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Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/04/03 04:15:25


Post by: MacPhail


Pre-plastic Adepta Sororitas army: DONE! (approx 3500 points)



Previous Terrain Projects

Wire Twist Trees & XPS Rock Outcrop
First Post
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XPS Ruined Romanesque Arches and Pillars
First Post
Coming Soon!



Ruined Library Tower with Spiral Stair (DIY Battle Sanctum)
First Post
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XPS Foam Vertical Cliff Face (Wall-Mounted Shelf)
First Post
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Modular Building with Medical Suite
First Post

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[url=https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/1071245-Top%20down%2C%20interior%20view%2C%20lights%20on.html]
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Imperial Ecclesiarchy Ruins / Thematic Games Aids

First Post

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Model Conversions and Painting


Adepta Sororitas Characters: Dialogus, Dogmata, Palatine, and Missionary
First Post




Unboxing Photos: Classic Rogue Trader & 2nd Ed. Imperial Guard, Squats, Orks, and Others
First Post




Celestian Squad First Post
Photos Coming Soon!



Battle Sisters with Simulacrum Imperialis
First Post
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Adeptus Arbites Patrol Unit
First Post
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Imperial Medicae (Two-Hour Drink-n-Paint Challenge)
First Post
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Sororitas Zephyrim Conversions
First Post
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Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/04/23 03:57:06


Post by: MacPhail


I had the whole army out of boxes the other day to count against a new build list, so here they are. Six painted transports and upwards of 80 models with infantry about half painted (but unbased). The rest have their basic armor layering with the exception of one Seraphim squad and a few odd models that missed the party.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/04/27 03:08:32


Post by: MacPhail


Here's the workflow for the Rhino conversions for the Sisters army... I have three more on the way to go full mech at 2000 points.

I had these Rhinos in boxes since 5th edition, bought for my Space Marines just before I left the game for more than a decade. I wanted to roll them out for the Sisters with the flexibility to run as Immolators or Exorcists as needed. I was never a fan of the GW Exorcist kit, and Immolators are suddenly hard to come by. Some resin missile launchers from Poland got the Exorcists taken care of, and some scrounging in the bits box got me four Immolator turrets. I magnetized the Immo guns for the full range of options.

Beyond switching guns, I wanted these tanks to be able to switch armies as well. GW has left the Sisters high and dry, and the new Marine codex provides so many cool options, I decided the transports would serve both armies. The green doors, top hatches, and turrets are all separate so I can replace them with White Scars bits as that army moves along. It's a maddening amount of white paint, but I love the flavor of the two armies and they seem to have good symmetry on the table.

Here's the whole operation being primed, along with a gazillion Sisters backpacks, some Stormtroopers, and lots of vehicle bits.


Here's the magnetized guns for the Immolators: Sisters guns with a little card, and turrets made from 32mm bases, flying bases, and IG tank bits.


These are the Polish resin missile turrets. Three of them plus international shipping was less than $50.


Here's the whole group, assembled and painted, complete with Laud Hailers. I hope to add dirt and debris, battle damage, and some more Sisters iconography, but this effort got me back on the table in reasonably good form.


As I said, the next move will be to buy and build three Razorbacks. This will allow me to run nine hulls in either army, and the Sisters magnetic turrets will take IG lascannons, Dark Angels assault cannons, or scratch built las/plas hybrids. That way I can run a White Scars Gladius with two Rhinos, three GW Razorbacks, and four scratch built Razorbacks with the full range of weapons. I'll post pics of those magnetization projects as they move forward.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/04/27 04:40:37


Post by: Guardians Eternal


Looking great so far! Always great to see a new sisters army, gives me hope for building one of my own someday


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/04/27 07:06:44


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice work. Subbed to see how this progresses.

EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/04/30 14:41:26


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks for the motivation, y'all! Here's my priestly contingent, mostly converted before I realized that they weren't terribly utilitarian for their points cost. Most of these sit in the box, although I try get them in a list periodically to see what they can do. All of them are unfinished, but I got the robes done to get them on the table. They still need skin, hair, and guns, plus all the detail work and bases. Somewhere on an external drive I have pics of them in the green stuff phase that I'll try to dig out.

I have all three Imperial priests-- heads shaved, one converted to carry a Power Maul-- two Mordheim Sisters of Sigmar updated with pistols and chainswords, and an old Necromunda Redemtionist model with an Eviscerator. The old Missionary on the left is one of the few models I completed 15 years ago before my hobby hiatus, thus the finished base. My Uriah Jacobus on the right and below is converted from an Imperial Missionary model with a grenade launcher and an old Honor Guard banner as his unique wargear (shotgun and banner). I think of him as "young Jake" still tooling around the galaxy making a name for himself, but before he gets old and crazy... I just never loved the official model.







Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/05/13 15:51:58


Post by: MacPhail


Sadly, not much to show for the time that's gone by. I finished magnetizing the Rhino doors shown above and cleaned a bunch of resin bits (man, that dust gets everywhere!). As far as actual building work, I started on the three servo-skulls I'll need for my Inquisitor (because what the Battle Sisters need is a Rhino full of Rending Heavy Flamers with Scout!). My hope is to get the scratchbuilt pair to be a good match for the legit one.


I also cleaned my bench (after the resin dust and several weeks of accumulated packaging trash). Witness the glory of pirated cafeteria trays to keep projects separate. I hike these up from the basement to join my family in the civilized part of the house, then hide them away in secret shame when my wife's less nerdy friends drop by.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/05/15 04:06:15


Post by: MacPhail


Pretty productive day... after a few hours of gardening I got down to business on a some long overdue projects. The first was a pair of metal dreadnoughts that had been sitting in Simple Green for a month or so. I don't know that they really needed that long; probably just laziness on my part, but it still took some good scrubbing to clear the old paint. I slacked and didn't take before photos, but they were not great. One of them was three-color table-ready I guess, but painted back in the 90s by a teen-aged me with no real skill. I think I had a single brush back then, and not a well-kept one at that.


One of them got the full treatment. The other one was unfinished to begin with, and so got spared the bath. I had green-stuffed in the topper from the Imperial Preacher's icon, a cool-looking sarcophagus. I wasn't sure if the Simple Green would weaken the bond or get behind the bit only to leak out while I tried to paint it.


I also got two Canonesses and Celestine prepped for magnetization. I've got Celestine's original cape with the cherubim and also a custom built jump pack with wings, both of which are too big for my figure case. I Dremeled out their backpack mounts and set the magnets in green stuff... time will tell if the magnets I chose will hold the weight. Perils of working with an all-metal army! I'll post some pics of that process tomorrow.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Okay, here's the magnetizing project from yesterday. I've had two Canoness bodies sitting around forever, plus a converted Celestine model from back in the day when Seraphim Superiors could have Eviscerators. You know, before they gave that iconic Adepta Sororitas weapon to the Space Marines? Sorry, a little resentment there.


I'm running the jump model as Celestine again in this edition, even though I gave her Burning Blade to the Canoness. I really should pick up a more WISIWIG model at some point. She's just got two Sororitas chainswords on a long bit of brass rod, and I reworked her base to match the flying bases of all my Seraphim. Her wings are old Reaper stock wings modeled onto a Sisters jump pack.


I used a Dremel engraving bit (#107, I think) for the cutting. Who knows what I'll do with all my time if GW ever releases plastic Sisters that can be converted without power tools? After routing out both parts of the model, a little ring of green stuff held the magnets. I used plastic wrap to allow the magnets to engage while keeping the green stuff from bonding to itself. There's still some cleanup work to do, and you can see a few gouges where the rotary tool jumped and skated on me (more green stuff!), but otherwise they are ready to go.




I'm not such a proficient craftsman that I'd call any of this a tutorial, but I will pass on useful tips as I learn things the difficult/expensive/frustrating/physically painful way. This is one of those tips: a stainless steel ruler keeps your magnets under control and helps you measure them for reordering. A big improvement over the "ball o' magnets" storage system I was using before.


So, not much painting this weekend (yet), but I may still pick up a brush, or get those Dreds assembled, magnetized, and mounted on bases, or try to get the servo-skulls done. I have a game in two weeks with my wife's birthday coming up next weekend, so those are my immediate deadlines and constraints. Thanks for following!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/05/20 18:14:26


Post by: MacPhail


As an aside, I've become appreciative of other P&M bloggers updating their thread titles and will try to start doing it regularly as well. Well done, everyone!

This week has been mostly running older models through the Simple Green bath as part of the (I now realize pretty epic) Space Marine reboot. The dreds came through earlier this week, so I dropped the two Tac squads with the most paint on them in, and filled up the rest of the room with some character models. Many of these models were based, then painted, then based again, and in a couole of cases, painted again on top of that. The detail was pretty badly obscured, and a couple of them even had some enamel paint used for less common colors like lenses and purity seals. It took way more scrubbing than I'd anticipated, and the plastics went back into the bath to stew until next week. What did come out today was pretty cool. The metal scouts from the late 1990s were no surprise, but as the paint fell away from the characters and some of the tactical marines, I was pleased to find some cool old treasures.


Some of the Tac marines are these classics with 1991 production dates stamped on their bases.


The real treasure was an old sergeant, a techmarine, an apothecary, and a chaplain, all from the era of "we cast one arm, you pose the other." I could tell what they were going in, but I'm still surprised by the cool detail that had been obscured.


I think they're all worth using in my White Scars reboot, especially the characters. I had been planning on cutting the chaplain down to ride a bike, but having seen the whole model, I may reconsider. Anybody else recognize some old friends in there?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/05/20 19:27:20


Post by: Nevelon


Nice stuff.

I remember the melta/plasma gunners with the separate weapons. Crazy hard to get everything lined up right. Not sure if I ever got the plasma gunner to work. I know I’ve got an armless body from that era sitting on the back of the bench waiting.

Those scouts are some of the best minis GW made IMHO. The only real problem is the repetition of the poses in larger squads. Luckily they match up well with the modern plastics.

If you can find the old bike chaplain out there, he was an awesome sculpt as well. Then again, so are most of the chaplains out there. But in general I don’t like to see old classics chopped up.

I’ve got that techmarine sitting in a bath of Simple Green myself.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/08 13:39:37


Post by: MacPhail


So another round of minis has gone through the Simple Green bath, with even more treasures emerging from under the layers of paint. I honestly hadn't considered these models worth saving, but they may yet find a home in my White Scars army at some point.

A few more marines will definitely join the White Scars, and I love these poses. The first is a single cast of the body and axe with just the left hand cast separately, and I remember ordering multiples of his left handed boltgun for conversions because it was the only one in the Space Marine line. I miss the days of the Mail Order Trolls! The second has a scratch-built arm that somehow survived weeks in Simple Green, which makes me think there are pins in there. Probably some of my earliest pinning work. The third is a Sanguinary Priest whose arm I had cut down and rotated, so that will need to be rebuilt. The other arm I made him has some Fabius Bile bits attached... not sure what I was going for there.


These two Terminators were the worst of the bunch... I think the one on the right had been a Blood Angel, an Ultramarine, and then basecoated for some other project, all without being stripped. The one on the right is a generic Captain or Sergeant, I think. Was the one on the left an Inquisitor in Terminator armor? I think that's a psycannon. Does anyone remember what was in his other hand? I'll have to go through my boxes to see if I can find it.


This last group had some gold enamel, thankfully on top of something less tenacious. I had thought of them as Grey Knights and had run them as a group at some point, and some of them had integrated bolter/halberd or bolter/power sword. Now that they're stripped, I'm not sure what they are. Some had the little shield mounted on the pauldron. Their arms are configured for hafted weapons, even though I don't have halberds for all of them. Most of these have dates of 1989. Anyone have these in their collection?


So, what to do with these guys? Probably nothing for now. Terminators have little leverage in list building these days, and my White Scars are headed in a different direction with bikes and speeders. I do like the models, and I have access to Terminator arms and weapons through our club (leftover shooty bits from choppy squads and vice versa). I might cut down the pauldrons and just build out the lower arms with contemporary weapons if I can identify an advantageous build, but they'll have to get in line at the distant end of this White Scars to-do list.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/08 13:50:55


Post by: Nevelon


On the topic of the inquisitor in TDA:
Spoiler:

Looks like he was packaged wth a force rod. I have the same guy I got second hand in a large lot, so I don’t know what he came with, but should have the rod arm kicking around for reference. I’ll see if I can dig it up.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/08 15:10:26


Post by: MacPhail


Cool, thanks for looking that up. Where is this wonderful archive of old catalogs? Force rod... looks kind of like a Crozius from the front angle. Hopefully it's in the boxes somewhere...

One more round of dated metals to go through the Simple Green bath, and they're getting weirder and weirder as I go.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/08 15:25:30


Post by: Nevelon


http://www.solegends.com/citadel/catindex.htm

The Stuff of Legends. For (most) of your retro old-school research.

Edit:
Spoiler:




I think it’s the bit I put up on top of the tray to the right. Fits the description of “force rod” YMMV.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/08 15:54:13


Post by: MacPhail


Yep, that's got to be it, it has the same horned skull motif as the rest of the armor. At least I know what to look for as I rummage. Looks like your right arm is different, some sort of combi-weapon. You've got all those old dudes! I used to have the ponytail-and-peg-leg Terminator too... so much ebb and flow of models, here one day, gone the next. Thanks!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/08 16:07:32


Post by: Nevelon


 MacPhail wrote:
Yep, that's got to be it, it has the same horned skull motif as the rest of the armor. At least I know what to look for as I rummage. Looks like your right arm is different, some sort of combi-weapon. You've got all those old dudes! I used to have the ponytail-and-peg-leg Terminator too... so much ebb and flow of models, here one day, gone the next. Thanks!


Looking at the catalog picture I posted earlier, the combi actually goes with pegleg. You can’t see it due to the camera angle, but I do have the same gun as you, I just gave it pegs, instead of the hooded guy. <shrug> they are all TDA inquisitors anyway. I should probably swap the bits to the proper guys, just for historical accuracy.

One of these days I’ll get around to painting them.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/10 15:38:38


Post by: MacPhail


I finally powered up an old external drive that had some photos of WIP models from before my latest phone update. Now I can assemble some progressions of some of my more heavily converted models. I'll start with my winged Celestine conversion.

This model has an odd history. In previous editions, we used to be able to buy a jump pack and an Eviscerator for a Canoness. The jump Canoness wasn't bad game-wise, able to support jump troops and take out vehicles across the table. I wanted one, and since an Eviscerator was described as an insanely large two-handed chain blade, I decided mine would be a double-ended chain blade. I wanted the jump pack to stand out from the rest of the Seraphim, so I embraced the angelic motif and built this winged jump pack. Fast forward to 7th, the jump Canoness is gone, and I've decided to finally finish this model as a counts-as Celestine.

Her wings are from a Reaper blister I picked up somewhere.


Her jump pack is a standard Seraphim jump pack with the vents removed...


pins inserted...


and Reaper wings mounted.


I wanted a more mechanical look to the whole pack, so I extended the top of the Seraphim pack up and over the first joint of the wings.


Some light gauge bass guitar string gave some symmetry to the back of the wings.


I took off Celestine's arms at the elbow and inserted pins.


Her hands were rotated and mounted...


and drilled through for a long steel pin.


After rebuilding her forearms, robes, and the haft of the weapon with green stuff, she was ready to mount and magnetize.


The wings are magnetized, partly for storage and transport, but also because I may update the model and reuse the wings at some point.


All of my Seraphim are drilled for clear flight bases, so Celestine got that treatment as well. Here she is with base layers, ink and drybrushing.


And that's where she stands now, ready for the rest of her paint. I'm not sure what to do with the wings... angelic white is obvious, but that's a lot of off-white for one model. Currently they're birdy-brown. I could try to add some gold to the feathers... or more green to match the army? I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for taking the time!



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/10 15:48:06


Post by: Oguhmek


That's a great conversion. The wings fit perfectly, I love it!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/10 15:53:51


Post by: Nevelon


Do you have any close ups of your sister paint scheme? I see a few in the background of other pics, but it would be good to see one in focus. Just so we have a base to work with.

What I’m seeing is white armor, green robes, and gold accents. With that in mind, I think I’d do the non-feathered part of the wings in the same pattern as your other sisters (which I’m guessing is white). The feathery bits I’d go gold. It should fit in with the rest of the gals.

If you didn’t want that much gold, I might go with silver wings. As you say, going white would be a bit much, based on your armor color.

As another option, you could mix colors on the wings. Look into actual birds for inspiration. It would be a lot of work, but doing the bulk of each feather in gold, but the tips in silver would make for an impressive set if pinions.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/11 04:32:51


Post by: MacPhail


Oghumek-- Thanks for the nod!

Nevelon-- Thanks... I'll snap a couple photos in the daylight this weekend. The scheme is basically bone armor, green robes, gold insignia. I think I might try tracing out the stem of each feather in gold and then lightening the brown, leaving it darker than the armor and jump pack frame. Gold tips would be next if it doesn't show up. Since it's a single model, I think I can invest some time.

Next up: progressions on a few of the priests/priestesses I've done. This might be their moment in the sun, as they don't see a ton of actual table time.

Thanks, y'all!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/11 08:29:35


Post by: evildrcheese


That Celestine conversion is boss. The winged jump pack is especially well executed.


EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/12 13:41:19


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, Doctor. I have that second set of wings standing by in case I ever feel motivated to run the process again. Maybe they'll bring back the jump Canoness someday!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/13 21:59:07


Post by: MacPhail


Here's a couple more WIP photos of the plodding progress of this army. I had a notion in my head during some previous edition that Priests were the crux of a Sisters army, or maybe I had delusions of rebooting my old Guard army, now long since sold. At any rate, I decided I needed lots of them, and I felt like in a Sisters army, there needed to be some women among the clergy. Enter Sisters of Sigmar Numbers 3 and 4.


