last few days so not much progress... but still some:
I built the doorway and some pipes (will be riveted to torrow!):

that plate on top of it is treadplate, in case the pic doesn't show it:

some stuff that will or might get added:

and the crew. From left to right: pulling a lever, carrying around a spanner, drilling something and ordering the others around:

more treadplate:


Thougts? Advice? What shall I add?

that is so complicated to say what could be added... suffice to say... it looks amazing even now... and those grots will make it look lived in too!!!

Looking good. I really love the door and the chimney stacks for some reason!

D

Update!

Today I ended up building that. It'll be placed somwhere in front of the factory, but can aslo be used as an objective marker:



vik: cheers mate! yes, the grots are very important, otherwise it'd just seem dead and boring.

edc: thanks a lot!

Nice outhouse man!

And then i suddenly felt the need to go to the bathroom. Excellent work Merlin!

admired the abort already on the comp thread... where a posted a certain answer to a certain club you might want to be a part of

Long time since I dropped here. Your chainsaw / assault cannon boss looks amazing, I do not see what's not to like in it. The strange googles add a lot.

Caught up on this at last Mr Merlin. Excellent stuff, really like your builds, awesome mini-guns and the trike is looking very nice so far. Kudos all round.

hey i just found this thread and wow its a true inspiration, i have a big army of orks needing to be built and painted and the thing i love about them is you can do almost anything and add any pieces from any army and its acceptable because that is there nature good job and i subscribed

DONE!





Welcome to the blog Jammy, monkey and MauS, and thanks a lot for your comments everyone!

The bike and terain are just great! Everithing else was already said =)

Nice

I really like this terrain, the warehouse was a good idea, and you made it look great
I like how you made the trukk into a tanker, I can imagine them running that into some fortifications for a huge blast of fun haha
Also... This might just be me being stupid... But I think there might be a box of chicken nuggets there
Overall, 10/10 sir, very cool, keep it up!

i am so in love with that model mate 100/100

Wicked. Excelllent work Merlin.

D

Thanks a lot storag, TaWaaagh, wazz and cheese!
@Gideon: LOL Cheers mate! Those brown things... well nobody knows exactly what they are, all the Boyz think its edible and its made from whatever is in that tank.... and it tastes like quig lol

Mr M! wowzers dude! the finished product looks amazing, the weathering on the factory is superb and the trukk is downright brilliant :-) I love the little touches you add like the edible squig tasting nuggets and the Grots around the place! you really have done an excellent job and if this is what you're doing now then I want to see you do more!

Squig Nuggets!

Which part of the squig is the nuggets?

Thanks a lot nerd!

And fox... you really don't want to know that! Lets say its all up to the grots who work at (and frequently fall into) the processing machines. And sometimes its not a part of a squig thats being turned into nuggets, but rather a product.... and not a tasty one! Woe betide the grots if one of THOSE nuggets end up on the boss' plate.... he doesn't understand practical jokes!

that´s got to be the most cheerful and warmest and sweetest looking ork terrain piece i have laid eyes upon...

Lol

You going to build some foodKourt Koncession stands to go with it?

This........was insanely good! TAKE MY MONEY!

Looks great!!! I love da' cookies!

I promise that I won't steal any of these ideas...

Cool!
Have you considered adding a giant cookie as the kompany sign to the roof?

well... how to brake it to you gently mister...













































you´ve won!!!!!!

UPDATE (kind of)

As Vik has already informed me, I'VE WON! That means, I get to set the guidelines for the next competition!
here it is, check it out guys!
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/475041.page#4744340
and the original thread for anyone who's interested....
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/467554.page

@bang: cheers for the comment but nope, the factory is done
@Trondheim: Cheers mate!!
@Sir William: You won't? Well then, I better don't catch you at it or else.... lol
@Baiyuan: Thank you for dropping by, much appreciated!

Great looking model, came out great! And congrats!

And I am thinking of ideas for a fighting pit... I may have to work on something for this now...

Love the work, double pistol one is my personal fav.

i am going to have a look at that comp thread the very next minute!!

Congrats on the win Merlin, great work!

D

EDIT: Congrats on making the front page (09-09-2012)!!!

cheers sparky, it would be great if you aslo joined!
welcome to the blog bob!
and cheers cheese! I think you get to the front page if your image gets lots of good votes so THANKS ALL!

aye cheers Mrmerlin!

Congat's Man!!! You won!

Wow i go away for a wee while and come back to compitition wins and brilliant buildings built from biscuit boxes (say that 5 times fast!!)

Well done looks amazing.

Fighting pit........ hmmm....... ive a few ideas
If only i had the time....................................................................or the talent!!

Howz the Trike coming along??

amazing work man!

Your Wazdakka is looking great, any more updates?

I found I have exactly the same lego wheels as you are using. Wondering now if I should use the same for the front as the rear...

Thanks all!
@TaWaaagh: Yeah, I will update this in a few weeks.... I'm in wrong part of Germany atm, will be home 11th Oct.... so I'll continue then!

Cheers guys

Merlin

 MrMerlin wrote:
.... I'm in wrong part of Germany atm

Sounds somewhat ominous...

