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Modeling => Projects Blog => Topic started by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 12, 2009, 06:10:02 PM

Title: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 12, 2009, 06:10:02 PM
This begins my journey of creating my own series of titans, being completely unwilling to dish out hundreds of dollars for each construct.  I plan to start with the smaller Knight Paladin titan, which I will be altering to include a twin linked heavy bolter to its CCW arm, and some kind of cyclone missile launcher mounted on its shoulders.

This week I will be securing my materials, conduct some planning, and then begin construction.  I am speaking with some people who have made these titans previously and I have an amazing 20+ page template for the warhound, so I expect that to come out really well once I get it done.

I will be using mostly plasticard, with various craft store items, probably green stuff, and aactual 40k bits.  I will be putting up pictures as I actually make progress, and I would greatly appreciate suggestions in materials or methods during this project as this is my first major work of this kind.



Current off the top of my head materials list (for both titans):
Coffee straws
SM and IG vehicle bits (hatches, radar dish and antanna, pipes, pintle and missiles)
Mesh gratings
Plasticard (0.09”, 0.06”, or .04-.05”)
Copper/sautering wire
Sprue plastic
Green stuff?
Transformers/other toys for heads/weapons/bits
Cardboard pipes
40k terrain bits, think basilica,
Magnets for limbs and mobility
Pvc tubes, thin and small
Guitar string
Bottle tops (joints)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: burgers4me on August 12, 2009, 07:26:59 PM
Aim high and aim hard, eh?
I have no experience with scratch-building, but I do hope for full pictorial reports, like Brother Argos's scratch guard. Have a look.

And remember, good lcuk!
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 12, 2009, 07:56:26 PM
With the template for the Warhound, it shouldnt be too hard as long as I work carefully and with patience.  The Knight Paladin will probably be without a template so it will be much more interesting, but is still pretty simple and requires little enough materials that I wont feel terribly bad if I mess it up.  I may do that one in cardboard or some stock paper before I try it in plasticard to ensure I do it right.



I have also found templates for rhinos, drop pods, and numerous other tanks, titans, and vehicles so I'll be trying the drop pod and rhino before long as well.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: lordyupa on August 12, 2009, 08:17:57 PM
Any chance you would be willing to share that Warhound template?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 12, 2009, 09:59:05 PM
Once I get the file sent to me, aye.  The below link is for the titan the template is after (with some alterations to fix some problems of scale).

http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58676 (http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58676)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 13, 2009, 12:47:18 AM
So I've been giving some consideration to the weapons I'll be using for my Knight and Warhound titans.

As I mentioned I'll be making a Knight Paladin Titan, which is equipped with a DCCW (I may choose to switch this to another baslitic weapons instead, which is more practical and easier to model, but I'll consider that later) and is also equipped with a Knight Battle Cannon (Range 72” STR8 AP3 Apocalypse Barrage 2).  I have two older version IG Leman Russ sponson heavy bolters which I will be rigging together into a TL hard point on the DCCW if I have it.  I also am going to add a typhoon missile launcher, which I am going to do in a similar way as how I did it on my land speeder (pictures below if I can manage to attach them), though I will probably add it to a wrack.  I could add the chaos missile launcher, but I like how these look better and this is to be a loyalist titan. 

I've decided for my warhound, for now at least, to equip it with a Vulcan Mega-Bolter, and a Double-Barrelled Turbo-Laser Destructor.


Also, these are the basic forms of the Knight Titan I will be trying to duplicate:
http://www.epicast.com/lostbanned/DSC06338.JPG (http://www.epicast.com/lostbanned/DSC06338.JPG)
http://www.epicast.com/lostbanned/EpicastKnight.jpg (http://www.epicast.com/lostbanned/EpicastKnight.jpg)

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2Fwarhammer077.jpg&hash=e4133eabc588526da9a247b845fdf86afbe7ab6c)
(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2Fwarhammer078.jpg&hash=5cf71b1d07418b7e308ddb3699f8b574b7dd5c19)


I know straight off that the head for the knight paladin is going to be a challenge to find a good fit.   I'd love to use a necron head, but I need a head near the size of a full necron model.  This leaves me pretty open to finding a proper head.  Regretably I don't think I'll be finding one from 40k bits, so I may actually be stuck looking through toy stores to find some childs robot or some such that has a fitting head by size and appearance.  My green stuff experience is far too rudimentary to probably make a head completely out of green stuff, but I may confer with my main gaming mate who has more experience with it (granted mostly just for cloaks and the like) and maybe we can come up with a fitting duplicate together.  I'll be speaking to him tomorrow about it.  I may also be able to secure some good bits from him as well.  Anyone having suggestions for the head would be highly appreciated for such input!

For now, though, I havent been able to find any templates for the Knight titans, and so I really don't have any precise frame of reference for their dimensions other than pictures, so I may be forced into working on the warhound first (which is sad because the Knight titan would be far easier for me to actually use in non-armageddon games).  We'll see what I can manage in the next few days for templates and planning/techniques for the Knight.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: ALshroth on August 15, 2009, 06:33:38 AM
Parts well - PC ribbon cable makes good coverings ( and saves alot of time making the coils on plasma weapons.

Knight - I'm using a sentanal head on mine.

Warhound - Turbolasers and plasma (blastgun?) looks more promising but I wonder if the shadowsword (stormlord) VMB is the correct size.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 15, 2009, 12:51:33 PM
An IG sentinel?  Isnt that considerably too big for a knight titan?  And you're building one?  Are you using any kind of template or just doing it free hand?



Part of the weapon selection is coolness factor.  I may take the plasma blaster over the turbo laser, but I like the vulcan bolter too much not to take.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 15, 2009, 06:10:24 PM
Going through my specs I already have a good amount of the materials I need to start this (0.04" and 0.08" plasticard, some tubes, hard and soft mesh grills), but I was too tired to head off to my university to print off the 5 sets of templates I have for my various projects.  Sometime this weekend, or maybe on my way through the city monday I'll be picking those up.

I find myself missing some of the tools that I will probably want.  I need to pick up some actual super glue, maybe a hand saw...but I'm not sure about that.  I've always needed a good clipper for sprue work, which I'll need for this and other projects.  A hot glue gun already seems like a good idea, for putting together 3/4 of a piece, gluing the joints from the inside to reinforce them.  Maybe tomorrow I'll head to some craft stores, home depot, and joanne fabrics (you'd be surprised what bits and materials you can get there!).

