Conversion questions

[ksoh75]

was looking at converting my Battle Suits for Tau. Like straightening arms.....bending knee joints...that kind of stuff....what do you use to cut the arm an or knee?

Looking for ideas on what kind of tools I would need that work well

Is GW's Razor Saw worth the price?

[Cpt Codpiece]

for the round joints on tau legs and arms, i just use a sharp modelling knife and cut the outside of the circle.

the other way you can do it is to try and cut off the detail part of the joint (the circle at the elbow and the circle at the knee) without messing the detail (or you can use insta mold and make a press mold then cast them in greenstuff, its quicker but a little fiddly), then just cut the arm/knee and reposition with a little bit off gap filling. then just add the cap you cut off or cast.

i know its not the best decription without pics, i'll look and see if i can find a pic guide.

[KrewL RaiN]

When it comes to hobby tools, you can get non GW branded ones cheaper and they work just as good.

[turiya64]

I have not done tau for some time but I still have these around. If you cut on the yellow lines I have added it is easy to get most any look you are going for
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/Samadhi/002-22.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/Samadhi/003-21.jpg
but always pin the joints after you cut them or you will have arms and legs snapping even more then tau all ready tend to.....
This guy has arms I extended will a little green stuff its not great work but tau are good to play with for these kinds of things what with there sharp angles on the arms and what not
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/Samadhi/004-18.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/Samadhi/006-13.jpg
Paper clips are your best friends when converting tau glue them in well and you wont have problems.

Edit: just in case any one wants to get all in a huff about the kneeling suit he was built before true line of sight was part of the game and i always have a normal suit around when playing to stand in for him if he is shot at and is in question.

[faolan]

Do NOT get the GW razor saw - it's overpriced and more importantly, lacks a lot of functionality.

Get yourself an Excel razor saw with a mitre box for less money, and then you can get various types of saw blades for it as well - some that do very fine, but slow cutting, others that rip quickly but leave a rougher edge, others still that are made differently so they stand up to prolonged metal cutting, etc.

[ksoh75]

Do NOT get the GW razor saw - it's overpriced and more importantly, lacks a lot of functionality.

Get yourself an Excel razor saw with a mitre box for less money, and then you can get various types of saw blades for it as well - some that do very fine, but slow cutting, others that rip quickly but leave a rougher edge, others still that are made differently so they stand up to prolonged metal cutting, etc.

I seen the Excel one....will that blade work that it comes with to cut Crisis arms or do they sell smaller blades that can attach to that handle??

[turiya64]

don't buy any tools from GW they are all over priced and not of great quality anything they sell can be found at the hardware store or craft store for less then half for twice the quality.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945671000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7 i love this set and have used it for years for

http://www.michaels.com

there web page is almost useless but this place is where i get all my hobby knives, replacement blades(alwise get X-acto blades),fome core board, balsa wood and they have a section of small hobby saws in with there wood section that would be replacements for the GW one. hobby tools and supplys are the one thing i done get from GW i like there paint and love there models but there glue green stuff and hobby tools are all WAY over priced
almost forgot...
http://www.thewarstore.com/product18832.html for green stuff

also i am working on explaining the x-acto blades only thing in detail as a post on my blog but i am not ready to publish that one just yet. so for now just trust me go with the good stuff ;)

[isotope99]

Regular stanley knife (boxcutter) works fine for 90% of my conversion work. You definitely don't need a saw for Tau.

[wittdooley]

Do NOT get the GW razor saw - it's overpriced and more importantly, lacks a lot of functionality.

Overpriced is a completely subjective opinion; it is MORE expensive than the Excel one, but, from my personal experience, it is much more durable and comfortable than the Excel one. My excel 'insertion node' (the metal part that connects the blades) broke rather quickly after I was trying to saw some larger resin chutes off a larger FW model.

What functionality, exactly, does it lack?



Get yourself an Excel razor saw with a mitre box for less money, and then you can get various types of saw blades for it as well - some that do very fine, but slow cutting, others that rip quickly but leave a rougher edge, others still that are made differently so they stand up to prolonged metal cutting, etc.

News Flash. Those "various types of saw blades" will work in the GW handle. The GW tools are more expensive, yes, but--again from my personal experience--are much better made and much more comfortable on the hand than the excel ones. To me, that's quite worth the few extra bucks I spend on a tool. It's the same reason I bought a DeWalt Cordless Drill instead of a Black & Decker, and it's the same reason everyone on this site spends more money for GW plastics vs. a company like Mantic; you pay a premium for high quality.

[Brass Scorpion]

Is GW's Razor Saw worth the price?A good razor saw is an essential tool for major conversion projects. GW's is excellent with a nice fine blade, but with one drawback. I've been told that the GW saw's blade is NOT replaceable or interchangeable. X-Acto makes a razor saw with interchangeable blades and they also sell a fine blade to fit it.

[Tynskel]

I can attest to good tools being invaluable.

I have a:
Dremmel w/ grinding, drills, and blades
4 different xacto blade handles- different shapes for different jobs.
Two sets of puddly tools- one large for things like tanks, and small for detail work
Different types of blades for xacto
Two sets of clippers
Two sets of pliers (different shapes)
Two sets of cutting boards
Magnets of different sizes
Sticks of green stuff

I usually acquire tools almost every time I buy a model. I just think, oh, I don't have that. I bet that'll be useful for something.

I bought an imperial city for the parts. I also buy BWBitz bags for just a bag full of random parts.

[turiya64]

I have to agree with isotope99 the razor saw is not needed for this kind of work. Honestly i never felt the need for one but I have a copeing saw and my dremmel for large cuts. I mostly use #11 x-acto blades.
but we all have our own way to getting the same job done.

[ksoh75]

I have to agree with isotope99 the razor saw is not needed for this kind of work. Honestly i never felt the need for one but I have a copeing saw and my dremmel for large cuts. I mostly use #11 x-acto blades.
but we all have our own way to getting the same job done.

I was looking at a Coping saw....I'd have to order it online tho..Micheals and Hobby Lobby don't carry says....blades yes...saws no.

I have exacto knoves...several blades sizes....but I don't have the skill or patiance to cut through something like that with my sausage fingers....

[turiya64]

home depo or harbor freight for the coping saw are your best bet. depo if you are willing to pay a little more for a slightly nicer one and harbor freight if you want one on the cheep both will do what you want.