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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Kicking Off the New Year With a New Hobby Blog

Welcome to my hobby blog! I’m Rob Hawkins, former hobby manager for Privateer Press. You might recognize some of my handywork from the Warmachine books, and the PP hobby site. Starting my own hobby page is something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now, and the start of the new year seems like the perfect time to kick things off.


I’ll be using this blog to feature some of my previous hobby projects, and show off what I’m currently working on. I’ve been collecting miniatures and building wargame terrain for about 15 years, and I’ve got several armies for Warmachine & Hordes, Warhammer 40K & Fantasy, Warmaster, LOTR, Flames of War, and Malifaux. So whatever your game, you should be able to find something of interest here. I hope you’ll follow along!



For starters, here’s a peek into my hobby studio. In our new apartment, I’m fortunate enough to have a second bedroom that serves as my work studio/ and hobby area.


Over to the side is my supply shelf, stocked with all of my paint, flock, tools, and parts bins. Some of my finished models find their home in the display cabinet. My computer and drafting table occupy the other end of the room.



My personal gaming table is an urban, flagstone table built on three 2’ x 4’ sections of insulation foam. The board was designed to be appropriate for Warmachine, Mordheim, or 40K Cityfight, and the panels can be arranged in different combinations to prevent the craters and trenches from always being in the same place from game to game. Check out my tutorial on Terrainthralls.com to see how the boards were built. I’ve also got a GW game mat for a more traditional “flock & forests” type of environment.




I bought two inexpensive tables at Ikea (something like $20 each). Each measures 2’ x 40” so they can easily accommodate a 4’ x 4’ setup with minimal overhang. For a 6’ x 4’ I space the tables apart and have the middle foam panel straddle the gap. If you don’t have space for a dedicated gaming area, this kind of setup is great since the foam panels and even the tables (their legs unscrew) can easily be stored away and set up as needed, or transported in the back of a car over to your buddy’s house for an afternoon of beer & bloodshed.



Usually, I keep one of the game board panels out on display and keep the other table clear to use as a work area. Here you can see my latest project – a batch of 40 Grave Guard armed with great weapons– about halfway through their painting. But we’ll get to them another time…



'Til next time!

7 comments:

  1. Sweet! I've always wondered what you've got set up at home. Glad you're able to get a nice hobby room to yourself in your new place. Very much wish I was stationed up there.

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  2. Thanks for sharing, Rob. I love that table setup. I may have to give that a try sometime in the future (once I get all my armies painted, graduate, get a job, and have summers free to do such things, that is).

    I'm looking forward to looking over your shoulder. Have an amazing 2012!

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  3. Be sure to stop by Slamondworks.com Rob. the other 'thralls hang out there too.

    Good to see you able to branch out a bit. Very nice.

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  4. Great set-up you have there. I only wish mine was as clean and tidy as yours.

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  5. Great site John! Thanks for the comments guys!

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  6. Nice setup, I have a similar setup but not such an impressive 3d modular table. I have five sheets of MDF stacked on a fixed 4 x 6 table that has some nice broad side bumpers and when I want a different board setup I simply slide the topper out that I need and put it on top. Granted I have my garage converted to a full game room (heat, A/C, carpet, beer fridge ... life is good) so there is quite a bit of room, so I can warrant spending a bit of the square footage on such a large fixed table. Your modular table design is awesome though, as is just the concept of using your space to maximum efficiency. I have a small hobby room in my basement I've been struggling to get converted into a nice usable space so its really good to see how other folks are doing it. Thanks!! Great post and looking forward to more!

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  7. Welcome to the Blogging World.

    I look forward to reading more about your adventures.

    Tony
    http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/

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