WIP Plastic Kodiak

**OldOneEye** · 09-29-2010, 05:00 PM

Yay, new plastic battlebox! Time to make a plastic Kodiak.

First, a tiny repose on the legs. I cut off the toe of the left leg and greenstuffed it back on at an angle, then shaved down the post that went into the hip so I could rotate the leg back a bit. Now, it'll look like my Kodiak is stepping forward. I plan to pose the arms like it's in mid-stride, lumbering forward menacingly.

Next, I worked on the shoulders to make them look like the metal Kodiak's. A bit of a pain in the butt, and I'm despairing because the rivets aren't all exactly the same size, but I think I'll live with it. I'm pretty pleased with the badge on the one shoulder; it came out well for my first-ever greenstuff mold job.

Next, the head (still a work in progress). When I conceptualized this a while back, I considered using the metal head, but it's WAY too big. So, with that not being an option I compared heads and found the Juggernaut head to be similar in style. I widened the "jaw" a bit/evened it out in the back, and obviously gave it the signature crewcut/funny hat. I still need to put the rivets on that and generally clean it up once the putty cures. I'm also thinking of shaving down the front of the chin a bit to bring it more into line with the metal Kodiak head.

Beyond that, I'm in a bit of a holding pattern until the plasticard I ordered comes in. That'll be used to make the huge plates on the backs of the fists, as well as the additional stuff on its loincloth plate. I'm also racking my brain for a (not emotionally crippling) way to do a ton of spikes. I'd like to put the spikes on the knees, and I'll need to make some more for the backs of the fists. Maybe I'll do some more greenstuff molding for that. I'd love to hear any suggestions you have for that, or for anything else.

**theuntamedfox** · 09-29-2010, 05:07 PM

nice work so far
was thinking of doing he same thing but the problem was the hands (the big hand with the khador symbol)

**Vash1313** · 09-29-2010, 05:27 PM

Try using the heads of clothes pins if you want the rivets to be uniform. Then just drill a small hole for each rivet

**JTY** · 09-29-2010, 05:28 PM

For the spikes, certainly the large ones on the fists and shoulders, get some 5 or 6mm plastic rod and a pencil sharpener.
That'll enable you to get a decent set of spikes which can be tidied with a craft knife.

For the small rivets, use pva glue and a pin.
Literally build up the rivets with small blobs of pva, then seal them by painting the whole area with thinned pva.

If the large studs are really bothering you, get some dress making pins with flat heads and used the heads.

Anyway, good work on the badge and head (I quite like his pointy chin), and I look forward to seeing it progress.

I'm thinking of doing this myself, much as I love my metal jacks, the size and shape of the new kit is growing on more and more.

**OldOneEye** · 10-02-2010, 09:59 AM

Time for some new pics!

First, I went back and re-did the rivets on the shoulders. Got some satin pins from Wal-Mart, clipped the heads from those, and glued them in. MUCH better-looking now; thanks for the suggestions on the pins.

The head is done as well, complete with TINY RIVETS. Rather fretful work, but the final product isn't bad.

Next, the plasticard I ordered came in yesterday, so I'm beginning my work on that. The first thing I did was add the extra decoration to the armor as seen. I'm going to pass on adding the extra ridges to the toes, though.

More pics in next post...

**OldOneEye** · 10-02-2010, 09:59 AM

Decided to go with brass rod filed to a point for the spikes in the knees. One down, one to go yet.

In preparation for my next step, I made a mock-up of the fist plates out of cardboard. I'll clean up the shape before I transfer it to the plasticard, but the size is about right for what I need. The fist is included for comparison's sake.

This is what the fit will look like on the final product. Pretty close scale-wise to the original.

I hope to make serious progress on the fists today and tomorrow; other than that, most everything else is done. Still fiddling a bit with putting the rows of spikes on the hull. I'll post more pictures as things get done. Thanks for looking!

**PG_Greywolf** · 10-02-2010, 10:07 AM

Coming along nicely bud.

**PG_Jolly Angus** · 10-02-2010, 01:30 PM

Very cool, you're putting a lot of work into this and it's paying off. Just looking at the WIP pictures people won't think for a second that this jack could be anything but a kodiak.

**PG_Cloud-Gatherer** · 10-02-2010, 02:21 PM

That's looking REALLY impressive. Can't wait to see it on the table. I'd say "can't wait to see it painted up," but we both know better.

**PG_Pszito** · 10-02-2010, 02:57 PM

Awesome project, keep it going!

