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 lone dirty dog wrote:
That is so many kinds of awesome the structure and poseing is just astounding, it looks like an actual kit rather than a Frankenstein creation
A unit of these would look just superb especially on the game table, will you be varying the design for each model or keeping to the same blueprint ?

Thank you for that, I appreciate it . I will be sticking to the basic design, but adding little variations here and there. Like extra optics on the head, for the heavy gun variant,
and fuel canisters on the back for the arm mounted flamer version. I do wish there were more weapon options for the Kastelan in the rules.
Maybe there is something in the new mechanicus codex (haven't got my copy yet), as a set of twin linked heavy bolter's, mounted on each arm could look awesome .

 hk1x1 wrote:

 lone dirty dog wrote:
That is so many kinds of awesome the structure and poseing is just astounding, it looks like an actual kit rather than a Frankenstein creation
A unit of these would look just superb especially on the game table, will you be varying the design for each model or keeping to the same blueprint ?

Thank you for that, I appreciate it . I will be sticking to the basic design, but adding little variations here and there. Like extra optics on the head, for the heavy gun variant,
and fuel canisters on the back for the arm mounted flamer version. I do wish there were more weapon options for the Kastelan in the rules.
Maybe there is something in the new mechanicus codex (haven't got my copy yet), as a set of twin linked heavy bolter's, mounted on each arm could look awesome .

How about adding some extra armour to the Heavy gun variant and maybe fire shields to the flamer ?

Double trouble bolters that would look cool lets hope that happens

even tho i have read and tried to understand the (very cool looking btw) conversion step by step guide...i wonder... did you use only one kastelan worth of bitz or more than one model worth of bitz?...just to figure out the ratio of original and conversion...in a cost effectiveness kind of view...

lone dirty dog wrote:

 hk1x1 wrote:

 lone dirty dog wrote:
That is so many kinds of awesome the structure and poseing is just astounding, it looks like an actual kit rather than a Frankenstein creation
A unit of these would look just superb especially on the game table, will you be varying the design for each model or keeping to the same blueprint ?

Thank you for that, I appreciate it . I will be sticking to the basic design, but adding little variations here and there. Like extra optics on the head, for the heavy gun variant,
and fuel canisters on the back for the arm mounted flamer version. I do wish there were more weapon options for the Kastelan in the rules.
Maybe there is something in the new mechanicus codex (haven't got my copy yet), as a set of twin linked heavy bolter's, mounted on each arm could look awesome .

How about adding some extra armour to the Heavy gun variant and maybe fire shields to the flamer ?

Double trouble bolters that would look cool lets hope that happens

Yeah I did wonder about adding extra Armour, and I do have a few ideas. The Fire Shield's a great idea, thank's for that . It'll help show that it's been designed for that role,
and not just had a gun slapped on it's arm.

Viktor von Domm wrote:even tho i have read and tried to understand the (very cool looking btw) conversion step by step guide...i wonder... did you use only one kastelan worth of bitz or more than one model worth of bitz?...just to figure out the ratio of original and conversion...in a cost effectiveness kind of view...

I did actually use both of the Kastelan Robot sprue's from the kit, to build this one robot. So cost wise it's going to be quite pricey to build an entire squad.

On the plus side, I didn't use any parts from the Data Smith Tech Priest model that also come's with the kit. So I will eventually end up with plenty of parts to make Tech Priest conversions .

i see....that´s sadly what i was fearing...well....maybe some bitzdonation scheme might be in order....sadly i don´t have bitz of that kit...yet^^

So I've started painting the Kastelan, and Here's where I am so far. Still a long way to go, but at least I've made a start .

Hmmm, he is missing something.........Oh! a missile pack!

Done a little bit more work on the Kastelan, as well as build and paint up it's base, which still needs a few more added details to finish it.

the red, while crisp looking, still looks a bit bland...will there be some markings and so on later?

I actually like the bland coloring as I see it as very mechanicus. They don't do lots of ornamentation, and don't want to stand out, so I think it's a direct hit with the palette choice. They aren't marines after all.

Viktor von Domm wrote:the red, while crisp looking, still looks a bit bland...will there be some markings and so on later?

Theophony wrote:I actually like the bland coloring as I see it as very mechanicus. They don't do lots of ornamentation, and don't want to stand out, so I think it's a direct hit with the palette choice. They aren't marines after all.

Thanks for the Feedback guys . I agree the panels do look a little flat at the moment, and I will be adding a few small subtle markings here and there.
I also want to have one of the larger panels, (Shoulder, upper legs or arms) painted with the classic black and yellow hazards stripe's.
This will hopefully break up the red a little, and suggest that it's recently been repaired, or maybe was never quite finished.

I do still have highlighting to add, as well as chipping and weathering detail's, which should help break up the those flat surfaces, yet still keep that mechanicus feel.

Seeing as how I'm really slow at painting, and don't enjoy it all that much, I've put my Kastelan Robot conversion to one side for now, and have decided to start a new project.
I've no idea if this is going to work, or if there's even still a market for it. But what I plan to do is assemble, and in some cases convert small starter armies for 40k.
These could be for people who love painting and gaming, but just don't have the time to sit down and build or convert an army themselves.

