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Ah. Deff Skullz then

Thanks Graven. I'll wait for a general consensus (at least until I get around to him).

In the mean time, I have started painting Tactical marine number 12:


Just the red so far (and that may still need a little more work in places), added in layers.
Looks a little shiny too as it's not quite finished drying yet. Still, gives you an idea.
I'm aiming for a slightly darker, more crimson, colour than the Blood Angel (#2) I have. Just a matter of adding a little blue to the scarlet I used on #2.

Still working on the robo-arms for the servitor. update soon(ish).

A side-by-side comparison is always useful. I pulled my Blood Angel off the shelf to see how the Blood Drinker compared and thought "Oo right, he's too dark, add more red".

So I have, and here he is next to number 2.


I'll now start to add the other colours before going back to touch up and highlight things.

And today's progress is on the repair servitor.
2nd pair of arms are attached, one more pair to go (maybe, still winging it at the moment).

Still quite rough in places and many cables/wires to add...
and the manipulator arms to add...
and you can see the start of the powerpack on his back, that'll need connecting up too...

But you should now have an idea of where it's heading.

Great look...I like where this is going

Looking brilliant, nice balanced shape.

So much better with the arms. I can now get my head round this

monkeytroll wrote:Great look...I like where this is going

Thanks. I'm glad you do.

Camkierhi wrote:Looking brilliant, nice balanced shape.

Thanks. Will have to see that I maintain that when adding the next pair of arms.

inmygravenimage wrote:So much better with the arms. I can now get my head round this

Thanks. Yes, I did assume that people may not be able to see where this was going. Mainly because I don't have a defined plan for how this is going to go... The plan being; Needs robo-arms... what can I make robo-arms out of...

So the next arm came about from a pair of pistons I found in my bits... that progressed to this:


I'm thinking the next (and last) arm may be some kind of metallic tentacle type appendage. Been a while since I've added tentacles to something.

Sentinels and Techpriests are two of the models I like most in the 40k catalogue, so what can I say of a merger of both but that it is awesome!

Legs look ace, and the apparel so far is great too. The new arm might seem a bit on the big side right now, but that may change once it's on.

Red fella above looks good too!

 Littletower wrote:
Sentinels and Techpriests are two of the models I like most in the 40k catalogue, so what can I say of a merger of both but that it is awesome!

Thanks. Glad it is living up to your expectations.

Legs look ace, and the apparel so far is great too. The new arm might seem a bit on the big side right now, but that may change once it's on.

Thanks. It is quite long, and that is due to the length of the pistons I found. See it as at it's fully extended and that it needs to reach from behind the main body and to the ground and it seems respectable.

Also, I think I'll place this one over his right shoulder (between his head and the rivet gun) to explain why it's so long.

Red fella above looks good too!

Thanks. He's just getting on his base so that I can progress with painting.

Piston looks good - Is it going over the shoulder? Or between the legs? Or elsewhere? Curious minds want to know!

yay, let's hear it for the metal tentacles....

 monkeytroll wrote:
Piston looks good - Is it going over the shoulder? Or between the legs? Or elsewhere? Curious minds want to know!

Over the shoulder. It was going to be at the left hip, but it will be better placed over the right shoulder.

Metal tentacles can therefore be at the left hip...

yay, let's hear it for the metal tentacles....

Yay!
Nice pictures too.

Nice repair servitor! he can keep the tank fixed during battles. Use the rules for the tech priest enginseer and call it great!

 shasolenzabi wrote:
Nice repair servitor! he can keep the tank fixed during battles. Use the rules for the tech priest enginseer and call it great!

Thanks. That's what I'm hoping to use him as. So long as he is recognisable as one.

The way he's going, you're not going to confuse him for much else really...

Arm installed:

I had to build up a backpack of sorts to give it something to attach to.

As with many of my builds, it's going to be tricky to paint... but I'll worry about that when I come to it.

One last arm to add and then wires/cables for the appendages... and any last details I can fit on...

Looks good to me! And who'd a thunk it...you used sprue for the backpack...you, using sprue,,,whatever is the world coming to?