D

it's eastern Germany, okay?
Well its not that bad, but I don't really like it here, lol. Might be going to Berlin tho, which would be cool....

yeah... come to berlin... as if it wasn´t crowded already

Hey when I was Berlin it seemed empty!

Like, there was a lot of people there, but it wasn't crowded like I expected it to be.

hmmm... whenever i want to get me something or go to work...it seems as if everyone is out to do the same... very annoying

Maybe if you try hiding from everyone it won't feel so crowded?

D

naw... wouldn´t work... i have family... that means kids need feeding and so on^^... so i am bound to outside where all the weird peeps are...

You can still go outside, just run between cover and stay low.

D

hmmm.... i will think about that

Brilliant work on the cookie contest and congrats on the win.
NOW FINISH THAT BIKER BOSS!

thanks mat! Biker-boss will be updated soon! I just came home from 4 weeks of travelling in northern Germany, and I'll get back to the trike next week (When the Book-Fair in Frankfurt is over)

Quivering in excitement for ze update of the Biker-Boss, You promised it would be yesterday Merlin!

i wanna see it tooo!!!

Tons of lovely Orky stuff. My favorite has to be the hut, the trukk and the little outhouse. I think I'll have to check out the rest of this painting log as well (so far I only browsed the first and the last four pages). Looking forward for more though!

Ok guys, here ya go! I'm back from the trip, the book fair is over, important school stuff has been dealt with and my desk is as chaotic as ever again!
I haven't really done much yet, just glued a pair of ammo drums on the vulcans. I figured I'd let the drums look really beaten, scratched and old, because they are used a lot... and of course they don't look alike, because ork vehicles are just not symetrical!




Oh come on! I had just tidied that up!!

lol




Automatically Appended Next Post:
oh and thanks a lot for your comments guys, they really get me to continue building the trike and not play skyrim in my spare time lol! And welcome to the blog Sigur!

good looking guns...

and...

somehow it now reminds me of a storm talon...

Loving it. I definitely am feeling that gun. Makes me want to whip up a couple

I love it! the guns are super intimidating.

Really glad your posting again merlin! Looks awesome, I feel your pain about the desk, mine is the same!

Am I missing something here People think that's an untidy desk? I thought you were more orky than that Merlin

Loving the dakka, good job

Thank you very much all! @monkeytroll: well, that's after building only two easy peasy, pre-planned ammo drums... you don't want to see my desk after a few days of randon creativity lol!

My desk hasn't looked like that since about a week after I built it, 6 years ago

them Guns are look very good mate, i hope you understand that i will be copying them

Glad to see your back home and in the Saddle! (something I sould be doing...) Keep up the good work I look forward to the finished product!

Mr, you are, as always, inspiring in your Orkiness.
I have to admit that I have always thought vulcans were the way to go with all Ork big guns, but I am now doubly convinced, seeing as there are two guns to convince me.
I've actually long since replaced most of the "big shootas" on my Battle Wagons with vulcans, and now I'm more or less convinced to do the rest of them.
The best part?
They are SO DAMN EASY to build!
Keep up the good work. I'm dying to see this thing completely built and blocked for color.

 monkeytroll wrote:
My desk hasn't looked like that since about a week after I built it, 6 years ago

Yea Im the same way. When its convertin time, inside a few hours, my kitchen table is just buried under a mountain of bits and tools and glue and you name it. Its a Meks wet dream

I'm stuck. I don't have any idea how to build the front part of the bike, I'm not even sure which wheel to use...
Here are the options. The first one looks a bit like those on the batmobile, broad, forceful and agressive....




The other one looks like the front wheel of a bike.... so.... should I go for the broad one or the other one? I'm leaning towards the broad one, but its a bit TOO broad to fit into the front fork. And how do I fix that? Help!





@monkey: looks like there's only one solution for your desk-problem.... build a new one!
@waz: Thanks dude, steal and copy away.... I do the same with your stuff all the time, lol!
@will: cheers dude!
@mat: damn right you are, I love the vulcans too!
@KC: but don't you have to clean everything up again later? See on a desk, you can leave it there all month,

Excellent stuff there, MrMerlin. My vote is on the more narrow tire. Don't know how to describe it but it just looks more proper and more believable as a motorbike/tike. These wide tires always look quite a lot like theyÄre made much more for street racing and in my opinion they look plain "too modern". The more narrow tire looks like it's got a bit more of a profile (even if that's not true).

You could try using a single arm instead of the usual expected fork. Like the rear arm that many modern racing bikes use so they can change the wheel easy. Then you can have it bend out around the fat tire. but then you could just do that with a fork... would look unique anyway. Actually a bit like what has been done on the batmobile / batbike that you have a pic of right there... D'oh.

Fat tyre, bend it around I say! Unless it doesn't work, then go back to the thin one...

This is looking good MrMerlin I'm also working on a trike atm.

Both the wheels are orky. Go with the one that makes the whole model look 'complete'. It doesnt need to 'make sense'.

I vote for the thicker tyre also.

D

my vote goes in for the fat tire too... heck if you are able to... then go the full distance and try to make it look like the batman vehicle tank...would be awesome as hell...

