We’ve started carrying Warhammer products at our computer shop because, honestly, the crossover between gaming PCs and wargaming is real. I’m not pretending to be a painting pro or a tournament shark—I’m starting Warhammer 40,000 from scratch. Instead of faking expertise, I’m documenting the journey—wins, blunders, and all—so you can follow along (and maybe avoid a few of my mistakes).
To kick things off, I’m building a small squad of Space Marines for the shop, plus a Redemptor Dreadnought. The plan? If you’re curious about Warhammer 40k and want to try a game, swing by our Thursday night sessions and have a go without buying or painting minis first. I’d rather someone try it, decide it’s not for them, and spend nothing than feel stuck with models they’ll never use. We’ve got the basics in stock, and if we’re ever out of something, we can order it in.
Choosing the first army (and a sensible first box)
Diving straight into Orks, Chaos Space Marines, or a Terminator squad sounds epic, but I recommend starting with the Warhammer 40,000: Introductory Set—it includes paints, a few Marines, and enough Tyranids to put up a decent scrap. Best part: it has everything you need to start playing. Once you’re hooked, then you can think about expanding.
First mistake: clipping everything at once
I got excited and clipped all the bits off the sprues before assembly. Big mistake. Those tiny grey parts look very similar once they’re in a pile—instant 3D jigsaw. Save yourself the grief: only clip the part you need when you need it, and keep the sprue numbers handy.
Pace yourself (your glue and paint will thank you)
You probably won’t assemble and paint everything in one sitting. That’s fine—it’s a great sense of progress, especially for kids learning patience. Just set up a safe spot to leave sub-assemblies while glue and paint dry. Putting wet parts back into the box is… not ideal.
Painting tip: thin to win
My early painting mistake? Too-thick coats. Thin your paints a touch more than you think, build up your base colours in a couple of layers, and you’ll thank me later. Smooth finish, crisp details. And if you muck it up, no stress—mistakes and practice are how we all improve. Even Roboute Guilliman didn’t edge-highlight his first Intercessor perfectly (probably).
Whether you’re brand new or an experienced hobbyist, we’re friendly, we’ll help you pick tools and paints, and we can chat gaming computers, phone repairs, or the latest kits. Drop in at 85 Main Street, Lithgow, say hi, and if you’re from Lithgow, Katoomba, Bathurst, Leura, Oberon, Portland, Dubbo, Zigzag, Bilpin, Blackheath, or even Mellow Bath—come by for a game. Also check out the official site for new releases at Warhammer.com.