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For example, space marine bolters or ork shootas. Do you drill holes into the end of the gun for the barrel opening?

Yes, i do, take a look at the flame guardsman in my gallery. I also drill out all the incense burners on my chaplains and inquisitors. it really adds depth if people take the time to look at them.

I probably should, but I'm too lazy.

Absolutely.

One of the easiest ways to improve the look of your models. Think of it as a wash for the assembly stage. If you're worried about making them off centre just start the hole with a hobby knife, this really helps with larger barrels.

Short answer: Sometimes

Long answer: I'd like to on all my models, but my main problem is that if I don't get the hole dead center it'll bug me to the point that I'll have to replace the weapon or cut the barrel off and make a new one out of a plastic tube. So it's really hit and miss, most of the time I don't feel like drilling, sometimes I risk it.

When I do drill I use a needle to make a guide hole, but even then it's hard.

No, because I really don't care enough to do it because I don't think it's necessary.

Similarly so with removing mould lines.

I personally don't. I've never used drilling tools and whilst I appreciate the benefits drilled barrels and cut-off mold lines give to models, I just do not have the time to do that for every one of mine.

What I really hate is certain people who say a model isn't finished if you haven't drilled the barrel, or treat it as a write-off if you've left mold lines on.

Always drill barrels. It's a small detail that makes an inordinate amount of difference to the finished miniature.

To me it is not worth the effort. Really not worth the effort. So I never do it. Most people seem to feel that way too, this thread notwithstanding. So don't worry about it. I mean I'd rather build lists or play games than drill hundreds upon hundreds of holes.

Honestly it really doesnt take too much time to do, and if you have a dremel with a chuck able to hold such a small bit it takes no time al all. You dont have to drill all the way to the back of the gun for normal barrels, though on the flamers it looks pretty cool to see light through the sides.

insaniak wrote:Always drill barrels. It's a small detail that makes an inordinate amount of difference to the finished miniature.

This. It really doesnt take long to do, even if you have like, 100+ infantry guns to do it on (I would know, I play Orks!). And as someone said, you dont even have to drill all the way to the end, just enough to get depth.
A small detail goes a long way to improving how they look, but if you really dont care for how your model looks, then I suppose you need not bother.

That being said, I also drill out exhaust pips, tubes and the like if there isnt already one there.

The modelers will tell you to drill.

The gamers will tell you it doesn't matter.

Choose your poison and drink deep.

--Brian

Briancj wrote:The modelers will tell you to drill.

The gamers will tell you it doesn't matter.

Choose your poison and drink deep.

--Brian

Or the lazy mix that is me,
dont drill but black dot it xD

I drills the guns, exhaust on rhinos etc I just like the way it looks on the finished product.

Its not laziness that i dont drill but when i do drill it often goes off center

Sometimes, I don think that undrilled barrels look bad at all, they certainly look better than a wonky hole !!

after 10 years in the hobby... i always remove mould lines and drill barrels. it just helps in the painting process and makes the models look tons better.

I've only done it to my 15 c.1992 missile launcher marines. The barrels were so big I decided I had to do it.

Oppl wrote:

What I really hate is certain people who say a model isn't finished if you haven't drilled the barrel, or treat it as a write-off if you've left mold lines on.

It isn't finished.

This is just my opinion. I drill my barrels out, I also remove mould lines. Whilst I do all of this I don't believe that other people have to as well. I just think that It makes models look real and finished.

Of course. The models are not cheap so why half-ass any part of their assembly?

It always annoys me to see a model with an awsome Paintjob, but with undrilled barrels. I just think it looks unfinished.

But hey, It ain't my model so I shouldn't be so picky.

i have one painted a few models so far but i drill out the barrels just enough to give them depth i think it looks better

Zuul wrote:Of course. The models are not cheap so why half-ass any part of their assembly?

+1

yes do it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
just do it. do it. seriously... do it

The drilling out of the barrels adds so much to the tone of the model - for the effort you have to put into it, the effect is great!

I wish I did... but I don't have a drill, yet :O

While I don't think an undrilled barrel ruins a paint job, I always make a point to drill wherever drilling is needed. Exhaust vents, flamer barrel ends, etc. etc.

Mold lines on the other hand, ugh. If you can't be bothered to take the mold lines off (which is easier than drilling but takes a little bit longer depending on model size and material), then don't be bothered to give it a great paint job.

Zuul wrote:Of course. The models are not cheap so why half-ass any part of their assembly?

That isn't part of the assembly. Unless you butcher the definition of the word "assembly" very very badly, so that it doesn't mean what the dictionary says it means. Now you may think the model is unfinished without the drilled barrels, but that does not mean the model was not assembled.


Now, onto another point, GW can easily put small depressions in their models, you see this everywhere, even on guns, see the sides of meltas and flamers. Why then, do they not have depressions on the end of gun barrels? It is not like it would be hard for them to include this (on the other hand, models produced with no mould lines is pretty much impossible). Seems to me that makes drilled barrels an extra, optional step, that some people somewhat foolishly claim should be required for everyone.

No, I'm playing an extraction of war for fun using models as stand ins for real people, why does it have to be accurate to that level of detail? if I was to do anything it'd be use blocks of plastic and push them about with a wooden hoe in front of 'the big board'.