MDF Blockhouse scale

Here are some pics showing the scale of the MDF Blockhouse from Warbases.


              With a Infinity Morat miniature. The Infinity miniature is a bit tall for the door.

                            With a Perry Brothers civil war plastics mini. Size works great.

With two Privateer Press minis. The human model works great. The Trollblood, which are larger than humans, is a little big. 

                                 With two Reaper minis. They are a little big, but it works. 

First MDF terrain

I have been interested in purchasing mdf terrain ever since I first discovered it on the web. This type of terrain seems to be pretty new. The price, of course, always appealed to me. I googled around for mdf terrain and noticed that there really aren't any companies in the USA that produce such terrain. I also noticed that the foreign companies that do make it do not have US carriers selling their stuff. Seems there is a market to jump in there.

Anywho. I discovered Warbases through my googling and saw a few mdf terrain pieces I really liked. Now, their website it not too grand. The main thing I do not like is the lack of pictures for their terrain. For instance, I was drawn to the Blockhouse under their French and Indian war range. I can use it for historicals, fantasy, whatever. On their site, however, they only have one picture. Doesn't show it to scale with any minis, doesnt show the inside, nothing. I looked past that and saw the price, only $15, nice! But wait, international shipping! Ugh.

I decided to email them through their contact link. I stated that I love their products but shipping makes it not worth it. I also asked if they considered using a supplier here, like TheWarstore? They responded very quickly, and very nicely. After a few emails they decided they would send me the Blockhouse with free shipping! I was pumped!

A little later the Blockhouse finally came in. I opened the box and all of the mdf pieces were inside a ziploc bag. The first thing I noticed after unpacking it was the smell. Yes, smell. There is an odor that is caused by the laser cutting of the mdf board.

I then took the pieces out and looked them over. I love the detail in the wood!

After I looked them over (and washed my hands to get the smell off) I realized there were no directions how how to assemble. At first I did not like this, but once I started I realized it was actually very simple.

I thought about painting it, and what exactly I wanted done. I decided that it would be pointless to paint the wood, hell, it is wood. Looks great to me. So I taped off the wood areas and just spray painted the stone part with black base.

I then drybrushed the stone and started assembly. I glued everything in place with normal elmer's pva glue. All the pieces fit great. I love how you can remove the roof and have the option of two floors. I also love the removable walls and doors for the upstairs floor.

All in all, great piece of terrain for a great price! I just hope they continue producing new products, and get a supplier in the US.

After all was put together I noticed a few things.
1. I need to dry brush the stone again, its too dark;
and 2. I do not like the roof. I wish they would have added detailing in the roof, such as shingles, wood, something. Looks odd as one big flat piece when the rest is detailed. I think I will cut out shingles from cardboard and glue them to the roof.

If you look at their site they have a few other buildings. There is one cabin from the French and Indian war line that matches the Blockhouse. There are also some buildings from their Dark Ages line that would go, but they have no detailing, nor do they have windows. That was disappointing.

Little Man a week-a-thon. #2

I have been slacking pretty bad at this one a week deal. I blame work, life in general, and Star Wars the Old Republic! Whenever I do have free time I have been using it to play that. If you havent seen it, check it out. Great game.

Anyways, here are two more Kriel Warriors I finished.

French and Indian War

As I have stated before, I LOVE the miniatures from Conquest miniatures. I also love the colonial French and Indian war period in history. I have a ruleset for this period, its called "This Very Ground" and is tons and tons of fun!

Anywho, here are some French Marines and one native that I have painted.

The marines really have the look of  coureur de bois infantry. This is because I am creating a group of marines who were stationed in Natchitoches, Louisiana at Fort St. Jean Baptiste. They were stationed at this fort in order to maintain order and peace in the area, protect the trading with the natives, and be an outpost to watch the Spanish. These marines became one with the local natives, settling amongst them and even starting families with them. The marines would normally wear whatever they could, and incorporated many of the native's clothing into theirs.

So true!

Little Man a week-a-thon. #1

Week one:
I just finished my new and improved trolls. This is a Kriel Warrior leader and standard carrier.

New Year's(ish) resolution

So, I know its a little late to make a new year's resolution. Better late than never Ive always said! (my bosses at various jobs never seemed to agree).