Some easy hand swaps with Imperial Guard plastics gave them 40k weapons. I hacked the Sigmarite iconography off them and rebuilt their belts and robes. Big green stuff cuffs both reinforced their wrists and helped tie them in to the group of Imperial Priests I already had. The extra work you see is my innaugural effort with liquid green stuff, which was basically a mess; I think it helped blend some of the texture on the robes and fix a few Dremel scars, but not much more.




They got as far as getting robes painted, but they always seem to be hanging out in the army case when I'm doing a big batch of hair or slinging gunmetal and Nuln Oil. One o' these days, Sisters, one o' these days...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/13 22:05:51


Post by: Desubot


And mordhime players wept.

they look really good.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/06/13 22:30:05


Post by: Nevelon


 Desubot wrote:
And mordhime players wept.

they look really good.


What, doesn’t everyone have a few sisters of sigmar kicking around the paint bench? I’ve got one who I used for a demo on how to paint faces I need to finish.

Good to see some gals in the clergy. I know some people referred to the SoB codex as "Codex: Dirty old men” because of how instrumental guys like priests and Jacobus were. Nice conversions.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/07/12 00:33:03


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, y'all.

A long-overdue update, interrupted by back-to-back travel weekends with an infant (although I did get three Space Marine Scout Bikes assembled... just not the Bikers).

Weeknights have been good, though. I got the HB Retributers done to a tabletop standard, and I'll probably go back for purity seals and maybe hoses and grenades before I base the whole force. That puts me exactly one flamer Sister away from having all specials and heavies done, which will leave a couple of Superiors, a dozen bolters, and all of the Seraphim yet to do.


The last of the White Scars have emerged from the Simple Green, having lost most of their paint, but also a great many guns and arms. It's only a pain on a few careful conversions where I'll need to reunite a dude with his lost arms; otherwise I'm just rebuilding basic poses. I did run out for a can of Leadbelcher Spray... might as well paint those bolters, and maybe the chest details, while everyone's got their arms off.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/07/12 12:22:07


Post by: Nevelon


Retibutors, one of the few places HBs can still shine. Which is a good thing, because few things look as cool as the (wo)man-portable HB.

Be sure you get a sturdy sock for the lead dread in the corner there. You might need it if going up against a TFG/WAAC or cheezy list.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/07/13 16:43:17


Post by: MacPhail


Haha, fair enough... that dred may not even have a spot in my White Scars army, at least not to start, so IRL CQC might be his true calling. As for cheese, this WS force is intended to be my cheese army; my club is fairly competitive, and the Sisters, while making a good showing, have trouble going toe-to-toe with knights, flyers, FMCs, and D weapons. The Scars will hopefully open some more doors for me competitively.

Fun update today... I hit what is (for me anyway) a very fulfilling threshhold with the Sisters. Of the 107 power-armored Battle Sisters models in my collection, every single one has their armor done (Corax White spray, Seraphim/Gryphon Sepia wash, Pallid Wych layer, White Scar drybrush). Of those 107, more than half also have robes, guns, insignia, faces, and hair. All of the specials and heavies are done and I've moved on to Seraphim, throwing in a few basic bolter poses with each batch to keep making progress on those. I've realized that with all of them starting off mounted in transports and dying quite quickly, I can play a full game without ever putting an unpainted model on the table. So that's fun!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/07/13 16:56:31


Post by: Nevelon


Grats! The ability to field a fully painted army is a major milestone, worthy of celebration.

Sisters, while being ignored by GW, are still a force to be reckoned with on the table. There might not be a lot of diversity in their build, but they have some nasty, counter-meta tricks. The ability to spam melta like nobody else is a huge perk. Exorcists, with their S8 AP1 missiles can also do a number on things. The fact that you pay less per body then a normal marine, and live just about as long in today’s lethal battlefield is also quite nice.

Don’t sell yourself or your army short. Those heretics are not going to purge themselves; it’s up to you!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/07/13 22:43:39


Post by: MacPhail


I'm far from discouraged. The Sisters have performed better in 7th edition than in quite a while. If I don't have a winning record I'm very close to it. I struggle with fast, close combat oriented armies like Dark Eldar and static gunlines like Tau, but I hold my own against most of what I face. I'm pretty successful in Maelstrom missions, but kill points always go against me. As an MSU build they're pretty solid. If they had the FW Repressor and a Decurion formation they be very competitive.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/07/25 04:55:33


Post by: MacPhail


I made some good headway in the last week or two, pushing to get ready for a game this past weekend.

Celestine and the first unit of Seraphim, done to at least tabletop standard, but still needing purity seals and other details.


Close-up of Celestine and one of the Seraphim, whose skin randomly turned out better than the others.


And a terrain project for my FLGS, some tiered hills for the corners of a display case, with my new Inquisitor for reference. I got a hot foam knife from a going-out-of-business sale at a model railroad shop, and I'd been itching to try it out.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/05 17:23:19


Post by: MacPhail


I've had good success with a proxy Aegis Line (paperhammer cutouts) and Quad Gun (an old Tarantula), so it was time to get some real models on the table. I used IG Autocannons, Sentinel legs, Rhino accessories, and the cap to an old Super Glue tube. Still need to paint it fully, but I got it on the table last week with Leadbelcher and a Nuln Oil wash.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/05 20:36:55


Post by: Novasetri


Nice work on the quad gun. kind of makes me think of the way the guns were mounted on those mek suits in the matrix. My only thought here would be to maybe add some kind of swivel at the base to show how it would change direction unless it's implied that they can swivel independently of one another.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/05 21:31:57


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! The pairs of guns swivel independently because they're the feet of the Sentinel, little ball-and-socket joints. I considered using a single leg and mounting all four guns on it, two over the foot and two under it. I actually have 2 more autocannons, so if it's a runaway success I could potentially split the legs up, scrounge 2 additional guns, and build a second one on a similar base. I think there's a point of diminishing returns, though... my BS5 Canoness means this gun kills its points in flyers and skimmers most games, but a second one might be overkill, and a second Aegis might be better with a Comms Relay to help my Dominions and Seraphim in reserves.

Also, you've made me want to watch the Matrix movies again.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/11 04:30:31


Post by: MacPhail


I got some paint on the Servo-skulls last night... they'll need lenses and maybe another layer of bone white, but they're ready for the table. Store-bought on the right, scratch-built center and left.


More importantly, perhaps, I finally did some bases! The skulls were an easy test batch, plus I mocked one up with the fancy GW crackle paint. I'll rework the shading and drybrushing strategy, and I still need to decide if I'm going to clip all the tabs on the Sisters into pins and drill a bunch of painted bases (vs. texturing and painting with Sisters already mounted). But it's fun to be underway!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/11 05:51:20


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice work on the Servo Skulls, especially the scratch built ones.

EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/12 04:57:44


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, Doctor. I started out with some fantasy undead, but they were too scrawny... Those are from an old chaos tank accessory sprue. I might take them down to GW and try their new technical lens paints.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/12 05:39:20


Post by: evildrcheese


If you do, make sure you report back how they work out!

EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/20 18:02:05


Post by: MacPhail


This will keep me busy for a while. It will bring the shared motor pool for my White Scars / Battle Sisters to a total of 9 hulls. I'll need lots of extra doors and turret rings to make extras for both paint schemes, Green for the Sisters, red for the Marines. I might try scratch building some doors at some point to make up the difference. I wonder what plasticard thickness matches a Rhino's hull.

Does anybody know where I could buy Rhino doors and both open and closed turret rings and bits for pretty cheap?



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/20 20:36:58


Post by: angelofvengeance


eBay would seem like your best bet, or bits sites?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2016/08/21 00:56:41


Post by: Nevelon


It seems both doors and top hatches would be common by-products of any tank based on a rhino chassis. I can’t see how they would be hard to come by. I know I have a small pile.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/05 05:30:53


Post by: MacPhail


Long overdue for an update... Battle Sisters and White Scars have each taken a few steps forward. The Sisters got some detailed bases underway, and the White Scars, having lost most of their arms in the Simple Green bath, got them back again and got basecoated.

I also resurrected some old Kasrkin to use as Scions-as-Inquisitorial-Stormtroopers. I found all the parts to a half-built Chimera to roll with them and got the basecoat done.


I built a converted Coteaz to command them as a wing of my Sororitas Castellans force. He's a Sternguard body, a basic head, the bird from Jetek Suberei, and a hammer made from cut-down Dark Angels pickaxe things. He'll get his psyber eagle attached once he's basecoated.


And I ran another batch of classics through the Simple Green. Commissars, IG Commanders, a Culexus assassin, and a couple other oddities. The ones I'm most likely to actually repaint are the Arbites. I think they'll make good Acolyte meatshields for an Inquisitor.







Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/05 20:05:05


Post by: JohnnyHell


Love love love the old mini finds! This is all shaping up so nicely!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/06 03:39:56


Post by: MacPhail


 JohnnyHell wrote:
Love love love the old mini finds! This is all shaping up so nicely!


Thanks! I'm having fun running them through the Simple Green bath to see what's under the paint I slung in my reckless teenage years. I think I'm going to get arms and guns on those officers, commissars, tech gangers, and human bombs to be acolytes and maybe some AM militia followers for my Inquisition forces.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/08 03:59:55


Post by: MacPhail


Here's the current situation of the White Scars. The vast majority lost arms and guns coming through the Simple Green, and several came completely apart. I cleaned them up, reassembled them, and kept their guns separate for the spray basecoat. I'm thinking I'll do chest insignia before gluing guns back on... at that point, they're halfway done. The resin grav cannons I bought from Bits of War still need cleanup and assembly, so that's why there's a few Marines with no arms. I also have some resin Mongolian heads I got from somewhere... not sure yet if I'm going to use those.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/08 06:48:04


Post by: evildrcheese


Sounds like you're making good progress with the White Scars.

EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/10 04:59:17


Post by: MacPhail


 evildrcheese wrote:
Sounds like you're making good progress with the White Scars.

EDC


Thanks... they still feel a long way off. I've got multiple bikes to build, scouts, Rhinos, plus all those damn chests to paint and arms and guns to glue. But I'll get there!

Here's a few more overdue updates. I realized I'd posted the WIP display terrain for my local GW store in pink foam above, but not the finished product. Here's a crappy photo through the glass of the display case. Next time I'm down there I'll have David open it for me... he's since based some models to match and it looks pretty cool.



I also posted pictures of the bases for my Sisters army finally getting underway. I've finished the first set, which is only about a fifth of the army. Thank the Emperor I chose flying bases for the Seraphim or there'd be 30 more of these things to do. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. The detail with the crackle paint, cork rocks, and grass tufts is more than I should have done given how long I take to do anything, but hey, I think it looks cool. On my next batch, I'm going to wash with Nuln Oil instead of Agrax Earthshade for a pure gray instead of slightly beige finish. That's the look in the trial piece below.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/10 11:39:23


Post by: Nevelon


Nice looking stuff! Keep on painting, love to see those old guys return to life.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/26 04:56:18


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks Nevelon... everyone else as well.

More updates this week: I finished a fun magnetization project to what I consider the halfway point. I magnetized the Scouts from my Landspeeder Storm so they can disembark onto their own movement bases. Each got a magnet either in their rear end or their boot and a matching one on deck. I tried to recess the magnets, but my Dremel bits melted the plastic too quickly and a blade was tough to use in tight quarters. I did what I could, but ended up surface mounting some of them. I rebuilt parts of the model with green stuff and base coated them. I still need to build the individual movement bases before I can say I've maximized the value of that box, but if I can disembark and play the Scouts on the table, it will be the best $30 I've spent on this hobby in a while.



I also finished shoulder pads on the bikes I've built for the White Scars with the exception of four grav gunners whose assembly is too tight to allow them, so I'll need to shave down the grav guns to make them fit. After all the damage I did stripping the paint with Simple Green (lost arms, guns, heads), it's nice to have that many rebuilt and ready for paint. I still have to build the Khan (Jetek Suberi), a Chaplain (thanks to cast-on-demand), two more Librarians (using the robed rider from the Ravenwing sprue), three Attack Bikes (I'll magnetize them to existing bikes), three Scout Bikes, and maybe one extra box of Bikes at some point, for more than 20 bikes all told.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/26 10:56:09


Post by: Nevelon


When I built my LSS, I thought about magnetizing the guys in the back. Decided it was too much work. I Just built them and stuck them on bases. I should really get a second storm one of these days, they are a lot of fun on the table.

You might have a different dremel then the one I use, but I find it’s far to powerful to work on plastic. I’d rather have a slow hand on the job. Do you have a pin vice?

Nice array of bikes there. I set up my last attack bike so I could field him as a normal bike if I wanted to, but never have. If I was more competitive, I might have. Honestly, the fact that he’s a bit wobbly is more of an issue day-to-day then the potential flex he brings to a list.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/26 15:16:02


Post by: MacPhail


I do have a pin vise, and I mean to try the Dremel bit in it. It's the exact diameter of the magnets, so I was bummed when it didn't work. I definitely want another one of these Storms. Now that I've done it once, I'll magnetize it before assemble it. They're great on the table, a good value in both dollars and points, and they unlock cool formations too.

The attack bike plan is mostly to try the White Scars formation that's all about leadership penalties and pinning tests. The penalties are driven by units that hit, not by wounds, so a bunch of solo HB attack bikes should be effective.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/30 05:39:41


Post by: Captain Brown


The new look Sisters with the Nuln Oil look more...I cannot find the right word...Imperial looking with the Grey. Perhaps it is the old gamer in me that thinks Grey with Imperial (OK my Necromundian Guard are Grey and that makes me a bit biased). Any way I like that wash better than the Agrax Earthshade.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/03/30 06:26:27


Post by: evildrcheese


Cool stuff. Loving the Land Speeder Storm.

EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/01 16:02:45


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, Captain-- I'm going with the Nuln Oil, but may not go back to change the others. EDC, thanks as well-- it was a fun project! I'll have to get the movement bases done ASAP, as I have a game in a couple of weeks.

I shifted gears last night and made a bunch of headway on another terrain project. These are designed to line the glass display cases at the local GW. My last one was some simple hills/cliffs with basic texture and grass. I wanted to go a little bigger this time, so I went for a ruined temple.

The tools of the trade: single malt, baby monitor, X-acto knife, insulation foam.



I laid out a one-inch grid in Sharpie on pink insulation foam.



I roughed out the shape with a utility knife. I either need longer blades or thinner foam, both of which exist. Only the 1" foam comes conveniently pre-cut in 2'x2' tiles, though, so maybe longer blades are called for. If I can go through the whole thickness at once, I can eliminate the rough edges.



I used a smaller blade to engrave the joins between "blocks" and then sanded the rough edges. A drywall sanding block works great for this.



I accidentally cut one row too deep on the left side and had to glue it back on. Measure twice, cut once, they say. Or maybe don't drink scotch while working with X-acto knives, I'm not sure what they actually say. You can see roughly how it will sit in the back half of a 17"x22" glass display cube. One remaining question is whether to lower the back wall slightly or to keep it tall and cut doors into it. You can see where I've roughly marked out possible doors on the right rear wall. Doors or no doors?



Finally I used some scrap to experiment with battle damage. What do you think? Should I keep the look clean or tear up the walls and floor with blast craters and bullet holes?





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/01 16:48:15


Post by: Nevelon


Love the battle damage, I’d run with it.

A a good drink is a vital hobby tool. You do need to be careful when using both that and the knives though.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/02 05:59:10


Post by: MacPhail


Moved ahead tonight with the weathering and battle damage. Not sure about the density or degree of polish on those details, but I think I'm ready to glue and paint. The left half is further behind.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/24 05:13:36


Post by: MacPhail


I've made some major headway on the White Scars over the last few weeks, mostly motivated by a mini-tournament (I placed 3rd out of 6...).

I finished one Command Squad on Bikes, complete with Apothecary and Librarian (who brings the Hunter's Eye for Ignores Cover grav love). I shouldn't say done, as they've got tons of detail and weathering to go, but table-ready at least, and not too embarrassing.


For Troops, I built and painted a Landspeeder Storm full of Scouts. These Scouts are fully magnetized for actual disembarking, but I have yet to build little magnetic scenic bases for them to land on.



Until I finish that project, I'll need to use separate Scouts... so I painted up this group.


I painted up an old Landspeeder I had after magnetizing the Typhoon pods.


Four more grav gunners on Bikes underway... these will be a second Command Squad led by a Chaplain. Next to them is a pile of unbuilt grav cannons from Kromlech to run two Dev squads in a Gladius.


The rest of the bikes I own currently are coming together. These will be the Chaplain, two more Librarians for the Conclave, and Apothecary, and a few bullet catchers. Note the replacement of plasma guns with bolters (these were Dark Angels Black Knights), and also Jetek Suberei in the background waiting to become the Khan.



Here is the infantry for my Gladius. Most of them lost their guns and arms coming through a Simple Green soak, so it's been a while putting them back together. The good news it that I can do chest eagles before the guns go back on, and the guns are already silver. You can just peek at the bag o' bolters and bag o' backpacks in the background.










Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/24 05:45:46


Post by: evildrcheese


Nice update dude. The Hunter eye is pretty sick with Gravesend bikers.

EDC


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/24 22:28:21


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks EDC... the cheering section keeps my going through uncertain times (8th is freaking me out with a commitment of this size... who knows how this army will hold up?).