Thanks Sigur. Yes, I see your point... but the fat one also looks brutal and agressive, soo... (we're talking about orks after all)
@Dr H: welcome to the blog and thanks for the input!
@Arakasi: cheers mate, nice to see you here again!
@TaWaaagh: Thanks. You're working on a trike too? awesome! share a link when you upload pics!
@cheese: Thanks mate.
@Vik: I just had a similar thought too! I've found another one of those fat tyres, and four wheels look better than tree... it's being done!!

COOL! i am looking forward to that badassery then!°.°

 MrMerlin wrote:

@Dr H: welcome to the blog and thanks for the input!

Not a prob. I've been lurking for a while and I forget where I've commented or not.
I like what I've seen here and I look forward to seeing this orkmobile completed.

Beautiful Orks! You got me motivated to Start adding more models to my ork army, love the guns on the bike!

I want to see dis ork batmobile with a fat tire. Its more rugged and worth its teeth.

Merlin! Everything is looking awesome. Love the example shot from the front. I am already able to invision what this will look like completed.

Now, on to the front wheel conundrum.

As you know, I am a mechanic, and motorcycle enthusiast. That means my take on bike aesthetics, even Ork bike aesthetics is going to be highly colored by real life functionality, and "how things work", so take what I have to say with a grain of salt.

Firstly, I don't like the double front wheel at all. I feel like bikes, even Ork bikes, should have some air of agility. It's a bike after all. A fast attack most of the time, and super speedy all the time. That means it should look like it could really rip it up on the battlefield. I feel like the double front tire really takes away from that and makes it look less bike-like and more tank-like. Which, don't get me wrong, tanks are awesome, but if you want to build a tank, build a tank! Anyway, I wanted to give you an example of what I mean. Look here at Sukigods Wazdakka. It's a superb model! And the painting is just mind blowing. However, if I were to point out one thing that just really takes away from it as a whole, it's that stubby fork, and the double front tire. It just makes it look like it might never make a turn. nor handle in ANY kind of terrain. It makes it look clunky and slow.



Obviously, I can't fault Suki and thing really. He's an amazing modeler and painter. But you can tell he doesn't know much about bikes.

You can find more of his work here. He is one of my greatest inspirations to model.
http://www.bigshoota.com/army-gallery/

If you start looking around at bike on the internet. Anything from choppers to bobber to street fighters and cruisers. You'll find that the front tire tends to be slimmer than the back, and usually of a larger diameter. This is to enhance control and for visual balance.

All of this said, I vote for the one tire approach, and for that matter, I vote for the slimmer tire. I think it will ultimately give the bike a more bike-ish feel and I don't think it will take away from the Orky stylings or look weedy. If I were you, I'd probably rig up both with some putty, and then take some pics in profile and from the front, down low. I think it will become apparent pretty fast what you like the most.

Thanks again for the input mat! Without you, this project would long ago have crashed and burned..... so thanks a lot!
But I think you got me wrong with the front wheels.... I don't want to do a double front wheel, I was thiking about two front wheels.... like this (by wazzoo2000)



well not exactly like this, I'd make it long and slim. But I'm not sure.... I guess I'll just build one front with two wheels, one with only one (a slim one) and then glue on the one that looks better..... what do you think?

 MrMerlin wrote:
Thanks again for the input mat! Without you, this project would long ago have crashed and burned..... so thanks a lot!
But I think you got me wrong with the front wheels.... I don't want to do a double front wheel, I was thiking about two front wheels.
well not exactly like this, I'd make it long and slim. But I'm not sure.... I guess I'll just build one front with two wheels, one with only one (a slim one) and then glue on the one that looks better..... what do you think?

I'll reserve judgment until I see it. Initial thought is, I'd be worried it would start looking like a buggy or trukk with two front wheel.

I'll wait for pics till I say anything else.

=)

Thats some good insight Matphat. I ride bikes as well - and I'm building mine with 1 front tyre

But it wont be 'wrong' either way. Its an Ork bike... who knows what kind of mushroom Big Mek MrMerlin has eaten ^^ And for straight line speed: that will depend mostly on the engine(s) beeing big enough. Orks are not known for control.

Following this progress closely now

edit: posted a pic of my own trike http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/120/423220.page

i like that buddy thing

Ok here's some quickly bashed together front, nothing glued yet:



loosk a bit "20s and 30s gangster"....




what do you think? I'm not completely sure, but I like it.

that's a pretty ballin bike.


Looks like a old Rolls royce!!!


Makes me jealous. Extremely.


My warboss is some weedy git. You'rs has gak loads of dakka, style, and teef... should be a bad moonz bike almost lol

that bike has 4 wheels... is it still a bike?

Twice the wheels, twice the bike... maybe?

It certainly says more "buggy" than "bike" to me.
But I like it, very gangster hotrod stylee. Is good.

I take it you are planning on turning the front into more of a grille?

@skyfi: thanks a lot dude and welcome to the blog! Wasn't actually thinking bad moonz, more like wazdakka.... from the ork dex: "... a turbo powered monstrosity that used to be a bike but is now something far scarier" lol
@panda: yes yes, sure... kinda.... well... yeah.....
@Dr H: Thanks dude and sure, the front will be turned into a proper grille (IF I'm using these parts... I might still go trike with the whole thing.... maybe)

As much as I like it (which is alot), it doesn't scream bike at me...

Your plasticard skills really are top-notch though!

