I'm not dead yet...

...just distracted.  I've got a couple of commission projects on the table that I need to keep a lid on, but I have been learning to use my airbrush.  I'm testing some weathering techniques that I'm picking up and playing around with.  Here are my current test efforts:

Products: you make the call

Taking feedback from folks and knowing what my time will allow here's how I'll approach the whole mess.  Moving forward I'm only building what I want for myself.  No more speculation.  When I finish the project I'll put up a poll to find out how many folks are interested that as a product.  If enough people want it I'll produce it.  Fore now all these will be on a "commission" basis, so I'll post the price, but you'd need to email me with your request.  I'll invoice you when it's ready, so no store as such.  This will let me take more time to produce better models. 

In the pipeline are an Evil Sunz Weirdboy, Grot Tanks (poll consideration), and a Battlewagon (poll consideration). 

See you soon!

Could the Store be returning?

That depends on you.  After discussion with the family and weighing the pros and cons it will be making a return in the future, all be it in a a limited fashion.  I have a partnership in place for the return of the Hidden Objective markers.  He'll be handling the online sales and manufacturing of the kits and once he's ready I'll post the info you need to get those.  I'm going to refocus my initial idea of providing conversion components and original resin kits, building on what I have already started.

This is where you come in.  As my time is limited I can't just guess at what I think folks want.  I need feedback.  What are you looking for?  I've gotten quite a bit of interest on Grot Mini Scrap tanks, so those are a distinct possibility.  Or what about Orc Truck Conversion kits?  Or maybe some kind of kit for the New Imperial Knight, to give some variety or a "looted" option?

Could it be a comeback?

My point is that I really enjoy building and casting this stuff, it's super fun and I learn a lot.  I'm not going to get rich doing it and I need to maintain a balance.  I want to keep my prices reasonable and not take advantage of the community.  

So make your voice heard!  Comment here or send an email! 

Anvil Industry Bits Review

I'm at my desk today processing client photos (one of my other hats is photography) so while I'm waiting I figured I'd write some articles.  First is my recent order from Anvil Industry http://www.anvilindustry.co.uk/  I have a need for some bits in my Irons Hands army so I figured I'd give'em a shot.

I placed my order and 5 (!) days later my goodies arrived.
I'm so excited!



Ooo, bits!



The sizes are equal to GW parts, no suprise there. The detail and quality are very good.  I know first hand how tough casting small parts is, but no issues here.

Here's the heavy Flamer as compaired to a Choas Heavy Bolter:



Bionic Arms compaired to Marine arms:



Bionic Legs (one piece) and Marine Legs:


I like them.  I have made my own arms and legs, and for one off's the are fine, but casting or pressing them sucks and never look as good as when the are done well.  I recommend Anvil Industry.  I'll be ordeing again.  He does have a Kickstarter in the works for his own game with minis.  I'm not sure about the game but the minis look great for whatever.


 

Sharing from the Fanboy-Officio Convertorum

Now that I've got my order backlog caught up, I can get back to writing articles.  Hooray!  Just as the the blog name suggests, I love conversions.  I love them more than painting, and I love other peoples  conversions even more.  For this installment of sharing time, I'd like you to check out the Officio Convertorum over at http://convertorum.blogspot.com/ by Jeff Vader.  I don't know Jeff nor have I conversed with him but I love his stuff. His style is pure and gritty and creates great models with tons of character.  I check his blog every day.
 If you've got a few minutes head on over and get inspired.

Speedwagon (A looted idea)

I'm not above looting ideas from others.  Sometimes I'm croozin the intertubes when an idea strikes me as so great I copy it pretty much wholesale.  Today's built is an honest to goodness conversion, no scratch build, no plasticard structures, just an old fashioned parts bash.  First, credit where credit is due. Blogger Shadowcl4w posted this beauty:

Over on his blog: http://shadowcl4w.blogspot.com/2013/04/ork-customized-battlewagon-done.html

I was so so infatuated I just has to build one. Here's mine:

Tools to use- Rectangle Punch

I picked this up at my local Michael's craft store in the scrapbooking section, a rectangular hole punch:

Bits Review- Paulson Games

So I ordered some bits from Paulson Games http://www.paulsongames.com.  I'm working on a generic Space Capitol Ship rules set and wanted to build some custom ships. They are really weapons meant for mecha, such as Tau Crisis suits, but I liked their look and placed an order.

Packaging: Bagged and bubble wrapped, in a box.  No cheap envelopes here.

 

Old School - Eldar Objectives & Messengers

Hey!  An article!  Who knew?  Welcome to the first Old School, where I dredge up a project from the past.  A very long time ago, around 2001, 3rd edition was all the rage.  I had an Eldar Saim-Hann army, all jetbikey and fast.  It was fully converted and finished.  And it sucked.  I went something like 2-21 with it before I rage traded it away.  At the same time the concept of objectives were appearing in missions.  I of course just had to make some.  I was digging through some storage when I found these.  I guess I forgot to send them on their way so many moons ago...

Objective #1-Downed pilot

A pretty straight forward build, mostly repositioning and cutting really.

Quick Hit: Bitz from unlikely sources

I've been asked more than once about some of the bits I use on builds and it got me thinking about the "non-standard" parts I find and incorporate.  Let's take two recent builds posted here, a Nob Biker and the Gobsmasha:

Big Shoota Tutorial

So I needed some Dakkagunz for my Warbiker Boss, and the normal ones that come with the bikes are too small, so I scratch built a pair.  I took some pictures along the way.  Rather than go insuper detail about sizes and methods I figured I'd summarize.  I use either Evergreen or Plastruct Styrene.  I have various sizes of sheet, strip and tubes.  If you want to start I'd collect a wide variety, you'll spend around $40.  Evergreen tube is sized to slide together if you get adjacent diameters.  I use 1mm thick sheet stock in most of my projects.  It works well for all kinds of applications.  There are lots of articles on the web with details of what ranges to use, if I get enough feedback I'll do an article here.

On to the guns.

Rivets

I like to use rivets on my Ork stuff.  I think it looks very industrial and lend a nice slapped together look to the gear.  I used to use one primary method for my rivets-cutting rod.

It's really simple.  Select plastic rod that you want for the size of your rivet.  Slice like bread:

 

Place on your piece.  Repeat a bazillion times.  The pro to this method is that it doesn't require any special tools.  If you need just a few then it works great.   The con is consistency. It's tough to get them all the same thickness with crisp cuts.

Screw that noise.

I needed a lot of rivets, like thousands. So I decided to invest in a hole punches:

I picked these up on Amazon for around $8 each. I got a 1/8 and 1/16 inch punch. Well worth it given I need a lot of rivets.

With the punch method you cut the rivets out of a plastic sheet:

 

This gives you complete control over the consistency.  Plus it's really boring.

Next time, we'll see what all this excitement got us to.

I like 40k.  I really like the hobby aspect of 40k.  I took a break from gaming when my kids were born, now they're old enough to give me time to build and play again.  I came in late 5th Edition, and immediately began building an Ork Warbike list. Then the new Necron codex came out and I built a fully converted force. I'll share what I have as time goes on, what I'm working on and resources and inspiration I come across from the web.  I'll share those links, and make recommendations purely based on my completely biased opinion.