By next week I hope to have everything in order to start the feet, and I may start the weapons early because theyre so damned cool..but I suppose I should wait until I have the official forgeworld book so I can properly decide which weapons I want to field.  We shall see.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: ALshroth on August 16, 2009, 03:04:02 PM
An IG sentinel?  Isnt that considerably too big for a knight titan?  And you're building one?  Are you using any kind of template or just doing it free hand?
I don't see why, A knight is a single person titan so the sentinal cockpit is a perfect starter.
(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi51.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff352%2FAJB2K3%2FSMurfs%2FHead4.jpg&hash=003b01585c60d376f01283ca6f7321cbdce804a3)
As to plans I'm going to wing it if I can ever get a defiler, but its being based on a lucius pattern.
Part of the weapon selection is coolness factor.  I may take the plasma blaster over the turbo laser, but I like the vulcan bolter too much not to take.
Yeh I thought that too which is why someone on warseer did me a favour of taking pics and measurements.
Mine will always be so shocking to show as I have no scratch building fuu :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Scratch Built Titans, Knight and Warhound.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 20, 2009, 10:10:15 PM
Good point with the sentinel for the head.


Okay, so I'm about to put up my laptop and start cutting template pieces out and starting construction.  I naturally want to start with the head or something like that, but as I only have an exacto knife, wire cutters, and scissors for the plasticard I probably should start with the feet for now.  We'll see!


A side project I had was making a terrain piece for my long time continuing project of an Imperial Outpost (bunkers, watch towers, chemical/fueling area, barracks, comm tower, various barriers and what not).  Instead of making a weapon tarantula I found a perfect piece of plastic that is a semi piramid (top half cut off) and used magnets to mount a 4 rail missile launcher with radar dish and laser targeter.  I need to experiment with the self made rules to find something fair, practical, and balanced.  Suggestions on those would be appreciated.

The project continues.  I havent made my paint order yet but grabbed a pot of ultramarine blue and have been working on stuff.  I've started working on my vindicator and I will get picks of it WIP up soon perhaps, just not sure if there's any real point to WIP pics.  It's all really simple.  So far everything has been base coated ultramarines blue with several watered down coats (some parts in white but doesnt look good so screw it, blue it is but small parts for contrast), and I have toothpick applied gold to all the rivets.  Next will be boltgun metal base coats and detailing on their respective parts. 

Also I was going to make a missile launcher tarantula, but ended up making a semi-piramid missile platform with 4 rails-4 missiles, and have made a rough rule design for them.  It's probably not balanced at this point, but we'll see.  If anyone has ideas on point and rule balance I'd appreciate it.  I know the points balance is pretty low at this point, it's just a start.  Pictures soon.  I went out to get my 'Make It Stone' spraypaint that I use for my terrain concrete pieces, but the two places I went today don't carry it anymore, and I dont want to use another brand unless I have to.  It's finished though and the missile platform is mounted on magnates to give it some rotating ability until i find the lego rotating piece I wanted to use.



Armour 13 all sides (12 seemed impractical, given how immediately people may want to blow the amphetamine parrot out of it)
BS 4
Immobile
Capable of anti-air fire.

25pts Penetrator Missile: Range: 12-120” S: 10 AP: 2 (small blast?)
45pts Firestorm Missile: Range: 12-120” S: 8 AP: 3 Ordnance

(missiles can be used directly instead)

100pt base (120?), at least one missile choice mandatory.

Advanced Targeting (Should I require extra points for this option?): through use of radar targeting equipment, and information relayed form other field units, if the weapon's target is not in LoS the weapon still subtracts -1 from scatter roles, and a total of -2 if a friendly unit has LoS.  These bonuses do not apply when the target is in LoS of the firing platform.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 20, 2009, 11:25:59 PM
So my initial reaction in starting the feet is that it's a major be-atch to try to bend plasticard no matter the thickness.  After I finish something I'm going to try just cutting the parts, gluing them together, and filling the cracks with goop instead of bending them.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 21, 2009, 12:11:32 AM
Well with further experimentation tonight it looks like cutting each of the facings of each template piece and then gluing those together is going to be the method by which I assemble this thing.  I then goop in the cracks, (reinforcing between the joints and pieces on the inside of each piece with goop as well), though many parts of this titan are going to look fairly rough.  Its hard to cut precisely with the tools I have.  My reccommendation for those attempting to make these from scratch is Always (obvious but still) measure and cut as precisely as possible.  I may end up using green stuff just to smooth pieces when I have it all built.

Tonights template cutting, and experimentation and formation of the first piece (the simplest, and first of 10 pieces in the first foot, ignoring the pistons I dont have yet) has probably taken me 2-3 hours.  Granted I cut duplicate pieces of template because I was watching a movie and didnt notice :p  Over this weekend I should have the feet at the least completed, and should have pictures of them sometime during that.

I'm also likely this weekend to make my scratch built drop pod, which should be fairly simple, though I have to run and get some balsa for it.  I'll have pics up of those as well when I get a chance.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: ALshroth on August 21, 2009, 01:07:41 AM
Sounds interesting so far.
As to the missle do dad, look at the rules for the Imperial manticore.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on August 21, 2009, 02:17:02 AM
Fool heat bend!

Plasticard is designed not to bend. So mark you line and use a hot iron to heat the plasticard and then bend. PRESTO!
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 21, 2009, 02:47:25 AM
Aye, I know I can heat bend the stuff, but it's just such an additional pain.  It is something I'd like to experiment with but, I just really have no even close to easy way to do that right now (other than toss it under my super heated laptop...heh).  Using an actual clothing Iron is really not ideal for my work place, but I may try to find the thing and give it a whirl.  Cutting the template pieces into its constituent sidings is working just fine, though I do expect to work in small amounts of modeling clay along the cracks to even it all out, especially sense the cutting and marking isnt precise enough anyway so it's all pretty damn rough, but the shape is there so it can be pulled into place with modeling clay/green stuff.

I havent seen the rules for the manticore, but I plan on getting the imperial armour so I can have the official, as it were, rules for the warhound anyway.

Half of one foot is done.  Will get both feet done this weekend.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on August 21, 2009, 04:37:51 AM
Just wondering, are you using my template? Cause I am tempted to use it too, and I would like to see how it is working :D
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 21, 2009, 01:24:21 PM
I am using the only one I have seen online, which I have seen through many sources.  It is supposedly the one from a scratch built WIP thread on warseer, which I think I linked at the beginning of this thread.  I know a lot of people have done it since, and it seems to be working well so far, but I'll have to get more than the feet done to know.  With the plasticard I already have I should be able to get the legs done and a good part of the torso, so I should be able to answer that fairly well in the next week or two. 

