Star wars X-Wing and Space Combat Space Terrain On Sale

We've now got our first product (of many to come) one sale! We've been working on refining our space combat asteroids and they are now in a great way. After several different ideas about how we were going to make the bases (these included using all sorts of casting, from plaster, to latex to plastic and wood) we finally decided on laser cutting.

This gives us a clean, crisp edge on our bases, as well as a uniform product that is exact. As the asteroids are designed to be compatible with X-Wing*, we wanted them to work for tournaments and competetive games as well as casual play, so keeping them all the same was important. The 3D asteroids on top of the bases are all unique, but they can be because they are representative but in the rules of the game it's the bases that are important.

A base with a test asteroid

 

Close up on the base

An Asteroid field! (we don't suggest people play with this many,
but it looks cool :)

We now have the pack ready and raring to go - you can by them from ebay now.

The final result a pack of space combat asteroids!

We're selling them in packs of 6; 1 large, 3 medium and 2 small, and they are all on 80mm bases so that X-Wing small fighters will fit underneith without having to move the asteroid on top*. As far as we can see these are the only set available at the moment (and even if not, we still think they are the best - no bias!), and we've priced them conservatively so that they can cost effectively improve anyone's space combat terrain.

The next project we're looking at is templates for movement and shooting for X-Wing, and we'll be posting info on this very soon so look out for more info!

If you're interested in this or any other products, or if there's anything you'd like to see on the battlefield, let us know. We're constantly looking to expand our product list, and would love to here from you.

Our 3D Asteroids are £16, with £1.50 p&p in the UK - check them out here.
More soon,
H/F




*Hammer and Forge and thier products are not endorsed by, affiliated with or sanctioned by Fantasy Flight, Disney or Luscas Arts.

Project Finished: Particle Magnum

We spent a great deal of time on this project, mainly because we wanted to get it right but also because there was a good amount of experimentation to see if we could improve on what we started with.

Paint testing

This is perhaps most obvious in the paint and finish we applied to the gun. We started off with the idea of having it be metallic, but when we tried a few colour tests they seemed far too shiny and garish for someone who's basically a space pirate / mercenary. This led to us looking into different ways of giving it a metallic colour but with a darker edge than most of the sprays we could find, so we looked into amending the colours.

We started by giving it a coat of sealing paint, and then sparying it a dull grey to give the shadows body and cover the white of the previous paint in case of any scratches or scars. Unhappy with the gun-metal greys on offer (either too metal and sharp or too grey and flat) we invested in a new airbrush and mixed up a paint of our own. It turned out to be about half a dark silver metallic paint, a third grey, and a sixth black.

Shiny new air brush

 

This gave us a good gun metal grey to work with, and after giving the whole thing a couple of coats it was looking pretty realistic.

After one spray round...

And then with a lighter finishing coat.

Given that the client wanted it in wood, the paint and coats of colour added to the smooth finish on the wood, giving a great effect. However, it's meant to belong to a pirate who's been around, so we stippled some lighter and more metallic scratches and grazes onto the corners, barrel and trigger guard as the most likely places to have seen wear and tear.

Having created a good finish on the main body of the gun, we went into the details that make it stand out. The front has three shining red hemispheres in place of a traditional gun barrel, which we moulded out of red clay and then applied a varnish to to give the plastic/sci-fi material look to. The chambers/ammo is a translucent energy, so we used a resin that dries slightly opaic and red, and then backed it with metallic foil; this means that from certain angles the light will make the resin shine and look like it's glowing as it reflects off the metal.

Pre-finishing the hemispheres in their basic state

We also had to wrap the handle with hemp-style cord, but couldn't find both a texture and colour that we liked. Thinking caps on again, we chose a cord with the right feel and texture and then mixed up a dye to colour it (while in the jar, no actual branston pickle was used in the colouring :) The ends were sealed to make sure that the wrapping wouldn't unravel and then attached to the handle.

No pickle was harmed in the colouring of this cord

Final Wrapping

Lastly we machined and added four metal studs as shown on the original design for the power, range etc. changers, which we then sanded down and oxidised slightly to reduce the shine and make them look more in keeping with the rest of the gun.

Above: the finished article.

We're now sorted on Ebay and Paypal, so will be Ebaying a series of items soon, starting with our seals. More info soon!
H/F

Holiday work

We've been away / at the Edinburgh Fringe for a bit, but still working away.

First up on the menu are some victory seals for Woking War 2012, a Warhammer 40,000 Singles tournament coming up at the end of the month. Six seals were commissioned in all, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, as well as Best Painted, Most Sporting and Overall Winner.

One of the first 2,000 point tournaments to use the new edition of the rules, they wanted something to mark it out as special. Were also in talks to create a longer term attainment award (like the medal strip on highly decorated army officers) for people who have highly celebrated careers at a series of events.

First and Overall Winner seals

Second and Best Painted

Third and Best Sportsmen

All Bagged up and ready to go.

 For information about how to take part (and win one of these), check the post here.

Not neglecting our larger pieces, we've been working on a Sci-Fi Replica gun for a client. A long-ish time in the making because of finding the right material, look and workable finish, we're well on the way with it and it's looking (we think) pretty damned good. Let us know what you think...

Half carved and finished (minus shaping) gun barrles and flash suppressors on the front.

Core of the gun with start of the additions.

With under-barrel piece added and start of the mag.

Trigger guard ready to attach.

Close up of the carved

More to come - hope to see people at the event this weekend - we'll be bringing the Chainsword for those who haven't seen it yet, as well as the seals for the winners.

H/F