D

Gotta say, Merlin, it's an excellent piece of work.
It's not a bike anymore though. I'd say it looks like a kustom trukk now more than anything. Probably a bit too large to be a buggy.

Its great. Proper orky! Whatever you end up using it as.

@edc: thanks man.... yeah I know, now its something more/other than a bike... hmm....
@Mat: thank you too. The question is, should I keep it like this and add the details, or do a "bike" instead? I value your opinion quite a lot...
@TaWaaagh: thanks dude! also, thanks a lot for following this blog so frequently, you've been with for nearly a year now!

i like the four wheeler! looks very cool!

Let it never be said that Matphat tried to stifle someone's creativity. I certainly like the four wheeled front end, and there is a lot that could be done with it. Potential! So much!
You have set my hopes on a Trike though, so that's what I'm voting for.
With all the work you have finished so far, I was imagining a finished product that looks similar to this, but maybe without the blue paint and pinstripping.

Your working far to slowly for my tastes. Something that is becoming this awesome needs to see completion! NAOW!

If you say it like that, mat.... I think I'll keep the buggy-design

oh and nice of you to drop by KC. You know, the design of the front was inspired by your ratrod-buggy.
And yeah I know I work very slow. Teenagers are very easily distracted I guess.
But expect a (more or less) big update within the next few days.

I think you are making the right decision keeping it as a 4-wheel buggy. It looks good and if you ever want/need a bike.... well: build another one

Can't wait to see it done and painted!

So I came across this. Not a mini. Not even a great bike. But it does show that anything is possible

 MrMerlin wrote:




l

mate, in my opinion, i think you should stick to the Trike look, all you've made here is a buggy not a bike, your bike idea was rocking, don't trip up at the last hurdle.

"One wheel at the front is what i would of done"

but this is what i would of done and is my Opinion, so don't pay any heeds to me if you don't want to.

love as always

waz

 MrMerlin wrote:
If you say it like that, mat.... I think I'll keep the buggy-design

oh and nice of you to drop by KC. You know, the design of the front was inspired by your ratrod-buggy.
And yeah I know I work very slow. Teenagers are very easily distracted I guess.
But expect a (more or less) big update within the next few days.

Awesome, glad to see Ive inspired someone

Hey guys, change of plan.... again.
I don't think the ratrod/buggy design works for the "bike", so I've tossed that idea... sorry to disappoint you, KC.... but I'l build a proper ratrod out of it when the bike and stuff are done.
Now I'm back to trike or this idea I had.... you'll see

good

Yes, back to the bike! lose two more wheels and i will be really impressed.

"Back to bike" makes me happy!

I like it the way it is. Not sure what you could use it as on the battlefield, but it certainly looks great.

Hey slow down guys, not back to bike, back to trike....

OR, as I said, this idea I had ... *evil grin, rubs hands*

you know how orks are very brutal, straight to the point violent and only care for big gunz 'n wagonz dat break stuff bad? Well I thought then, the "vehicle", as I'll refer to it, also needs to resemble that spirit. Not with a single, weedy front tire, and not with some weedy hotrod front. I need to bring those big batmobile-like tires back, and...

wait....

did someone say batmobile?
yup, I did, and that's the next "style" I'm gonna try out, two fat tyre attached from the sides

thoughts?

btw if it doesn't work out, I'll use the single thin tire

pics:

excited to see this completed.




I expected a deffrolla front wheel in the "spoiler" from that last post, lol.



...which has got me thinking..

Batmobile-alike sounds good. Am looking forward to seeing what it looks like.

Well, that's me hooked. Do you know what you've done? You've deprived me of much valuable sleep for the next few days, waiting for the next WIP shot! You evil, evil person!

i mentioned the batmobile! praise me! excited to see your work mrmerlin.

NEW UPDATES! NAO!

NAO? Okay, smallish update incoming....

I dumped the batmo idea, didn't work out. Instead, for mat (), I'm using a single, thin wheel:

front wheel looks real good mate.

what scale/kits you using for wheels? (more interested in back wheels for buggies)


(sorry if it's already been asked!)

I never can get over how insane your skills are, no matter how many times I csee this thread.

D

Good gravy those gatling guns are ace! As much as Id like to see a buggy someday, this trike is really turning out

 KingCracker wrote:
Good gravy those gatling guns are ace! As much as Id like to see a buggy someday, this trike is really turning out

Until it turns into a buggy again...

Looking good MrMerlin. Did you make those forks from scratch? Good job.

Looks pretty damn good! And seriously those gatling cannons are freaking sweet.


And now you're going to have to make a mini bat mobile for a buggy later on.

sweet trike... still want bike, but i will settle for this, just because it is awesome.

Dude, you are crazy !
I'm really impressed by your converting skills. This would make a perfect buggy, I'd definitely buy 3 of them for my speed fraks.
I especially love da gunz. Dat must shoot loads of dakkas.

Hope we'll see more buggies/trikes/whatever has a uge engine in the future.

Lol is it a trike? is it a buggy? is it a bike?! every time I check in here It's changed! I love all of them but I think the latest incarnation is my favourite!

 J-paint wrote:
Lol is it a trike? is it a buggy? is it a bike?! every time I check in here It's changed!

It's a tranformers !

