Making some gauntlets

In an effort to make our Zam V2 even better I have begun making the gauntlets:










It's a little crude so my plan is to mold this, make a casting and clean up, sand, and fine tune the casting then make another mold .. actually 2 more molds because I need one for each half so it can hinge open like the original.

They look good so far! Good luck with the molds

Yeah... so very crude... What are those again? I can't quite tell?

The Zam God has started a new prop project! YEAHHHH!!! Can't wait to see the progress pics and finished product! Keep us posted!

Wow!
Those look nice.
Crude would be what it looked like if I tried
Yeah, these are something I'm planning to buy from someone LOL

Very nice looking!

Thanks all!!
I know ... I'm crazy anal and super self critical.
It's good to make something for Zam again ... that's new anyway New projects get the juices flowing again.

I actually noticed a mistake. I didn't allow space for the hinge on the bottom so I need to make my trim line a little wider but I think once I cast it and clean, sand and fine tune it should work out nicely.

I'm excited to make a new zam that will hopefully be better than our first suit.... I will be glad when I'm done though

It's really amazing mate !! REALLY REALLY AMAZING !!!

I'm dying to see it finished, and off course, I dont have to tell you this but, I want 1 copy of this beast !!!

Keep on working so hard mate, you are amazing

Looks great!! I hope to see updates soon!

what kind of clay are you using for the base? Self hardening? or..??

Looking fantastic!

Thanks guys/gals! I'm really excited to make these

Ben, you know it.. I think I can probably help you out

Yvonne, I use classic clay (soft). It stays soft forever. A lot of sculptors in the local art community use the same clay as do some of the sculptors in my family so that's basically why I started using it. I don't have much experience with other brands.

Wow.......

How did you get it so smooth....its......you have skills.

-Tim-

I noticed you have it on a pole. Did you construct a turning thingamagig? Cause I am thinking you used it like a potter's wheel. Ok, it's a lot like plasticine clay then. Makes sense...

Moncal,

That's looking awesome! Out of interest how has anyone else placed the leather brim fully around the gaunlet? Me and Becky struggled for well over 5 hrs Sunday (and another 6 on Saturday) until we finally cracked it

I also notice you mention this baby will be hinged? Do you have any pictures of this please dude?

Also we had the cool idea of making that indented 'troph' shape some sort of detactable knife. I love magnets and this is a good excuse. Any know what it is for? I'm talking about the rarely seen greeblie on the back of her gaunlet?
Please say knife

Ta

John

Unfortuneately, the little finger looking thing thing aint a knife. But a cool idea. If you look at the NY shots from Kristin, you will see the piece.

Originally Posted by Zam I Am

Unfortuneately, the little finger looking thing thing aint a knife. But a cool idea. If you look at the NY shots from Kristin, you will see the piece.

Yeah but it could be knife!
I've searched high and low for a description of what it's for and to no avail. I have been looking at the NY shots yes. Going to make a mould for one this weekend and look into vac forming some sort of 'shoe' for it.
Although looking at it, It could be a totally seperate piece that's attached to her arm, not so much the gauntlet. Much like her armed greeblie above her elbow?
Hence my idea for a 2 piece knife/holster thingy. She pulls it out of her gauntlet and slashes folk!
After all, she is an assassin!

Looks cool whatever it is

PS: I'm not a knife nut

I know for a fact, that they didn't mold a knife in there, and it is part of the gauntlet. But hey, it's a great idea that would make yours different I don't quite understand vac'ing a 'shoe' but post if you do! I am interested in methods.

Do you have other pictures of this little baby lying around anywhere?

The 'shoe' refers to moulding I'd do so it would glue into the inside of her gauntlet. It would have a negative receased dip in it for the greeblie to sit in. In there would be a magnet so it holds on.
(I'd just push the greeblie down into clay and then vac form over the shape it left in the clay

That way the greeblie would sit nice and snug in the female negative 'shoe' It would look like it's one solid unit but it would allow Becky to rip it off and stab people, LOL

Ok, so it's not a knife

I wrapped my old gauntlets with leather and it's not that difficult ... gotta practice a bit before putting any glue on though

I use sheepskin skiver leather which is very soft and stretchy. You need to cut it out to match the shape but it will wrap around and tuck into the little groove. The same process is needed for the chest armor and shinguards.

I just formed the clay onto the pole and went after it .. use a lot of tools and staight edges etc. I do the same thing on my other stuff if you've seen my scout or snowtrooper threads on the other forums.

so it appears the master may be getting more interest form me...good god cal...your breaking my bank..hehe

I made some progress on the first part of the left gauntlet.











And the handgaurds:



Don't mind the crudeness and semi-crooked lines. I'll fix those on the first casting before making the final molds.

Cal... You're my hero! And yes... you're breaking my bank too!

The one final part(s) I need to finish this blasted Zam costume! I've been having nightmares about those gauntlets.... or rather not having them!

Thanks Laura



And the top part of the left gauntlet:











Now to mold that and cast resin pieces for all of them, clean 'em up and make yet another set of molds for the final pieces :icon_biggrin:

Cal you never cease to amaze me! Looking great!

