Alright well. I am about to spend some time with family for the next few days. I have been working on the right gauntlet on and off for the past few weeks here is the information. The sintra is shaping well, but not as easily as I wanted it to. I found it difficult to follow the curve templates.
Process:
1. Trace out the gauntlets onto the sintra using the templates
2. Realize that the gauntlets are for ROTJ (I did that much later in this process)
3. Make appropriate changes to the right gauntlet template (Outer side piece not as tall, with a different paint job)
4. Cut out the pieces and shape them
5. Glue all the pieces together (just the outer pieces don't actually glue it onto the gauntlet yet)
6. I added controls and a battery using micro switches that face out on the gauntlet. The front is a double light and will actually work quite well as a flashlight the second switch is wired to the 9v, but nothing to run yet.
6. Bondo and fill seams as necessary
7. Glue the outer pieces to the gauntlet body
That is where I am. I have glued the top portion on, but still need to glue the hose connector and the side piece.
Things I have learned:
- Xacto knifes are SHARP. I lost quite a bit of blood. luckily the battery had died on the camera so you didn't get to see my run off and stop the bleeding then walk around mumbling "That hurt a LOT, and was very stupid" over and over again.
- Check your dang templates and reference photos until you know them cold! I could have saved a bit of sintra and time if I would have corrected the side piece sooner.
- Length of gauntlets is hard, i originally made them a bit shorter since I am a smaller guy and didn't want them to be arms lenght. I ended up having to add a bit of length back on to the gauntlet because I made the top parts of the gauntlet full sized
- Ensure you understand and plan for the width of your gauntlet material.
Things I still need to figure out:
- How am I going to open and close this gauntlet? I am leaning towards magnets sunk into the Sintra and a couple small hinges that I already have on hand.
- What kind of attachment the hose attaches to the gauntlet
- Are those lights on the side of the gauntlet towards the back outer or just dental files (from some pictures I have seen I am thinking about some .22LR casings painted red and blue)
- How exactly to do the left gauntlet better
This gauntlet I actually think is going to turn out AMAzing. The Gauntlet still needs:
-- Darts
-- Side piece finished
-- Hinge/attachment methods figured out and implemented
-- Bondo cleaned up in the lower half "windows"
-- Painted
-- Shown off
I would like to make a short explanation video of what I did and how I made the determination for the front light. it is two LEDs rather than 1. I think we can all agree that my costume is probably not going to get a screen accuracy award, nor am I planning on joining the 501st. Would anybody be interested in seeing how I made the determination for resistor and what I did? Let me know, I sort of feel like I have been talking to myself.
Below is the updated to do list as it currently stands. I am not necessarily doing them in this order.
To Do:
1. Make the Gauntlets
-- Right Gauntlet 50% done
2. Correct Neck seal color to vest material
-- Waiting to get my sewing machine back and the motivation
3. Make Knee Armor
4. Make Shin Pockets
5. Make Spats
6. Paint Back Armor
7. Find Cheap helmet
-- I am leaning towards a cardboard helmet I read/studied several threads in the past few days, leaning towards this route
8. Ammo Belt
9. EE Blaster
10. Side Arm to include Holster
11. ?????
12. Profit
-- I doubt there will be any profit on this one
Pictures: (Video will probably come around tomorrow, but it will be a LONG one!)
Just tacked on
Before realizing it was too big
The top finished, just awaiting holes and toggles
All the pieces waiting for finishing touches, even sitting on the gauntlet.
Proto-typing for the light:
First Light mockup, I didn't think about the switches that had to come in so that nifty battery holder I made got taken out and scrapped.
What it looks like on my arm, also added in the switches.
Glued the top onto the gauntlet and then sealed it with bondo (I did 2 coats before I called it good enough)
After first coat of bondo. I added one more coat and sanded, but didn't get any pictures. I will try and remember to get some when I add the video. You can see the difference that steady smoothing can add to a project.