question for people who have tackled the "Magnetic Carnifex" project

[Shadowfax]

I've just finished modeling the first of three magnetic Carnifexes I plan on making, and I'm wondering if I should change my blueprint for the second and third.

The thing that has me stymied is the venom cannon and barbed strangler arm pairs. For my initial conversion I decided to go elaborate and put one weapon on the left side of the body and one on the right, instead of loading up the right side. I'm happy with how it turned out, but I'm wondering if I should stick to the standard format for the next two. It seems like it might be a pain in the ass to do the standard weapon pattern with magnets, though. The joint where the feeder arm meets the weapon arm is pretty fragile on the Carni I've already cooked up, and it seems like that joint would be even more prone to breaking in the standard pattern.

How did you guys model the VC/BS arms? Any tips?

Also, if there's anyone out there who's made multiple Magnetofexes, how well do the various sets of arms link up to each individual Carni body? Do you find that slight differences in the angles of the magnets pose a problem when it comes to attaching certain arms to the Carnis they werent specifically built for?

Any ideas or advice would be awesome

[lord_blackfang]

I've done my VC and BS the same way as you, each gun on one side. But I don't think modelling them in the "default" way would be a problem magnet-wise. However, a Gunfex with both guns on one side looks horribly unbalanced, and it's also a problem to fit both "ammo tubes" (they get in eachothers' way.)

As for swapping arms between Fexes, it's easy to get imperfections, but if you're precise enough and use strong magnets it's not too noticeable. Of course it's only a problem with the VC and BS, not with the arms that only connect to one socket.

Here's a thought: make the join between the "ammo tube" and the gun magnetized too.

[Shadowfax]

Here's a thought: make the join between the "ammo tube" and the gun magnetized too.

I was wondering if that would be a good idea.

It might be a little more labour intensive than I would like, though.A magnet "nest" would have to be hollowed out in the gun for one magnet to occupy, and there would need to be some fairly heavy greenstuff work to make the ammo tube widen enough to be flush with its magnet (unless I went out and got some even tinier ones, presuming they exist).

Another fear is that that using so many magnets & joins would magnify the imperfections, and possibly warp the pieces over time. Hmmm.


I was also thinking that I could go with the lazy bum option, and just leave the feeder tubes completely unconnected to the gun, lining them up before games. Maybe bluetac'ing them if I needed to count on them not falling apart.

As for swapping arms between Fexes, it's easy to get imperfections, but if you're precise enough and use strong magnets it's not too noticeable. Of course it's only a problem with the VC and BS, not with the arms that only connect to one socket.

Yeah, that's about what I figured. Perhaps I'll just mark each set of guns somehow during the painting stage, so I know which one corresponds to which Fex.

.

[Shadowfax]

Someone else out there must have something to say

[kodarr]

what type of earth magnets do you use?

[TomKamakazi]

I've built two magnetized Carnifexes currently in various stages of paint. I've got one set of BS and VC on either side "Gunslinger" style. I found that the join a little week, so I cut up a set of spinefists for some niddy tube bits to join the shoulder bits together... er It's hard to explain... I'll get some pictures up in a few hours.

I have also built one VC with a magnet between the ammo tube and the gun. This is handy because I can fit it to my Tyrant also (Who is also sporting magnetic arms and wings). It sits at a bit of a funny angle, but it's pretty stable.


EDIT:@kodarr, I use 2mm thick, 3mm diamiter, rare earth (neodinium?) disc magnets.

[terrorpin]

I have only created 1 fex using magnets and enjoyed it a lot. I find that because i have magnets that are small enough to fit in the wrists in space marines i had little trouble putting magnets in all the weapons for the fex. With regard to what side to place weapons, as all my joints are magnetised it makes little or no difference to me. Have fun making what ever fex you like.

[TKitch]

you can get REALLY cheap magnets out there.

I've bought a bunch of them, 1/8" across and 1/16" thick (3mmx1.5mm roughly) for pennies each.