how to build your own BB-8

For the past few months I've been building my own BB-8.  Now it's finished this particular BB-8 has started his own classified mission and has gone off to my local Picturehouse cinema to help them to celebrate the release of The Force Awakens.  Here's how I built him, in case any of you fancy giving it a go.


Stage 1: Getting started



To build BB-8 you'll need a plastic baking bowl (I got this one from Wilko's) the top of a Bisto gravy pot and a milk bottle top to create the head.  For the body you'll need something spherical.  I used a blow up beach ball.


Stage 2: Paper Mache 

Next you'll need to Paper Mache the bowl and the ball.  I used water downed PVA glue and newspaper.  Make sure you apply a good number of layers and that you leave enough time between to allow each layer to fully dry.  This was the longest stage to do.  Make sure that you leave a hole in the top of your ball so you can attach the head to the body.



Stage 3: Attaching the head to the body 

To attach the head to the body I used the following items (Pictured above).

• 1 wooden broom handle
• A nail
• Some plaster of Paris
• Screw and washers

Cut the wooden handle down to size and place it inside the ball.  Use a nail to secure it into place.  Next mix up the plaster and use it to fill the ball to about one thirds full.  Once set the plaster will help keep the pole in place and it will also make sure that your BB-8 will stay upright once completed.

Once the plaster is fully dried you can attach the head to the ball.  I used a screw to do this  

Stage 4: Painting

I used a white gloss car spray paint to base coat my BB-8.  You'll probably need to apply a few coats so make sure that the paint is dry before applying any additional coats. 

Once the basecoat is fully dry I then went on to paint the eye and holo-projector.  I used oil based paints (The type you would use to paint an Airfix model) to do this.

Next thing I painted was the hathes on the head (Use cardbaotd to create them) and the gray areas.


Stage 5: Detailing the body

For the final stage of the build I went on to add detailing to the head and mark out the circles on the body I used a Sharpe to create the lines but before doing that I pencilled them out first as a guide.  To create the circles on the body I used a set of composes.  

Finally all you need to do is paint the remaining details, leave it to dry and you've got your very own BB-8.

And here he is helping us out in the movie quiz.

What's on my Painting Table - Chaos and Blood Angels

It's been a busy few days with lots of hobby stuff to work on at the moment.  First off, my Chaos Space Marine army (which is currently transitioning from a Red Corsairs into a full Death Guard army) has been getting some attention.

Having recently played a game with them I decided to re-tweak my army list.  In doing so I decided to add some more cultists to my unit (which act as Plague Zombies due to Typhus) bolstering them from 12 to 18.  As such I currently have three which I am painting up and have undergone some small conversions.  

I’ve also switched out Vindicator with a Predator tank armed with two Lascannons and a Havoc Launcher to give me some much needed long range heavy support. I’ve assembled and spray undercoated the tank and at some point I’ll begin to paint it.  

Finally I’ve ordered 10 Raptors to add to my force, which should hopefully give me a good unit that can easily jump onto objectives to secure them or rid them of opponents units. (These haven’t arrived yet).

My new Chaos Space Marine units

3 of the cultists I'm currently working on.

I’ve also decided to start a new 40K army and after much consideration I decided to go back to my roots and go with Blood Angels, which were the first army I had when I originally got into playing 40K back in the early 90’s.  Unfortunately I no longer have any of my original Blood Angels force (Apart from a captain with Jump-pack) so I’ve had to go and get some new units.  Luckily I already have a Blood Angels Captain in the form of the one they were selling at Games Day 2012 but I got myself two Tactical Squads (1 Blood Angels one and 1 regular one which I used the Blood Angels upgrade sprues on) and the Blood Angels Librarian in Terminator Armour (Which i've also started painting).  

I'm also working on this Libraian. 

Next on my “to get” is 10 Death Company marines which will be equipped with Jump-packs and close combat weapons.  I’m thinking of using my Imperial Knight as an allied unit with my force and getting some heavy support in the form of either some Predator tanks or a Landraider.  I’m also tempted with a Stormravon to provide me with some air support and transport.  

So lots to keep me busy over the Christamas period, oh and of course their THAT film coming out soon to...

What's on my Painting Table - Blood Angels Sanguinary Priest

Here's my latest finished minature, a converted Blood Angels Sanguinary Priest.  It took me two days to paint and i'm happy with the finish on it.  Although I donlt ahve many Blood Angels in my colelction I really liked this minature so thought I'd get one just to paint up. 

I'm also currnelty workign pon some Dire Avemgers and some Chaos Cultisits. 

As well as working on my Sanguinairy Priest I've also started painting another five Dire Avengers and some Chaos Cultisits (Out of shot). 

Early stages of the painting.  I decided to paint the helmet Red as I felt it gave a more dramatic feel to the minature. 

Most of the bascoating and washes done.

Rear view. 

The finished minature.