I have a material list together for my pvc pipes and a few other things, which I will probably try to get tomorrow.  Some things I need to order online, but I have a source for that, I just havent done it yet.

It was suggested that I use 0.05-6" plasticard for the detailwork, and 0.09" for the main body.  I've been using 0.04" for the feet so far and I think this is a good thickness, though 0.05-6 may have been better probably, I just didnt have any of it.  Working with 0.09 because of its thickness makes me kinda go meehhh, because if 0.04 is a be-atch to work with, 0.09 is going to be much worse, but I should consider doing this for maybe the leg armour, and the entire upper body minus head and detailing.  I think I'll have to try heat bending for these pieces, theyre too thick to glue together the constituent parts without a lot more precision than I've been working with.  The templates weren't meant for the methods I'm using.  We shall see, I will likely try out and practice heat bending soon.


I managed to find the rules and points for the manticore missile system, but I find it to be over powered, so I'm going to stick to my own rules, albeit probably with some tweaking.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on August 21, 2009, 06:15:19 PM
Have you thought about using small balls, (Gold balls, sqaush balls) as joints. It would probably allow DYNAMIC POSING! :D
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 21, 2009, 07:49:58 PM
I havent.  I don't really have enough experience to go that far off template yet, and am not sure how I'd do that exactly.  Can you describe the method by which I would implement these?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on August 22, 2009, 05:23:33 AM
Ummmm, replace the leg joint with a ball, then add extra armour and stuff to cover/detail the ball.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 22, 2009, 02:39:00 PM
Ahh.  I'm probably just going to keep it standard for now.  I like the standard pose fine enough.


Going to get to work on my creation before long.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects (terrain and otherwise).
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 22, 2009, 09:22:01 PM
I want to try out heat bending the next time I work on the warhound, but didnt want to go to the trouble of getting out the iron (wherever the thing is..) so I haven't actually worked on the titan today.  I did spend a while toying with some sprew bits and I think 30 guage copper wire, and erected some pretty good looking barbed wire.  A few years ago I started working on an imperial outpost, and lately I have actually been putting effort into it.  Lately the things completed have included the barbed wire, a fuel/chemical tank, and the immobile missile launcher. 

Things completed so far (some requiring tweaking, painting, bits, or other minor work):
2 bunkers
watch tower
marble columns
several stone walls
several gothic barriers
several large stones
2 mine fields
2 tank traps
barbed wire
missile platform
chemical/fuel tank and barrels
1 small ruins
small wooded areas (mostly just cut green felt)
Probably more but I cant be bothered to go down to the garage and check.


Things to be finished (many started but with substancial work needed):
barracks
comm tower/building
supply/ammo dump
more tank traps (hand made)
Some manner of ramparts (may not be used for the outpost itself, but I do have some rather perfect styrofoam for this)
other stuff yet thought of/remembered.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on August 23, 2009, 05:20:31 AM
Tank traps are easy, just hack up styrofoam to the desired shape :D
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 23, 2009, 01:47:17 PM
For the tank traps I'm probably going to use bits of sprue plastic.  I have tons of the stuff saved up, and its great for stuff like this.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 23, 2009, 05:17:50 PM
For now I have decided to continue just cutting apart the templates and gluing them together.  With a bit more experience, and more care, it's working just fine.  I will be getting some...well I forget what it's really call, but a kind of putty that dries and then you can sand it smooth, to use for cracks and gaps.

I expect to finish the feet and ankles today, and then maybe some of the legs, though I need to go and grab the PVC I need later this week for the various joints.  I should have pics up tonight.


Edit:  Making good progress, foot, ankles, and half of toes done.  Now just to cut and glue the second half of the toes and I'll be done for the day.  Will get pics up after that of the progress, as well as the missile platform and my new barbed wire.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 24, 2009, 03:43:21 AM
Finished up the feet tonight.  Some parts came out well, some are quite rough.  This tuesday or so I will be getting some poxy putty type stuff to keep it smooth and even. Because I'll be using the poxy I havent glued the parts of the feet together yet, hence the feet not being raised up by the toes as they should be.  Makes it look kinda weird without it assembled.  Also I'm going to be ordering the pistons soon.  I'll also be adding more plasticard to the feet and toes to make it look more bulked out and better shaped, after the poxy is done with.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP8230001.jpg&hash=a8d77b22036f0988228a8e9481dbed01e10694c3)
(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP8230003.jpg&hash=92252e299e7b8d905af6afa75032e4817fba89f8)


The wire took longer than I thought, but no huge surprises, made it while watching a movie.  Unpainted and unbased, but pretty satisfied with it.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP8230019.jpg&hash=b2ee709c307f7f9100342a55a84d3fcbb33daebf)


I'll be getting the stone textured spraypaint tuesday and making this look better, but here's the missile platform.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP8230014.jpg&hash=afba515aada59c95297fc8396b3405abf7915bde)
(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP8230017.jpg&hash=7ae5d12ff8d62d651b263c003402611a1bc8efd5)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on August 24, 2009, 04:54:39 AM
Looks good, and how come I am the only one who replies here?
Just BTW, whats the missile pod for?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 24, 2009, 12:56:48 PM
Just a general terrain piece and possible game use in certain scenarios and campaigns, using the rules i created.

i think this forum section just isnt very busy.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 27, 2009, 01:04:50 AM
Last night I got the shin armour cut, though all in whole pieces, which I will try to heat bend.  I make the effort for these pieces mainly because they will be one of the very few pieces that are made from 0.08" plasticard, which is the thicker size.  Throughout the rest of this week I intend to finish cutting and assembling the leg pieces, as well as designing and cutting extra armour and other pieces for the feet and legs that were not part of the template.  The WIP guide/thread I have studied, which is the source of my template, does this to his titan, which I find fully necessary.  The feet without any extra bits look so plain and just...incomplete/weak.  I will let you all know what measurements these pieces are and will put pictures up of them once I decide how I want to proceed for them. 

I also hope this week to manage to get down to home depot to pick up my PVC, plaster, and whatever other bits I think may be useful for the titan, or for terrain/other projects of mine.