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/24 22:53:02


Post by: Nevelon


Like any edition change, some things will get better, some worse, but the game will go on. Your might loose some options (the one I could see getting the axe are full grav command squads) but for the most part you should do fine.

What the new hotness is will be the big question. But for casual play, you should be able to keep on rolling.

Nice work, keep it up!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/26 03:12:00


Post by: MacPhail


Yep, I may pump the brakes on finalizing these builds and just play my Sisters in a Castellans list with a few painted bikes and scouts until the new rules drop. Overall I'm optimistic, hoping that White Scars drop with a few flavorful options and get more in a near-future release.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/26 04:12:48


Post by: Warboss_Waaazag


I like how the gatling gun on that scout speeder looks like it has a silencer on it. "Stealth"


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/04/26 22:35:01


Post by: MacPhail


 Warboss_Waaazag wrote:
I like how the gatling gun on that scout speeder looks like it has a silencer on it. "Stealth"


Stealth brrrrrrrrrrt. I snagged those from the Ravenwing sprue I think. I have enough for all of my Landspeeders... I was all about the Assault Cannon in 7th, but now I may have to think about double Heavy Flamers as a way to dish out a high RoF in 8th.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/05/21 06:07:40


Post by: MacPhail


My wife and I are packing for a move... so there's going to be a gap in my gaming life. I was hustling to close out some long-running projects before I had to break down my hobby apparatus and load it for the transition.

This is the second terrain project I've done for my local GW store. The first was a pretty straightforward pair of tiered hills in pink insulation foam. For this one I got a little more ambitious and attempted a ruined temple. There was a lot more detailed blade work on this one. I'm not sure I love the battle damage, but I'm glad I tried it. They're unfinished, because the manager at the GW wants to paint them into some scheme he's got. Overall, I'm pretty pleased.









Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/05/22 12:17:17


Post by: MacPhail


I should mention that, like the last one, this piece is sized to fit the back of the glass display cases at GW. Also like the last one, I failed to take a photo of it installed when I dropped it off. Maybe next time I'm over there he'll have painted it up and I can snap a photo through the glass.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/05 07:12:41


Post by: MacPhail


So I've been completely distracted by the new edition and the tactics forum, but I have been hobbying! I didn't want to move forward with either the Sisters or the White Scars until I'd had some games under the new rules. In the meantime I'm trying to quickly knock out some terrain for a home 4x4 table. Here's the first few steps:

I rough cut the bases and walls from half-inch insulation foam with a hot wire cutter and a steak knife:


Cleaned and assembled them with wood glue:


Detailed some with cork grit in different sizes:


Detailed others with a mix of cork and gravel:


Detailing materials on trays:


Detailed bases with basecoat of 50/50 acrylic paint and PVA glue:


Up next: basecoating a bunch of metal (plastic) wreckage to scatter around, plus drybrushing the terrain pieces:


And, because I'm getting some games in, a photo from a recent matchup against Dark Eldar (or whatever they trademarked them as):


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/06 15:19:29


Post by: MacPhail


All four pieces based (although I think I need one more drybrushing to match the table tiles). Next step: paint, wash, and rust effects for all that twisted metal before gluing a few bits to each piece, plus weeds and dead leaves scattered around.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/07 00:10:36


Post by: Nevelon


Nice work on the terrain. How’d the game go?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/07 03:04:31


Post by: MacPhail


I played two that night. I scored a dominant victory over a Tyranids list with a Trygon, Carnifex, Patriarch, and about 50 Genestealers... I positioned myself to intercept the little bugs with bolters and flamers and had them wiped out in turn one, but struggled with the big bugs.

Vs. Dark Eldar it was an even matchup. Both our transports proved resilient. I had the edge in ranged combat and he was stronger in melee. Interestingly, Celestine spent the whole game engaged with the Archon and that 2++ that lasts until he takes a wound. He wasn't rolling any 1s, and Celestine kept resurrecting her friend, so it went on and on. Fought that one to a mutually agreed draw... we had scored the same number of kill points and we agreed that the game would probably go to whichever HQ walked away from the endless melee.

In general, the Sisters are performing well this edition!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/13 16:31:37


Post by: MacPhail


I finished one of the four new terrain pieces... the metal wreckage takes a while to detail, and I'm still learning how some of the technical paints work, so it will be a slow process. I'm also trying to match the bases I've already finished while cutting some of the steps in the process in the interests of time.

The terrain pieces, as I posted on earlier, are half-inch insulation foam shaped with hot cutters, Xacto blades, and steak knives, glued with wood glue, and painted with a mix of PVA glue and acrylic paint. The rubble is a combination of cork and railroad gravel. The "metal" is all styrene from Evergreen Scale Models except for the corrugated sheets, which are stamped foil. All of the metal wreckage was sprayed with Leadbelcher, washed with Typhus Corrosion, Highlighted with Necron Compound, and stippled with Ryza Rust, a process that I have yet to perfect. The tufts of dead grass and the leaf littler are from Green Stuff World, the same supplier as the cork.



I think I need better lighting... sorry if the pictures aren't up to Dakka standards.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/14 01:55:41


Post by: Nevelon


Nice! The metal looks fine. I’ve always been daunted by weathering.

As for “Dakka Standards” sure there are lot of nice, well lit, in focus pictures in the gallery. But there are also more then plenty of blurry shots in bad light taken with potatocams. You are well above average here.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/17 15:08:27


Post by: MacPhail


I have a game coming up soon and I'll be playing Scions with plasma guns, a potent force in this new edition. I didn't want to drop the hammer on my opponents with a half-assed counts-as half-painted contingent of plasma spam, so I'm pushing hard to get these guys ready. I had a couple squads of Cadian Kasrkin stormtroopers from back in the day. I'm using Forge World's "Hostile Envirnment" trooper torsos to match them. The helmets and respirator masks are a good match, the poses are cool, and the castings are (mostly) clean and crisp.

I added Green Stuff kneepads to all of the Cadian and Catachan legs to match the Kasrkin.


The lasgun models needed armored gloves as well, which I made from Green Stuff and styrene card.


Four units of plasma Scions with plasma "sergeants" ready for paint and bases, which are ready to go.


I did the bases as a big batch mounted with PVA glue onto a paint stirrer. The base detail is a combination of cork and gravel glued down with PVA, then a Mechanicus Grey spray basecoat, Terminatus Stone drybrush, White Scar highlight, and Agrax Earthshade wash. A few of them got some Agrellan Earth, Agrellan Badlands, and Astrogranite Debris just to see what those technical paints are all about.






Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/07/20 17:04:21


Post by: MacPhail


The plasma Scions are quickly coming together for a 2000 point game on Saturday. Two squads (max plasma) are nearly done (gotta do a little bit of skin tone work on the unmasked sergeant... or is he red in the face from barking orders?), two more squads (also max plasma) are mounted on detailed bases but still need more paint, and the last two squads (double melta, double flamer) are basecoated but still need paint and bases.

Here's a chance to compare my classic Kasrkin with my newly acquired Forge World "Hostile Environment" troopers. I'm pretty happy with the similarities. The face masks are key, and I wouldn't have wanted to try to build those freehand. The kneepads and armored gloves I built of green stuff and styrene card are adequate... not perfect, but I think the outcome scales with the amount of effort I put in. Once they are all deployed in mixed units I don't anyone will be able to tell at a glance that there are 20-year-old OoP models mixed in with brand new FW.

The old commissar and officer models are really cool, but a bit off. I stripped them (photos earlier in this log) of some old and terrible paint and I'm eager to get them back on the table. I don't love the way their arms are slightly out of scale or the limitations on their poses courtesy of a shallow bits box, but it works, it's WYSIWYG, and it'll be ready for Saturday.

On another note, I'm really pleased with a new personal best: this is the fastest I've ever selected, sourced, acquired, built, converted, painted, and based a unit for play. Like by a lot. Like measured in weeks instead of decades. Like those Kasrkin have been kicking around in bare metal for twenty years, and they're going to drop into play with fully painted and based models that I've owned for just over a month. I give the credit to a really good group, a solid new edition, and a lowering of my personal standards.

Classic Kasrkin with an old-school Guard officer as sergeant:


New Forge World "Hostile Environment" troopers with an old-school Commissar as sergeant:


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2017/10/08 07:20:56


Post by: MacPhail


Wow, lots going on... I based about 40 models in the last few weeks, detailed some HQ and Elite units, and played some great games. Here's a quick rundown.

I ripped my entire army off their bases and touched up feet and robes.


I mass produced bases by gluing them (PVA glue) to paint stirrers.






The I had three trays of these awaiting glue.


Some updated models, shown on the terrain pieces I've been working on.




And finally, a really fun game against a great friend and opponent and his gribbly-farming operation. That's my newly painted Penitent Engine there left of center taking on a whole mess o' bugs. I still need to take photos of that one.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/03/31 07:09:43


Post by: MacPhail


It's been a long time since I last updated, so there's a lot to share. There's a few action photos at the bottom from recent games.

The Penitent Engine has been done for a while, I just never got around to photographing it.


The Penitent's base shows the direction I'm headed... gravel, dried mud, dead grass, and industrial rubble.


Celestine and friends are underway, with a lot of work ahead. Definitely happy with these bases and the overall adaptation of the color scheme.


Seraphim with Inferno pistols from The Reliquary, an online 3D designer on Shapeways.


My Inquisitorial detachment is underway with Greyfax and another Inquisitor.


A better photo of my old Kasrkin as Inquisitorial stormtroopers.


Bullgryns in thrall to the Inquisition.


My next project: a Repressor upgrade with 3D printed components from Zefig, a Dakka poster with a Shapeways catalog.


A pretty sweet photo of my deployment opposite a Turn 1 Genestealer Cult ambush. Between my Vanguard moves and some cheap backfield screens I managed to push back the range of the ambush and keep my guns in play. It was a close win for the Imperials.


The Sororitas position in the elevated ruins at the center of the table.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/07 07:04:17


Post by: MacPhail


Very pumped to have gotten started on the first of three MDF terrain kits from Promethium Forge. I'll post pics a few at a time as I go.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/07 11:28:08


Post by: Nevelon


Nice selection of stuff. I need to pick up more terrain myself, but it always looses out to more shiny models.

Looking forward to seeing you get more paint on stuff.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/07 12:06:15


Post by: IGtR=


Like the use of the shapeways products. How do you find it to use?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/07 23:01:04


Post by: MacPhail


 IGtR= wrote:
Like the use of the shapeways products. How do you find it to use?


None of the high profile pieces are done yet, so the jury's still out, but so far it's looking pretty good. I imagine it all depends on vendor. The 'heavy transport" upgrade and accompanying flamer turret from Zefig will be great for Repressors, but they'll need a little sanding before paint... there's definitely a slight geometric texture to them from the printing process. I'm one-and-one with stuff from The Reliquary... the "human sized thermal injector pistols" are perfect Seraphim scale inferno pistols, but the bits I ordered to turn some of my heavy flamers into heavy bolters were too small and would need a fair bit of wire armature and green stuff work to fit the model. The customer service and shipping from Shapeways has been fine, no problems there. There's a ton of good looking 30k and 40k stuff on there, just not much for Sisters.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Nevelon wrote:
Nice selection of stuff. I need to pick up more terrain myself, but it always looses out to more shiny models.

Looking forward to seeing you get more paint on stuff.


I'm of a similar mind... I'd always choose a model I needed for a list before building up my home table, but then it's a little sad to host an occasional game. You might like this Prometheum Forge stuff... the "horizontal fuel tanks" kit is $10, makes two tanks, and went together with CA glue in the time it took me to drink the two beers. I'm going to base the frame in silver spray, the tanks in antique white, douse the whole thing in Agrax Earthshade, streak some Typhus Corrosion, and add a few paint chips and rust spots. I have three other kits behind this one, and collectively it should be enough to cover my 4x6 table in a non-embarrassing way. I'm around $100 for the whole project... including 4 MDF kits, 4 rattle cans, new super glue, and a 12-pack.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/08 13:31:34


Post by: MacPhail


I put together another kit... technically three kits: one makes the two can towers, one makes the bridge that connects them, and one makes the two walkway sections on either side. I had envisioned the combination as forming an industrial bridge over a shallow gully on my old Citadel Realms of Battle boards, so I couldn't help dragging a few of them out to test the fit. My new bridge spans the gap, but I think I'll need some foam risers on either end to reduce the slope of the ramps if I ever want my Seraphim to land on them.



I actually have one kit yet to build (the vertical tanks with spiral stair x2), but those can wait for now... if I can get the infant and the toddler to sleep at the same time, it's time to paint so I can finish assembly.





You can see the colors I've chosen on the end of the table... antique white for the storage tanks, institutional green for the bridge, concrete gray for the bridge pylons, and light blue for the vertical tanks, which I'll be using as watch towers for either end of the bridge.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/09 05:54:21


Post by: MacPhail


Okay, a quick update on the painting. I got it all done in twice the time I'd thought it would take, and I'm mostly happy with the outcome. Where there's a few smudges or fingerprints, I just shrug and remind myself that it will all get fatigued and corroded and chipped to tie in with my "abandoned frontier settlement" vibe I'm chasing.

I'm happy with the colors I chose. The gray should weather nearly to black. The green should tone down to somewhere between a military olive drab and an institutional sea foam, which should make a good backdrop for the weathering. Not sure yet about the blue, but I think I'll give it a go, just in the name of variety. The only dud was the antique white... I tried a semi-gloss paint + primer and it did NOT cover well. I tried semi gloss because I thought it invoked modern propane tanks I thought it would highlight the rust and corrosion. It took twice as many coats as the others and it never did get fully opaque. Once I realized it wasn't covering adequately, I should've re-primed with white and gone over it again. The potential problem is that those tanks have the tightest fit into the rings of the MDF kit, so I'll probably have to sand down the frame like crazy. The metallic silver I chose is a little sparkly, but I didn't want to burn a $15 can of Leadbelcher, and I think I can knock down enough shine with Agrax and Typus Corrosion.

A note on the cans... I wish I'd stripped or sanded them more thoroughly. I sanded mine a bit just to create texture for the paint to adhere to. The can graphics were tough to block out completely, so it took more coats than I'd hoped. Also, if you use cans of carbonated water, you can keep them full for the entire process and be way less likely to dent them. Mine got a little crushed with all the handling.

I'm going to try thinned down acrylic pigment instead of Agrax and Nuln... I think it'll look okay and be cheaper to do in large volume. I'll do the main wash before I finish assembly, and then the detail work once everything is together.

Questions, comments, and suggestions welcome!




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/24 06:52:23


Post by: MacPhail


The MDF fuel storage tanks kit is mostly done. I ended up replacing the cans I'd sprayed with semi-gloss antique white because they were too bulky from the multiple layers it took, and a little tacky to boot. I was already going to have to sand down the frame to accept the cans, so I drank a few more beers and painted up a few more cans in flat off-white. I used a dish sponge to apply Ryza Rust and Typhus Corrosion to the tops, then dribbled Agrax Earthshade and Seraphim Sepia down the sides. I wish I'd left the white of the can a little more pure... they got muddy from repeated ink washes. For a high speed kit assembly and fairly reckless painting, I'm really happy with them.


My biggest takeaway is the cans will be a tight fit, much more so than any of the other kits I've used. I used 150-grit sandpaper wrapped around a smaller diameter can to widen the frame, especially because I didn't want to scrape off all the paint in final assembly. Another option is to cut the rings on the bottom to allow them to flex, but that might change stability.

Here's the pair... they may eventually get detailed bases. My home board is moving in the direction of a bleak, cold, rugged land (using my old Realms of Battle boards) covered in aging, rusting, post-industrial ruins. These rusting fuel tanks will be part of a research camp or prospectors' depot; I'm building a little machine shop, similarly weathered, to sit nearby, and my can-tower bridge (also from Promethium) will span the gully in which they all sit.
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Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/04/24 10:59:07


Post by: Nevelon


I think they hit the look you were aiming for. Nice job!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/05/26 06:07:07


Post by: MacPhail


I'm making a move on repainting 8 Realms of Battle boards... 4 of them look okay, but the 8 don't match. While I had them out to see what I had, I grabbed the terrain I've been working on. I realized I hadn't posted the most recent photo of the works in progress, namely the MDF kits from Promethium Forge. Here's a bridge (two can towers, the bridge platform, and two connectors), the double fuel tank kit, and a building I made using a photo storage box and some Promethium Forge upgrade parts. I'm pretty pleased with that little building, so I might put together another one and upload some photos of the process... really simple and super cheap.









Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/03 06:04:13


Post by: MacPhail


So, I finally got a Repressor built and painted! There's another on the bench, and both the Rhino chassis and Repressor upgrade need lots more details, but I got it on the table last week regardless. The top plate and flamer turret are from Zefig's Shapeways shop, the rest of the guns and turret bits are from the Rhino sprue. The doors are Forge World resin. The dozer blade is classic IG tank stuff, and the fleur de lis on the dozer is actually stamped brass, so no paint there, just bent it to fit the curve of the blade and glued it down. I can mount a second flamer turret or a second stormbolter per the datasheet, but they both look too busy for the photo. I'm eventually going to build a manned (womanned?) turret for each with a Sister crewing the stormbolter, but I painted up some extra hatch pieces in the meantime.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/03 10:01:28


Post by: Nevelon


Nice work. You looking forward to plastic? Sounds like it took every material available to make that one tank.

(Not that they will probably make a plastic repressor, but one can always dream)


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/04 16:30:25


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
Nice work. You looking forward to plastic? Sounds like it took every material available to make that one tank.