 Dr H wrote:

 KingCracker wrote:
Good gravy those gatling guns are ace! As much as Id like to see a buggy someday, this trike is really turning out

Until it turns into a buggy again...

Looking good MrMerlin. Did you make those forks from scratch? Good job.

And knowing the ways of Ork, it will

Noowwwww THAT looks good!
That has a lot of balance, and looks very believable, but still completely Orky and OTT!

Loving it!

Another small update!

I attached the wheel and added some rivets, now it looks much more complete.
....I think the trike actually is completed! (apart from a few holes and details and stuff I still have to fix)

Now I have to turn my attention to the driver.... and his seat.... but have some pics of a trike first:





@skyfi: Cheers. The front wheel is from a toy truck, the rear wheels are LEGO stuff. I'll see if I can find out where exactly they ome from...
@evil cheese: Thanks a lot cheese!
@KC: Thank you too! Yeah I'll build a ratrod buggy, don't worry.... have a surprise in store for you guys btw.... (but the trike stays trike, no fiddling with that anymore, lol!)
@Dr H: Yup all scratchbuilt
@Awesomesauce: Thanks... Batmobile is on the drawing board... maybe in a few months... or years...
@panda: cheers.... but it'd be impossible to go back to bike now anyway.... lol
@Minus: Cheers Minus! Oh I'll be building more of these huge engines, many more!
@J-paint: Thanks... why does everyone suspect me to change my plans again btw.... as If I had ever done that!
@mat: As always, thank you very much, mat. btw I kinda followed the "plain and simple with no useless gubbinz" approach you used on your bike....

Sometimes less is more. Even with Orks.
I think with these massive bikes/trikes it really works better as you can see the actual bike as opposed to a huge junk pile on two/three wheels.

it looks good keep going.

me like a lot

As this nears completion It just keeps getting more and more awesome. I agree with the whole less is more sentiment though, doesn't need millions of random plates stuck everywhere to remain Orky.

I'm back!

And, (could it be otherwise?) I paused working on the trike AGAIN... but only because I have kind of a deadline for this.... it's the prize I promised to the winner of the fourth -=]_,=- sponsored competition, held by me....
he wanted a kommando on a big, swampy base. So I got some nobs, and some bitz, and built this:

Excellent!

I like to convert stuff, but when it comes to small and fidly bits like this I tend to mess it up. This is well done.

 MrMerlin wrote:
I'm back!

And, (could it be otherwise?) I paused working on the trike AGAIN... but only because I have kind of a deadline for this.... it's the prize I promised to the winner of the fourth -=]_,=- sponsored competition, held by me....
he wanted a kommando on a big, swampy base. So I got some nobs, and some bitz, and built this:

He's looking awesome (might as well comment here too) can't wait to see the swampy base...

Love the beret on the Kommando.

D

That Kommando is great.
I can imagine him crawling in the jungle to infiltrate an enemy position and stab the sentinel/the commander/the artillery gunner.

He's pretty well equipped btw. ^^

Awesome merlin, as per always but it is preventing the completion of the trike and this just wont do!!!

(i like the pose on him too, very agressive.)

Very nice w3ork on the kommando, a good reminder that it doesn't take much, just a few details here and there, to elevate a fairly ho hum run of the mill model into a pretty cool, look-at-that eyecatcher.

i cant see the kommando mr merlin.... something is wrong.

Is that a speedloader for a revolver on his belt?

Hot damn Mr.Merlin, the work you've done is awesome!

 Fox Box wrote:
Is that a speedloader for a revolver on his belt?

if it is i am in awe of you sir . (I.e thanks compleatly epic)

@TaWaaagh: Thanks! Yeah, I've also had my problems with that in the past...
@Meade: Cheers! Swampy base in progress.... You're in for a treat there!
@evildrcheese: Cheers cheese!
@Minus: Haha yes, and thanks a lot. I was pretty pleased with his equipment too until I noticed I'd forgotten to add ammo. Rats!
@J-paint: I'l get back to the trike asap when this is done lol
@Meph: Thanks and welcome to the blog!
@Panda: what kommando??
@Fox: Neither.... its dynamite But revolver is a great idea, I'll be equipping a few orks with one in the future!
@Elnibbus: Thanks a lot dude!
@Fish: Well, its gonna be painted red and I'll add a fuse... nope, it isn't a revolver

Dude, your damn modeling A.D.D. makes me crazy.
It's like one of those T.V. shows that does a damn cliff hanger every week.
I just want to see how it ENDS!
Finish that Biker Triker already!
=D
In all seriousness though, your Kommando is as awesome as everything else you have done.
Great work!

I would love to finish building the trike myself, but I have to do this kommando because someone is expecting it soon....
and guess who's gonna celebrate his 18th birthday this friday, followed by a girl visiting....

I promise, I'll finish this as soon as I can!

 MrMerlin wrote:
I would love to finish building the trike myself, but I have to do this kommando because someone is expecting it soon....
and guess who's gonna celebrate his 18th birthday this friday, followed by a girl visiting....

I promise, I'll finish this as soon as I can!

I will hold back the jokes on the last part.

Happy early Birthday!

