Backward engineering scenery.

[Ratty]

OK I'm currently painting the Necrotite Drilling Station to use for malifaux and I was looking at it online and found this. Now it's a bit expensive and I recon I could build something similar or better. So any idea on what I could use as the bits. I'm thinking cable tidy for the ribbed bits. and maybe use steel ballbearings instead of the caps on the ends.

[AkumaKaze]

For ease of construction for the ribbed bits I would try and find some larger bolts at a hardware store with rounded cap nuts for the end. For the domed structures soup cans cut in half would easily work and provide a sturdy base to attach the bolts to (or through, which would be a tighter fit). Of course, cutting metal really only works if you have the right tools to do so. The two towers look like they could be made out of old fountain pens with a bit of work.

The great thing about making these out of metal is that you wouldn't have to do too much work to them once they are constructed to give them that Malifaux "Steamvictoriohorrorwestpunk" (thanks Nathan) feel. At that point you could use alcohol paints and deep washes to make them look like well-used and beat up machines. Many military model companys make fantastic washes that look like grease, dirt, smoke stain, etc.

[Yazza]

those blue thingies look like those tubes you use for running electric wires and water pipes trough

[AkumaKaze]

those blue thingies look like those tubes you use for running electric wires and water pipes trough

The best thing about steampunk: blue thingies becomes a technical term!

[The Green Git]

You ever see this kit? It's great for bits like you want in this project:

I used bits from this for the power plant on my Great Gargant's Lifta Droppa Arm. Works just fine and can be had for @ $16 US.

[AkumaKaze]

You ever see this kit? It's great for bits like you want in this project:

I own this bad boy! It is fantastic for Malifaux! Most of the stuff Pegasus Hobbies does will work great for M&SU work sites!

[The Madman]

Houshold trash is the way to go

Reduce

Reuse

RECYCLE!

Lightwieght, no additional costs and keeping it out of the trash bin for a few months to a year helps the enviroment

[Omenbringer]

For the central pylons you could use expended tubes of caulking. For the half pipe bases you could use either pvc pipe or (probably have some lying around already) the card board from empty wrapping paper tubes. As for the ribbed bits, take a walk down the plumbing isle and you shold be able to find some ribbed pvc pieces that will work nicely.

[Deuce]

Plastic champagne corks for the caps? Could probably get a number of them free tonight.

[brucemanning]

You could you some of Hirst Arts small pipes? Of course you have to buy the mold and then cast them.

[The Madman]

You could you some of Hirst Arts small pipes? Of course you have to buy the mold and then cast them.

I've found that people often SELL ready made sculpts on Ebay from time to time as well

Plastic bubbly corks is a great idea

[cyberakuma]

+1 for threaded dome topped bolts and a can but that reminded me of armorcast stuff since they do some conversion kits for drinks cans to be turned into storage towers and quite a few other funky bits

their steampunk stuff is a bit more wacky fantasy than malifaux but some of the sci-fi stuff with the right paint job would easily fit the scene

like this

check out the link http://armorcast.com/store/index.php?cPath=120_36 for the soda can and pringles tube storage units nice simple additions and they make some funky looking terrain

Edited January 3, 2011 by cyberakuma

[WarmasterOJB]

What also may work are the protection covers of silicon tubes from the hardware store.

Just an example picture. (the white/red piece at the left)