www.TK560.com

TK 109 · Guru Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 712 Location: Galena, Ohio

well, i'm pretty sure you'll be just fine. just don't do it for a living, and don't sniff the fumes to get a high. Wink

nudge nudge

point being, small doses, no problems. Smile

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-Alex

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tubachris85x · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

tubachris85x · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject:

alrighty then. I got some done, but not as much as I wanted (because I have to wait)

For both the shoulder bell and bottom forearm piece, I had to "raise" it, by actually cutting some MDF scraps and gluing it to the top portion. The shoulder bell was just not tall enough to finish the peak of the curve, or it would have had an area on the top that was completly flat.

Same thing for the forearm piece. I had began sanding the forearm piece, and got most of it, but I realized that I didnt let the wood glue cure all the way, so Im going to wait till next time, same for the shoulder bell.

Now, for the FX-back piece. I cut off the greeblies that extend out (neatly though, so that I can keep and use them for whatever!) I then measured the inside of the box, which was 9"x 6 1/2", and cut a plywood rectangle and set it inside the box, and ran wood glue around the edges between the plastic and wood.

I know it sounds weird that im using the wood glue to hold this support plate in place, but I can say that it will hold. If you remember, I had actually glued that PVC pipe to that back piece helmet buck, and its still attached. I would say that buck is about 8-10lbs, roughly, and it was attached to a 3" diameter PVC, about 13" tall. I am able to hold that PVC pipe parallel to the ground with the buck on the other end, and it holds itself
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tubachris85x · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

Alright..well, I just made a desicion about how im going to complete this costume...I am no longer going to construct the entire suit on my own, but Im going to start gathering pieces to "frankenstien" it together...

I know others have wanted this in "kit" form, but I simply cannot stress over trying to build every last bit of it.

Now, I will of course build the custom pieces that I need, but everything else thats clone, I will try to get from makers.

I want to get this finished.
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DarthVader1 · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject:

By any chance, once you're finished with it....will you continue to work with it the way you were doing it. without the stress and timeframe restrictions?

I just love the progress you've done (FROM SCRATCH, and in the most unusual ways), and made it happened most of it. Please, consider that in the future, and as future "source" of the only "DIFFERENT, 501st WORTHY" kind of armor I've ever seen. I could help as well with some items in the future after Dragon*Con. Wink

tubachris85x · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:

Well, Ive thought about that. I honestly will consider it. When I first started this, I didnt really have any idea of how I wanted to do this, but until I was able to really analyze the armor, and determine what I could get pre-made, I wanted to "frankenstien" the suit. But, early on, I recieved a large number of PM's and emails, regarding wether or not I would be selling kits or not. In order for me to do that, I would obviously need to make every last piece, myself.

Im really flattered that anyone would even consider wanting to purchase something that I made, but please let me finish building it rofl. So it was more pressure on me to build everything myself, and thats really why I was going to consider that.

The thing about making the rest of the armor pieces after I make this first one, is that I dont know how good it will be in comparison to what I will be using. I mean, all the pieces that Im getting pre-made, is just the clone armor pieces. Everything else will just be made by me. So really, after I get these pieces, all that I really need to make is the shins, and the chest piece...oh and make new handplates

But I will consider it. I will definatly offer all the custom pieces after I can fabricate them. Just need to finish the vac-form bucks and that helmet. I might take you up on that offer for help after. Thanks!
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tubachris85x · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

Alright, well I just spent a good 2 1/2 hours working on both the fore arm buck and the shoulder.

Im scrapping the shoulder buck, its just too inaccurate and beyond the point of no return for it's salvage. Im taking a different route with it in time.

The bottom forearm picece now looks as it should, with the proper curve, where it was once flat and looked wrong. All I need to do to finish that is just apply some bondo around the edges of where I had added the extra MDF scrap, so that it is completly smooth with the rest of it.

Thats all for today
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jegner · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:40 am Post subject:

Sounds good. Any recent pics?

Jim

tubachris85x · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject:

tubachris85x · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:07 am Post subject:

Well, with a little mix of insomnia and compulsive actions, I started clay work on the helmet. This is a brand thats meant for sculpting and also works with silicone molding, so I figure this should work out in the long run. This is really my first time using clay (except as a toddler now lol) so Im really learning as I go. I seem to get the general shape, but my biggest issue, is making it all really smooth, the way I need it. Also, certain spots, the clay will cling onto the tools and no matter how careful I am at tryin to smooth those areas, it will just come right off, leaving a "hole" in the clay.

Thats it really. I only had enough for the dome as of right now, even then, as you can see in the 2nd pic, that the left side is lower then the right. Thats caused by that "sinkhole" that was created by the expanding foam. I need to get more clay in order to fill it in a bit more.

-TC
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jegner · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

Looking good! Temperature has a lot to do with the clay's performance. Try setting it in the fridge for an hour, to harden it up, if you find it too soft to work with. Also, you can use a hair dryer to warm spots up if you need it softer. Also, I don't know the brand of clay you are using but some brands of wax based clays smooth up nicely with rubbing alcohol, or mineral spirits.

Jim

tubachris85x · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:21 am Post subject:

TK 109 · Guru Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 712 Location: Galena, Ohio

looks good! Very Happy

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-Alex

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Indigogyre · Novice Joined: 04 May 2006 Posts: 47

It looks like you are going to need a lot more clay. Depending on where you get your supplies from there is a good FX shop in Florida. You might be able to get some of your sculpting supplies from there.

FX Warehouse

I do like the geometric origami base that you put together also. Smile

Dean