Sculpting chain mail

[Ferris]

Hi all,

I am looking for some help: I am working on some 54mm romans and would like to replace (parts of) the chain mail. I experimented a bit, but I am not getting the result I am looking for. Does anyone have a tip on what tool I could use? I intend to use Duro. Hope you can help...!

Thanks,
Adrian

 

[megroot]

I'm not a sculptor but i've seen a tool that was selfmade.
You need a injection needle. Remove the point and round this tip.
Now you have a tool for making the chainmale.

Marc

 

[Einion]

Since you're working on additions to existing sculpts you'll have to examine how the mail is done and try to replicate it.

The usual method for sculpting mail* is to use a C-shaped tool (especially in smaller scales) which is often best made by grinding or filing off the side of a tube. Hypodermic needles are good for doing it in 1/32 scale because they're small and strong, if you can get them.

You might like to look at this old thread for more.

Einion

*Like "ring mail" the term "chain mail" is really redundant.

 

[Ferris]

Marc, Einion,

Thanks for your replies. I will try this.

Another way I just thought of that I will try is the following: Using Milliput I can create a 'stamp' by pressing it into a suitable piece of mail on the original figure. After curing I use this stamp to texture the replaced parts of the mail. This will ensure that the chain pattern matches the rest of the figure.

I'll let you know the results.

Thanks,
Adrian

 

[darkeye]

another way....

hi adrian,

another trick for chain mail is to take a needle, snip off the eye a bit to leave a small fork shape. you can now make accurate 'c' shapes in the putty and use the point to do any defining of the pattern.



all the best --- tim

 

[Ferris]

OK, I did some experimenting with 'stamping mail' and here is the result. The stamp was made of Milliput, the original mail was from figures of Andrea and Time Machine Miniatures.

The result: I would say not perfect, but not bad either. Advantage is that it is a very fast technique: this example only took seconds to make. And it is quite easy to conform the stamping with figures contours (not visible here though).

What could be improved is better alligning the stamping, so that you get decent rows of rings.

What do you think?

Adrian

 

[housecarl]

Looks pretty good to me Adrian.
Carl.

 

[ookami]

yep it seems to work for conversions.