**PG_TSpot** · 10-02-2010, 04:28 PM

Amazing work so far, I wish I had that kinda of patience and modeling ability. Can't wait to see more.

Cheers, T

**eathotlead** · 10-02-2010, 04:53 PM

Looking incredible so far! I'm looking forward to how this develops.

**PG_TimVanBoening** · 10-02-2010, 08:41 PM

Hubba hubba!! I want to kiss your Kodiak it's so pretty!!!

I am going to keep my peepers on this thread.

**OldOneEye** · 10-04-2010, 05:00 PM

Not much new to show tonight-- mainy a bit of proof-of-concept work.

I can't get as fancy bending the plasticard as I'd like; the hair dryer I have doesn't get the plastic warm enough, so I had to bend it by boiling it in water and pressing it against the bottom of the pan while boiling it to shape it. Okay for curling the edges in; not so great for getting the wave pattern along the front edge. Instead, I did some Dremel work on the top and green stuff on the bottom to maintain the thickness the whole way across.

I think I'm going to use this plate just to mess around with and try a couple of things, but cut new ones for the finished product. The shape isn't quite right-- the original plate is a bit more square, and doesn't narrow to as much of a point as what I've done. Also, the scale on mine is a bit too big-- it shouldn't extend quite so far, and the sides are 1-2 mm too big. I could just cut down the one I have, I guess... we'll see.

I wouldn't expect too much progress during the week. By the time I get home in the afternoon, I'm brain-dead. Next week is fall break, though, so if there's not much work done before then I'll make plenty of progress during that time.

**PG_msherman31781** · 10-04-2010, 05:09 PM

Awesome work!

Can't wait to see it completed.

**PG_aterdaeus** · 10-04-2010, 05:40 PM

Looks really good. It would be nice to have a full sized Kodiak. They look up at the great big plastic Juggernaut and get all sad.

**scotty kahn** · 10-04-2010, 05:43 PM

Amazingly well done. Cant wait to see the finished product.

**OldOneEye** · 10-11-2010, 09:03 AM

I took a couple of new pics, mainly to take a break from the modeling. We're in the home stretch now-- as the pictures show, the plates on the fists are in place now. I've decided not to worry about the shape of the front of the plates--I'm not going to try and put that wave in them. It's my not-so-secret shame.

I'm in the process of putting everything on the back right now. I have the spikes done for one fist; those spikes come from the WFB Orc Warrior sprue. I had to trim about 1/4 of the length off the tip, then file them back down to a point. Nothing's ever easy...

Here's how it looks on the 'jack.

... and here's what I'm looking at for the final pose. It's just tacked together for the picture; the legs, shoulders and arms, fists, and torso/head are all separate pieces right now.

So, what's left? Not much, though there are some fiddly bits yet.
1) Spikes on the other fist
2) Screws on both fists (pretty easy)
3) Rivets around the edges of both fist plates (oh God...)
4) Fancying up the base

I believe at this point that I should be done with assembly and conversion today. If so, I'll post final pics before I start the painting.

**Fiend1981** · 10-11-2010, 09:16 AM

The plastic Khador jack kit was what got me into Khador originally.

This conversion looks amazing. It takes the Kodiak from looking a bit goofy to dynamic and threatening.

You did a great job and I can't wait to see the final pics.

**PG_Lankira** · 10-11-2010, 09:27 AM

He's looking good. I'll be excited to see him finished and all painted up.

**PG_Cloud-Gatherer** · 10-11-2010, 09:34 AM

For the screws on the fists, are you just going to use actual screws? Because you probably could.

**OldOneEye** · 10-11-2010, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Cloud-Gatherer

For the screws on the fists, are you just going to use actual screws? Because you probably could.

You know me better than that! Real screws would be too easy! Far better to shave thin discs off of a GW sprue, file them down to appropriate thickness and evenness, then press a groove into the top.

Which is what I did.

And, since that wasn't enough of a pain-in-the-butt, I'm at the point of considering drilling pilot holes for all the rivets, putting in a little bit of brass rod (2-3 mm tops), then filing down the top to make it into a rivet. I have a test one going right now. If it works, I'll be doing that 38 more times.

**Szary** · 10-11-2010, 11:02 AM

Brilliant idea and awesome conversion.

**Rogue Sun** · 10-11-2010, 12:15 PM

For the rivets you could just get a toothpick and some super glue, dip the tooth pick in it, then just gently touch the edge of the tooth pick to the model. The surface tension of the glue will keep it in a little circular blob as it dries. I know lots of people have done rivets this way and it looks just fine.

