WORKSHOP #1


Interchangable Dreadnaught Arms

( non-magnetic )
The following instructions are for modifying Space Marine or Chaos Dreadnaught arms so that they are removeable, allowing a single dreadnaught's weapons to be customized for any battle. This assumes that you have extra weapon arms, available from GWUK Mail Order, or have scratchbuilt your own.

Materials
Dreadnaught arm
metal pin             about 1mm dia, brass or piano wire, about 6-8mm long
plastic tubing      I use styrene tubing made by Evergreen Scale Models, one of the standard sizes
                            is lightly smaller than the arm post and another fits closely over that size, sorry
                            I dont remember the sizes. Other materials may be substituted.

Equipment
Pin Vise and small drill bits      A bit the isze of the pin is needed
large drill bit                            A bit slightly larger than the outer plastic tube is needed
small files
Razor Saw                              not required but makes cutting tubing and pin easier
hobby (xacto) knife
Styrene glue                            recomend liquid type
Super glue or epoxy

Procedure
Cut a peice of each size tubing to the length of the arm post.

Glue the two pieces together to form a single thick tube.

Carefully file the arm post to reduce it's diameter so that it fits snugly inside
the plastic tube, should require less than 1mm reduction.

Drill a hole in the arm post for the pin about 1 mm from the end, I drilled mine
from top to bottom but yours may be different depending on how you want it to
lock in place.

Glue the pin in the hole and trim so that it sticks out the thickness of the tube.

Cut a slot in the tube lengthwise the width of the pin and just long enough for
the tube to slide onto the post, I recomend test fitting to get correct length.

Cut a slot arround the tube about 1/4 its circumference (90 degree arc), the slot
should start at the end of the end of the first slot. This allows the tube to be rotated
on the post with the pin locking it on. I chose the direction of the slot to allow the
arm to slide on with the front pointing up and then rotating down to lock, this uses
the arms weight to hold it in locked position.

Enlarge the hole in the arm post using the large drill bit so that the tube may be
placed into the arm pad. I drilled the hole by hand to avoid drilling too deep, check
depth frequently.

Glue the tube into the arm pad being carefull not to get glue in the slots.

This procedure should be within the abilities of the average modeler, but does require
you to be carefull.

Diagrams
I hope to have better drawing or actual pictures up soon but these should
give you the basic ideas of construction.
 

Arm Pad

External view of tube showing slots

Arm post showing pin

Lane Shutt
lmshutt@hiwaay.net

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