(Not that they will probably make a plastic repressor, but one can always dream)

I wasn't sure if I wanted to wait and see or not, but I decided to got for it with these. I really wanted to get a couple Repressors on the table, as it seems like they make the difference between middle tier and (maybe) lower end of top tier. Plus these components looked really cool. I could as easily use these as Immolators if an amazing Repressor kit gets added, but I'm not holding my breath. But yes, I'm incredibly psyched for plastics! My goal is to get all of my metal painted by then... probably around 3000-3500 points worth.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/07 15:18:58


Post by: MacPhail


So, today's the kickoff for a big project: refinishing 8 Realms of Battle boards I got from a local shop. They were easy to come by because half of them had been repainted and the other half flocked, and none of it looked great due to wear and tear. I need them to match each other and my army bases and scenery scheme, so here we go...

Day 1: Stripping paint. Not off to a great start. I have always used Simple Green to strip paint, but I've mostly worked with metal minis (my Sororitas army) and usually let something sit in a tank of it for weeks at a time. Something stronger might have been called for today, but I'll have to wait and see. Maybe a couple of hours will do the trick... they're soaking in Simple Green in a very smelly garage right now.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/07 18:33:34


Post by: MacPhail


 alabamaheretic wrote:
good luck man


Thanks, I'll take whatever luck I can get... and I see now this is going to take luck, skill, physical sacrifice, and perhaps the intervention of the God-Emperor of Mankind.

So, I'm about four hours in, and this is a way bigger job than I'd anticipated. There's way less paint coming off than I'd hoped, and there's way more crappy flock on these boards than I'd realized. It appears to have been put on with some kind of industrial spray adhesive. I put in two full hours of scrubbing HARD with a grout brush, plus some scraping with a plastic putty knife. Of the flocked boards (5 of the 8), it came off of the four matching brown ones with some effort. On the fifth, the dark green one, they had spray painted over the flock, making it nearly impossible to remove.

My only hope is that if it can weather the scrubbing I just imposed, it will hold texture and paint as well as I move forward. For that matter, the paint seems extremely well adhered to the plastic, so I'm just going to prime and paint over it. I don't have another day for this project, and I may not be able to move tomorrow... this killed my shoulders and back.

Now to haul them upstairs and rinse them in a hot bath... maybe followed by one for me.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/07 19:47:32


Post by: alabamaheretic


well I'm sure due dillegence will win the day a little scrub every so often will get it off. its just going to be one of those long war kinda deals considering what you just described. I due look forward to what you come up with though.

In the words of my former squad in regards to the sore shoulder drink water, take some motrin, change your socks and do some pt lol anyrate keep on trucking.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/07 21:08:01


Post by: MacPhail


Wow, what a day... and I did just spend nearly my whole day on this goofy project. Ambitions are being scaled back by the minute, but hey, dreaming big never hurts. All 8 boards are scrubbed, rinsed, and dried. After a little detail work, they're ready for paint.

I'm excited to start turning this skull pit into a pond. I need to drop just enough rubble in to conceal the skulls, then paint it for illusionary depth and add water effects.


Speaking of water effects, the ice effect in the recess here did not come out, so I'm going to paint right on top of it.


This was the one that required so much extra scrubbing, but it's good enough to move forward. So much paint-soaked flock. I think there's going to be GW static grass in my bathtub until the 41st millennium.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/07 21:23:56


Post by: alabamaheretic


Well that's a great start mac. oh that grass is no joke man lol. again the perseverance of this project will pay off in the long run plus you'll have a snazzy table. eye on the prize.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/07 21:34:06


Post by: Nevelon


Oof. Good luck. Have you tried a really long soak?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/08 21:50:27


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, guys. If I had the time, I'd try a longer soak... but I'm a teacher on summer break, and this is my project for the next 8 weeks. I'm only good for about an hour a day after other projects, chores, child care, etc. I'm hoping to get the detailing done next week and prime and paint the week after that. A couple more weeks to do all the inking and drybrushing will leave the last few weeks of summer to bring some terrain pieces I've already done in line with the table. If I can get a game on the new table in by the end of July, I'll have won the race, but that means moving quickly now!

In other news, I decided to Dremel off all the skulls in the pits before I build my pond bottom... maybe try for a photo update this weekend.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/08 23:24:59


Post by: alabamaheretic


Nice, looking forward to seeing your pond build. Well young minds always need molding so yea understandable. Hear's hoping you win your race against the clock. Man you would be surprised on what you can get done in an hour Knightly has a blog and does about an hour a day and he has fantastic work.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/10 06:19:01


Post by: MacPhail


Okay, got a bit further on the pond details... they're basically ready to paint. I still have a lot of detail work to do, and I want to give the ModPodge time to cure a bit before paint, so they're a ways off from being painted for now.

On that note, ModPodge is fantastic stuff, way superior to PVA for terrain building IMO. I did a simple 50/50 mix with water and a few drops of wetting agent, shook some railroad ballast into the deeper recesses, and dripped the thinned ModPodge in with an eyedropper. That stuff is locked down firmly with just one treatment, and I think it's going to wear really well. Super impressed.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/10 07:10:15


Post by: alabamaheretic


very nice stuff never tried modge podge but may check it out in the future


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/13 15:10:47


Post by: MacPhail


Some of these boards have been painted and repainted to the point where details are getting muddy. I'm adding railroad ballast along the base of each cliff band so I'll have something to drybrush later.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/13 15:22:48


Post by: alabamaheretic


oh that sucks. well the basalt should make it look interesting


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/16 06:50:48


Post by: MacPhail


Whew! Ready for paint. It took a few nights, but I added talus to the slope beneath each cliff band. I think the extra detail will help give some depth when I drybrush the whole thing. Super tedious, but it may just come good. It shows up the best on the white one, which was the one most in need of detail after being repainted a few times.


The stuff I used.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/18 18:00:12


Post by: MacPhail


The big painting day... I'm about to have a minor outpatient surgery on my leg, so I was pushing to get these done in case I'm laid up for a while. Six rattle cans and some plastic sheeting, a couple of fans, and we're ready to paint.

I got a flat gray primer, but the colors I wanted (Espresso, Granite) were only in satin. It sucks for the photos, and I hope it doesn't limit my ability to adhere paint from this point on... there's still lots of ink washing and drybrushing to do, plus a matte clear coat at the end, so I'm not too worried about the finished product.


The boards all prepped, cleaned, and detailed with railroad ballast:


Primed gray:


Painted Espresso and Granite:


Next I'll wash the whole thing in a homemade Agrax Earthshade knockoff, give the cliffs a heavy drybrushing in two progressively lighter colors of gray, and then sponge on layers of umber and sienna for the earth. Final details will include a scattering of fallen leaves and the water effects on the two pools.

Big day! I'm pumped to have made it this far with plenty of summer left to finish the job. Also, a very smelly day. Even in an open garage with fans blowing, six rattle cans worth of fumes is a lot. I think I'm going to go lie down and catch up on The Expanse before surgery this afternoon.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/18 19:29:45


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Great work.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/21 21:08:32


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, everyone for the continued encouragement. I got the first two layers of acrylic paint down on the cliff band on all 8 boards... two night's work. I chose big tubes of art store acrylic paint: Neutral Gray Value 5 and Unbleached Titanium. I laid the gray down thick, let it dry overnight, and drybrushed titanium over it. I also bought a pure white acrylic to do extreme highlights, but I don't know that I'll use it... I can't really spare another 2 hours for this phase of the project. Anyone feel strongly that I should do a white drybrush?



I think I'll move on to the earth, which I'm going to try sponging on for visual texture rather than drybrushing. The previous owner left some thick brushstrokes and glue seams on the surface that I know will pick up the wrong kind of detail. I bought some natural sponges to mess around with making organic shapes in the layers of umber and sienna I'll be using.

The the last big hurdle will be to get the pigment mixed and balanced for a wash that I can spray over the whole thing to unify all the drybrushed layers. This has turned into as big a project as I'd imagined, and maybe bigger, but I think it's going mostly according to plan.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I stayed up late to put in another session... got most of the base earth color taken care of. That's Raw Umber, to be followed by Raw Sienna and maybe Burnt Sienna, although that's pretty orange. Still need to mess with technique and see what I can manage. I should say I'm pretty pleased so far.


The MVP of this session was definitely the natural sponge I found at the art store while I was buying paint and bought on a whim. It easily gave me the feathery patter I needed at the margin of earth and stone.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/24 05:44:56


Post by: MacPhail


I couldn't resist pushing two of the boards together to see how I'd done on maintaining the width of my painted cliff band across the gap between boards.... not too bad. There's some color variation across the earth tones, but as long as it isn't on a seam I'm not going to sweat it... the detailing and wash will probably even everything out.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/28 21:44:24


Post by: MacPhail


I took a break from working the terrain boards to get some models ready for a game this weekend. I've never run Repressors in a game, and now I've built two of them with some components from Zefig's Shapeways 3D print shop. I upgraded my scratchbuilt Immolator turrets for some nice crisp fabricated ones, added two riser plates for the fire points, scrounged some dozer blades from the bitz box, finally used some etched brass fleur de lis I've had for a while, and did a neat little bit of magnetizing while I was at it. Pretty pleased with both looks and function, but those Rhinos need some more detail.


I'm painting up my last squad of Seraphim too.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/28 22:13:55


Post by: Nevelon


Nice little motor pool there. Good luck in the game.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/06/29 15:42:08


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
Nice little motor pool there. Good luck in the game.
Thanks... I have two more Rhino hulls painted in this scheme, so if the Repressors are everything people say they are, there might be a second round of reboots, plus I have three Razorbacks unbuilt if I wanted to go full mech with this army. So far Seraphim and Retributers bring enough impact for their points that I don't imagine I'll trade them in for more tanks anytime soon.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/10 16:02:32


Post by: alabamaheretic


good luck with your game, and remember BURN THE HERETIC! lol plus you been slogging on that board for a bit need a break


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/12 17:08:35


Post by: MacPhail


I've got to get another day in to finish these boards, so rebasing all of my Seraphim onto scenic bases will have to wait until the school year. But the parts have arrived!



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/18 02:10:25


Post by: RagnarRex


I must say I’m deeply impressed. You, sir, are an artist!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/19 06:24:23


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks for the nods, everyone. Ragnar, you should talk! Your water effects are great and I'll definitely be hitting you up for guidance when I try mine. Your home table is super impressive. Maybe start a P&M thread of your own?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/25 20:02:29


Post by: MacPhail


Whew! The last big day on the Realms of Battle restoration project was yesterday... there's a few more touch-ups, some detail work, and the clear coat, but the basic painting is done and they're essentially ready to play on.

The last major step was to add some visual depth to the mud/earth, so that it wouldn't look so flat compared to the cliff bands. I would normally have drybrushed the texture build into the boards, but the previous owner had brushed on a primer at some point and the boards were covered with obvious brush strokes from a 3-inch wide brush that would have picked up the drybrushing. Instead I went back to the same natural sponge and sponged on random layers of raw sienna and burnt sienna acrylic paint. It was tough keeping my technique consistent across all 8 boards, and I worried that the seams would emphasize the variation in color density, etc. In the end, I maybe worried more than I needed to, and I think I managed a mostly consistent look.

So, tools of the trade:


My first task was a layer of randomly sponged raw sienna, a yellow-orange:


Followed by burnt sienna, an earthy red:


I knew I was going to need to mix my own washes for this project given the scale, and I've been fiddling with it a while. I devised four washes I liked, but I really only using the ones I call Heavy Black and Heavy Brown. These are still not a match for Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade, but they're close. I found black to be a much stronger pigment... I doubled the amount of brown to try to match it. The winning recipes for small models-- and I was hoping it would serve for big ones, too-- were these mixed up in 2 oz. bottles:
Spoiler:
Medium Black
1 oz water
1 oz matte medium
2 drops wetting agent
1 eyedropper carbon black pigment.

Heavy Black
1 oz water
1 oz matte medium
2 drops wetting agent
2 eyedroppers carbon black pigment.

Medium Brown
1 oz water
1 oz matte medium
2 drops wetting agent
2 eyedroppers burnt umber pigment.

Heavy Brown
1 oz water
1 oz matte medium
2 drops wetting agent
4 eyedroppers burnt umber pigment.


The exposed rock I did with a single 2 oz. bottle and a brush to guide it... the flow characteristics were pretty good for homemade. The earth took a quadruple batch mixed in the spray bottle. The spray was a mess, but it went where it needed to with the help of a supple brush.


So, the finished table as I hope it appears in-game:


All eight boards finally match!



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/25 20:20:39


Post by: Nevelon


I wouldn’t know this was a rescue project from the results. Nicely done.

Got enough scatter terrain to cover it?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/26 15:35:34


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! I probably don't have enough for 4x8, but I'll mainly play this as 4x6. Now that I have a table to match, I'm going to crank out some new pieces... another structure or two, a few small bases of trees and rocks, maybe a couple more of rusting junk, and the last two MDF+beer can towers from Promethium Forge. That, added to the structure, fuel tanks, and the MDF bridge I've just finished should be enough to cover the whole thing with a mix of cover, LoS blocking, and elevated positions.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/07/30 18:04:49


Post by: MacPhail


I put together a pure Adepta Sororitas list at 2000 points for this month's game and I was aghast to find three models unpainted and another half-dozen unbased. Those targets, plus finishing Celestine and the Geminae, should probably go to the top of the list before I return to terrain.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/08/03 03:55:09


Post by: MacPhail


Aaaaaand, I'm not going to do what I said. I will finish Celestine and crank out a few extra Sisters so I don't have to run unpainted models. But first I can't resist building some supplemental terrain for my newly renovated table.

I'm pretty excited about foamed PVC as a base and building material. 3mm is plenty stiff to build on and with, but not so thick a model can't easily overhang the edge without tumbling over. I've got some ideas to bevel the edges to soften the transition. Unlike insulation foam, it can be spray painted. It also doesn't eat up as much real estate when used for walls; a PVC ruin holds more models than a foam ruin with the same footprint.

I had already bought a chunk of foamed PVC (expanded PVC, Palight, Komatex, Foamex, Celtec) to experiment on. I knocked together some hasty ruins and used them to experiment with color selection, drybrushing and inking technique, and revising my wash recipes as I planned the Realms of Battle resoration. The result is something that I could probably finish up and play on, but I'm excited to make some deliberate terrain pieces with a little more design effort. These will hopefully add some natural texture to my swamp with bushes, rocks, and dead trees, but also tie in with the mud, gravel, and rusted metal of my existing bases.

I bought two 12" x 12" panels of Palight (about $6 each). Last night I laid them out in shapes that I hope will give me room to deploy entire squads in cover. I'll round out the edges into some more organic shapes when I bevel them (hopefully with a Dremel if I can find the right bit), but I didn't want to freehand it and wind up with a useless size or shape. The results, two big, two small:



The other piece I worked into a big wraparound section... I was thinking some heavy industrial junk worked into a barricade overgrown with bushes and grass. The remainder will be my first attempt at a scratchbuilt pool to figure out my water effects for the Realm of Battle board with the pits.



I started messing around with one of the small ones, knocked off some sharp corners, and started using some cork sheets to build up a little rock pile. The guiding principle is definitely gameplay, with easy placement of small-to-medium-sized units, nice flat surfaces, not too much clutter, etc. But I also want it to look good and tie in seamlessly with the boards, so I'm putting in a little extra effort.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/08/26 05:53:48


Post by: MacPhail


I'm moving forward incrementally on those area terrain pieces... I'm a middle school teacher back at work now, so those summer weeknights of productivity are gone, replaced by a few weekend evenings when I've got any juice left in the tank once the family is in bed.

I moved the prototype forward, did a little filing and sanding, added some railroad ballast, and beveled the edges of the foamed PVC base. The tree is a twig from my yard... I'm toying with the idea of doing a couple dozen on magnetized slottabases so they can come and go as needed.



I'm pretty happy with that, so I moved forward with building rocks out of layered cork, glued with ModPodge.



I'm sizing the bases and details to fit a few trees and a unit of troops. The small bases will take a unit of 5 infantry, the medium 10, and the big ones 20. I play a lot of MSU, so I'm making sure my army has some advantage on their home table, but I want my friendly neighborhood ork player to have someplace to stash a big mob too. Here's a model for reference.



I also fired up the Dremel to bevel all the edges...



...and made a mess in the process.



So here's where the project sits: everything cut and beveled, only the prototype glued. Hopefully now that I've worked out the bugs I can pick up the pace and start mass producing.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/08/26 10:12:51


Post by: Nevelon


Nice. More terrain is always a good thing.

Have fun back at school! Most important job out there, and you guys don’t get enough support or respect.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/08/26 13:06:17


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
Nice. More terrain is always a good thing.

Have fun back at school! Most important job out there, and you guys don’t get enough support or respect.


Thanks man! I love my job, and we appreciate your support (and the occasional funding measure on the ballot in November). I get to be the resident gamer nerd mentor and advocate... D&D in the library, MtG in my room at lunch, and the occasional pilot game of 40k when a kid inherits a sibling's or cousin's army. I guess I also teach a little world history.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/08/26 13:41:17


Post by: Nevelon


 MacPhail wrote:
I guess I also teach a little world history.


Wargaming goes well for teaching history and geography. You learn where things are when you fight over them as battlefields. And most pivotal thing in history happened at the end of a sword/cannon.

