Multi-Talon-ted
I've come to the realization that I need more Tyranid Warriors. I want to have a very flexible army and I want the opportunity to field different kinds of Tyranid army with my models. I have a fair number of Monstrous Creatures (2 Tyrants, 2 Carnifexes)I have PLENTY of gaunts (at a guess, about 150-200 of various types and levels of paintedness.) I've got Lictors, Zoanthropes and more Genestealers than you can fit in 6 full Troops choices. The main things I do not have are Raveners and Warriors. (Well, no gargoyles, but I might convert some gaunts to that task, I think I might just have enough!) While I'm willing to wait on the new codex and new models to see if Raveners are worth taking now, I know that Warriors are, and I've only really got 3 of them.
In the new codex, Warriors are supposed to be getting a number of fairly minor upgrades that should make them much better at the various things they can do. If they are more effective, they will be worth fielding. As it is, they are worth fielding, but only in certain situations, since they are very fragile. They will be less fragile soon, and thus more useful. While I plan to experiment with a number of different options for the Warriors, I expect I will end up using them much like I do now, just with an expanded role. Currently, when I do use Warriors, it is in the "Reaping Warrior" configuration (Leaping, Rending Claws, Scything Talons, most or all of the CC biomorphs.) They make excellent heavy shock troops, and with Leaping can get there pretty quickly. I do wish they got to keep Fleet in the new codex, but that's apparently not to be. Regardless, they will still be very effective and, with greater durability, be able to fulfill more roles as well.
So, I've got 3 Warriors partly assembled from a project long ago. I want to use these Warriors alongside my current three in the same configuration. (Reaping, remember?) However, there is a problem. You may remember that long ago I converted some of my gaunts to have 6 Scything Talons for limbs. I then converted all of my Monstrous Creatures in the same manner, and did the same with my Warriors and Lictors. Well, if I don't do that with these guys, they'll look pretty goofy. The problem is, where do I get 12 Warrior Scything Talons and 6 TMC Scything Talons on short notice?
Well, I'm going to do what I've done before, make some. I can mold the talons in clay (Sculpey is what I use) and create what I need. This also lets me modify the talons if I need to, making them shorter or longer or more curved or thicker or whatever I need. The process isn't very complicated, but it does require a few steps to make sure they come out right.
The first step is to pick out some modeling medium. Some people like Green Stuff or Apoxie Sculpt (I intend to try that one day, it looks great.) I like Sculpey. It is malleable, yet firm so it doesn't just mush when you sculpt it. It also hardens nicely in the oven, no need for a kiln. The pieces come out and are pretty strong and easy to work with. Now that that's out of the way, let's get to work.
The next thing to do is to make our master molds. Much like pushing Play-Doh into various shaped containers to get it to look the way we want, we'll do the same thing with our Sculpey. We make the master by flattening out a piece of Sculpey, leaving it fairly thick (about 3/4 of an inch.) We then press the talon in question roughly half-way into the clay. After carefully removing the Talon, we'll cut a couple of keyholes in the area surrounding the Talon. This piece then gets popped into the oven at about 350 F for 20 minutes so it is hard. (You can tell by the color. Sculpey starts turning an odd brownish-purple when it gets fully cooked.) After letting it cool, we take it out and put the talon back into it. Then we flatten another piece of Sculpey and press it against the talon side of the first piece. (It may be worthwhile to wet the first piece and the talon with a bit of water for easier release later.) Once the pieces fit together, pull them apart and remove the talon. Now bake this piece. Ta Dah! A master mold. The Keyhole you cut in one becomes a key on the other, so they will fit together in the same way at all times, keeping you from getting your molds at odd angles.
Once again wetting the mold area with a bit of water for easy release, press a bit of Sculpey into one side of the mold, leaving just a little more than what should fit in the other side sticking out. Make sure it will be completely filled, but the less excess material you have, the better your mold will work. Now, make sure that the keyholes and keys match up, then press the sides of the mold together. You are squeezing it so that (hopefully) the edges of the mold will meet and nearly cut off any excess material around the edges. As you press, the Sculpey is worked into all the details of your mold, ensuring a good reproduction. Using heavy books or leaning your weight on the mold are good ideas, but they only work if you made sure your mold was thick so it won't break under the pressure. Once the pieces meet or get as close as you can get them, gently separate them. I find that it is easiest to remove any excess material while the new talon is still held in one side of the mold, since it has some support that way. Use a toothpick or other tool to cut lightly around the edges of the piece, separating the excess material without damaging the new talon. Lather, rinse, repeat until you have a whole mess of claws, then go cook them. Mmm, mmm! just like momma used to make. Uh, maybe not.
Okay, so you've now got a bunch of claws that have hardened in the oven. After they are cool, I would recommend putting some sort of coating on them. You can pick up glazes at local craft stores, or simply use varnish or something to give them a non-porous surface so they don't just soak up paint later on. At this stage, make sure that the glue you have is useful on both ceramics and plastics, since that's what you'll be putting together, and enjoy!
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