I am intending on adding some defensive weaponry to my titan, perhaps around the knees, or up at the hips/groin.  I think what is most practical for this is adding the vehicle missile launchers, and perhaps also some heavy bolters/storm bolters/maybe flamers or heavy flamers lower on the body for self defense.  I do have a couple of sponson/hull mounted heavy bolter bits that would work great for this, maybe even coming out of the shin armour or knee joints, but I'm remiss to use these as I may want to use them for a scratch built pred/pred conversion I may do from scratch soon.  These bits, however, can be added later in its construction.  Any additional suggestions would be appreciated.

I have been giving some thought as to how I will wish to use my titan in battle.  My current army style is primarily a firepower base (predator, whirlwind, landspeeder typhoon, terminators) and an aggressive element that drop pods or quickly attacks to take down my opponents major attacking units and mobility (dropped sternguard with melta/flamer bomb+libby, dread with MM+HF, vindicator).  Given that the titan will be such a points investment, and a huge portion of my damage output, I can't just toss him away, and have to expect heavy attacks on it.  Given this, I intend to use it as the core of my fire support, deploying it in a corner of the board as possible and surrounding its base with my two tactical squads, and my non-aggressive vehicles so that my opponent cannot deep strike or move into CC with the titan with super units like fire dragons, melta sternguard, etc.  My aggressive units will target opposing war machines (just one baneblade that hasnt even been completely constructed in the year+ he's owned it), and other major threats.

I do hope in time after this titan is completed to design some campaigns and scenarios around it, so I may toy around with this during the building project.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: ALshroth on August 27, 2009, 12:40:16 PM
Its very hard to comment without lots of pics.
Mine is stalled atm due to this damn space hulk and trying to build 7 6X4foot board for my club. :o That and this damn ubuntu computer is playing up again.
Dare I say it but I may buy a new laptop with win7 just for printing.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 27, 2009, 03:37:25 PM
Aye, it takes a while before threads like these take off.  I think once I get the legs done, the poxy on and smoothed, as well as some extra armour and bits people may start taking some interest as it becomes substantial. 

I know how you feel about the comps...My laptop is now, after 5 years, held together with duct tape, and wont charge without me jamming the chard cord into the port at a certain angle and holding it.  This speaks of nothing about its performance.  I will never again buy a dell...  My desktop...well...it s not as bad.

For my space hulk games I just printed out the GW templates and pasted them onto cardboard/cardstock.  Not nearly as cool, but I havent really found anyone interested enough in kill teams or space hulk to make anything more comprehensive.



In a very minor update, I have a game scheduled tonight with my main gaming mate, having him bring over his apocalypse book so I can get the warhound info out of it, and likely solidify my weapons choice out of that.  I would imagine in the future, however, I may make some alternate weapons.

Also a question to those actually viewing this thread.  What colour schemes do the titan legions tend to use?  Scheme suggestions?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 27, 2009, 11:56:24 PM
Having taken down the rules for the Warhound titan from the Apocalypse book, I have settled on equipping my titan with the Double-Barreled Turbo Laser Destructor and the Vulcan Mega-Bolter.  This is so that I have a massive source of anti-personnel fire, and can guarantee that I can nuke any tank I want, even those blasted land raiders and their pesky assault terminators too!  Also I have a couple tubes I may use for the turbo laser, but in reality they are probably too big.  Too bad I'm not making an emperor titan with a Gatling cannon, they'd be perfect for that.

I'm really kind of surprised at the cost of the Warhound; at less than 800 points you really have no choice but to take it!

Nothing else really to say for the moment.  Tomorrow I don't think I will have time for any worth on the titan, with a job interview, some errands, and then cooking for a group in the afternoon/evening.  This weekend I should finish getting the legs formed, and hopefully make some progress on the extra armour bits for the feet.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: ALshroth on August 28, 2009, 01:11:27 AM
Also a question to those actually viewing this thread.  What colour schemes do the titan legions tend to use?  Scheme suggestions?
Too many to say but try

http://www.epic40k.co.uk/force/titanorders.pdf (http://www.epic40k.co.uk/force/titanorders.pdf)
http://wh40k.lexicanum.de/wiki/Titanenlegion (http://wh40k.lexicanum.de/wiki/Titanenlegion)
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2008/07/bols-mini-dex-downloads-archive.html (http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2008/07/bols-mini-dex-downloads-archive.html)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 28, 2009, 01:57:55 PM
Thanks, those are some great links :)

I really would love to get a banner made for my titan, for between the legs, maybe hanging from one of the weapons, but sadly the banners they have on BOLS are less than desirable.  I may have to have one designed.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: ALshroth on August 28, 2009, 02:33:16 PM
So Which legion are you going to join?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 28, 2009, 05:00:26 PM
Well given the connection with Ultramar I like the idea of Legio Praetor, though the bols file doesnt describe their colours or any other kinds of details.  Without a good source of actual fluff about them, I'm primarily concerned with the colour scheme.  I think I will end up designing my own, or having my girlfriend design the titans banner to hang from the groin.  As far as the colour scheme goes I found a number of general colour schemes that I like, which at the below. 


(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi242.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff243%2Fchrispcarter%2FLO%2520Posts%2FTitan%2FColours%2FWarhoundUltramarine1stCompany.jpg&hash=045c4dad324245951cc67ce40397e7f39235275b)

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi242.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff243%2Fchrispcarter%2FLO%2520Posts%2FTitan%2FColours%2FWarhoundIGColours3.jpg&hash=5ec5d4fcc5a5a5a03081917f3ff2f4259b015fe9)

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi242.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff243%2Fchrispcarter%2FLO%2520Posts%2FTitan%2FColours%2FWarhoundIGColours4.jpg&hash=59277782ec8e7ad598bc05785a0b15e4418c9f3a)

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi242.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff243%2Fchrispcarter%2FLO%2520Posts%2FTitan%2FColours%2FWarhoundPurpleWhite.jpg&hash=47007e3ae39fc12f27783d05113ea441989dce7b)

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi242.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fff243%2Fchrispcarter%2FLO%2520Posts%2FTitan%2FColours%2FWarhoundRedWhite.jpg&hash=06f69940e70ed98e9d352e9500e57ce7787c3eca)

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So picking one of these to base my titan off is probably what will happen.  I like the spottling effect, I may have to figure out how that is done well, so that I can give my titan more depth and detail.  I do really like the dark red and the dark purple main colour schemes, but we'll see in time.  I imagine before it's fully assembled I will choose my colour scheme, base coat with a fitting spraypaint, and then do whatever overcoats are necessary to give it depth and the final colour I desire.  As my titan is going to be more simple than the forgeworld version, there will sadly be probably a lot less of the dark boltgun metal colour, though I think the upper toe portion, the non-armoured parts of the legs and arms will be just fine painted in this manner, similar to my dreadnaught (as below).