NOW GET BACK TO THE TRIKE (the kommando is awesome too though)

 MrMerlin wrote:
I would love to finish building the trike myself, but I have to do this kommando because someone is expecting it soon....
and guess who's gonna celebrate his 18th birthday this friday, followed by a girl visiting....

I promise, I'll finish this as soon as I can!

You're just a 17 year old git!? Keep it up mate! Talented!

Good luck hahahaha

Talk about your pirates enough maybe she'll bring up da booty, har har harrrrrrrr!

Wen maxmi I gonna have more pirate heads? You buyin up all the corncobs mate???

 MrMerlin wrote:
I would love to finish building the trike myself, but I have to do this kommando because someone is expecting it soon....
and guess who's gonna celebrate his 18th birthday this friday, followed by a girl visiting....

I promise, I'll finish this as soon as I can!

seems a certain package will arrive hopefully just in time i think

You know, really, girl visiting trumps all.
So, take your time. Get some action.
Come back let us know how it's going!

make love mrmerlin!

So I've had my 18th now.... and it was nice enough.... BUT she couldn't make it Her presence was urgently required at home, which is sadly in Berlin (5h train trip from here)... and her family is leaving for Finnland for three weeks.....

sad Merlin.... :(

But at least it's not a complete catastrophe.... she's coming in January instead, and plans to stay longer

And, bad as the news may be... looking at the bright side, I can continue working on my modelz.... yeah...

@sparky: Thanks and yep, I'll get back to the trike.... when I'm done with Meade's price
@Skyfi: Harr Harr Harr, 'Fanks much, ye old git!
@Vik: a certain package has arrived... and pics of it will soon be posted!
@Mat: True, true.... if only.... ah well. In January (that's what I'll be saying to myself alot these days....)
@Panda: Erm.... okay... someone had to say that, eh?

How many pages has it been since a proper piratey thing? The buggey's great, and I love every ork you create, it's just I'm wondering whether you've given up on them or something...

Meanwhile at a place of chaos and randomness in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany....

A certain visitor has cancelled her visit during the week after my birthday and postponed it to January, when there will be more time at our hands..... I shall be looking forward to that

So while I'm waiting, counting days and decorating the walls with scratches in patches of five, I've been slightly busy, working on the swampy base a bit and fiddling with the boss' torso (pics when there's been some proper progress)
And I got this package in the mail....

As some of you may know, I've recently won the second -=]_,=- sponsored terrain competition.... and last week, the prize arrived
I present to you, a robot crafted by the enormously talented scratchbuilder Viktor von Domm:
(put in a spoiler so those who don't read every single post don't scroll over it and assume I built it....)



Automatically Appended Next Post:
oh and gray.... yeah I'm sorry.... if it's any consolation, I've got a mob of propa piraty flash gitz planned.... but you're right, I'm not as true to the theme as the title suggests... shall I rename the thread?

I have a pile of gear cogs with that same "tophat" in it. Thats funny, congrats on your win

haha yeah Vik says it's from a toy car....
It really works well as a top hat, you should build a gentlemany grot, KC! Complete with monocle, mustache and suit, lol

nice mr merlin, when are we expecting more updates?

happy belated birthday Mr Merlin.... from now on we call you old git too^^.... everything will be just downhill from now on... your youth is over

and i like the new base done by you... looks way better´n my tries^^...

and yep... that model was totally scratchbuilt by me... PC rods, cardboard, cork (for the base) and toy gears... which my kids suply me with in abundance... built in obsolesce for cheap toys anyone?

Help! I'm stuck!

I really can't figure out a way to build the boss on that trike. the warboss torso I have doesn't really fit, and I only habe half of it.

So, after sitting at that thing for hours without getting anything done, and subsequently being too annyoed to continue, I've decided to do something else, just to get my mind off the trike so I can get back to it later. (when you're getting back to a project after you've been working on something else for a while, you usually get good results)

I know you're all expecting me to finish this soon (some of you have expressed that wish very clearly) but I just can't do that at the moment. :( I hope you can forgive me!

I think I'll scrathbuild a deff dred or a bulldozer, you'll see soon!

I'll forgive you so long as we see something cool soon.

Knowing you, whatever appears soon will look cool, everything else here does.

I can't really help much with how to build your boss as I've not got onto Orks for my army yet.
But, maybe some ideas will help with inspiration:
Think about what sort of boss would use a trike like that rather than the alternative.
When I think of a trike compared to a bike I think of greater comfort and stability, It has a large engine and big guns (typical ork) but coupled with the extra stability, he may like greater accuracy (stable firing platform) and, coupled with the greater comfort, he likes to go fast but not at the expense of his rear end.
Although all that sounds a little un-orklike...
Maybe he's just a very big, fat, lazy boss that can't be arsed to bother with the lesser stability of a bike. So make him fat and lazy looking . Give him weapons and the usual bionik upgrades to match a lazy attitude.... Think of Joker on his bike in the anime of Akira, sat looking bored with his arms crossed.

Maybe none of that helps... Good luck anyway.

Cheers Dr H!

Yeah I was also thinking fat, lazy boss in comfy seat... the problem is, I don't knbow how to build him....

Anyway, I just started working on a scratchbuilt deff dred, updates coming tomorrow hopefully!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ok here we go, I started working on the Dread.

My brother wanted to know what I was building, so I quickly drew up this... please excuse the quality....