How many of us whould know where some places were without Risk, Axis and Allies or similar games? I know I’d have no clue where Kamchatka was unless I needed to fortify it for the Asia bonus.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/18 05:11:15


Post by: MacPhail


Small progress update after a few crazy weeks (houseguests, trips, etc.) with some headway on my area terrain projects for the Realms of Battle boards. I got my first two small pieces of area terrain built and painted. As pictured above, they are foamed PVC bases with beveled edges, cork rocks, and railroad ballast for texture. I experimentally glued a few washers to the base before painting them to match my Realms of Battle restoration project. These are sized to sit under a 25mm base so I can mount and magnetize trees for them. I had a few extra bases sitting around to test the fit, and you can see what it would look like without them. I'm wondering if this is too much effort, or just lame. I could just mount trees permanently, but I feel like this gives me some nice flexibility in both future hobby ideas and game play. If the trees are a hassle during games, I could remove them or replace them with bushes or more rocks. Thoughts?


Also, I had planned to do mostly natural woods and rock outcrops, but a dive in the bits box turned up a couple of scratch built bunkers I made when I was a teenager (20+ years ago). I feel like they need to make the cut for this table, so stay tuned there...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/18 10:04:35


Post by: Nevelon


I think magnetizing the trees is a good idea.

Without the trees the washers look too manufactured/uniform on an organic base. Could you sink them into the base? Or carve up from below? Or hide the rims with debris at least.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/18 12:36:31


Post by: MacPhail


I definitely dont love the look of the bare washers, but I can at least crank out a bunch of blank covers for them. I like your idea of recessed washers... I might have to try it with some scrap. These are only 5mm PVC sheets, so I imagine drilling all the way through is the only option. Of course, they all have to match so the trees and bushes are interchangable... here's where I'm wary of the return on investment. This is already the forever project...

Thanks!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/18 21:55:25


Post by: Meer_Cat


The cork for rocks is very successful- really nice effect that I shall steal at the first opportunity!

Regarding the washers, depending on how strong your magnets are for your scenery, maybe you could glue down a thin sheet of cellophane (like from a cookie box wrapper) or even paper over top of them? It would smooth our their shape, but be thin enough that the magnets would still grip?

Great terrain though!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/19 05:05:10


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks Meer_Cat! I think I could easily mask the inner ring so it's less donut-y and maybe a little less obvious what it is. A little GS before paint will do it. I'm actually planning on pretty weak magnets to act as a break-away device when they get bumped in play. I don't want a sleeve caught on a tree to upset a dozen minis. And yeah, the cork is amazing... I'm basically using a hobby blade, some coarse grit sandpaper, and ModPodge to assemble. Those two pieces were to get a feel for the work; the next few will be bigger and a bit more ambitious.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/19 07:39:36


Post by: Camkierhi


Nice idea with the washers, bases are looking good.

I would just make some "covers" for when there is no tree/bush. Some bases made to look like rocks or very small stumps, nothing to interfere with play, but could easily break up the unnatural shape of the washer.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/22 06:32:05


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks Camkhieri, much appreciated. Got in a late session tonight with everyone in bed.

I decided to get the pond moving and try to put the two larger pieces through the process together. I relaxed my standards a bit and just started tearing off big chunks of cork and gluing them down as I fit them.



I built a second tier in the few spots and dropped a rock in the "pool."



I also added some grass tufts to the more finished pieces. Any strong opinions around white, brown, or a mix of both?



And, I couldn't resist grabbing a model and staging a quick scene. I have made dozens of bases over the last two years with this board only visualized, not actually built, so it's nice to see that my vision made a fair match.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/23 12:51:18


Post by: MacPhail


Minor update: I pushed to get two pieces ready to prime this weekend so I could paint them in the evenings during the work week. I may add a bit more texture to the bottom of the pond, but not at the cost of the deadline.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/23 13:05:25


Post by: Nevelon


How many of those you plan on making?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/23 17:20:12


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
How many of those you plan on making?


This round will be six pieces total. The two little ones are pretty much done except for building a dozen or so magnetic trees. These big ones will be another week or two, and I won't do the water effects until later. The last two will be more of a woods-meets-junkyard theme to tie in with my buildings, fuel tanks, etc.. All the cut-outs are laid out on the bench in a photo a few posts back, all of them out of two 12"x12" sheets of foamed PVC.

There's also a couple of big ruins I made as test pieces. I've been using them to figure out paint schemes, drybrushing and inking techniques, getting my homemade wash recipes right, etc. I'm realizing that they're probably good enough to use for gaming, and they represent a third sheet of 12"x12" foamed PVC. When I'm done there will be around 300 square inches of area terrain, about 10% of the table, with about that much area again in LoS-blocking pieces.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/25 05:47:22


Post by: MacPhail


Managed to get it primed over the weekend, although I think I'll still tinker with the detail on the pond bottom. Now to make time to paint!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/09/30 06:31:57


Post by: MacPhail


I got the initial layers of paint down on the next two pieces. The rocks have had their drybrush, so what's left is stippling on the earth and washing the rocks. I also took a shot at creating some illusionary depth in the pond and I'm pretty pleased with the results. That's blended rings of gray, blue, and black. Once the water effects go in I think I'll have at least some of the effect I was looking for.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/10/19 02:40:00


Post by: Private Benjamin


 MacPhail wrote:
Small progress update after a few crazy weeks (houseguests, trips, etc.) with some headway on my area terrain projects for the Realms of Battle boards. I got my first two small pieces of area terrain built and painted. As pictured above, they are foamed PVC bases with beveled edges, cork rocks, and railroad ballast for texture. I experimentally glued a few washers to the base before painting them to match my Realms of Battle restoration project. These are sized to sit under a 25mm base so I can mount and magnetize trees for them. I had a few extra bases sitting around to test the fit, and you can see what it would look like without them. I'm wondering if this is too much effort, or just lame. I could just mount trees permanently, but I feel like this gives me some nice flexibility in both future hobby ideas and game play. If the trees are a hassle during games, I could remove them or replace them with bushes or more rocks. Thoughts?


Also, I had planned to do mostly natural woods and rock outcrops, but a dive in the bits box turned up a couple of scratch built bunkers I made when I was a teenager (20+ years ago). I feel like they need to make the cut for this table, so stay tuned there...


Removable terrain is always a good idea, i came across a MDF woods base that allows you to remove the trees ... https://www.4ground.co.uk/bases-and-movement-trays/4ground-large-tree-base

And the ability to change up scenery is an even better idea! About your bunkers, as soon as i saw them i immediately thought of Charlie Sheen in the Vietnam-era movie "Platoon"





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/10/22 21:15:33


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

I agree with Camkierhi in that the washers do stand out. Less when painted, but still they look manufactured as compared to the rest of the terrain.

What about some ground up cork around the various washers to level them with surrounding terrain?

The terrain looks really great, but my eyes keep getting drawn to the washers.

My two cents,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/11/19 06:44:56


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks for the support and comments, everyone.

This is a long overdue update... I was good for almost every week there for a while, and now it's been a month and a half. Lots of family in town, sick kids, lots of work. Anyway...

I did get some twigs collected and prepped. I'm soaking them in (ahem) wood hardener in hopes of a bit more toughness, then some spray paint and mounting on bases with magnets. Hopefully these will adequately conceal the washers, hopefully look good doing it, and still disassemble to store or transport.



Ziploc bags will hopefully contain the funk of a soak in some intense chemical stuff.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/11/19 11:02:26


Post by: Nevelon


Nice to see you still plugging away at these. Hope life settles down a bit for you.

Interested to see how those trees are going to look.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/11/20 17:43:25


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! I stayed up late last night to mount them on bases-- not yet magnetic-- so you can actually get an idea. I'm going to match those blank bases in the foreground, and probably crank out a bunch of those to cover the washers in case the trees are just annoying in game play.

I'm not sure what to do about paint. I want them to stand out pretty starkly against my orangeish-brown table, so I'm thinking gray primer, a light spray of black from above to stain the tops of the branches, and then a thin brown wash to pick out details... not sure.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/11/21 16:55:52


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

For mine I simply primed them black, then a gloss black for strength and some durability, then another flat black spray, and finally a dry brush of white representing the ash.

For your more complete trees, a spray of brown added in a random pattern would lighten them more than the ones I did. Mine also had almost no branches left.

Hope that helps,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/11/21 18:08:06


Post by: MacPhail


Captain Brown wrote:
MacPhail,

For mine I simply primed them black, then a gloss black for strength and some durability, then another flat black spray, and finally a dry brush of white representing the ash.

For your more complete trees, a spray of brown added in a random pattern would lighten them more than the ones I did. Mine also had almost no branches left.


Thanks for the insights. I went and found some picks of your in your gallery, they look great. How were they in game play? Did it take you a while to stop knocking the whole area terrain piece over and dumping the models? That's my biggest concern, and yours look taller than mine.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Briancj wrote:
'wood hardener'.


You should see the look I got at Home Depot when I asked for it.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/01 07:15:32


Post by: MacPhail


I got the trees based last weekend while a couple of friends played a pilot game of AoS for mostly the first time. I was fine with odd man out because I got sixteen of these done, with green stuff roots, cork rocks, and railroad ballast. I'm pretty satisfied, especially with the split trunks. Next comes a few different layers from a spray can and hopefully not much more.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/01 12:38:25


Post by: Nevelon


Something is happening that has not happened in ages; The forest is awakening, and realizing it is strong...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/01 21:40:29


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
Something is happening that has not happened in ages; The forest is awakening, and realizing it is strong...

If that bush in my yard had awakened properly last spring, it might not be Warhammer terrain now...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/08 06:26:41


Post by: MacPhail


I've always watched the ongoing informal contests and motivation threads... I finally jumped on the Dakka Painting Challenge here:

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/767550.page

Since Gideon Lorr will be hanging out on my bench, I'll post a few progress pics here... not that I've started. I want to try to embrace some of this awesome technique I've seen in the P&M Blogs.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, I had the whole army out of storage today for a quick inventory ahead of Chapter Approved. Somewhere over 150 models, most of them metal and acquired over nearly 30 years in the hobby. There's six adaptable Rhino hulls with bits for a mix of Immolators, Exorcists, and Repressors in another box... I've built a lot of stuff for this army! Still with the unpainted models, though...



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/10 16:29:49


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

So are you going to start an the unpainted to build some more troops for the Beta Dex?

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/10 17:53:15


Post by: MacPhail


Captain Brown wrote:
MacPhail,

So are you going to start an the unpainted to build some more troops for the Beta Dex?

Cheers,

CB


I'm starting to hear whispers that Mech Sisters and Blob Sisters may both have some merit post CA18, and that might lead those girls to completion.. I have 3 more Rhinos to build if transports +auras becomes the new hotness. I'll need to see the Betadex before I move too far... but there is an option to maybe paint up my remaining models in a flipped scheme (white robes, green armor) to unlock a second Order if it looks like running two Convictions has potential.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/11 02:59:49


Post by: Captain Brown


 MacPhail wrote:
Captain Brown wrote:
MacPhail,

For mine I simply primed them black, then a gloss black for strength and some durability, then another flat black spray, and finally a dry brush of white representing the ash.

For your more complete trees, a spray of brown added in a random pattern would lighten them more than the ones I did. Mine also had almost no branches left.


Thanks for the insights. I went and found some picks of your in your gallery, they look great. How were they in game play? Did it take you a while to stop knocking the whole area terrain piece over and dumping the models? That's my biggest concern, and yours look taller than mine.


Mine are just plug-in plastic trees from a train store. So you can pull them out as needed and replace once the vehicle has rolled through.

We have not had any accidents with models flying it that is what you are worried about. Just a finger on each side to brace as you pull (make certain your magnets are not super strong).

You have also placed many of yours at the edge of the terrain, so you might only have to pull out one for a tank crossing.

Pure Sisters forever!

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/22 07:40:27


Post by: MacPhail


Yikes, what a month! Two sick kids, wrapping up a semester, and no time for hobbies. I finally got the trees based and glued down for painting... I'll spray them with layers of gray, white, and black, then try to wash them with a light brown mix from a spray bottle.



To get there I had to tidy up the bench, which had gotten submerged by a variety of other projects, scrap materials, and trash. So here's that space, looking better than average:




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/23 18:31:05


Post by: MacPhail


I got the trees sprayed (gray, white, and black from different angles), washed (a thin mix of water, umber pigment, and flow aid), and the bases detailed (a little hand painting plus a drybrush). I'll finish the bases tonight (ink wash and clean up) and I'll be ready to start magnetizing.

I'll grab another photo tonight... generally I'm pleased. They look much as they did unpainted, but brighter and more uniform. I think they'll stand out nicely against my dark table.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/23 19:39:35


Post by: Nevelon


Your bench is unnaturally clean. It’s just not right.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/26 07:53:45


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
Your bench is unnaturally clean. It’s just not right.

I should've done the before and after... it had gotten so I couldn't work, at least not on a project on the scale of 16 spindly, top-heavy trees.

Speaking of... the paint is pretty much done. I need to glue on some autumn leaves and sponge on a little bit of contrasting color on the rim of the base, but that will be done in bulk with a bunch of other bases at some point in the future. For now they just need magnets and they're done.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/28 07:28:57


Post by: MacPhail


Well, I finally got a game in on my laboriously renovated Realms of Battle table tiles. The final touch was the trees I've been working on, and I have to say I'm pretty happy with them. I still need to magnetize them, but they look much as I'd hoped they would, and they're not terrible to play around (a little annoying). I'm also pretty pleased with the scratch-built pond (still needing water effects). Here's a few photos of the board we set up for a Sororitas vs. Necrons matchup (BatRep in the Sisters Tactica).









Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/28 17:20:15


Post by: Briancj


Doesn't it feel good to play on/with salvaged goods?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/28 19:11:09


Post by: IGtR=


Great work there with the scenery! Can't wait to see a game up and running over this


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/30 06:38:00


Post by: MacPhail


 IGtR= wrote:
Great work there with the scenery! Can't wait to see a game up and running over this


Happy to provide:

Initial deployment: Sororitas vs. Dark Angels


I exploded his Knight, but it dealt 38 mortal wounds (the white dice in the pic) in its death throes.


There was a climactic battle between Celestine and Belial.


My previous matchup had been against Necrons. Initial deployment.


After a critical turn: the Wraiths are starting to roll up my left flank, but the Retributers have just dropped a dozen casualties on a Warrior unit.


I love this MDF + beer can scenery, and this seemed like a cool way to set the scene...





Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Briancj wrote:
Doesn't it feel good to play on/with salvaged goods?
Yep, and not just the Realms of Battle boards... I also drank all the beer for the MDF scenery kits. More recycling!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2018/12/30 18:24:58


Post by: Briancj


Please do not attempt to recycle the beer.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/04 07:59:42


Post by: MacPhail


I got the trees magnetized tonight... tomorrow will be the big test as to whether the force of the magnet is too strong, too weak, or right about what I'd hoped. Do a test piece? Nah...

I also mounted up three paint stirrers worth of bases, everything I need to finish basing this army and start in on some classic Imperial Guard and Inquisition models. The big project will be new flight bases for the Seraphim... 20+ of them. I bought some 3mm acrylic rod, but it will mean drilling out the models a bit more. I have plenty of bases, but I'll have to drill them out as well to mount the rod, and then find some way to stabilize it, perhaps with cork 'rocks' and other terrain.

More progress and photos tomorrow, most likely.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/04 22:49:51


Post by: MacPhail


Here are 40+ bases ready to texture, paint, and detail. The larger ones with cork "rock" risers will get the acrylic rod to hold the Seraphim... probably with a thick washer underneath, too. The others are for the last of my unpainted Sisters who will feature a reversed color scheme (yet to be painted) of green armor and white robes in order to run as a different Order.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/05 19:36:51


Post by: MacPhail


Progress... cork rocks mounted to the flying bases, holes drilled, and ballast applied. The only catch was that I hadn't expected everything to fall of the paint stirrers when I drilled them, but obviously I should've seen that coming. That's more for the spray/paint/drybrush/wash sequences anyway, so I'll just need to glue them back on tonight. Once I texture the 25mm bases I'll be ready for paint. A bold volunteer came along to test them out... she's been redone with the 3mm acrylic rod, which I hope will be quite a bit stronger than the old flight bases.







Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/07 23:40:58


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Great Battle Report.

Nice to see the trees worked...or did they after magnetizing?

For my Seraphim that came off their original pewter mounts I used thicker brass rod and they have never failed after multiple games and accidents.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/08 05:12:12


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, y'all.

The magnetic trees did work... I wish they were about 30-40% stronger, but there's only a couple that let go much sooner than I'd like. Most have roughly the amount of give I was looking for.

Sidelined this week with a sick kiddo... maybe more progress next week. I'm at least trying to get the Seraphim based before a game in 2 weeks.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/12 07:11:03


Post by: MacPhail


Got the bases textured and re-mounted on paint stirrers.Unfortunately it's 40 degrees and snowing here in Colorado, so I'll need to choose my painting opportunity carefully. This will cover all of the Seraphim, plus a few stragglers from the army, and hopefully enough left over that I can do the odd character conversion that will surely emerge from CA18's beta codex.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/12 08:12:16


Post by: Ilgoth


I feel your pain with the temps, being from Finland.

It's very tedious job to work on 40bases, I greet you with respect for doing so. Gonna do any tufts, or will be barren wasteland type of thing?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/12 21:40:04


Post by: MacPhail


Ilgoth wrote:
I feel your pain with the temps, being from Finland.

It's very tedious job to work on 40bases, I greet you with respect for doing so. Gonna do any tufts, or will be barren wasteland type of thing?


I'd say respect goes to people who base as they go... I let painted models stand around on little pucks of plain plastic for months and then finally get disgisted with myself and do this. But thanks! There will be tufts and some rusting industrial wreckage. Page 3 of this thread has some more examples. I'll be able to do more with the flying bases because there's no need for feet. The 25mm infantry bases will necessarily be pretty simple.