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2Fwarhammer058.jpg&hash=0db4dae63b0163a1665b414e942fb13eb18bae99)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 28, 2009, 05:16:48 PM
Just some notes to myself really.  Trying to think of ways to do parts of the titan, and additions I can make to fill him out.



Extra armour around the bottom toes, and raised up a bit in the front of it.

Extra armour along the curves of the shin armour.

Boltgun metal on the extra armour/non armoured areas.

Rivets on crotch, toes, extra armour bits where fitting.

Grill on the top, mini fans if possible.

Defensive weapons on the top of the shins, below the knees. 

Pen bodies for the turbo laser?

Needle covers for mega bolter holes, or if too big use coffee straws.

Copper wiring, but where to use?

Hatches on shoulders.

Purity seals, texts, and banners on weapons, and other parts.

Imperial eagles on the shins
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on August 29, 2009, 06:40:04 PM
I'm experimenting with trying to make some extra armour for the toe segments, but I'm not satisfied thus far.  I used 0.08" plasticard, and I think I may redo it in 0.04", but the shape seems off.  I think I'm done messing with it for now, though.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 1, 2009, 06:36:48 PM
So today I head out to home depot in a few and see about getting the PVC and other parts and materials I need.  This will include 10 pieces of PVC large tubing for joints, and quite possibly small pieces enough for the turbo laser tubes.  I'm going for 1/2" tubes for the main barrel, and maybe smaller or bigger ones to come out of the end/surround the main barrel.  Also I'll be looking for the poxy putty stuff.  May even use dry wall, who knows.

Earlier I grabbed 1/16" brass dowels to cut and use for rivets.  I'm not sure how well it will come out, I have to file down the ends everytime I cut one, and theyre a be-atch to cut in the first place.  I think they'll look good though.  The plasticard dowels were 4x as expensive.

I think I have decided on red for my base colour, with quite possibly a white head but even though the plasticard is white I LOATH PAINTING WHITE.  So we'll see.  Most metal bits in boltgun metal, brass, or gold.

I picked two specific 40k terrain building pieces I want to use on my titan.  A friend of mine should be able to supply the two individual facings.  One will be for the back of the titan, one for the top which will be covered with a metal grating.

I've changed my mind as to how to do the extra armour on the feet, I'll experiment with it tonight perhaps.

I am going to be looking for materials that are good for bending, wrapping around other parts, and are overall used for detail work/filling out parts of my titan where the strength of plasticard is not needed and the malleability is better.



I have been giving further thought to titan tactics as my opponent remarks on putting his own mind to the task of taking down my warhound.  The two best methods I see for taking down my titan are based around denying its firepower.  If you can deny nearly 800 points of your opponents firepower, you have a big advantage.  So either drop podding to get really close, and shooting/assaulting, or rhino rushing as fast as possible for the same effect.  Given that my opponent as far as his marines are concerned, are hardcore dark angels, and therefore use the old version of the drop pod, this is not so much of a worry.  Also dealing with an armoured advance isnt too daunting wither with Heavy 2 5" blast str D, and H15 Str 6 weapons coming from my titan alone, and then the large amount of drop pod meltas, and ranged str 8 weaponry I host.  We will see what he comes up with though.



Off to home depot I go.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 1, 2009, 08:16:17 PM
Still looking for 1/2" tubing to use for the turbo lasers.  I found some at a hobby shop today, but it was more expensive than I wanted.  I have the PVC, which I need to cut later, 3 feet of various sizes for 3$.  Not bad at all.  I bought wood filler to use to even out the pieces I have made so far, we'll see how it goes.

Will work on it all more during the next few days and should have pics up of fully formed feet with extra armour, rivets, and putty.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 3, 2009, 02:10:22 PM
I applied all the wood filling to the feet ankles and toes last night, but couldn't find my sand paper.  Will grab some and see how that came out.  If it worked okay then I will begin assembly of the feet, and probably spray painting.  I've decided to go with the red colour scheme, but not sure how to get the shade I want exactly, so I guess we'll just start with a red spray base coat and go from there.

I will be making a PVC order online for the pistons soon, and my paint order as well that I've been wanting to do for months.  Yay for glow in the dark greek for eyes and panels!

I should have pictures up by this weekend.  Just not sure if I'll get time tonight or tomorrow night to work on this stuff.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 7, 2009, 04:16:03 PM
So I have done the wood filler for all the cracks, sanded it down, and base coated the feet, toes, and ankles.  The wood filler worked fairly well, but its really hard to smooth down properly, so now that it's painted I'm pretty unsatisfied with it (picture below).  Fast drying modeling clay may have been the superior choice.  I may recover them at some point, and repaint, but for now today I am going to design the extra armour, cut it, paint it, attach it, cut and file rivets (done with 1/16" brass rod) and assemble the feet. 

Given the wood filler results I'm really going to try head bending for the rest of the work, and hopefully it will be fairly easy.  If not I may just have to sink some cash into modeling clay, which I hope not because doing individual pieces takes a lot of time, and a considerable amount more when you use wood filler, and then sand it down.

I'm trying to decide if the upward raised toe joints should be painted boltgun metal, I based them in my cherry red spray paint, but we'll see once they're assembled.  I wonder the same about the ankle assembly, but not much of that should be viewable anyway. 

While working on my vindicator yesterday I found that I finished painting the top side grill and realized I had the fan bit that goes over the top.  Since I already painted the grill I decided to steal the fan bit for my titan, either on the top, or it's back. Its a perfect piece that I've been wanting.


Pictures will be up later of the assembled foot most likely.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP9070005.jpg&hash=acafa10341880d97fa15e01f5d2ceee8062957b5)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 7, 2009, 08:53:27 PM
Base coating and assembly is done.  It feels good to be able to really look at the progress I've made.  In a few I think I'm going to get to cutting the extra armour, the rivets, and testing out the blotchy paint effect for my colour scheme (picture below).  I'll be using a slightly darker red, and if I can find one sitting around somewhere, a makeup removing sponge...thing...or just blister padding, and semi-dry brushing it on.