Aaaaaan here is what we have so far!

Sexy, it reminds me of the leg lamp in A Christmas Story

I feel like it needs spacial plating off those ligaments to form shin guards and stuff. What do you think mr merlin?

Now you need to get cracking to make up for the absence we'll note In Jan

18? Are you allowed girls at that young an age? I can't remember back then, it's all too hazy.....

Nice prize from vik...like it

And like the look of the leg so far, but hey,,I'm a leg man through and through ( unless it could be swapped for a wheel...or a track...or a pogo stick...or a jet exhaust...or a ski...or a mass of tentacles...or....)

Ok here's another update, it's coming along very nicely

Though my brother thinks the pistons are very unfitting and it would never be able to walk... ah shut up bro, who cares? lol We're talking orks, right?





william: Lol, what?

Panda: yeah would have been a good idea, but I've already put a piston there -_- oops

Monkey: Thanks for dropping by, monkey!
- Don't worry, christmas time is modelling time!
- I sure hope so, lol!
- Yeah, I love it! he's a great scratchbuilder, that one
- lmao, but you forgot a set of rotors!

To make the plating work simply make a you shaped bar to go around the piston. That will add a nice complicated look to the legs and then you can put plating on top of that (it will even give the illusion it wont inter fear with piston movement.) in addition to it the left leg needs the forward piston the right leg it has. IT looks great at this stage, but i see unlimited potential - keep up the work mr merlin.

the stance of the deff dread legs looks very cool!...

seeing your concept i think i won another one over to steampunk

oh and thanks monkey^^

panda: Plates have been attached, you'll see later....

Vik: cheers mate! And oh yes, I'm doing this one Ork-punk style!
It'll be powered by a steam boiler

hehe^^... for grotz and orks i have to say.... it is a very wise decision

UPDATE!

So I "speampunked" the legs up a bit (rivets!) and attached some plates, which are nobs shoulder plates

Oh and MERRY CHRIZTMUZ, YA GITS!!!

You're really good at scratch-building mate.
I suck at converting anything, I'm really admirative with people that are able to do such things.
I'm jealous. ^^


Did you paint your buggy/trike/machine with a huge engine whatever it is ?

Looking good so far Merlin. Keep it up.

Loving the 'stepping' pose Mr M! bloody good job dude, this is going to be a really neat model I can feel it in my bones!!

On a side note, strangely every time i see your thread title I read it as ' MrMerlins random PRIVATES' :-) ......

..... and yet I still keep checking the first unread.......

@Minus: Cheers mate! And no, I didn't paint the trike yet... I was stuck and didn't know how to proceed, so I decided to do something else instead

Thanks much Dr H!

@nerd: Haha thanks
Maybe I should really change the title... since there are no real pirates here anyway...lol

That stance is going to be hilarious. Looks like the stance some jerk off that brags about how awesome he is uses.

i love it! maybe even more platse!

That dread is coming out great MM. Can't wait to see it completed.

BTW, thanks for the tip, your lootas are priceless!

I can't believe that I missed them before.

Where oh where did you get the wheels on that awesome WAAAARGG trike?

That kommando nob looks boss, too!

Update!
The torso is nearly done, I decided to make it look a bit like a big oven, with a door on the front and a steam-boiler in the back. An Ork-pilot (with top hat and googles of course) will sit on top of it somehow, i think





arm #1 (wip, more rivets to come!)




oh and I looted our old and broken dvd player, look what I got from the dvd drive:




KC: haha thanks
Panda: cheers! But naw, I think that's enough
Gorgrimm: Thanks a lot, mate!
Green: Thanks dude! I got them from some LEGO vehicle

That's looking great. Liking all the little details and the door especially.

And I really like how your gatling guns look.
Have you done a tutorial of how you make them (did I miss it somewhere)? It would be interesting to see how you go about it, it looks like it's mainly made from various tubes.
What I'd like to know is, how do you assemble the gun barrels together? is there another rod in the middle?

Thank you very much, DrH!

Nope I haven't made a tut yet, and I can't really make one now... I'm out of the big tubes And ofc my local hobby store has all tube sizes... except that one, lol
but these gund are really easy to make, you just stick 6 small tubes into one big one, they automatically assemble like that, and then you add details.
The front bit is usually time consuming to build, lots of drilling.... but it's easy.

the ammo drum is basically two mantic bases (perfect size) with a piece of thin plasticard wrung around them. And don't forget the rivets!

Cool. I though as much. Simple but effective (unlike one I'm part-way though making out of odds and ends that is anything but simple).

Yeah I can see the drilling taking a bit of time.

Oh yeah, can't forget the rivets. lol

In any other army, something steampunk wouldn't fit in, but orks... Looking great! Just make sure it looks like it could fall apart at any moment.

I think you make, if not the best Ork gatling guns, pretty damn close, on DAKKA. Keep it up man

lovely gun merlin! not sure if i am a fan of the square torso

Dont be such a square Cormade

Thanks guys!
Your compliment is very much appreciated, KC!

and yeah panda, I know, it might be a tad to quare... my brother keeps pointig out to me that it looks like a huge safe on legs.... but I don't really want to change it now. It'll look good enough when it's done, I'm sure!