And just noticed, you'd ninja'd my placement query above.....


As for the mechanical jellyfish:





Sorry, couldn't find a mechanical squid with working tentacles....

 monkeytroll wrote:
Looks good to me! And who'd a thunk it...you used sprue for the backpack...you, using sprue,,,whatever is the world coming to?

Thanks.
Indeed, He is, after all, made from the occasional piece from actual models (a star cannon, a spinefist, a smoke launcher, the pistons, the actual body and the thing on his back that I've forgotten where it's come from, oh and the exhausts that I cut off the Predator). The rest of him is sprue, milliput and plasticard scraps.

And just noticed, you'd ninja'd my placement query above.....

I did, but I expanded on the answer just for you.

As for the mechanical jellyfish:

Sorry, couldn't find a mechanical squid with working tentacles....

Ahh that's from the same people that made the giant, flying penguin.
It's only a matter of time before there is a mechanical squid/octopus... only a matter of time...

On the subject of metal tentacles, I'm in two minds to make a single large tentacle with a "hand" (like Dr Oct'), or a writhing rope of many thin tentacles (that I'll probably bodge together from the many left-over putty tentacles that I have already)... Thoughts would be appreciated.

In fact I like your cyborg forgemaster solution much more than the official gw models. (I avoid the term "servitor", for in a way, your whole army consists of servitors...).

I would imagine someone like the scientist is outfitting his servitors with a flexible tentacle. (heh, this pun is worthy of him, isn't it?) wanna say, while the big grabber arm ist for holding, the tentacle should be for fine manipulation, with a changeable gear-head. With contemporary industrial robots it is standard to have a revolver magazin for tools or something like that, so they can be sheduled for several or complex tasks. I always thougt it is pure waste to install special tools on imperial servitors instead of leaving them the best multifuntional tool/adaper mother nature equipped them doubly with...a genius like the scientist, mad or not, would not make the same mistake, would he?

I believe the bit on his back was from your falcon, part of the turret or gun mechanism...

There are robots that propel themselves like squid, they just don't have the tentacles added.

Although....





Is this tentacular manipulator to come from the area at the front of the 'box'?

I think several finer one's would work better there.

Hruotland wrote:In fact I like your cyborg forgemaster solution much more than the official gw models.

Thank you.

(I avoid the term "servitor", for in a way, your whole army consists of servitors...).

Very true.

I would imagine someone like the scientist is outfitting his servitors with a flexible tentacle. (heh, this pun is worthy of him, isn't it?) wanna say, while the big grabber arm ist for holding, the tentacle should be for fine manipulation, with a changeable gear-head.

Yep, that was the aim; One for heavy duty and one (while still strong enough) for finer or more awkward shapes.

I see The Scientist as having many of these, in various guises, about his main lab' complex. For performing maintenance and building and other duties. After all, one pair of hands can only do so much. This is one that has made it onto the battlefield for repairs in the field.

With contemporary industrial robots it is standard to have a revolver magazin for tools or something like that, so they can be sheduled for several or complex tasks. I always thougt it is pure waste to install special tools on imperial servitors instead of leaving them the best multifuntional tool/adaper mother nature equipped them doubly with...a genius like the scientist, mad or not, would not make the same mistake, would he?

Ooo, that is a good idea. Interchangeable ends, yes, good.

monkeytroll wrote:I believe the bit on his back was from your falcon, part of the turret or gun mechanism...

Quite possibly. It's found a use now though.

There are robots that propel themselves like squid, they just don't have the tentacles added.

Although....

Ooo, creepy. I want one.

Is this tentacular manipulator to come from the area at the front of the 'box'?

I think several finer one's would work better there.

I was thinking of having a box-o-tools on the front there. But with Hruotland's idea, it may become tools for the tentacle, rather than his hands (as originally intended).

There may be a finer tentacle "hand" tool though.

I was thinking of a three pronged pincer, for some delicate/precision work, but I have to admit the interchangeable tips is the way to go. And and utility belt, with the spares ready to hooked to the arm and used?

Maybe a (golf) caddy gretchin holding a bag of extra tool ends?