Its pretty rough so far, with the feet being the first pieces of real plasticard work I have done.  I doubt I will get to starting the leg structure tonight, but we'll see.  I should hopefully have more pics to put up of the extra armour and the blotting.  I had wanted to do extra armour around the bottom of the outermost toes, but it didnt end up looking good so the extra armour may just be a plate on the top and front of each toe.

Also, note that these are also still requiring the pistons that would extend from the outer toe piece, to the foot piece, one on each side of the inner toe pieces.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FWarhoundRedWhite.jpg&hash=96c09b6a51bd62db9c32cf8a5e547cff9db2ae6c)
Colour scheme will be this, though I am uncertain as to whether I want the head white or not.  Even on white plasticard white is just a total be-atch.

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi222.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd17%2FAlgavinn_of_Biel_Tan%2FP9070007.jpg&hash=f7201812199701aed43af65f76ff97695a25968e)

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Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 8, 2009, 11:49:01 PM
Spent a little bit of time on the toe extra armour this evening.  Trying to decide how exactly I want to do it.  I have some armour pieces cut, painted, and riveted, just not fully sure on the positioning.

Also tried a bit of the spottled painting, I just dont know how to do it properly, and not make it look like shat.


I'm currently considering making a forgeworld order for some of the etched brass eagles, and the Mars skull badge, to add extra details to my model, and maybe one of their inquisitor models for my kill team.  This largely being if I can get some one to add some stuff to the order to minimize shipping expenses.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: moc065 on September 13, 2009, 01:10:03 PM
OK..;. I go on vacation and you start thsi one up... WOW.

Nice beginning, and I love the colour theme so far. (RED, goes faster, and looks great).

Could not help noticing the background in one pic was a "template" care to share ? Oh and on the same topic, when I did the Monolith by scratch I used Cardboard from GW Figure boxes, I would suggest the same for some part of your titan, as the Plasti card can get expensive (although its great for the legs, added strength and all)..

Watchingthis one with interest, as I want to do an Eldar Tian... Yes, curves an all... and I already did the Head. My very own Resin cast... Here is is beside an actual Wrathlord Head... If you know any inside info on the Eldar Titan... please share,and I will do the same for you on this project (although your doind very well so far anyway).

(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi188.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz251%2Fmoc065%2F40%2520K%2FProjects%2FTitan%2FP3150007.jpg&hash=084001f7d92e62398c6cdccbeb94ee43a716d35f)(https://www.40konline.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi188.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz251%2Fmoc065%2F40%2520K%2FProjects%2FTitan%2FP3150008.jpg&hash=a37d429d8d0bc6784036fdf2b1977e449d1ecc36)

Cheers
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: burgers4me on September 13, 2009, 05:55:36 PM
Moc, I posted the links for the download for Warhound and Reaver plans on the first page somwhere :D
For the spottled painting, have you thought of stippling with a large, cheapo paint brush? good for large coverage :D
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 17, 2009, 08:58:08 PM
Thanks for the input Moc, and the head looks good so far!

Aye, I have a fair amount of boxes sitting around, a few of the crammed under the desk.  I may do that for the guns, and other bits.  Definitely wanting the stability in the legs, though.  Some bits on the body I may do with cardboard so that I can alter it to add bits more easily and go off template.  I have a number of bits/materials on hand waiting to go into use on the torso to make it look more detailed and interesting.

I'd be happy to email you the templates...all of them if you want them.  I have warhound, reaver, imperator, as well as just about all imperial and marine vehicles, lots of buildings, the monolith, some tau stuff, some eldar, some ork, civilian vehicles, etc.  I'm sure I have your email somewhere but I wouldnt know where.  If you want to PM me it just let me know what templates you want.  I am pretty satisfied with this template, it does a good job, but definitely demands adding bits and expanding it considerably with extra armour, etc. so that it doesnt look flat.

In an actual update, as it were, I havent done any work on this in a bit, primarily because I had a surgery last week and have been pretty exhausted all of the time, sleeping through most of the days and being unable to really use my eyes.  I'm pretty much recovered, if still tired, so I expect to get back to construction soon, and will likely leave the extra armour on the feet until later because its really slowing me down and making me unmotivated to work on it.


I am hoping to work on the drop pod during/after this construction, as well as the monolith as I will be ordering my Necrons soon, but I definitely think I will be making a Reaver before too long.  Its a really fun project, and the Reaver is really twice the titan the Warhound is, and yet still so usable.  For the points, titans really are a steal.


Oh, and as far as the Eldar titans, while I dont seem to have any modeling info I do have various sources of rule info, so I can parcel that out as well.  Most of it unofficial stuff I dont believe GW/FW ever released.


aaaannnd, I did try stippling a bit a week or so back, but it really didnt come out well (tried it on the bottom of the toes).  Havent ever tried it before and not sure how to manage.  Straight red really looks bland, so I will need to figure something out.  Have you ever done spottling Moc?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 23, 2009, 09:36:28 PM
Tonight I hope to find some time to cut out the templates and then the plasticard for the legs, so that perhaps this weekend or soon I can try heat bending and get the legs assembled.

This friday I have a 2500 or 3000pt test game to see how the titan fits into my army style and how I intend to field him (as heavy fire support which I organize my fire support section around in a defensive formation, with my aggressive units more angled towards taking down threats to the titan) and how the weapons I want to build will serve me.  I will let you all know how it goes.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: moc065 on September 26, 2009, 04:56:51 PM
Boiling water usually works for me... as flame work is dodgy at best....

Cheers
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 26, 2009, 10:44:07 PM
I do wish I had an electric kitchen boiler....I do need to pick one of those up.  Is there any negative effect in cookware from anything possibly coming off plasticard?  Boiling/very hot water does sound like a good idea, though I wasn't intending on using any kind of actual flame, just a clothes iron.  Water is a lot easier, though, I am thinking.


The test game got postponed, by the way.  Hoping to pick it up soon, but damn I do lead a busy life at least in how my time is claimed.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: moc065 on September 27, 2009, 09:38:48 PM
I just use a pot and water... boil the water, and dip the plastic in (using tongs) or hold over the steam... then bend and shape gently and slowly (some time multiple cooks)...

I use the dishwasher to clean the pot after.. no problem.. Wife doesn't even nag me for it.

