Space Hulk Plus - Part 1

[originally drafted 2018-01-18, new content at the end]

Not all projects make it across the line; some end up binned, retconned into other projects, or put into a limbo of indefinite hiatus (aka, "i'll get back to that when i've done the latest thing to pique my interest").

Back in August 2015 (i know because foruhe pics have dates :) ) i started on a now long-running project that sat idle for a long time but which i've dusted off recently.

I'm a big fan of the GW box game Space Hulk. The quantised nature of the mechanics appeals to me far more than the 'ruler measured' mechanics of i.e. regular 40k. Until the appearance of Betrayal at Calth, Space Hulk was my favourite ruleset.

Space Hulk Plus (3D)

Having recently purchased my first 3D printer (2015), it occured to me to make a 3D corridor setting rather than the original flat map jigsaw. There were already some projects on the net at that stage for inspiration; mainly (resin) cast structure pieces though rather than 3d prints.

So I whipped up some models in sketchup and started printing.

In all there were perhaps a dozen different sketchup models, the combinations thereof make up the various Corridor Segments. The straight Corridor Segments (in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-block flavours) are made up one or more of the above pieces.

This pic (above) shows three different piece types that comprise a single 'L' segment.

once i had enough segments 'dry' assembled it was time to start gluing them to 3mm mdf as a base. this serves a number of purposes;

i) holds the pieces together, i did consider just gluing the pieces end-to-end but the result was too flimsy. i also considered connector pieces but these were unnecessary using a solid, underlying base.

ii) adds a little weight to make the segments hard to knock around on the table. Without a 'jigsaw' element to the segments they rely on their own mass to keep them in position.

iii) the softer material of the mdf helps protect the table surface a bit (as opposed to plastic)

[ed: if only i knew - re new content]

p.s. pegs are a very handy accessory to have in your hobby space, whether it be for holding glued bits together, as spacers to keep things apart or to prop your paint brush off the table. they're brilliant.

the above pics show the general concept, size and scale of the project.

at the current time i have just finished assembling all the segments, including gluing, edge sanding. before the break i had run out of plastic and then other projects took precedence, but during the recent (christmas) holiday period (2017-2018) i broke out the storage box and started smoothing the unfinished pieces.
I think mid last year i printed off the last of the required pieces (mainly straight segments from memory) and late last year i reworked the door pieces.

anyway, as well as segment finishing, i also worked on connection mechanics, using the (new) door pieces as well as new connector pieces to create a more solid connection between the segments. they're not perfect but they're also not entirely required. the segments are generally solid enough to handle all but the clumsiest, fattest of fingers so not jigsaws are required for every single segment.

i do need to finish off about a dozen connections before moving to the next stage which is probably first stage painting.

[new content 2018-04-20]
so not a lot happened since i drafted this post... until now.

why now?
firstly, a step back; i have just finished churning out a bunch of BFG chaos ships before deciding i generally wasn't happy with the fleet. specifically i have a bunch of cruisers that look so similar aside from weapon loadout that they're... somewhat boring.
even the battleship is barely bigger than the cruisers, whereas the imperial fleet has loads of contrast.
i was considering up-ing the scale of the battleship and perhaps down-ing the scale of the cruisers. I probably also need to consider the scale of the imperial ships as well.
anyway, i'm in a bit of a funk with the BFG project (again).
so i stopped thinking about it.

why not?
for no real reason in particular i was thinking about Space Hulk project instead, and about the connector i designed, which i was never truly happy with.
so i had a look on thingiverse for the openlock tiles/connectors. i'd seen them before but never delved too deeply into it.
anyway i downloaded some stls; modified them to a slightly smaller thickness (connector clip @ 3mm), and made the 'connector block' as wide as my corridor segments... pics help...

bee-uew-dee-full !

a set of 2 connector blocks and the connector clip takes 50 minutes to print on draft setting (perfectly suitable). i'm also cutting out a section of the mdf base and supergluing the block in. it is not flush.

this will put plastic back in contact with the table top - i couldn't be bothered 'back filling' with mdf into the gap between connector blocks - but too bad. it's a brilliant connection.
In hindsight i wish i'd explored incorporating them into the corridor pieces a bit more.

it's going to take a while to print/modified all the corridor segments but so be it; won't be the first time i've had to chip away at a boring task.
pegs getting another workout.

In very brief printer news. the printer is kinda chugging and grinding and making more chirpy noises than i'd like.
bit disconcerting, especially in light of starting a new project where i'll be churning out lots of  items that need to be the same and hopefully get enough of them to finish the project [sigh].
the first 'openlock' print had a 'sliding' issue (pic below). turns out one of the grub screws had come loose from the y-axis pulley gear. easy enough to put back in of course.

however all of the above is why i'm hesitant to really lock down the machine too much (as in locktite the screws and glue the printer frame to the base etc. 
if the future of this printer project is to be one of continuous adjustment then i have a feeling i'm going to be snapping off glued bits etc.
i notice it more because the up!mini just ran with nary a turn of a hex key.

and that's that.

until next time...