Joe*Battlelines

Southzen

I am not so much interested in the actual game. Thing is, I rediscovered my love of scale models. As I was hanging out at our local comic shop, I got around to the miniature gaming area; I now have this desire to build armies and machines of war in addition to my other plastic models... though I found out that most of these miniatures are painted with another more non-toxic paint, which kinda hits a stride with a moderately health conscience person. Anyway, I am going over the hobby part of the main Warhammer website... it is pretty intimidating, but a good type of intimidating. I was an architecture major at one time, so intimidating scale models came with the territory; and I am a drafts person/project manager for a surveying company, so the hobby fits. Any tips/advice and so on would be awesome.
_________________
Because my opinion is so important, I must post it for everyone to read.

Honoring all those who lost and were lost to hurricanes.

Maxtype · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:08 am Post subject:

Yeah man,I haven't played in like 6 years,but I have a TON of Warhammer and 40K figs and models,along with scale models from anime( Macross,Gundam) and real life jets and tanks.....

My biggest tip getting back into Warhammer is get some good files and a scalpel.Several places on-line sell scalpels,with surgical blades( try Squadron Mail Order).Scalpels are much sharper and in my opinion safer than regular hobby knives.Just go slow and use as much positive control on the knife as possible.

The biggest thing with getting Warhammer stuff looking nice is to get every tiny bit of 'flash' and mold line off of them.Take your time,relax,I find the physical preperation of a kit or figure is very soothing.....

Remember,a visible flaw can be fixed much easier BEFORE the model is painted.
_________________
I will never leave you to fend for your self,Trust me to stand behind you,I'm Your Glory Unseen

MacGyver · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

When I was in college a friend got me into painting these things...I mostly did fantasy type miniatures, rather than mechs and stuff. Anyway, yeah, Max is right...getting the flashing off EVERYWHERE is absolutely essential. When i was painting them, they were made of lead I think (yeah real healthy) and I found that my Xacto worked great as long as it was sharp. Maybe the metal's different now. Anyway, priming them is important, too. I remember using a superfine primer from the hobby store, but I know I used primer from Walmart in a pinch. As for paint, I just used basic craft paint. It worked really well and was cheap (college budget, you know). Then i sealed them with an acrylic matte sealer.

Maybe I'll get around to digging what i have left out and getting some pics. I loved doig all the little details and doing the washes and drybrushing to get realistic looks. Wink

_________________
It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one can't do. -Garfield the Cat

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eternity!

Southzen · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

As always guys, thanks for the information; I am alway appreciative of it. I am thinking of buying a small starter pack today after work to try it out. I don't like maginifying glasses because they make me queezy to stare through them, so this will most likely be a challenge. Can't spend a lot a dough on a new branch to an old hobby just yet... got our first wedding anni this weekend. Though I have probably the coolest geek wife in the world; she would firmly place something where I don't want it.

Anyway, keep it coming. I saw a huge hobby starter set that comes in an awesome brief case... anyone know if that thing is worth it or not?

It is all Billy's fault for posting those pictures from that model show Wink

_________________
Because my opinion is so important, I must post it for everyone to read.

Honoring all those who lost and were lost to hurricanes.

Maxtype · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:17 am Post subject:

Hey Southzen,Happy Anniversary!

If that briefcase set is Citadel's complete paint set,it is worth it.I don't have one,but the price is good for what you get.

Mac,I go back to lead figures as well! Now the metal is pewter,but most Warhammer and 40K figures are plastics.Nice Ones too.Generally,you build your large troop units out of plastic sets,and buy your Generals/Wizards/Marine Commanders out of pewter.But even that is changing.40K has some awesome all-plastic Commander sets.
_________________
I will never leave you to fend for your self,Trust me to stand behind you,I'm Your Glory Unseen

kingofpain26 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:25 am Post subject:

me, Im a starship miniature man myself. I had a lot of the old FASA Star Trek Models and Some Starblazers miniatures. Was trying to get a hold of the Battlefleet Gothic ships, but thet dont appear to sell well in the US.

I also made my own models in that scale based off starblazers.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to just leap, and build your wings on your way down."

Maxtype · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:28 am Post subject:

kingofpain,have you tried GWOnline for the BattleFleetGothic ships? I'm not sure anymore,but that's where I got mine.
_________________
I will never leave you to fend for your self,Trust me to stand behind you,I'm Your Glory Unseen

Southzen · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:51 am Post subject:

Yeah, it is the Citadel set, but d@mn that thing cost 250. Might hold off on spending that much. I have though about switching to the water based stuff for all my models because the Enamels are just so harsh on the body and toxic.
_________________
Because my opinion is so important, I must post it for everyone to read.

Honoring all those who lost and were lost to hurricanes.

Maxtype · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:07 am Post subject:

Yeah man,$250 bucks is why I don't have one,either.....but I think you'll like the Citadel Paint-it's excellent for miniatures,however much you buy.Get good brushes,too.2 good sable brushes are better then 10 mediocre ones.Get a 0 and a 2 size brush,sable,and brush soap.

Get some distilled water,and use a jar of that while you are painting,mix a drop or two with every load of paint on your brush. Use an old plate or something for a palette.
_________________
I will never leave you to fend for your self,Trust me to stand behind you,I'm Your Glory Unseen

MacGyver · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject:

Mobius_1 · Staff Sergeant Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 305

Ahh, Warhammer 40k. i had the space marines while my brother used the tyranid. infact, we have a games workshop near me that sells everything from 40k to LOTR. good times. my teacher at school (he's around your guys age) bought whole armys off ebay. he even tried to bid on a set that was styled after g.i. joe! but all thats left now are the cases. Sad

_________________
You'd be surprised how much i type on my Wii.......

Southzen · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:47 pm Post subject:

Jmacq1 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject:

I think I may have seen that army, and I think it was actually Imperial Guard.

I know "Commissar Destro" was involved. Wink

MacGyver · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

I dug out my box of miniatures this morning to snap some pics. Some of them are in varying stages of WIP, and a few need touching up after being in a box for the last 12 years.

Here's a group shot:
[url]

[/url]

And here's the album link for some closer shots of each figure:
http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/MacGyvers_Album/Gaming%20Miniature%20Customs/

I think maybe the dwarf on the pony was my first one. The Green Knight is one of my favorites...but you can see from the horse that the top half of the knight isn't finished and attached. The Griffin is my absolute favorite. From the picture it's hard to tell the subtle color variations in the feathers and fur. The RPG character is the figure I used as one of my D&D personas. I also have King Arthur figures that are in the same series as the Green Knight and the Lady of the Lake, but after getting part way on him I changed my mind and he looks terrible right now. Wink

I also have an unpainted female with a sword and harp...now I can't wait to paint her! And I have a pair of wings that will rock if I can add them to the creepy skeletal horse... Wink

_________________
It's amazing what one can do when one doesn't know what one can't do. -Garfield the Cat

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eternity!

kingofpain26 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject:

well no luck on the Battlefleet Gothic ships in the Model shops around Boston, bu there is a Games Workshop in the Boston Area. got a few catalogs.

oh, if only the Dioramas and model bases were 1/ 18th scale!!!
_________________
"Sometimes you have to just leap, and build your wings on your way down."