I mean we all know hobbies are expensive. Check out an actual gold plated miniature that is supposedly cheaper than Forge World resin!
Coming from Klipse11 on Reddit, he’s played around with some materials and managed to actually gold-plate an entire Custodes model. Meet the Goldstode Warden, Goldmember! Here are the progress pics of how he did everything, with a full album you should check out on Imgur.
Ever wonder what a gold-plated GW model might look like? Check out this dope Goldstode ready for the tabletop, or jewelry store.
Actual Gold Minis Are Less Expensive Than Forge World Resin
Before you ask. Yes, this is real gold on a GW sculpt. However, it’s not just a thin layer of gold over plastic. He went ahead and created a silver form first.
Once the silver pieces were all separated, he laser welded the seams and joints of the model together.
With the model cleaned up and all pieced together, the silver Custodes is just as cool. But taking things a step further and making this dude shine with the glory of the Emperor, he plated it with 24K gold.
This guy is made of pure .999 fine Silver and plated in 24K Gold.
Once it was plated, he came out looking FRESH. It really puts the real gold look into perspective. The natural gold color is way more intense than the gold pigments found inside of paints normally used to pull off gold effects on minis.
But what might be one of the funniest comments on the thread, even plating a Custode in silver and gold is cheaper than Forge World.
Currently, an ounce of silver goes for about $17.22, versus a whopping $1650 for gold. So at least in theory, the estimate of $40 seems reasonable depending on the actual amount of gold used by volume.
Coincidentally a golden Custode Warden is up for sale right now on eBay for a tad bit more than $40.
Perhaps labor, and supplies to make your own would cost a bit more…
Either way, great job hobbying outside of the box on this one! Between 3D printing, and now metalworking, who knows what models we may see in the future.
What a time to be alive!
If GW made some fine jewelry themed around 40k, would you grab a few pieces? Is this the most creative you’ve seen someone get with a GW model?
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