I am going to consolidate all of my little men! What I mean is that I will simply focus on Warma/Hordes. I will also keep up with my French and Indian war models as well, just not as much. You see, I have tons of Warhammer Empire models (a whole Empire army), Warhammer 40k models (a whole space wolves army) and tons of Warhammer Lord of the Rings models. I dont even have time to play one game. So I am going to sell them all. Its a tough decision, but must be done. Luckily I dont need the money, but all these models are simply collecting dust because I think warhammer fantasy sucks, 40k is kinds boring, and no one plays lord of the rings unfortunately (this game is pretty awesome). I am only going to stick with warma/hordes.

My other part of the resolution is that I am going to complete at least 1 model a week. Every week I plan to post a picture of my completed model. The types may vary to keep my from getting bored.

Right now I have a full Cygnar army and a full Trollblood army. I want to get a Searforge Commission army. I am contemplating getting rid of my Cygnar, not too sure yet.

Well, time to take inventory of everything I want to sell. Ill post it all on here when I put it on ebay. 

Troll Skin deuce

I worked some on one of the kriel warrior trolls. Check the before and after of the skin job (sounds creepy).
The before is the last picture, the one where he has the darker green skin. What do ya think?

Steam Tank

I just finished painting this steam tank. It has been sitting in the closet for quite some time. It was halfway finished, so I decided to finish it off and sell it.

Troll Skin

I have been painting my trollbloods the typical troll color in fantasy, flat out green. But im not a huge fan. I started using a lighter color, with only a hint of green. Check them both out:

Now neither are obviously done, so dont judge them by their complete looks, just let me know your opinion on the skin color (while you are at it, how is the tartan?). The green one hasnt been washed or highlighted at all, the lighter one has been washed but not highlighted yet. Im wanting to go for more of a "realistic" animal feel with the colors, more reptile like, kind of. So I was thinking of maybe doing the big beasts in grays like Rhinos or elephants. Any ideas? Any suggestions on colors for the troops? Thanks!

Warhammer 40k

So I have taken the plunge and have gotten a 40k army, Space Wolves to be exact. After playing fantasy I discovered that, simply put, the mechanics suck. I did not like the huge blocks of infantry. You move, pivot, move, and bam you are in close combat. Yes there is strategy in the movement when it come to flanking and so forth, but overall there isnt much. It is all about what you bring to the table.

Over time I discovered I love skirmish based games such as Warmachine/Hordes. Before I got into 40k I tried to be smart about it. Instead of just jumping in and getting an army I spent time reading the rules, watching youtube vids, downloading (oops) the codexs and reading about the armies that interested me. I narrowed it down to space wolves based on their fluff and looks. Space Vikings? yes please!

I am magnetizing all of the models arms and weapons so I can change out weapons as I please, so it is taking a bit. If you want a good guide how to do that check here, its very very easy. Here is the size magnet you need, and then a 1/8 drillbit, and you are good to go.

Here is what I have so far for my space wolves.
1 Battleforce box which includes:
1 drop pod
x2 space wolves packs-can make grey hunters, blood claws, or wolf guard in power armor
1 unit of scouts. 

Njal Stormcaller
1 Space Wolves Guard Terminators
1 Dreadnought
1 Rhino


 I have NO idea what list I should build, ie. what units, weapons, gear, etc. I will make a list based off what I have so far. Any suggestions would be great. Whenever I come up with something I will post it.

Terrain finds 4

Deep Cut Studio:
Here is their main website, and here is their ebay store. 

I think mdf sounds great. They make great detailed models for a good price. I wonder what would be a good way to texture/paint them? If you have any suggestions please pass them by. Thanks.

I just noticed that it appears they do not ship to the US!!!!?? UGH! It has always appeared to me that miniature wargaming it much more popular overseas than here. I mean simply look at the miniature companies and the terrain/scenery companies. Most appear to be outside the US. Well I really like these, and they would would for historicals, fantasy, warmachine hordes, and hell even 40k with some work. I would like to get my hands on one. 

Terrain finds 3

Armorcast Resin
This company has tons of terrain items from medieval to futuristic. The prices arent bad either. Here are some samples of their stuff.