The base of my Penitent Engine standing on a finished terrain piece gives a good idea.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
I got the painting. washing, and drybrushing done late tonight. They're really only about halfway done, as they still need the bevel done in earth tones to match my board, and some dry leaves and rusted metal added here and there. But they're done enough for the important step of mounting the Seraphim... which involves drilling out the mounting point to 3mm. That has to happen in time for a game next week.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/15 00:33:22


Post by: Captain Brown


 MacPhail wrote:
Thanks, y'all.

The magnetic trees did work... I wish they were about 30-40% stronger, but there's only a couple that let go much sooner than I'd like. Most have roughly the amount of give I was looking for.


Can you add some thin metal to improve the grip of the magnets?

Just a thought.

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/15 06:40:07


Post by: MacPhail


Captain Brown wrote:
 MacPhail wrote:
Thanks, y'all.

The magnetic trees did work... I wish they were about 30-40% stronger, but there's only a couple that let go much sooner than I'd like. Most have roughly the amount of give I was looking for.


Can you add some thin metal to improve the grip of the magnets?

Just a thought.

CB

There's actually room under the base for another magnet or two as long as I'm careful with polarity.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/18 07:00:46


Post by: MacPhail


Nearly done now, and chasing the deadline for Saturday's game. I added the grass, leaves, and rusted metal tonight. Next I'll re-drill the Seraphim to 3mm and cut the acrylic rod, then secure them with a blob of green stuff below. I plan to paint the bevel in swampy brown to match my table and to contrast with the rocks, and also to add washers on the underside for weight, but both of those may wait until after this week game.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/18 16:55:32


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Good luck on making your deadline.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/19 07:36:21


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, y'all. Captain, I think I've made it. Still some touch-up paint needed in places, and I'll be surprised if something doesn't break tomorrow, but I think I'll be able to deploy a properly based army.

The drilling was a hassle, but not too terrible. it came at the cost of 8 jump packs and 2 inferno pistols in need of repair. A 1/8" bit was a pretty good match for the 3mm acrylic rod.





Just in time, here's 10x Seraphim packing 4x Hand Flamers for tomorrow's game.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/19 12:49:44


Post by: IGtR=


Huzzah for fully painted battle reports!

And you are a braver man than I for drilling all those Seraphs. I brick it every time I have to drill anything in metal as it can all go so horribly wrong.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/26 07:15:31


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with the way they came out.

I got started on some matching thematic bases for my home table. I did a pretty deep dive into the bits box and came up with three Imperial supply drops and three Sororitas shrines. I managed to scrounge six banners to mount objective numbers on, too. Probably halfway built, then detailed bases and paint.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/26 12:25:02


Post by: Nevelon


Nice. Custom objective are always on my “things I should do, but never do” list


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/27 08:15:32


Post by: MacPhail


I'm pretty pleased with this set done in two long sittings. I'll probably get them based tomorrow and then add them to the painting queue.


Plus I found this AA gun I built for an Aegis Defense Line. Are those still a thing?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/01/27 12:43:21


Post by: Nevelon


ADLs are still a thing. I think they were in one of the indexes, but also in CA17. 8th did unkind things to them rules-wise, and I doubt they are worth taking. But technically still there.

Nice work on that one, looks pretty cool.

I don’t know what it is about those banners, but I feel that they need some crows or vultures hanging out waiting on the crossbars. Objective markers must be like the fast food joints of the carrion world. Dead bodies in 6 turns or less, or your money back!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/02/09 07:27:28


Post by: MacPhail


I got the base colors down on the objective markers... not sure about that green on the web gear, I think I'm missing a hue. Going to try just drybrushing them all over in light gray, then differentiating the washes.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Nevelon wrote:
ADLs are still a thing. I think they were in one of the indexes, but also in CA17. 8th did unkind things to them rules-wise, and I doubt they are worth taking. But technically still there.

Nice work on that one, looks pretty cool.

I don’t know what it is about those banners, but I feel that they need some crows or vultures hanging out waiting on the crossbars. Objective markers must be like the fast food joints of the carrion world. Dead bodies in 6 turns or less, or your money back!


Too bad about the ADL, I'm kind of on a terrain kick lately and would totally build one to accompany this gun if they were any good.

I actually fabricated a dead body on a stick for one of my Simulacra, just a crossbar and some zombie bits. I've seen some resin ones around too marketed as trophies for knights and dress. That would have been a sweet unifying theme...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/02/10 08:09:18


Post by: MacPhail


Drybrushing and washing done... took a great tutorial from bourgeoisee in his excellent P&M blog (link below). With that approach, I was able to get the whole batch done in a double sitting. Paint last night, drybrush and wash tonight.

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/757673.page

I still have details to add, mainly to waterslide the objective numbers, but they're pretty much ready and I'm quite satisfied. Most of what you see is single color, single drybrush, and single shading wash.

Three Sororitas objectives (damn, out of focus):


Three Imperial objectives:


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/13 06:57:16


Post by: MacPhail


So I've built a few lists and a think I can foresee the various permutations of Brigade + Battalion I hope to experiment with. I can pull off two contrasting paint schemes to run differing orders, and I'm going to throw in some gold paint jobs for all-purpose Celestians. I'll have 14 in the first batch and 21 in the second... I'm hoping to the first round before a game in 2 weeks and the other batch over spring break. This will get me done with infantry until the plastics drop. I should have time to finish up the vehicles and some allies before the big codex release.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/13 14:34:28


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Love the objective markers.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/15 12:48:32


Post by: MacPhail


Captain Brown wrote:
MacPhail,

Love the objective markers.

Cheers,

CB


Thanks, Cap! They've got numbers now, and I might go back with some edge highlighting to brighten them up. But they were a hit at my monthly game group and well worth the effort.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/23 06:34:31


Post by: MacPhail


I managed to turn around 15 infantry, painted and based, in time for this month's game. This leaves somewhere between 35 and 40 to go (I found a few more) and gives me a full Brigade with lots of options. Rather than post the ones I've just painted, which look just like the other ones, here's the whole gang together:



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/23 09:53:02


Post by: Nevelon


That’s quite the pile of sisters. Very impressive!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/25 18:15:31


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
That’s quite the pile of sisters. Very impressive!

Thanks! I've cut myself off from acquiring any more (bought a few extra stormbolters first), and these will all be painted before anything new is released. I'll have a few leftovers to sell off cheap in the Swap Shop if anyone is looking to bulk out their Sororitas force.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/28 06:48:57


Post by: MacPhail


I took a break from painting Sisters to make some more progress on my home table. This is a series of three Imperial defensive positions: two barricades and an artillery emplacement. I got the barricades underway with some mounds of debris cut from insulation foam and some random rubble and scrap metal.







Also some gratuitous shots of classic minis from my collection, probably painted by me back in the 90s.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/28 22:19:36


Post by: Max Moray


Impressive force of sisters. The conversion of the metal Celestine is superb as are the objetives.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/03/30 07:15:32


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, Max... that Celestine conversion goes back a ways. Her wings usually wind up on a Canoness these days thanks to those magnets.

I got the barricades and gun nest prepped for paint today... this step added cork rocks and two different grits of railroad ballast, lots of ModPodge to lock it down and seal it, plus the frame of a chain link fence from a railroad kit I found. I might have to wait a day or two for the weather to ease before I spray it and get ready to paint, but I'm hoping to go quickly when I get going.



I think I failed to mention the origins of the walls of the gun emplacement. I built and half-painted those almost 30 years ago in my mom's garage. They've floated around for a while, so here they are looking for a permanent home on my table.

All three pieces were cut from a single 12" x 12" sheet of foamed PVC, as you can see. I'm pretty pleased with the way this is coming along, especially as it's really bringing some deep bits box dives into the light.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/01 22:38:43


Post by: Briancj


Where do you get your foamed pvc slabs?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/02 02:55:58


Post by: MacPhail


 Briancj wrote:
Where do you get your foamed pvc slabs?

I buy mine on Amazon... usually $5-10 USD for 12"x12" depending on shipping. I use 3mm, but thicker and thinner are available. Palite and Celtec are a couple of brand names, but there are many.

This vendor seems reasonably priced and ships free with Prime:
https://www.amazon.com/Palight-ProjectPVC/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_14626027011?ie=UTF8&node=14626027011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Palight+ProjectPVC

My next-level ambitions are to try some 3D builds with this stuff... I'm going to use styrene strips to cover messy joins and tune it up with the Maelstrom's Edge terrain sprue. Finding time is the hard part...




Automatically Appended Next Post:
I got most of the base color down over the weekend and did a little drybrushing, plus started prepping some corrugated tin and chain link fencing. I didn't want them to be too monochromatic, so I splashed some Thunderhawk Blue, Averland Sunset, and Mephiston Red in places where they seemed to make sense. They pop a little too much, but everything is getting hit with either Agrax or Nuln before a final drybrush, so they'll be more subdued. Next session, some more detail work, ink, and drybrushing, and finally detailing the base to match my table, plus I have to finish the AA artillery piece for the gun nest.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/07 07:34:32


Post by: MacPhail


I've pretty much finished up washing and drybrushing on these three terrain pieces, and I'm pretty satisfied. All that's really left is to finishing painting the bases and add dry grass and dead leaves.


I also fished a handful of classic Imperial Guard models out of a tub of Simple Green and scrubbed them down. They'll be the basis for a small Catachan counts-as force. The old Orlock ganger with the heavy bolter is Harker.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/07 10:41:55


Post by: Flinty


Great looking emplacements.

Given how cheap the PVC is the main cost is actually superglue I find

When I was making my necromunda scenery I found that the old 3" high standard works nicely for a high ceiling space, but I can see why GW went to 5" floor heights in terms of getting your hand in. If you plan on just doing things then 3" would be perfectly fine with enough holes in rooves and floors but just be careful making anything too deep.

Also with a sharp knife, a set square and a steel rule it's easy enough to do simple buildings.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/07 19:53:06


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, and also thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought much about the height consideration, but when the time comes the gameplay dimension will be worth a thought.

Glad to have your tools list. I was considering a small mitre box and saw for cutting and beveling styrene trim, but maybe that's overkill.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/10 15:46:47


Post by: Briancj


That's a great collection of RT/2nd ed Adventurers and Last Chancers.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/11 12:02:16


Post by: MacPhail


 Briancj wrote:
That's a great collection of RT/2nd ed Adventurers and Last Chancers.

Thanks, there's some cool stuff in there. I let a big box of classics go at some point and have regretted it. These guys I kept for whatever reason. That guy with the chainsword says "chainsaw warrior" on his base tab and is from the 1987 board game of that name. I'd love some help IDing some of the others. I know there's some Last Chancers in there, and some just say "guard" on the tab.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/11 21:34:05


Post by: Nevelon


http://www.solegends.com/citadel/catindex.htm
is my go-to site for retro research. Which ones do you need a hand with?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/11 21:45:27


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
http://www.solegends.com/citadel/catindex.htm
is my go-to site for retro research. Which ones do you need a hand with?


That link is amazing... and I'll take your help if you recognize any of these dudes on sight.

I mostly need help with the bottom row.

The top row is the Orlock Heavy Bolter and I think Rocket Girl from the Last Chancers (although her tab says "Gunner").

The next row is a 2nd ed. Imperial Guardsman, Brains from the LCs, a female Guardsman (whose tab says "Ghost"), and an old Stormtrooper plasma gunner.

The last row is pretty old school RT era I think, with Chainsaw Warrior" in the third spot. His tab made it easy... the other three on that row just say "Guard" so it's not as clear.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/11 21:48:27


Post by: Briancj


From upper-left, from memory:

Orlock HB, Last Chancers: Rocket Girl

Unknown Adventurer 88/90 era, Last Chancers: Brains, one of Gaunt's Ghosts, a metal 90's era IG Stormtrooper (plasma)

Unknown Adventurer 88/90 era, THE Chainsaw Warrior, 88/90 era Autocannon Adventurer, Unknown Adventurer 88/90

I'd have to bring up SOL or Citadel Legends to ID the adventurers, and would need to see a better shot of the Tanith/Gaunt's Ghost, but it looks like one of the generic males.


--B.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/14 06:55:20


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, y'all, I appreciate all the help. Love those old catalogs!

With limited time to hobby, I forced myself to prioritize a squad that I'll actually play next week: Celestians. I know their utility is debatable, but with the Bloody Rose bonus and the bodyguard function might be worth something.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/16 06:11:47


Post by: Briancj


I just filled out the 2019 "Big Community Survey", where I basically yeeted my way through saying "remember when you could play the game with ANY units, and still have a good time? I sure do."



--Brian



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/16 19:57:32


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Some nice terrain pieces there.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/17 01:53:12


Post by: MacPhail


Brian, I said much the same in my response... and demanded a functional Inquisition army list to boot!

Cap'n, thanks for the nod... I have a bit more drybrushing, dead leaves and grass, and some corrugated sheeting and rusty girders to add. Finished pics this weekend, probably.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/23 05:46:46


Post by: MacPhail


Okay, a few updates from the last week or so...

I got the new terrain pieces pretty much done-- two barricades of rubble with some chain link fencing, and one sandbagged artillery nest with a little shelter. Here they are with the bases painted to match my Realms of Battle boards (basically burnt umber stippled with raw sienna and burnt sienna):


And here's some closeups once I added some grass and dry leaves. I'm really pleased with the rust effects and the weathering in general. The chain link fence was a great find and fun to work with, and of course I'm still pretty charmed that I built those sandbag walls about 25 years ago in my mom's garage and will finally have them ready for the table.




Here's a new project: smoke launcher marker plumes for when I rush Rhinos, which is a lot lately. I built armatures out of cavalry bases and brass rod:


Then I used expanding foam gap sealer to create billowing plumes... this was hard as I didn't know exactly how much it would expand, but my guess was in the neighborhood. I'd go a little slimmer if I had it to do over.




Then I painted them black --> gray --> white. I'm not totally pleased with this; I wish I'd layered up from gray instead of black. But they look fine, I was able to gift a set to my regular group's host, and they look good enough on the tabletop.










Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/24 18:31:02


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! I also realized that the foam would cure and clog the can, so I discharged huge mounds of it onto waxed paper to give raw materials for future projects.

Also, a little note... it's the anniversary of my whole army out of boxes photo on the first page of the blog. Maybe this weekend I'll stage an update. There are lots of models added, many more painted, and a whole table built for them to battle on. Still, 4 years seems a long time for what I have to show for it. I did co-create two humans in that time. Maybe that slowed me down.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/24 21:34:13


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Well done on both counts.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/04/25 22:08:51


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! Maybe I'll post a pic of my flash and blood titans, aged 1 and 3, along with my hobby accomplishments. The next generation of game nerds!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/19 05:21:04


Post by: MacPhail


Long gap between posts there... the school year is almost over. I've been plugging away at various ambitions, but there are more days without hobby time lately.

On the "long painting war" (as Captain Brown aptly calls it), I've got 15 Battle Sisters from the Order of the Sacred Rose nearing completion and my last 10 Seraphim up next. I'm going to build and paint three more Rhino hulls, and that's it until plastics.

On a new project: I'm jumping in on the League of Extraordinary Riveters Terrain Contest. The current theme of "Food for Thought" gave me the perfect excuse to upcycle all our recently retired breast pumping gear and milk bottles.
Spoiler:

I got as far as some rough layouts for a 12x24 modular terrain piece. I'm considering magnetizing two breakaway components from the main piece... gotta figure that out. Also, I want to try my hand at salt weathering, and I think the milk bottle storage tanks should provide a great platform to experiment with that. I'm envisioning a storage and loading facility for giant containers of unobtanium or whatever.

Rough mockup of a raised platform over a vehicle bay and two parallel rows of vertical storage tanks.
Spoiler:


Some really cool little bits with ready-made rivets. Pretty excited for how they'll finish.
Spoiler:


Next steps: Measure and cut the insulation foam for the base and upper platform. Buy styrene strips for riveted trim and sheets for decking. Learn about salt weathering.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/19 06:45:46


Post by: Camkierhi


That has tons of promise. Great start.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/19 10:01:40


Post by: Nevelon


Agreed, lots of potential there, good luck getting all together!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/19 11:51:02


Post by: Viktor von Domm


whenever i get my hands on anything interesting looking in the realworld...whenever the number of items is more than three...it is a given system that it has a valid use for our hobby...in terrain even more so! this looks very promising...the riveted piece even more!

dang...now i have another thread to read...and the backlog is ever growing....


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/23 05:03:23


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, everybody... I'm ready to get moving on this!

I'll probably finish my layout this weekend, cut the foam, wash and sand the recycled plastic, and maybe go buy some paint to start undercoating the bulk stuff. I also ordered up $50 worth of styrene strips, sheets, and angle stock from Amazon. Working on this nice large scale I'll use straight pins to "rivet" a perimeter of 1/4" angle "iron" around the whole platform. I have a couple of MDF ladders left from another kit and a bunch of random drinking straws and various tubing to add texture.

Onwards!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/25 07:08:34


Post by: MacPhail


Okay, I've got all the main pieces laid out and cut. Here's the most current eyeball mockup with what's made in place.


I decided to go for it and cut off the two sets of vertical baby bottle "tanks" on either side. I like this for a few reasons: 1) more ways to play on and around it on the battlefield, 2) it was too big for my desk and cumbersome to work on, and 3) I'm kind of excited to magnetize it back together.

The middle section by itself:


One of two end sections. Any strong feelings on the placement of the 4 valves?