Cheers
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on September 29, 2009, 11:34:50 PM
Thanks for the tips moc.  I've been crazy busy lately, starting back up my studies this fall, hiring employees, and taking care of the sick girlfriend, but really hoping to try this soon!
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on October 8, 2009, 07:04:47 PM
Life has been crazy busy lately, so I haven't had any time to work on the warhound in a while.  however I'm sitting down now to cut out the leg pieces.  Also, I went to the dollar store the other day and managed to grab some Terrible quality army man toys, which happened to come with proper scale assault cannons, and something I may use for Gatling assault cannons.  Given this, I think I have my extra/defensive weapons for the warhound, and for the knight titan I hope to make at some point.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: moc065 on October 11, 2009, 09:08:21 PM
Go Dollar store Go..

Cheap is always good in my books... Show pics

Cheers
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on October 11, 2009, 09:22:55 PM
Aye, I'll get picks up of those bits in the next few days.   I meant Gatling auto cannons and individual assault cannons, by the way. 

I have the leg plates all cut and ready for bending, but may not have the time for a week or so to actually do it.  Anytime I actually remember I'll have all the PVC joints cut and ready to go, and in a few I think I'm going to cut the templates for the hips and the joint caps.

Yesterday I received 5 more terminators, and a friend is handing me another missile launcher for them, so I'll be 3000 ready to test out the titan soon.  I'm really excited to get this things legs together so that I have something a bit more assembled than feet (kinda takes away from the effect with no real height and when its not connected).

I think a couple of Gatling auto cannons is probably a bit much as a defensive weapon without dishing out more points for it in compensation, so I will probably attach the assault cannons somewhere around waist level as discussed earlier.

In unrelated news, it's actually been a few weeks since I worked on my vindicator, but it's nearly painted, I really just need to do cleanup work, lights and other small details, and highlighting.  I just haven't been in the mood to paint in a while.  I also did some updating on my whirlwind with some extra detailing, namely adding chipping, smoke marks, and other weathering.

For my next painting target I'm thinking either some of my terminators, or another tac squad.  The tac squad I always use (always use two), and the terminators I almost always use as well, but I'm leaning towards the terminators as I have a bit more room for doing something more unique and detail oriented (I have some skull piles, some genestealer skulls, and other bits).

Terrain wise I havent really been working on anything, even though I have many projects that have been started (one bunker, a comm tower, a watch tower, a dozen more of my gothic barriers, and so on).  Given my time constraints I probably wont be starting anything new soon, though I have some really awesome bastion/rampart shaped Styrofoam (yay for the spouse buying a new computer!), if I didnt mention that already, but I doubt I'll do anything with that soon either.  Granted when I get my warhound closer to being done and start actual apocalypse games I will definitely be wanting to make a huge defensive bastion to attack and defend in the 3-5000+ range.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on October 14, 2009, 04:13:14 PM
So I took a bit of time trying to list out all the fit and finish detail work I want to do on the warhound to try to make it feel more complete (I had nothing else to do and couldn't leave).  This is certainly not an exhaustive list but I think its a damn good start.


-extra armour on toes, shins, shoulders
-unique banner suspended by chains from groin
-rivets
-vindicator fans on top or back
-terminator skulls (the little AOBR bits for the bases)
-purity seals and vehicle banners (wind flapping DA ones)
-MARS tech symbol (forge world order) for back/shoulder
-assault cannon +/ storm bolter defense weapons
-HP cartridge packaging on shoulders.
-tank hatches on top/back
-sprue plastic for edgework on shoulders
-tank chain bits
-vehicle imperial eagles on shins
-metal grating on top
-stippling/spoting painting texture
-weathering/rusting/chipping


Also I want to do something with green stuff, but I really don't know where to start with that, no idea what I'd do.  I'd like to do something though.  I'd also love to somehow get mini gargoyles for the top of the shoulders if I could find some.

And I'm planning on taking an ork, tyranid, or some other opposing race and using small gauge wire to attach them at the wrists and maybe ankles from the shin armour, bleeding out and eviscerated.  I think that'd be a cool detail.  I have orks on hand and they would be somewhat easy to work with.


Anyone have any additional ideas for detailing this monster?
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: ChaplainRobb on October 14, 2009, 04:40:05 PM
First things first: I want more pictures of this titan!
Aside from that, for greenstuff I'd stick to small details, like maybe the inside of the cockpit.  You can see far too many imperfections if it's on a large scale.  That is if you're not a pro, like some around here.
Gargoyles - the Mordheim building sprues had a few gargoyles to add to the cardboard buildings.  Not sure where you'd find those without spending an arm and a leg, but there it is for you anyway.
Dangling orks - I think it may look better if they were strapped around the leg armor or other areas.  Dangle a few from fairly stationary areas, because if they are indeed swinging from ropes or chains, chances are they'll have long sailed away when the titan swings it's arms or lopes about.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on October 14, 2009, 05:39:44 PM
Thanks for the input rob!  I think I'll be painting and modeling the DE mentioned below first, and then I'm hoping to get the already cut legs assembled and painted, then I'll get pics up.

What I had intended for the hanging corpse is not to just suspend it (though having one tied at the wrists hanging from a weapon is an amusing notion), but to have the wire around each wrist/arm, as well as its ankles and have it tied to the shin armour.  I have given this more thought during more hour commute today, and remembered that I have a host of DE as well.  I think what will work best for now (especially as it takes a lot more work to paint the flesh of an ork and have it look good).  So I will paint up a DE warrior, probably in darker colours to contrast the bright red of the shin armour, he will have a series of cuts and bullet holes on his armour, his head will be hanging forward, as will the torso a little bit.  I will have one of his helmet eyes cracked.  He will be eviscerated, his stomach armour torn open and apart, the armour peeled back a bit.  The edges of that will be blackened as a burn mark, and I may use some green stuff to have some organs popping out.  Edges of armour punctures will be highlighed, as it were, in boltgun metal.  Blood, naturally, will be coming from open wounds, and I may lop off one of his arms at the wrist, or elbow.  Blood will be a bit darker red sot aht it looks dried and so that it stands out on the already bright red armour.

I will also be taking the various opposing army helmets/heads and probably mounting them with the terminator skulls at equal distances on the top of the shoulders.


Allllsoooo I think I'm going to use the green stuff to make muzzle flash flames coming from a few of the vulcan mega bolter barrels.  As long as I can make the flames look moderately good, I think it will be a cool effect.


Annnnd I will naturally be using various loyalist decals, such as the SM vehicle eagles and what not.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on October 16, 2009, 06:57:44 PM
I'm sitting here with the plasticard leg pieces in just off the stove boiling water, but it doesn't seem to be adding any malleability.  I Really do not want to cut them apart then glue them together, but this just isn't working.  It becomes a bit more malleable, but I just snapped a piece trying to get the full angle cleanly bent.

