How to Scratch Build a Chimera - Extra Details

Ahoy thar!

Yes, it's been a while, and unfortunately I can't say I'm ready to get back into the hobby to the same degree. Instead, I will continue the current pattern of posting one or two tutorials a year, and so slowly build up the scratch-building resources available here. Now, onto the tutorial!


I was recently messaged by Dinodew2, who has discovered a relatively simple way of adding some extra detail to the scratch built chimera you can find on this site. His idea was to use toothpicks, lollipop sticks and a hole punch to create hinges, opening gears and rivets. This is his Chimera:

What you will need:
- Plastic lollipop sticks (the kind that have the hole down the centre)
- Toothpicks
- 1.5mm hole punch
- Cereal box cardboard



1- First, cut a toothpick roughly 1cm shorter than the length of the door/hatch edge you plan to add a hinge to (of course, you may need it shorter or longer, depending on personal taste). Glue this toothpick centred on the edge of the door/hatch like so:

- Once the doors, hatches, and raised details are stuck on, you can add rivets. Dinodew2 uses a 1.5mm hole punch to create rivets out of cardboard, and I like the way they look.



2- Creating the 'gear-thingies' near the back door requires a little more effort, but I think the result is far superior to the parts supplied in the template. First, cut a length of lollipop stick roughly 13mm long.

- Then, chop off the pointed ends of a toothpick and insert it down the middle of the lollipop stick, so that roughly 9mm of toothpick extends from the end of the lollipop stick.

- Finally, cut some small disks from the lollipop stick, and glue it all together.

And there you have it, with a little bit of extra effort, you can add that much more detail to your model!

Many thanks to Dinodew2 for sharing your ideas, and taking the effort to send in plenty of WIP pictures and explanations to write up this tutorial. I appreciate it!




Until the next tutorial, happy scratch building!


40k Pirate










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