I'm toying with the idea of cutting a sloped vehicle bay into the lower deck. What do ya'll think, either at a straight 90...


or on an angle?


Finally, I got my shipment of styrene in the mail and couldn't resist throwing on a quick layer of card and rivets to explore. Nothing is glued down, but I think I've got the sizing figured out: 1/2" plastic skirt all the way around, 1/4" angled cap, steel straight pin rivets every 1/2". Set up like this I should be able to paint quite a bit during assembly. I'm pretty pleased; it should go on quickly and add a lot of visual interest and texture. It wouldn't be the LoER without rivets.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/25 13:43:07


Post by: Meer_Cat


* Sloped vehicle bay at an angle- provides contrast to everything else which is dress right dress

* Rivets look excellent- that's going to be a great look when installed completely

The whole project looks like great fun; really want to see how your unusual food gubbins fit in.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/26 06:22:23


Post by: MacPhail


 Meer_Cat wrote:
* Sloped vehicle bay at an angle- provides contrast to everything else which is dress right dress

* Rivets look excellent- that's going to be a great look when installed completely

The whole project looks like great fun; really want to see how your unusual food gubbins fit in.


Thanks! You're quite right about the angle... good call. That was part of why I left the overhead walkways asymmetrical. It definitely breaks up the lines and gives it something new. The last step here is to build the ramp and I'll move on to the rows of tanks on each side.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/27 21:18:16


Post by: Captain Brown


Good luck in the contest MacPhail.

Interesting use of baby milk bottles.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/28 18:53:39


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks CB and all y'all. I'm liking where this project is headed, and I'm about to have some more time to give it.

Before I go big on finishing that terrain, I wanted to post a selection of things I've recently finished. I haven't had a chance to stage a board for a game at home recently, but a few different terrain pieces of have made it to completion in the last few months. Last summer's big project was to renovate the Realms of Battle boards, and most of the winter was split between painting Sisters models and building terrain for it. Here's a sampling of what's done recently:

I pulled out three sections of RoB board and plopped a few things down... I'm pretty stoked that I was able to be so consistent with the base color.


I'm thinking this is some sort of long-forgotten refueling depot with a small pre-fab building serving as a machine shop or tool locker. I had so much fun building those two sections of fencing I may need to do some more.


Given the scarcity of fuel on whatever post-Imperium waste-world this is, an elevated lookout post commands the approach to the depot.


And the hills themselves, the trees, and the pool were done some time ago... but it's still fun to set them up.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/30 20:58:24


Post by: Captain Brown


Looking very nice MacPhail.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/05/31 04:35:16


Post by: MacPhail


Captain Brown wrote:
Looking very nice MacPhail.

Cheers,

CB


Thanks! It was nice to have all that stuff out for a look, but it's all back in storage now to make room for the big LoER project.

So I realized that I wasn't going to need the lids to the milk bottles in my build, so I mounted them on an old garden stake to serve as a jig of sorts while I paint the bottles.


I washed, dried, and sanded the bottles just to give some texture more than to remove logos. The jig worked well enough and I put down a few coats of Rustoleum 2X Primer for a nice rusty red-brown. I think I'll add some Ryza Rust before I start in on trying to figure out salt chipping technique... I've watched a few videos and it doesn't look too technical.


I also finished cutting the mounting holes in the deck, so I set everything up to eyeball the spacing. I think I can get the height to align pretty closely; since the milk bottles are threaded and the insulation foam holds the threads I can just screw them into the base until the tops are level with the adjacent platform.


Next up: building the ramp, prepping the deck and platform for paint, and starting to fabricate all the riveted trim and railings. Tedious and time-consuming, but also repetitive, so there will be an assembly line aspect to it. I also need to figure out whether and how to magnetize the sections together.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/01 01:48:24


Post by: The Riddle of Steel


Wow, I can’t believe I just threw away all of my baby bottles after my kids outgrew them! What was I thinking? I could have had awesome tanks and valves...

Great idea.

-Rids


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/01 06:11:13


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, Rids... the kids were already using them as toys and I thought, "Heck, I should use them as toys!"

The tanks got their layer of Ryza Rust. Next step: salt weathering sometime next week.


I cleaned and glued the halves of the upper platform. My theory is that a little air helps the wood glue cure, thus the Frankenstein approach.


And, because gluing things to sticks is what I do, I mounted up another 40+ bases for mass production. That'll be enough to finish off the Sisters and start some Inquisition-themed Guard.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/04 22:14:10


Post by: MacPhail


Spring finally came to Colorado, so it's good weather for rattle cans. Yesterday I built 40+ bases with cork, ballast, and ModPodge mounted on paint sticks. Today I got them based in flat gray primer, ready to ink, drybrush, and detail. I also put a coat of matte clearcoat on the rusted tanks.






Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/07 22:23:01


Post by: MacPhail


Lots of progress in little ways:

Cut window screen to fit upper deck and sprayed it silver:


Too sparkly for my taste, but I think this is maybe an okay use for it. Needs some grimdark.


I weathered it a bit with Rhinox Hide, Ryze Rust, and Nuln Oil.


I also prepped some sheet styrene with gray primer and Leadbelcher, then cut it into strips:


I mounted them on the upper deck with wood glue:


I basecoated some beams and trusses to have on hand for detail work later:


And, I started on the ramp in the vehicle bay (now that the diamond-plate styrene has arrived!):


Progress! All comments, insights, and suggestions welcome as always.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/07 22:44:04


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

What are you using to cut the styrene with? A knife or a foam cutter?

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/08 03:00:52


Post by: MacPhail


The sheet styrene cuts easily enough with a sharp blade, using a stainless ruler and the guide on my cutting mat to get it roughly straight. Of course, it's pretty thin... I think I'm using .015 for this project. I do have a foam cutter, but I mostly use it for 1" foam and for big, rough cut projects like hills and rock faces. I've mostly switched to 1/2" foam, which cuts nicely with a sharp blade and a straightedge. These ramp pieces didn't have to be exact, I just don't want the styrene to sag when I park a tank on it.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/11 20:23:37


Post by: MacPhail


More progress photos on parallel projects: Moving along on the LoER contest entry, and racing to paint and base every infantry model before my next game.

I moved 45 bases through Drybrushing with White Scar and washing with Nuln Oil. Next step: Agrellan Mud on the bottom row.




I cut and primed the ramp for the vehicle bay, but I need to detail the base before I glue it in place.


I got two sides of the upper deck trimmed with styrene angle stock, "riveted" it in place with straight pins (and glue), and immediately started think about wether it needs a little green stuff "welding" on the corner.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/11 20:39:14


Post by: Nevelon


Yes. With that look, a line of welding down the seem is mandatory.

I wonder if you could put a blob of liquid GS in a ziplock/other bag, prick a hole in the corner, and use it like a piping bag for frosting and run a bead down the line to get the right effect?

Could be completely off, just a random thought.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/12 01:55:08


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

I am of a different mind, I would not bother with greenstuff, as I assume you are going to weather the edges like the mesh and that will hide any weld lines in any case...or provide an area for extra rust.

My two cents,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/12 15:30:00


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, guys... I'll have to figure it out as I go. The squeezy bag is a wild idea, and might be crazy enough to work. I think the ones of the lower deck will get weathered into compliance as CB says, but I might go the extra mile for detail on the upper deck. The riveting is super tedious and hard on the fingers, so I may even make that a level of detail that only the upper platform gets, and just glue down the angle stock and weather the heck out of it on the lower pieces.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/14 12:33:58


Post by: MacPhail


The bases are done, even though the Agrellan Earth didn't adhere properly to the primer and lots of the little flakes came off when I was washing them with Agrax. A disappointment, but there's nothing to be done. I guess the danger of working on a large scale is larger-scale mistakes.




Time to finish off the Sisters infantry. 32 models to go...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/18 04:25:37


Post by: MacPhail


I'm finally closing in on the bottom of the collection. I got the 15 (or 3x5) in reversed color scheme (white robes, green armor) to run as an alternate Order... they're finished to a reasonable standard, but the robes could use a little more work to brighten them up. I also went through the boxes and found everyone without a base... flamers, melta guns, and heavy flamers in excess of what I typically field. They got based as well. All that's left are 9 Seraphim and one random Celestian who got left out of a painting batch. I should be able to wrap this up by my game on the 29th, and hopefully get three Rhinos half-built to hand off to out resident airbrush expert for some basecoating help.







Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/18 11:10:54


Post by: Nevelon


Nice looking progress. Remember, once you finish you need to get some showcase glamor shots of everyone and a big army pic!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/18 20:42:57


Post by: MacPhail


Oh, that's definitely happening. It'll be a fun photo to stage.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/25 22:34:54


Post by: MacPhail


Rattle can day! I had the time, the paint, and the good weather, so I took care of a lot of bulk work. I did three unbuilt Rhinos, with tracks and upgrades separately, to be handed off to a generous friend for color airbrushing (for my Sisters); one Rhino recovery project in black with doors and turrets (for my Inquisition), three remnant sprues worth of Ogryn leftovers and five new Ork Nobz (to be hybridized as Inquisitorial Ogryns on the cheap), and a bunch of additional styrene angle stock (for my LoER entry chasing a deadline in a few weeks).

I may try taking the on-sprue work further on some items... a Zandri base for Ogryn flesh, Leadbealcher + Nuln on Ripper Guns, Agrax as an all-over wash on the bodies... I'm at least going to Nuln-wash the tank treads.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/25 22:56:01


Post by: Meer_Cat


Sprue work is a noble profession- "he who cuts least, builds most" (Master Shi-fu, from Kung Fu Panda)


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/26 21:08:08


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks... noble or otherwise, I just hope it isn't less efficient. I like that I can pull pre-based bits to experiment with.

I did a quick BluTac mockup just to see if I was wasting my time. The proportions are definitely off, but not unbearably so. The head is too big and the arms too lean, and I'm not sure about those linebacker shoulder pads... but it works well enough at 1/3 the price that I'm going to build and paint what I can.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/27 01:59:26


Post by: The Riddle of Steel


Your pace and scale are impressive! So much progress here. I love the effect of the window screen sprayed metallic and then weathered with browns, reds and rust. Good stuff!

-Rids


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/27 20:08:11


Post by: MacPhail


 The Riddle of Steel wrote:
Your pace and scale are impressive! So much progress here. I love the effect of the window screen sprayed metallic and then weathered with browns, reds and rust. Good stuff!

-Rids


Thanks! I'm a teacher on summer break, so I balance this stuff against home maintenance projects, family budgets, vacations, etc. It all grinds to a halt in September. I try to hit the big projects that take a lot of space or make a big mess during the summer and then paint on a TV tray during the school year. Every little bit helps, though!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/27 20:37:43


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Does that mean your three Sisters Rhinos might be ready for the plastic surge that is supposed to come?

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/27 21:55:12


Post by: MacPhail


Yep, just in time to get them airbrushed by a friend. They'll be green, not white, and I just posted a 2000-point list with three Rhinos, three Immolators, and three Exorcists in the Lists forum. At this point I have zero unbuilt vehicles, and it feels okay!



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/28 18:47:04


Post by: MacPhail


I'm going to need some space to finish up the LoER contest terrain piece (which is 12" x 24"). Things had been getting a little sketchy in the hobby space, so...

Bench cleanup before-and-after:




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/28 19:00:29


Post by: Briancj


Isn't post-cleanup workspace a magical time?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/30 06:26:50


Post by: MacPhail


 Briancj wrote:
Isn't post-cleanup workspace a magical time?


It is indeed... and it helped me make a ton of progress.

Major army milestone: every single Sororitas infantry model I own-- 137 suits of power armor-- painted and based. It took about 4 years.


Also some headway on the LoER terrain project, namely some serious riveting:


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/06/30 11:21:53


Post by: Nevelon


<hssss> Clean workbench!

<throws some plastic shavings >

Nice work on that milestone. But remember, no army is ever truly finished. And while impressive, foam pics don’t count as army pics.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/01 07:26:06


Post by: MacPhail


 Nevelon wrote:
<hssss> Clean workbench!

<throws some plastic shavings >

Nice work on that milestone. But remember, no army is ever truly finished. And while impressive, foam pics don’t count as army pics.


Thanks... both true points. A full army photo will have to wait until I get the last few tanks done. I've got three about to be painted and all nine needing some details. Then we'll stage the family photo.

Now that I'm done painting Sisters for a few months, I got back to work on the LoER terrain contest entry. I finished the construction of the upper deck, which meant a hell of a lot of handmade rivets. My thumb is sore from pushing blunt straightpins through styrene card.


I also grabbed a couple of old, recently stripped, rebuilt, and primed Space Marines and hit them with Apothecary White contrast paint over (I'm pretty sure) Corax White spray. I'm generally quite pleased, although I need to paint up a few details like the chest icons and add bolters (which I've already painted). I think I'll start with a small Battalion with 3 MinMaxed Troops, a handful of HQs, and a bunch of Bikes and get them ready for experimental play.




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/02 22:17:20


Post by: MacPhail


Well, the salt weathering experiment has progressed to the point where I can see that it has gone poorly. Not a total failure, but well below expectations. I took the simplest route, just water and salt, no hairspray or any fancy weathering effects. I think I went wrong in one of two ways: 1) I used a paint & primer combo that may have penetrated too deeply and/or 2) I used a few drops of flow aid in the water I used to adhere the salt and it drew the paint through the salt. One way or the other, I got way less of the chipping effect than I had hoped. Thank goodness I chose white for the sake of high contrast, or there would ne nothing to see!

I'll see if I can recover the effect somewhat with some judicious application of techniques I have used, namely sponging and GW technical paints. It will all come good, I'm sure, but I'm disappointed and I want another shot at it!

All feedback, guidance, and suggestions welcome!

Step-by-step photos in spolier:
Spoiler:
The salt mix:


Applying the salt:


This seemed like it should be enough... far from it.


Painted... I'll try try GW or some craft paints next time. What it really calls for is an airbrush.


I knew I had a problem when the salt crystals wouldn't release from the surface:


Not terrible... maybe even pretty good for a first attempt. But not amazing.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/02 23:41:49


Post by: Meer_Cat


I like that look- the rusting spots look very realistic, great effect- the crystals that didn't release look like rust pockets forming under the paint.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/03 21:06:24


Post by: MacPhail


 Meer_Cat wrote:
I like that look- the rusting spots look very realistic, great effect- the crystals that didn't release look like rust pockets forming under the paint.


Thanks... I think it's not bad as shown, and I've already tested to see whether I can match the look with a sponge, and I can with a bit of fiddling. They'll be fine, and I'll do better next time.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
In other news, I did one last test with Apothecary White contrast paint before I commit and start cranking out White Scars. I wanted to see if I could get by without any of the Contrast base sprays and just work with what I own (and have already based with). I did two models with Corax White and two with 2X Paint/Primer. Here's the basecoat:


And with a single thick-ish coat of Apothecary White contrast paint:


I actually like the cheaper paint better... it's less even on the flat surfaces, but it takes to the details better and leaves the model brighter overall. I feel like one looks gray and the other white:




Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/04 17:42:42


Post by: Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll


One on the right is the obvious winner of that comparison.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/04 19:25:00


Post by: Briancj


Very interesting comparison! What's the "cheap" paint brand?


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/04 20:01:53


Post by: MacPhail


Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2X Paint & Primer... I usually hit everything thing I do with that first because it's cheap. I put white under Corax and gray under Leadbelcher to stretch my $20 per GW can. But I think 2X gets the go-ahead as the lone base layer under Apothecary White.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/04 22:37:20


Post by: Briancj


Thanks! I absolutely adore the entire 2x line as my basecoats.

--B.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/11 06:39:58


Post by: MacPhail


We had an out-of-town trip for the (US) holiday weekend followed by some outpatient surgery in the family, but I still got a bit done over the last several days.

I got all the magnets fitted to make the terrain piece for the LoER contest fully modular. It has a 12"x12" central component flanked by two 6"x12" side pieces. All three can click together for a 12"x24" monster, sit separately, or combine in a few different ways. The magnets are recessed into the foam and protected by a thin strip of card that keeps them fixed but allows them to bind the components reasonably well.

I carefully cut the recesses into the foam a half-inch from the corner of each foam base.


I made little sandwiches of two sheets of card (based Leadbelcher) and two magnets. I labeled them to keep the polarities consistent.


I used wood glue to lock each magnet into place behind a thin, smooth surface to allow the magnetic field to bind the pieces together.


While the glue dried on the magnets, I worked on finishing the construction of the ramp in the vehicle bay. I've had it designed for a while, and the parts arrived weeks ago... just slow to get around to it, I guess.

Cutting strips and angle stock to glue into place. I'm really pleased with how snug I was able to get the back corner.


The styrene diamond-plate sheet I bought is a great fit. Next, some weathering and assembly.









Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/11 18:34:50


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Congratulations on the Army milestone.

Yes, magnet reversal can be a real pain if not caught early.

LoER contest build looks nice.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/17 06:22:08


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, CB... LoER updates coming soon.

For now, I'm distracted by a budding White Scars project. That is, I've dug out every bike I own, cleaned them up and based them, and assembled enough riders for a solid little force (closing in on 2k if I run some infantry alongside). Here's 15 ready to paint:


Here's about half of the riders. Not shown: eight grav guns I had built and begun to paint as 7th was winding down... I only sampled them a few times before 8th dropped and made most of what I'd built pretty weak.


The contrast Apothecary White will definitely speed the painting... it looks great on everything I've just primed, but unfortunately there's a handful that were primed and half-painted a few years ago... they didn't take the contrast paint as well.