" I think the 3/8ths riply for this one sir"

Littletower wrote:I was thinking of a three pronged pincer, for some delicate/precision work, but I have to admit the interchangeable tips is the way to go. And and utility belt, with the spares ready to hooked to the arm and used?

I could probably go on almost infinitely with making tools for the tentacle, I shall have to limit myself with how many I make (as there will only be room for a few). A 3-pronged pincer is a possibility, amongst other things...

M0rdain wrote:Maybe a (golf) caddy gretchin holding a bag of extra tool ends?

" I think the 3/8ths riply for this one sir"

Well, tech-marines/master of the forge/tech-priest/whatever I end up playing it as seem to have Servitor helpers hanging about. So can make something along those lines, at some point. I'll add it to the list...

The first attempt at a tentacle is curing at the moment. It may need some work and adjustments to pose it properly before I can think about the tools.

In the mean time, progress on Tactical Marine #12:

The red has been fighting me on this one, but I think it's done and I've now highlighted it. The green is also done (shaded but not highlighted).
The metals now need work (the golds still need base-coat)
Then the details, base and he'll be done.

Progress on both current models (one being finished) and a question...

First, I'm calling the Blood Drinker done.
Welcome, number 12.

Could have possibly done some bits better, but he is the best SM I've done so far.

AND

Progress on the Field-Mechanic.
When I say "progress", I mean that I've had a go at a tentacle and want to know what you think...

The usual technique I employ for making my smaller cables/tentacles didn't really work on one this size. I either left almost no mark or squashed it.
I therefore set about it with a scalpel blade and scored in the ridges.

However, as you can see, they are not perfect. I could put in a lot more effort and try to clean them up (and risk not improving it, or making it worse), OR I could paint it up as a kind of lava-effect in metal (so a hard crust of dull metal, with bright, clean metal in the cracks...).

Would you accept the cracked metal effect, or should I stop being lazy and clean it up properly?

Overall looking nice, like a tapeworm! First I thought "much too massive", but no, it is good. The model would looked imbalanced otherways. It is a field operator, not a lab assistant after all.

Well, I am often working with kids in a wood workshop. When they sand their pieces, they inevitably ask me "is it good enough?" I always answer "if you have to ask, then the answer is always 'no'. Keep sanding until you are sure it is good enough!"
My humble suggestion how to get a satisfying result: while the tentacle is still squishy, coil a guitar string or something around it to make an even imprint. In my opinion a spiral-like pattern is much more convincing, anyways. Rings only make sense when there are flexible gaps in between.

Marine looks fab. Love the tones, and good solid work.

The servi is looking great, you have managed to keep it balanced. I think it is a little bit busy at the moment but it is great. The tentacle looks cool, although I understand what you are saying and would echo Hruotland's comment, if you have to ask then you are not happy and better have a go at cleaning it up or start again. I personally would be happy with the finish you are talking about as in worn and heated metal finsih, but I am not sure you will!

Anyways looking brilliant all round I think.

Nice paint job on number 12, especially his number.

Mechanic looking good with the tentacle there. I think I'd go for a very slightly slimmer version, length looks about right for usefulness, just seems ever so slightly 'heavy'.

Hmm, actually, after studying the pics for a while longer I'm not sure about my previous comment. (Helpful as always )

Any idea why your normal technique wasn't working for this? You were using the comb I presume? Was it the length of tentacle...if so maybe you could do it in two sections?

Of course, with my current favourite trick-of-the-month I'd say you could get away with the non-symmetrical grooves by colouring it and then applying a clear crackle effect over the top and shadng it so the whole thing looks like it's tearing apart and re-forming

Or for a completely different look, how about using thick gauge guitar wire or similar, but with short lengths of plasticard tubing placed along it's length...so you have the sections comprising of plastitube and 'joints' of flexible looking cabling....

Thanks chaps.

Hruotland wrote:Overall looking nice, like a tapeworm! First I thought "much too massive", but no, it is good. The model would looked imbalanced otherways. It is a field operator, not a lab assistant after all.