Nah man, don't change it, it looks great square! it's different and I believe works really well as either an Oven or a safe :-) I have 100% faith that in the end it will look simply stunning!

It looked good at the beginning.
Now it looks even better.

Can't wait, I want to see da complete version of da big robot !

i am with panda here with the square body... but as you´ve stated... a safe like main body... well orks salvage everything they can...so... maybe they used an old imperial safe...who could say!

and the gunarm while a bit thin looking nevertheless looks all duty already!

:O Loving the whole steam punk idea dude! That gatlin looks amazing as well! Keep it up, im very inspired hehe!

haha, I forgot that not everyone lives in the states, and that most people who do haven't watched that movie >

Whatever, this is looking great so far, and I look forward to when you have it finished and painted.

That Kan is looking bloomin' great so far. Always impressive what people can do with plasticard and a knife. Looking forward to how it turns out!

Looking good Mer. I missed quite alot of Dakka due to move but everything is looking great. Can't wait to see how the dread works out.

D

I cant believe I missed so much here I thought I had subbed this ages ago, o well love the pirates and orks some great stuff plus I got to see the cookie factory again

The trike loks bad ass and those gatling guns are the bomb great work, the dread is looking cool as hell I love the square safe look myself nice and different from the rest out there.

Also the feet/leg posing looks good and the fact he is wearing sandals LMAO

GREAT STUFF and subbed for sure this time some great ideas to steal …… I mean inspirational LOL

Loads of awesome stuff going around here, the Trike is pure Orkiness and all the rest, OMG, all the rest... from the cookie factory to the new Deff Dread(?), WOW
Good to be back to watch your stuff mate.

Oh hey, new comments
Cheers guys, and wecome to the blog LDD!

The thing is, I won't be updating this blog for at least another 4 weeks or so... I'm in Scotland at the moment . I'll get back to Germany in a bit less than 3 weeks, but I've got some things to do before I can start fixing with my Orks and posting here on dakka again. See ya all then!

 MrMerlin wrote:
Oh hey, new comments
Cheers guys, and wecome to the blog LDD!

The thing is, I won't be updating this blog for at least another 4 weeks or so... I'm in Scotland at the moment . I'll get back to Germany in a bit less than 3 weeks, but I've got some things to do before I can start fixing with my Orks and posting here on dakka again. See ya all then!

Why are you in Scotland work or pleasure

 lone dirty dog wrote:

 MrMerlin wrote:
Oh hey, new comments
Cheers guys, and wecome to the blog LDD!

The thing is, I won't be updating this blog for at least another 4 weeks or so... I'm in Scotland at the moment . I'll get back to Germany in a bit less than 3 weeks, but I've got some things to do before I can start fixing with my Orks and posting here on dakka again. See ya all then!

Why are you in Scotland work or pleasure

Both... my parents are nature photographers, I always travel with them. I love it, get to see the world... another two weeks and we've got nine, time to go home, haha

 MrMerlin wrote:

 lone dirty dog wrote:

 MrMerlin wrote:
Oh hey, new comments
Cheers guys, and wecome to the blog LDD!

The thing is, I won't be updating this blog for at least another 4 weeks or so... I'm in Scotland at the moment . I'll get back to Germany in a bit less than 3 weeks, but I've got some things to do before I can start fixing with my Orks and posting here on dakka again. See ya all then!

Why are you in Scotland work or pleasure

Both... my parents are nature photographers, I always travel with them. I love it, get to see the world... another two weeks and we've got nine, time to go home, haha

Cool parents does that mean you get to travel the world then either way cool will look forward to the update in 4 weeks then

Yep ... well, northern Europe mostly. But we've been to the US and to New Zealand as well.
Yeah, I'll be back in 4 weeks then, looking forward to getting my hands on the orks again

 MrMerlin wrote:
Yep ... well, northern Europe mostly. But we've been to the US and to New Zealand as well.
Yeah, I'll be back in 4 weeks then, looking forward to getting my hands on the orks again

Sweet can your parents adopt Sounds like a pretty cool life and see you back here in 4 weeks have a great time

i wanna go places lol :F

Hey there dakka! Seems like it's been a year (holy hell, one year??) about time I get back to my Orks!

I've been busy putting arms and a head on this one over the past few days, the build is pretty much done save for the rivets, of which there will be plenty. what do you think?

he returns. About time merlin. Good work BTW.

:WOW: ohhhhhh....i want one too...!
those flaps on the exhausts... what a wonderful idea... consider that idea so very much nicked already!

and... i just had a scrollback to your last post...almost a year...almost^^
welcome back matey!...

(and...i think it could take another dozen or so rivets...... the pipes of the exhausts and the head probably...)

Thanks panda!

Indeed Vik, there will be another dozen or so rivets... well, not sure if "dozens" will be enough, a hundred more like

Blimey! What a cool bot! I like the Grot stickin' out his nose from the top especially - nice touch. That's a the way to comeback =)
Good to see you here again!

Oh hey. Welcome back.

Looking great. Love the caps on the exhausts.

WOW excellent stuff dude, Awesome.

Not just back but back with a bang. Fantastic work.

Grot Bot on steroids some work gone into that bad boy, loving …….. well all of it , complete scratch built weapons and working mechanisms just tops