Here's everything that will go into this force of 22 bikes, nothing fully done, but with a good start on a half-dozen of the bikes and as many riders.


I'll update the list linked in my sig ASAP if any want to see what I'm building.



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/17 10:02:19


Post by: Nevelon


That’s a lot of bike. Good luck with them. Hopefully the contrast paints will help. When I was painting my bikes they got VERY tedious near the end. And I was working on less than you.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/17 15:04:21


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

You really are going assembly line.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/17 21:02:52


Post by: Theophony


Good luck with the bikes, White gets hard over time, like many colors. Especially with the same middle sized model (bikes).

I use the Rustoleum 2x spray for everything.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/17 22:08:16


Post by: Meer_Cat


Ditto on the Rustoelum 2x- sticks to everything, covers well and isn't so thick you lose a lot of detail.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/18 15:11:14


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, y'all... I really think 2X + contrast paint is going to unlock this whole project for me. Theophony is right about white... I'm sick of it after my Sisters and I'm kicking myself for choosing another white army, but here I am. I painted a bike with Apothecary White last night and I think it looks somewhere between good and great, especially for what I put into it. I'll add a pic later tonight once I've been back to the bench.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/20 02:14:55


Post by: MacPhail


Here's a few photos of what's underway. My goal is to get everything pre-painted (contrast layer, chest icons, boltguns, bike tires and seats) and assembled so I can play with 2k... painting individual models will progress more slowly.

Company Champion, Company Ancient, Korsarro Khan:


Chaplain, Librarian, and Captain:


Veterans (thunderhammer, 2 power swords, 2 chainswords, storm shields all around):


Apothecaries:


Two triple-melta squads:


Scout bikes with a stormbolter:


Infantry, Landspeeders, and two Razorbacks with Assault Cannons will round out the list:


Also, the list in my sig is up to date: Battalion / Outrider / Vanguard at 2000 points.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/20 02:38:19


Post by: Briancj


Those two Razorbacks make this list totally OP, you should be ashamed of yourself.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/23 21:56:57


Post by: MacPhail


LoER update: pre-assembly and basic painting done!

Everything is cut from 1/2" foam, trimmed with styrene strips, "riveted" with straight pins, and "welded" with green stuff. The paint is Leadbelcher spray and cheap gray acrylic, the upper deck is painted window screen, and the ramp in the vehicle bay is textured styrene card. I magnetized the corners so the side pieces can split off for LoS blocking elsewhere on the table, or connect to form a similarly sized second piece of terrain. The tanks, support posts, and other widgets are being painted separately... I'll save final assembly pics for the contest.


The three components of the base plate:


Detail on the trim of the vehicle bay:


Detail of the green stuff "welds"... I'm quite satisfied:


The upper deck, with "rivets" and "welds" on painted styrene trim:


So, it's off to paint and final assembly, plus there's a few trim pieces that I really want to include that I haven't begun yet, so I better get moving! Contest deadline is in a week!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/23 23:53:32


Post by: Meer_Cat


The welds are excellent- I'm stealing that!

The upper deck though- holy smokes that's good painting! The colors work perfectly with the weathering- great effect!

I can't wait to see the finished piece.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/24 14:09:13


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! The welds not only came out okay, they saved me from having to make flawless corners with the styrene, which would have been a real pain. I'm hoping to carry that color scheme from the upper deck-- Rhinox, Ryza, and Nuln, mostly-- over to the trim on the corners to tie the whole thing together, so I'm glad you think it works!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/30 21:48:59


Post by: MacPhail


It’s been a long time coming… here’s my entry for the League of Extraordinary Riveters “Food for Thought” terrain contest (favorite photo, more in spoliers below).


I conceptualized this project as a fuel storage facility… since I play Adepta Sororitas (promethium for the flamers), White Scars (fuel for the bikes) and Imperial Guard (tanks), having a fuel depot on the board makes sense for any battle I might fight. I designed it to represent a big complex, but I magnetized the components to split into a centerpiece and two satellites for LoS blocking and/or area cover.

My family’s no-longer-needed breast milk pumping and storage system provided most of what I needed. The "food for thought" components include 8 breast milk storage bottles (tanks), 8 flapper valves from the milk pump (valves), 6 flanges (support pillars), and 8 milk bottle caps (risers for the walkways). Here’s the last photo of all those things pre-assembly (I didn’t end up using the three drinking straws).
Spoiler:

Non-food materials include pink insulation foam, lots of styrene card, straight pin “rivets”, green stuff “welds”, ModPodge/wood glue/CA glue, sprays, acrylics, GW paints, and homemade washes. I took a first-time shot at salt-chipping for weathering the tanks.

Required photos: top, front, left side, right side, back.
Spoiler:







Modularity:
Spoiler:







Details:
Spoiler:









With primed models for scale:
Spoiler:







Thanks to the organizers, contestants, and commentators! This was an ambitious project and a good challenge with lots of learning opportunities, success, and a few mixed results. Regardless of the outcome, I'd do LoER again in a heartbeat.

In situ photos to come later... I've got a game tomorrow!







Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/07/31 02:22:46


Post by: Captain Brown


Great work and a most cunning use of materials to achieve the theme.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/02 22:23:01


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, CB... much appreciated!

The voting is now open for the LoER 'food for thoght' contest... there's a bunch of really cool entries, so I can't even suggest you vote for mine. But do please check it out and consider a vote for something!

Edit: voting link: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/778635.page#10523538


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/04 07:04:13


Post by: MacPhail


Now that the LoER contest entry is done (and posted here: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/778635.page#10523538)... on to the next thing.

Three Sisters Rhinos: I just washed all of these components in one sitting / three episodes of The Expanse, the green with Biel-tan and the silver with Nuln (after the photo was taken). I might do a little drybrushing, or maybe just assemble them and get on with it.





Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/09 12:54:52


Post by: Ratius


Hey dude, can you advise what you placed the robg boards in with the simple green?
Like an old bath or big plastic container or something?
Im looking to strip a board I have but am having trouble finding a container big enough to fit the 2x2foot.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/09 21:22:46


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Well I voted for your terrain piece. Well done and on them and using some materials that would not be accepted for recycling.

For the Sister's Rhinos, I see you have one kit and two without the Sister's parts. Do you have a plan for the other two? I have started one as well, using just the basic Rhino kit, but I took the fleur de lise hatch cover (left over from an Exorcist build that does not use it) and used it on the Razorback hatch to do the top hatch. Now I am using some old Bretonnian fleur de lise transfers for the side doors.

Good luck,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/11 14:56:18


Post by: MacPhail


 Ratius wrote:
Hey dude, can you advise what you placed the robg boards in with the simple green?
Like an old bath or big plastic container or something?
Im looking to strip a board I have but am having trouble finding a container big enough to fit the 2x2foot.


I didn't immerse them... I put down a plastic drop cloth, lined up the boards, covered them in a layer of paper towels, and saturated them with full strength Simple Green from a spray bottle. I refreshed it every couple hours and let it soak all day. It stunk up my garage, but it loosened the old flock and glue and some of the paint. I used a stiff nylon brush to get as much as I could, which wasn't nearly all of it. Then I threw them in a trash bag, hauled them upstairs, and used the bathtub for a hot soapy wash. Despite all the paint left behind, I got good adhesion from the spray primer I used and it's been good so far.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Captain Brown wrote:
MacPhail,

Well I voted for your terrain piece. Well done and on them and using some materials that would not be accepted for recycling.

For the Sister's Rhinos, I see you have one kit and two without the Sister's parts. Do you have a plan for the other two? I have started one as well, using just the basic Rhino kit, but I took the fleur de lise hatch cover (left over from an Exorcist build that does not use it) and used it on the Razorback hatch to do the top hatch. Now I am using some old Bretonnian fleur de lise transfers for the side doors.

Good luck,

CB


Thanks buddy! I do have a weird mishmash of Immolator parts, including another top hatch and two turrets, but only one top plate for some reason. I've used the top hatch on the Razorback plate as you said... its nice to distinguish "Rhinos" for the sake of their contents. I don't really have a plan, just building for versatility at this point. For side doors and other trimmings, I have some etched brass fleur de lis and two sets of miscast Forge World doors... the doors are warped and unusable, but I may be able to cut free and sand down the iconography.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/14 04:47:34


Post by: MacPhail


Progress update on the Rhinos:



And I realized I never added pics of the new terrain piece on the game table:





Thanks to all those who voted... I didn't walk away with a LoER badge, but the popular vote was a nice nod, and I'll definitely go another round!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/14 12:32:00


Post by: Fifty


That is a nice terrain piece, Really like the rusty tanks.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/15 23:32:51


Post by: MacPhail


 Fifty wrote:
That is a nice terrain piece, Really like the rusty tanks.

Thanks! I'm going to go another round in the LoER contest and I'll probably try to match the look, so I'm glad the effect is recognizable as rust. Maybe going to have another go at salt chipping while I'm at it...


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/16 17:57:43


Post by: Captain Brown


 MacPhail wrote:


Thanks buddy! I do have a weird mishmash of Immolator parts, including another top hatch and two turrets, but only one top plate for some reason. I've used the top hatch on the Razorback plate as you said... its nice to distinguish "Rhinos" for the sake of their contents. I don't really have a plan, just building for versatility at this point. For side doors and other trimmings, I have some etched brass fleur de lis and two sets of miscast Forge World doors... the doors are warped and unusable, but I may be able to cut free and sand down the iconography.


So I used the Razorback top hatch and placed the top Sister hatch left over from the Exorcist and used some transfers on the side doors,
Spoiler:

Saved on using Sister parts, you could do similar with your brass fleur de lis for the side doors.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/18 02:55:03


Post by: MacPhail


Yeah, I've got that combo, you can see it this pic. I've used it often to designate the "command Rhino" or similar or just to keep embarked troops separate. Here's all the various bits I've got going right now... two full sets of Immolator doors and hatches, but only one top plate for some reason, two 3D printed top plates of a slightly different design (small turret openings, not the big ones), some 3D flame cannon turrets, a bunch of storm bolters and hunter-killers, closed hatches, etc. Not pictured: two sets of miscast Forge World doors for recovery. I might take a shot at converting a Sister standing tall in the turret. Also, finally painting headlights and various other trim details. Home stretch!



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/26 04:11:48


Post by: MacPhail


More progress in the Rhino workshop... the hulls are all assembled, the tracks mounted, headlights and exhaust pipes painted, and basically tabletop-ready. I've moved on to trying to generate lots of trim, diving into the bitz box, trying to WYSIWYG as many loadouts as possible, etc. I found some gems, too...

The best bits were this stash of badly miscast Forge World doors. I have some others that weren't as bad as these that I've already painted and mounted, but these were badly warped, didn't fit the door frames, and in some cases were so thin that they were transparent.


I cut the icons away from the Rhino doors, trimmed them up, and sanded down the backs so they'd be thinner and flush.


I mounted them on jigs made of sprue to speed the painting, and added as many purity seals as I could find, anything that looked properly scriptural (the Black Knights box was great for this!), and a couple of dozer blades (one with a broken mount).


I was on such a roll with painting that I added two 3D printed top plates from Shapeways... these had been white, but they weren't a great match for my white Rhinos because and when I saw how nicely my green Rhinos were turning out, I added them to the pile and painted them green. The banners and other trim turned out nicely enough, although I might try to brighten up the gold on those door badges. I'm definitely pleased with those given that they've sat in my scrap bin for years.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/26 15:50:16


Post by: Briancj


AWESOME. Good recovery on those miscast doors!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/26 22:47:49


Post by: gobert


Nice save on the miscasts. The green gals are coming along nicely!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/26 23:25:03


Post by: Meer_Cat


As others have said- well spotted on how to make a deficit (bad door castings) an asset (terrific icons to improve the overall branding and cohesion of your force). That green color scheme is working already to tie everything together- and you've barely started!

Well done.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/30 05:04:06


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks for the cheering section, everyone... by this time tomorrow, I'll have all nine tanks assembled! Here's the doors in their final assembly phase:



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/31 05:24:53


Post by: MacPhail


I finished the three Rhinos for the Metal and Wheels Painting Challenge. I'm really pleased with them generally. The paint, including the number of details I was able to add, the salvaged resin door badges, scavenged bits of trim from various sprues, and even the bulk/speed painting approach a at least tried to apply. Still a fair bit of work. I won't run them like this in this weekend's game... I'll add a photo of the assortment I'll use on the table (three Exos, four Immos, and two Rhinos) below the contest entry.



Entire contest entry in spoilers:
Spoiler:














This might become my standard mech loadout, at least for three months until the codex drops.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/08/31 14:55:35


Post by: Nevelon


That’s a load of tanks. Nice selection of armor.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/01 06:57:50


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks! I ran them today against AdMech at 2k. I've got photos for a full batrep, but here's a teaser:







Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/04 15:32:44


Post by: Captain Brown


MacPhail,

Good luck in the painting contest.

Wherever did you get all those FW doors?

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/05 04:49:03


Post by: MacPhail


Thanks, man... you too. The FW doors... I bought a set, another was a gift from someone filling out his order to get free shipping, and the two worst ones were from an online seller... almost certainly recasts. Still, I managed to get them all into s were vice after a few years of staring at them.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/08 03:59:43


Post by: MacPhail


Well, I think I'm going to call this army done, for now (and probably not for long). I set out to paint every Adepta Sororitas model I owned before the new codex and plastics arrive in a few months. I think I've done it, at least to a reasonable standard (minus quite a few purity seals and the like). I've got work to do on some Ministorum models, but the pure Sororitas force is done.

I think I might post something to the Showcase forum... what does this post need in the way of captions, lists, explainers, etc.? Feedback is most welcome as always.

Total loadout: 145 infantry models, 9 tanks, 1 walker
As photographed: 192 PL; 3,438 points


























Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/08 12:22:14


Post by: Nevelon


Very nice! Wonderfull to see al the gals out on the battlefield, ready to purge some heretics.

You could post it in the showcase as-is, without anything else. One nice things you could add would be a full list of models (nice, but not really needed for a showcase). The other, more relevant thing (IMHO) would be light box close up glamor shots of each squad. I love the overall battlefield shots, but if I wanted to get a closer look, with multiple angles, of something specific, I’m out of luck.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/08 17:21:13


Post by: The Turnip Master


I really like how the green and white color scheme turned out. That was one of my color schemes for Sisters in the old Dawn of War games, so it's really neat seeing it on a fully painted army!

I also second Nevelon in saying that I'd love to see some close up pics in a lightbox, though seeing them all set up on the battlefield is pretty impressive just as it is.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/09 03:46:34


Post by: Captain Brown


Great stuff MacPhail.

Wonderful shots, complete with your custom terrain.

Exalting.

Cheers,

CB


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/09 08:40:36


Post by: Theophony


Great looking army, but “Done”? That’s not a real word, fake news . Well see it grow more soon enough.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/10 04:48:17


Post by: MacPhail


Nev - Thanks for the tips... a light box is something I need to buy or construct, and I don't exactly have fixed squads to photograph. That would nudge my to go paint all those grenades, hoses, and purity seals for the close-ups, though!

Turnip - Thanks! Glad you like the scheme... it is a bit of a departure, but I like that it offers the freedom to run any Order, and I like the look of it. I wish I hadn't committed to that much white; you can see where I switched to green or gold at times just to mix it up and add some diversity.

Cap - Thanks... that means a ton coming from you, owner of a Sororitas force that is both massive and beautifully painted. Your army provided more than a little motivation when the going got tough.

Theo - Right you are... I'll definitely add at least one of each kit, multiple Penitents if the rules are any good, and maybe an extra set just to enjoy hacking at the plastic. I've punctured my thumb more than a few times working on metal conversions. That'll get me up around Apocalypse size, especially if I add my Inquisitors and Ministorum/Militarum backups. Once the White Scars are painted, I can probably run 300-400 PL of Imperium, and yet of course you're still right... they won't be DONE done, just "done."


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/10 15:22:31


Post by: youwashock


Wow. That is beautiful. Quite an accomplishment. The color scheme is fantastic. Congrats on the stunning army.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/10 19:28:33


Post by: gobert


That’s a great looking mass of sisters you’ve produced! Looking especially good on your awesome recovered table. speaking of which did you add the water effects to your pool yet? I second the request for close ups of the squads too!


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/12 05:31:11


Post by: MacPhail


youwashock - Thanks... that means a lot coming from a painter of your caliber... I appreciate it!

gobert - No, dangit, I never did finish those water effects. I fell victim to "this is pretty good, I'll make a few more to match and do the whole batch of water at once for consistency." Whoops.


Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/15 06:25:22


Post by: MacPhail


Okay, on to the next big thing: the next League of Extraordinary Riveters contest. I've cut and prepped the foam bases for paint. I've mostly decided on basic build strategy: clean the odd bits, paint the foam, spray everything plastic, assemble, detail and (hopefully) wire with LEDs.

I'll build 2 versions of this; five in total.


They'll align something like this:


More details in spoliers:
Spoiler:
I'm not sure which adhesive this calls for...


This was the original vision:


A variety of symmetrical layouts:


I dug into the hoarded recycling bits...


I'm leaning toward filling them with something random like this:


Thoughts and suggestions most welcome!



Mac's P&M Shenanigans-- May 31: LoER Hobby Challenge ("Elevation") MDF watchtowers and bridges @ 2019/09/16 12:30:54


Post by: gobert


Nice terrain idea, the engineer in me says the less random approach is better. The 40k fan in me says throw all the bits at it, then add some more, and RIVETS!

Back to the engineer, how robust are the trays? Are they going to need reinforcement to take a big lead monster/penitent engine? Or a simple “No Step” sign might suffice!