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I'm looking to get a set of Terminators soon, but I'm not over enthusiastic about the standard Thunderhammers so I resolved to make my own. I have plenty of green stuff for detailing, however for the haft and flat surface of the head green stuff won't suffice. Therefore I intend to use Plasticard - my problem is that I don't know A) What thickness plasticard would be best for the flat piece of the head, and B) what diameter plasticard tubing would fit a Terminator hand well (not knowing the dimensions of the standard Thunderhammer hafts).

So my questions are: What thickness plasticard should I use for the head? and, What diameter tubing is appropriate for a Terminator Hammer?

You could measure it with a ruler... bring a model to the store where they sell the plastic card and try it out. Ive bought a mixed bad of plastic card that came with 7 different sized sheets of plastic card and 10 tubes, I think it was by Evergreen... but dont quote me on that. it was called mix and match bag.

 Warpig1815 wrote:
So my questions are: What thickness plasticard should I use for the head? and, What diameter tubing is appropriate for a Terminator Hammer?

For the head, depends on your design. You can always use several layers or a solid centerpiece that you cover up (like a piece of sprue). I'd suggest getting a mixed bag of plasticard, alternatively 1mm, 0.5mm and 0.25mm. For the tubing, 2mm, there as well you'll be best off with a mixed bag.

At that diameter, I'd be thinking of using brass rod instead of plastic tube for the haft. It'll be much stronger and you'll find it practically unbreakable compared to the plastic.

Cocktail stir straw that you put superglue into to harden it.

Thanks for the suggestions people.

@Conrad Turner - I'll look into brass rod, seems to be a good idea, considering there's going to be a lump of green stuff on the end of it. But I assumed plasticard would be strong enough as the original hammers are just plastic.

@Johnno + Maddok_Death - Thanks for the suggestion of just getting a mixed bag, seems likely that it'll contain what i'm looking for, and more besides.

@Derr - Not sure what you mean by the superglue idea, but thanks anyway for the contribution

Thanks for all the suggestions people, much appreciated.

 Warpig1815 wrote:
@Conrad Turner - I'll look into brass rod, seems to be a good idea, considering there's going to be a lump of green stuff on the end of it. But I assumed plasticard would be strong enough as the original hammers are just plastic.

Keep in mind though, not all plastic is created equal. The plastic tube or rod which is sold by companies like Evergreen and Plastruct tends to be a softer blend in order to make it more conducive to scratch builders as it allows them to be able to make tight curves with it without too much worry of it snapping off. On the other end of the spectrum you have the plastic used to create CD jewel cases, which is very very hard and stiff - but it cracks if you try to bend it much at all.

Both are polystyrene plastic - pretty much the same general stuff as used to make GW miniatures (the clear portion of the jewel case being a different version of polystyrene as opposed to the HIPS it is oriented PS). The big thing though is that you may want to be sure to actually see it in person before you commit to using the thin plastic rod. I say rod, because the smallest polystyrene tube that I think I recall being able to get is around 2.5mm in diameter (3/32 of an inch). That is fairly large compared to a terminator weapon haft. The rod is available much smaller than that, though as Conrad mentions - it is quite bendy and and depending on how heavy the head of the weapon is it may sage under its own weight.

Hmm, so maybe it would be worth just getting a mixed bag of plastic tubing, but if it's too flexible I'll have some brass rod to use. In your opinion, as you seem more knowledgable than me, what material would you go for?

.20 is the common thickness for card, .10 is for more detailed work.
But generally, I would recommend to invest in a variety packs for tubing and plasticard.

Well I intend to get a mix of various sized plastic rods, but as for brass rod, would .20 (I presume inches) be sufficient?