Yeah, the balance of the whole model is the thing. I don't think it could go much thicker than it is here.
It was longer (by about an inch), but the thin end extended beyond the wire I had inside and it snapped off, quite neatly I might add, and I decided that it was long enough.

Well, I am often working with kids in a wood workshop. When they sand their pieces, they inevitably ask me "is it good enough?" I always answer "if you have to ask, then the answer is always 'no'. Keep sanding until you are sure it is good enough!"

Oh yeah, I'm down with that thinking. This is more, "should I go with serendipity" rather than "tell me it's ok".

My humble suggestion how to get a satisfying result: while the tentacle is still squishy, coil a guitar string or something around it to make an even imprint. In my opinion a spiral-like pattern is much more convincing, anyways. Rings only make sense when there are flexible gaps in between.

The thicker half is actually in a spiral (as I got into the swing of it by then).

But yes, for a clean, metallic tentacle, I wouldn't use this as my ocd-like tendencies wouldn't let me. But then, looking at the scratches and cracks, I had a thought. I would probably add more cracks to complete the look of that option.

Camkierhi wrote:Marine looks fab. Love the tones, and good solid work.

Thanks Cam. He's not very exciting, but I'm pleased with him and his bionic arm.

The servi is looking great, you have managed to keep it balanced. I think it is a little bit busy at the moment but it is great. The tentacle looks cool, although I understand what you are saying and would echo Hruotland's comment, if you have to ask then you are not happy and better have a go at cleaning it up or start again. I personally would be happy with the finish you are talking about as in worn and heated metal finsih, but I am not sure you will!

Anyways looking brilliant all round I think.

Thanks Cam. Hopefully, paint will help him look less busy and tie it all together (needless to say, I won't be painting him in a rainbow of colours ).

see above regarding the idea I had after not being happy with the clean look.
It would need to be almost perfect if I was to be ok with using it as a "normal" tentacle. I was just looking at it and thought "well it could be made from a kind of living metal, what with just getting the Necrons, and could be cracking as it bends"...

I may have a go at making a three stranded (thinner) tentacle arm thing while I think about this one...



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 monkeytroll wrote:
Nice paint job on number 12, especially his number.

Thanks. Yeah, I went a bit "arty" with the font after a neat looking "2" didn't happen. It's the balancing act between fixing something and going with the flow.

Mechanic looking good with the tentacle there. I think I'd go for a very slightly slimmer version, length looks about right for usefulness, just seems ever so slightly 'heavy'.

Hmm, actually, after studying the pics for a while longer I'm not sure about my previous comment. (Helpful as always )

Thanks

Any idea why your normal technique wasn't working for this? You were using the comb I presume? Was it the length of tentacle...if so maybe you could do it in two sections?

Yep, with a comb. It was a combination of things. It was a bit too long for the comb I had, but that didn't worry me because of the other problems...

The circumference of the tentacle was pretty much the same as the length of the comb's teeth. So I kept ending up with dimples on the tentacle. A thinner tentacle should be ok.

Plus it was difficult to get it straight over that length.

The putty was a bit too soft at the time and I couldn't press hard enough to get good detail without distorting the shape. I should have left it a while to cure before starting.

Of course, with my current favourite trick-of-the-month I'd say you could get away with the non-symmetrical grooves by colouring it and then applying a clear crackle effect over the top and shadng it so the whole thing looks like it's tearing apart and re-forming

Or for a completely different look, how about using thick gauge guitar wire or similar, but with short lengths of plasticard tubing placed along it's length...so you have the sections comprising of plastitube and 'joints' of flexible looking cabling....

Both good ideas. But I have neither of them with me now...and I'm not one to wait for something to arrive before I can complete a job...

Although, I will ask where you got the crackle paint from, as that could prove useful in the future?

If I recall, I got all my initial batch of Amazon....

I wonder if maybe that are could support multiple smaller tentacles for such work,

The field mechanic looks great, plus I love that large pneumatic piston claw.
I think the tentacle looks fine, but if your not happy with it just make another one,
that way if it doesn't work out you can always fall back on the original .