**OldOneEye** · 10-11-2010, 12:32 PM

The glue proved a little too fiddly for me in the past. So, I went with drilling holes.

One down, one to go...

**PG_Cloud-Gatherer** · 10-11-2010, 01:04 PM

That is fantastic work, man, and everyone here is impressed. Just think of how impressed they'll all be if you ever get around to showing off your Legion army.

**OldOneEye** · 10-11-2010, 02:26 PM

Here we go-- final pictures before painting.

I'm in the process of priming right now... hopefully I'll be able to knock this thing out tonight and tomorrow. Pics of the finished model tomorrow... hopefully.

**dustinpassarelli** · 10-11-2010, 02:58 PM

Pretty Awesome. That's all I can say about this.

**PG_Jolly Angus** · 10-11-2010, 03:17 PM

Wow, I really like how this came together. Top notch.

**EpicAstinos** · 10-11-2010, 03:27 PM

That looks fantastic. I'm so very jealous of how easy it is to completely reconstruct 'jacks. So far, it's required a lot more putty work (to me, machining and tool-work is the easy stuff) to get a radically handmade beast. Love what you've done!

**eathotlead** · 10-12-2010, 03:58 PM

Best Kodiak I've ever seen.

And I've seen many.

Kudos, man.

**PG_msherman31781** · 10-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Well done man! Really like the pose

Can't wait to see some paint on it.

**jonconcarne** · 10-12-2010, 04:51 PM

That guy is just a hulking beast, I love it! Great job!

**TheBigRedMachine** · 10-12-2010, 04:59 PM

Looks great. Needs a molded anvil in the hatch but that's just me. The non-wavy fist plates look fine. It's an excellent conversion.

**OldOneEye** · 10-12-2010, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by TheBigRedMachine

Looks great. Needs a molded anvil in the hatch but that's just me. The non-wavy fist plates look fine. It's an excellent conversion.

You mean that hatch up top where the cortex is-- where the 5th Border Legion emblem is on the original?

I probably will put an anvil up there; I have enough different ways that I can put one up there without any trouble.

Legs are almost done, as is the base. Today was a slow day for hobbying; I spent most of the day yesterday at the hobby table, and my back wanted none of it today. Hopefully it'll be done tomorrow.

**CrimsonGuard** · 10-12-2010, 09:56 PM

Your Kodiak look absolutely incredible. I cannot imagine the PP version (which eventually will be produced) will look defferen't from yours.
Just one question though; how did you manage to make such a clean greenstuff cast for the Kodiak-symbol on the right shoulder? I tried it with a regular Khador symbol (Behemoth shoulder) but I threw it away because it was unusable.

**Rogue Sun** · 10-12-2010, 10:05 PM

He probably made a greenstuff mold by pressing a blob of greenstuff onto the shoulder when it was lubed with something so it wouldn't stick, let it harden then removed it. From there he can press another blob of greenstuff into the now hardened cast (again with some sort of nonbonding agent like vegetable oil in between them) and viola. A perfect khador symbol.

Just guessing though.

**OldOneEye** · 10-12-2010, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by CrimsonGuard

Your Kodiak look absolutely incredible. I cannot imagine the PP version (which eventually will be produced) will look defferen't from yours.
Just one question though; how did you manage to make such a clean greenstuff cast for the Kodiak-symbol on the right shoulder? I tried it with a regular Khador symbol (Behemoth shoulder) but I threw it away because it was unusable.

First, thanks for the compliment! My goal was to make this as close to a "standard" Kodiak as possible. I wanted it to look like a PP kit, and not a conversion.

As for the green stuff cast, Rogue Sun pretty much has it. I can't say that I did anything special. I mixed the green stuff and let it set up for a bit so it wouldn't be as tacky, coated the metal Kodiak shoulder in vegetable oil to act as a release agent, pressed down pretty firmly, and let the mold harden a good 24 hours before I took it off. Here's a picture:

There was a fair bit of cleanup on the finished symbol, mind you. I had to go around the border of the star with a hobby knife.

**CrimsonGuard** · 10-13-2010, 02:00 AM

Well, that explains it all. I did almost exactly what you did, but took mine of right away. I'm going to try it againg because I really miss the molded khador logo on top of my jacks. I'm happy with how my painted logo turned out, but it's just not the same. Thanks!

CG · 10-13-2010, 10:39 AM

So, to get technical, how do you apply the vegetable oil? Brush? Spray?

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