I've already made a start on the first army, which will be Chaos Space Marines.
So Far I have a Helbrute finished, and 10 Chaos Cultists (see pics below). I also have another 10 Cultists to build, along with 6 Chosen Chaos Space Marines, a Chaos Lord,
one Aspiring Champion, and a Daemon Prince.

Now I'm trying to restrain myself from going too crazy on detail, and giving myself too much to do per army.
So at the moment all I'm doing is:

- Removing all mold lines
- Assembling Model's
- Filling any panel gaps or seams
- magnetizing certain models (for weapon options, and easier access when painting)
- Drilling out all gun barrels
- Simple conversions (Head and weapon swaps)
- slotting or pegging all models to bases (so model can be removed)

I think that'll do for now.
I'll be posting more pics as soon as their ready .

I probably should of carried on building more cultists, but I couldn't resist having a bash at one of my favorite models for this army, The Daemon Prince.
I could've gone to town converting this guy, but I decided to keep it simple, and just make a few subtle changes.

I've also built him a little scenic base out of odds and ends I had lying around, and mounted them to a piece of 1mm plastic card.
I then attached a small plastic peg to the daemon's foot, so he can be removed when needed,

The last thing was magnetizing the arms, which did take a few attempts .

Looking great! Could I buy off you/swap some spare daemon prince hands off the sprue that I need for a conversion, please?

 JohnnyHell wrote:
Looking great! Could I buy off you/swap some spare daemon prince hands off the sprue that I need for a conversion, please?

I'm afraid I'm already using the spare bits for another conversion, sorry about that.

No worries, just thought I'd ask!

Will be interesting to see how this goes. Good luck.

Just a quick update on my progress so far. I've started some conversion work on the Helbrute, added some tentacles, a banner, and now working on green stuff details.

I also just received my Forgefiend/Maulerfiend, which I'll be converting and magnetizing, so all three variants (pictured below) can be built from the one kit.
I'll post progress on both of these as I go .

All hail the fresh n mighty sprue!!! Lovely addditions to the helbrute - defintely makes a great difference

That Kastelan robot just needs some gold here and there... and a glowing ark reactor on the chest

Some nice work on this plog

Dr H wrote:Will be interesting to see how this goes. Good luck.

Thank's mate .

Januine wrote:All hail the fresh n mighty sprue!!! Lovely additions to the helbrute - defintely makes a great difference

I was going to leave the Helbrute as it was, but I couldn't resist. Everything must be converted

angelofvengeance wrote:That Kastelan robot just needs some gold here and there... and a glowing ark reactor on the chest

Some nice work on this plog

Yeah, I was definitely getting that Iron Man vibe while I was painting it.

Did you magnetize the Prince so that he could have wings? I am not criticizing, I am merely curious. Also, I will be curious as to how you do the Maulerfiend/Forgefiend magnetization, as I intend to get one or two of those eventually for my Daemonkin army.

 ZergSmasher wrote:
Did you magnetize the Prince so that he could have wings? I am not criticizing, I am merely curious. Also, I will be curious as to how you do the Maulerfiend/Forgefiend magnetization, as I intend to get one or two of those eventually for my Daemonkin army.

I decided not to magnetize the wings for this Daemon Prince, as I'm not too keen on the wings that come with the kit. I also wanted to reproduce that classic 40k Daemon prince look, hence why I went for the back pack piece's.
A Daemon Prince with wings is something I do want to build, but I'll probably use the wings from the Tyranid Hive Tyrant instead.

As for the Maulerfiend/Forgefiend, I've just finished magnetizing the Forgefiends front arms (pics below). I'm no expert, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to answer .

Looking great so far.

Something I knew I wanted to do from the beginning with the Forgefiend/Maulerfiend, was give it a scenic base that the model could interact with.
I quickly realized that because I'm magnetizing this kit to build either the Forgefiend or Maulerfiend, the base would also have to be adaptable, depending on which model you chose to build.



So what I've done is added a magnet to the main base, and another to the large concrete slab piece, so it can be swapped out when needed.
I will be adding a somewhat doomed Imperial Guardsmen to the top of the slab piece, who will also be fitted with a magnet, so he too can be attached to the main base.



I've also gone ahead and reposed the tentacles for the Maulerfiend, as I wanted them to look more chaotic and dynamic than the standard ones.

Just finished building the weapon options for the Forgefiend.

These are the Ectoplasma guns, and yes that is seriously what their called .



And these are the Hades guns, which I had to build a custom cabling system for, having used the only set of gun cables on the Ectoplasma weapons.

Looking good man. Keep up the good work

The end is in sight for this project, just have some green stuff work that needs finishing, and some extra detailing work to do on the base.

Speaking of the base, here's how its looking at the moment.



The Guardsmen and the eagle head piece can both be removed.



The Guardsmen can then be attached to the base on his own.





And this is how it looks with the maulerfiend version on the base.

smart samrt stuff.. great idea/concept for the adaptable base. can't wait to see this one all painted

 Januine wrote:
smart samrt stuff.. great idea/concept for the adaptable base. can't wait to see this one all painted

I actually wont be painting this one, as it's destined to join a small Chaos force, which will then be heading to eBay.

As for the base, thank you very much, it has worked out quite well (much to my surprise)