In a period of forced boredom I spent more time looking at the knight titan stats, and decided I wanted one with more ranged damage capacity, so I altered the weapon set for the Knight Warden model, changing it to being equipped with a Knight Battle Cannon, as well as a weapon I designed called the Inferno Rocket Launcher.  72" S10 AP1 Heavy (2) 3" blast.  Melta rule, which is applied at any range, as they do not detonate until contact is made with the target.

The dark eldar model that I will be using to tie to the shin of my titan has been modeled, and just needs to be painted and attached once the leg is made.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on December 5, 2009, 07:45:19 PM
This project has been delayed for the time being due to having to deal with a lot of obligations and illness, as well as for the fact that I would like to figure out a more effective and efficient way to deal with the plasticard (aka bending it somehow or finding another material that will work that will bend as needed, but is still somewhat resilient, unlike cardboard for example).  In 1-2 weeks I will make some inquiries with those I know who have already made some titans and get their thoughts.  I hope to bring some updates of progress soon.  I have the legs cut and waiting to be assembled.
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: moc065 on December 6, 2009, 06:15:48 PM
Thanks for the update.. and I have found that two cereal box pieces glued together are quite strong, and bend easily enough if you work them slowly.

Also, try Foam Core..

Cheers
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Rakuall on December 6, 2009, 06:39:33 PM
foamcore is a be-atch to bend. I would not recommend it at all. Try matboard (similar to cereal box, only softer, if that makes sense) you can curve it by cutting half or almost all the way through in parallel lines from 1/16" to 1/8" apart. then cut a curved brace and glue into place
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on December 6, 2009, 06:49:11 PM
Thanks for the suggestions both.  I may try double cereal boxes for some of it at least, but I have a lot of things to head up before I am in the position to experiment further.  I hope within a few weeks to be able to have tried this and made more progress, but I'm not sure for now.

I'll let you guys know.


UPDATE 3/11/2010

In the next month I hope to get back to the Warhound project, giving one last try to boiling or ironing my plasticard, and then I'll try out double cereal boxes (would really like to avoid) and if nothing else I'll go through the pain in the ass that is putting together this bastard one piece at a time.  Hopefully I'll get it assembled a bit more than the feet soon so that it can start being used.  My life will be getting pretty free for my own use in a couple of weeks or so, but having to cut individual template pieces...then cutting out the individual plasticard pieces, and theeen sanding down the edges, and theeeeen painting and theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeen gluing it together.  The time it took to get the structure of just the two feet assembled was probably like...20 hours? maybe more maybe less, its been a while now, but still a lot of time regardless, so if I do have to follow this method, it'll be slow moving.  The legs and above will be faster moving because they don't include so many damn pieces, but hopefully we'll get a better method going regardless.

Hope to show you guys some actual progress in the near future.



UPDATE 3/28/10

Okay, so my warhound is still sitting around not being worked on, I admit, though I think I've found a good model to buy to base my Knight titan off of, thanks to another project thread here (tale of gamers).  I think I'll buy this, maybe change the defensive weapon to a couple of gatling auto cannons, or twin linked assault cannons, oooooooooor a missile wrack.  I may also replace one of the arm weapons with an earthshaker.  We'll see.  Either way, here is the model I'm probably going to buy, it's supposed to be 9-10" tall.

http://www.dustgame.com/products_d.php?nid=2&id=2 (http://www.dustgame.com/products_d.php?nid=2&id=2)
Title: Re: Scratch Built Warhound Titan, and side projects.
Post by: Algavinn of the Many Paths on April 3, 2010, 04:27:44 PM
Okay, so I purchased that gunther and it should be here within the next 10 days or so.  This will be the platform I will use for my knight titan, not changing too much.  So the plan will be to make some minimal to moderate alterations to 40k-ify it and turn it into the weapon of war that I actually want to field.  On the modeling side of things I'll be replacing one of the TL autocannons with an earthshaker cannon I'm buying off of ebay, and adding that autocannon to the other to make a quad cannon.  I may or may not remove/alter the small defensive turret on the top.  I don't think I'll be altering the model much otherwise, other than adding some banners/flapping cloths, some imperial eagles, etc.

For now I have three main developmental concerns.  The first simple one is the name.  I do not know what to name my titan.  As it is only a one man support titan that is the lowest tier of titans, I don't want to give it anything 'impressive' more like 'Baron ____' or something, naming it after the operator or region of its creation, etc.  I'd love some ideas here. 

Second is the paint scheme.  I had considered modeling it after the same scheme I'm using for my warhound but because of its minor size I'm not sure.  In this same line, I do wonder what I may want to do for making a base for this sucker and how I want to design/develop it.

Now third is the big thing.  Given that I don't believe there are any official entries for the knight titan from GW I don't believe I'm violating any copyright laws by posting the stats I've found for it, but I'm altering them anyway to try to make one that's balanced.  Titans in general give you an amazing amount of firepower for the points, but I still want to ensure I'm making something that isn't crazy unbalanced.  Because of the minor status of this titan it isnt really any more unbalancing than a landraider or two (aka they're a be-atch but doesn't mandate an armageddon game).  So the main thing that I'm altering to the knight titan (paladin pattern) is eschewing the close combat weapon, which I'm not a fan of as I want a fire support platform, for a quad autocannon.  And then I'm adding a bit of defensive weapons, wither a gattling heavy stubber (since thats what the turret on it looks like), or some manner of heavy bolters/assault cannons/missile launchers (probably stick to the stubbers or heavy bolters so as to not overgun it).
So what I am sitting at is this:

Knight Titan
Super-heavy Walker

WS3  BS4  S 10  F13 S12 R10  I2  A1
Structure Points: 2
Void: 1

The main weapon is a Knight Battle Cannon  R72”  S8  AP3  Apocalypse Barrage (2)
The other main weapon is my own design, but is something I want to tweak until I come to a good balance.  Even if it’s a minor titan, should I up the strength at all?  Should it remain twin linked?  I think its pretty good but I’m not sure.  Input?  Quad Auto-cannon  R72”  S7  AP 4  Heavy 8 (twin linked)


So the standard points would be 300 but with my alterations I think 350 would make this a fair gun platform, and I don’t think I need to alter the armour at all.  While I’d love AV 14 front I think this is fair, and I just have to shape my army plat and deployment to keep this valuable element of my force operating.





So would love thoughts on any point.  Once I get the model you'll all start getting pictures.