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Greetings all, I am just doing some musing regarding some modeling... The topic at hand is modeling of helmet spikes on Imperial Guard models... A large quantity of them (around 120 to be precise).

Any thoughts on accomplishing this with a reasonable degree of consistency model to model with either a 4 sided spike or a flared spike as found on the WW1 pickelhaub helmets?

As a side note, I really do not want to have to resort to casting such tiny fidly bits in resin if it can be effectively avoided...

Pressmould jig?

I would mark out the exact top of the helmet with my xacto blade by scoring it ever so lightly then using the tip poke out a little divot at the center.

The divot is so you can line up exactly where you want to make a hole with a hobby drill. Check all sides as you slowly drill in to be sure you're going straight.

Then take a small piece of wire (as long as the hole is deep as well as how tall you want the spike) and glue it into the hole (if the hole is too wide just pack it with GS). Make sure it's upright.

Finally mix up a small amount of GS and push it down over the wire. Go to town on it, molding and shaping it however best suits your needs.


Keep in mind this is a time-consuming process and though with repetition you might get better and faster at doing it, the quickest method would be, as winterdyne mentioned, a press-mold.
I hope this helps you with whatever you are trying to achieve

I imagine making the master via turning would produce the best results. I can't recommend it, but I have used a power drill on low speed as a lathe before.

You could try and buy up some trophy racks from chaos rhinos and dreds, and use those spikes.

What about model railway railings? Hopefully the link below works.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/291359384287

Just Google for 00 gauge cast iron railings. You might want to try a different scale, or even try military scale model scenery rather than model rail stuff.

@Flinty, thanks, that is more in line with what I was thinking. I just simply did not want to sculpt or cast that many little pieces.

If this is the style you're looking for, it looks fairly simple to mould.



Old Warzone Bauhaus figures. I've got a bunch kicking around, if you want one to take a shot at moulding it.

Yeah, that style of helmet spike would be perfect.