My second infantry squad

I started today the modelling and painting process for my second infantry squad. This squad is part of the infantry platoon I will be using for my first game, a combat patrol as I still don’t have enough models to fill a higher point army.

The second infantry squad will be just like the first one: it will field a heavy bolter, a grenade launcher and the sergeant will use a lasgun instead of a laspistol and close combat weapon. Looking at my models, I saw I still had 3 from the remove paint procedure I did a couple of months ago. All three were partially painted. I decided to finish those models and get rid of them now so I could focus on clean models next time.

I still had to magnetize the sergeant to have his arms replaceable. Luckly, the model already had the 1/8″ magnets attached to his torso, as seen in the picture below:

The magnets attached to the sergeant’s torso

The magnet in his back is used to attach a vox radio or flamer fuel tank, in the case I want to change the model later. For the arms, I will be magnetizing some standard lasguns and some chainswords and pistols of various kinds. Just don’t go nuts and try to magnetize everything. 90% of your infantry will be standard lasguns. I usualy convert only 2 models per infantry squad, 1 for the seargeant and another one for a special weapon.

One of the arms already had a magnet as well, so I only needed 3 more. One 1/8″ to attach the arms to the torso and two 1/16″ to fix both arms to the lasgun.

Where I will be placing the magnets

The process starts with a hobby file I use to mark the spot I will be drilling. This is to prevent the bit from running away, scratching the model. I don’t worry anymore about how small the area I will be drilling is. You would be amazed at what places you can safely place a 1/16″ magnet.

After marking the spot with a file, making sure it is deep enough to hold the bit in place, I start the process. I use a Dremel rotatory tool for the job (you can buy them cheap at amazon) along with dremel bits number 191, 194 and 106 (High-Speed Cutter 1/8″, High Speed Cutter for wood and metal, and Engraving carving Cutter respectively). If you would like to see how they look like, just check this post: http://www.weetoysoldiers.com/wp/?p=283.

The 1/16″ magnet is a little tricky. Although the cutter is also 1/16, it does not make a cavity large enough to fit the magnet in. I have to apply a little pressure to the sides to make the hole biggger. I have also to drill a little bit deeper because the cutter does not have a flat surface. This is not aproblem for the 1/8″ magnet, as the 1/8 cutter with the flat surface creates the hole exactly the size I need it to be.

After the holes are made, I apply green stuff to them. That’s because I usually drill deeper than I need to. Also, the green stuff helps the superglue to bind the pieces together.

Green stuff applied to the hole in the hand holding the lasgun and…

…where the left arm will join the shoulder.

After the green stuff is in place, I just drop the superglue and apply the magnets.In this step I have to be VERY carefull to glue the correct polarity of the magnets or else the pieces will repel instead of attract each other. I also create a pattern for my army so that the parts can be interchangeable between all models.  For example, all torsos have the same polarity exposed, and all arms have the same inverse polarity to the torso. This way I can put together any pieces I want.

Magnet in place

When the pieces are attached, we get an almost perfect fit. The imperfections could be covered with green stuff, but from the angle people will be looking at my army they will not see them so I won’t bother for now.

The sergeant with his arms in place

After fixing the magnets I went to priming the pieces. The only thing I glue together before painting is the torso and the legs. The rest I stick to needles and paint unassembled.

I decided to keep using black gesso for priming. I added about 30% to 40% water to the gesso and applied freely. This time I didn’t even bother to soak the excess out. After I finished priming the last part, the gesso was almost dry in the first one and started to reveal the details.

Drying gesso

That’s it for today. Next step will be to apply the basecoat and maybe the first ayer of paint.

Back into action, painting diary

It’s been a while since I last updated the blog, but for a good reason. My parent came to visit Montreal and we spent 3 weeks together. I had finished my first infantry squad before their arrival but I just needed to matte varnish their heads, which I did today. Here’s the result. The bases could surely use a retouch and I will add the details (grenades and other equipment) later.

The final result for the first infantry squad of the 13th Valhallans

I don’t know why, but the matte varnish I applyed this time to protect the paint job looks a little… glossy. I used the same brand as before, but after 1 hour that I applied them it is still shining. I remember some people complaining about matte varnish giving a shinny effect instead of the opposite. Don’t know what happened this time, as I used the same procedure. I will just wait a little bit more to see what happens and try again tomorrow. Maybe I didn’t shake the bottle or it got too old?

Anyways, problems apart, I decided to document the process of painting my army. I plan to update the blog frequently with the most relevant information. I will spare you (and me) of repetitive steps, focusing on the important stuff in the hopes that I can help other people in the same learning process I am sitting right now. Keep on to the next entry.