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Like studded shoulderpads? Have a hard time getting any, because they only come in a couple of box sets and cost upwards of $3 a piece at an online bits shop? Maybe I can help.

Alright, here's what you need:


1. a file
2. a pokey thing ( a needle works, but I use the top end of the wooden tool on the left)
3. your super glue of choice
4. a pin vise, and the smallest bit that comes with it.
5. a standard SM shoulderpad
6. glass micro beads, 1mm

for the beads, here's a link to where I got mine. the cost is cheap, there's enough in the bag to do a whole company of pre-heresy marines if you wanted to, and shipping is more reasonable than anywhere else I could find. You do have to make a quick little account though, which is free.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30175008

if you find my link takes you to an out of stock listing, keep looking in that same shop and you should find what you need. color isn't important.


Step 1

File the trim from the shoulderpad like so.



Step 2

Take your needle tool and poke guide holes. You might want to identically match existing studded shoulderpads in your army, or create a new design you like. I wanted a few more studs than what is on the plastic shoulderpad.



Step 3

Take you pin vise and drill into your guide holes. not clean through, but just maybe 1/3rd to half-way, like you're making an impact crater from a bolter. If you find a hole doesn't line up with the others, redrill where it looks right; you can come back at the end and clean it up with a tiny bit of greenstuff.



Step 4

Take your glass beads, put a tiny bit of glue in the hole, and drop a bead in it (they're so small, I find it best you lightly lick your finger, and touch one on your table to pick it up. just set it in the hole from there) wipe away any excess glue after each bead.



Step 5

Use greenstuff to fill in any bad spots, and use your file to smooth any areas that need it, and you're done! Repeat step one on the other shoulder pad, and you have a proper pair of Heresy or Corvus pattern shoulderpads.

Awsome, do you have any pictures of the completed marines? id love to see

I can throw some up this evening. None painted yet, and they are all Mk VI, as I haven't gotten started on the 2 mk V marines that are in the unit yet.

that would be awsome

Great Technique

This will help alot with my Pre-Heresy Death Guard. Thanks

It looks like alot of work to go to for a shoulder pad, but deffinitly looks great, and would be great for Veterans or somthing similar. About how long did it take you to do the group?

Very nice. I might have to totally steal that.

Once you get into a rhythm, it's not so bad. I'd say maybe 20 minutes for the studded pad, and another 5 to file down the other pad. Since I'm doing a Heresy-era army going forward from the Siege of Terra, I'm mixing a lot of armor marks, so it's not horrible.

Most might find that they look good on their Vets, Sgts or HQ models, and it saves them $2.99 a pad.

It's really only mind-numbing if you decide you want to make mk 5 marines... especially as I've found you have to fudge the greaves a little, since they aren't identical in proportion.

Cool idea!

I had never thought of using beads...now I will have to raid my wife's hobby cabinet.

That looks great!


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That looks great!

Genius! Thanks for sharing with links of where to buy and all!

Thanks a lot! this will certainley help my wallet lol. Great tutorial.