BTW - thanks for pushing me over to these forums! I'm like a kid in a candy shop...if they only had a male variant of Zam...

At this rate I may get this costume done before I'm in the old folks home!

Originally Posted by ItsThatGuy

..if they only had a male variant of Zam...

What about Jango? (Or Boba for that matter?) Those are great costumes too!

Simply amazing !!! you are a BEAST !!!

I'm dying to get them !!! I have no words

Oh, I might have to sell some stuff on E-bay to afford these,....my oldest son, maybe. It'll be worth it...these gauntlets are awesome!

And much better than my ones made from two-liter soda bottles and felt. I had real metal on the back of my gloves, though (jaggedy). And it does fall off occasionally,...what do ya'll advise to keep those on? I don't know if being in Florida matters, sometimes pieces have to sit in the vehicle in the summer sun and get REAL hot. I've tried Gorilla Glue and that stuff troopers use that has to be mixed before using...maybe I lose mine because I keep bumping them on walls and stuff when I'm wearing them. I was thinking of making something with some tiny loops on the underside and sewing it onto the gloves (sewing IS something I can do).

ZamGram

Originally Posted by zamgram

Oh, I might have to sell some stuff on E-bay to afford these,....my oldest son, maybe. It'll be worth it...these gauntlets are awesome!

Uh..oh... She's got the Zam Bug! When you start considering selling off your first born!

I'm not sure how MonCal is gonna work these, but if they are like ZIA's were, they should be tight enough at the wrist not to fall off. And the two parts were held together with a long pin - if that makes any sense.

I know what you mean about the heat - in Arizona we have the same problem! I actually try to avoid using a lot of glue for just that reason!

Thanks guys / gals

Tony.. good to see ya here and I know what you mean. The zam is one of the coolest costumes. I am happy I have someone who can wear it hehe

Yeah, the gauntlets will hinge open like the originals and have a pin.

And zamgram, I think you're talking about the guards that go on the back of the glove and thumb? the originals had little loops of wire fiberglassed to the piece and they were sewn to the glove. I haven't decided if I want to do that or not. We used "goop" when we attached those guards to our first pair of gloves and they won't come off without ripping the leather.

Cal,

I understand that these will be hinged with you but how would the left hand (recessed) one open properly? I thought it had a leather seam all the way around it?

I must say these look freeking stunning dude. Any idea of price?

ZamGram we have the heat problem in San Diego in the summer as well. We have the hot glue on Jon's trooper lenses pop all the time.
I have heard people rave about E-6000. I heard that once it's set it's good forever. Maybe that would work?

I used to be a store manager for a custom frame shop, and we used E-6000 all the time as a safe, yet semi-permanent solutions for tacking fabrics down in shadow boxes. We would also re-enforce it by sewing the fabric down. It takes about 24 hours to cure. It's basically a type of silicone glue. So heat will not melt it, and it's water proof too.

I'm just not sure it will hold up to trooping, not on a hand plate at least. It's worth a shot.

I would say you could put a 1" elastic strap on the under side of the hand plate and having it "threaded" thru the glove. Cutting two slits in the glove that would be consealed by the hand plates...

Just my 2 credits...

Use some thin rare earth magnets for the hand plates. Sew some into the gloves and epoxy some onto the hand plate.

The upper part of the left gauntlet is separate from the lower part. It slides onto the arm first. The lower part will have the hinge so you can clamp that onto the arm while the upper part is up around the elbow. Then the upper part will sort of "snap" into the lower part. I'm designing it so it will have a "key" on the underside and will rest on the raised ridges on the back of the lower half........ if that makes sense

makes perfect sense to me...(as i grab my wallet..hehe)

Originally Posted by JDFett

makes perfect sense to me...(as i grab my wallet..hehe)

I agree, I'm right there with you!

Sign me up, Cal!

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I'll start by trying out the E-6000 on some stuff.

I can't say I understand your explanation of how the gauntlets will attach (scratches her gray hair), but they look AWESOME. I'll start saving my pennies....and maybe my nickels, too.

nice eye tony...but im wondering if cal didnt have an idea of an add on piece to put onto that after the casting????

also...cal,

does the handguards come with a gauntlet purchase? if not, id also be in the market for a set of those

I'll probably offer the handguards either way.

And yeah those raised pieces will be made separately along with the small little squares on the other side of that gauntlet and the worm shaped thingy on the other gauntlet I really thought I'd have those done this week but I've been too busy with a local convention this weekend and CIV coming so I will hopefully have it all done in time for CIV.... don't know about the Boushh project now though

And in your spare time Cal...

Cal - If you need an intern to help lighten the load...

Ok, maybe I'd get in the way with my no talent! A person with the eye for detail, but can't do anything about it, is just a complainer to everyone else! My Garrison is tired of my "I can't stand the FX helmets" rants!

Ok ok...back on topic! Sorry I doubted the wonderful wizard of Zam (Cal)! I should've known better!

Keep up the awesome work, Cal! You can do it! Just pace your self! Don't burn your self out!

boy have i made that many purchases from you that i was able to guess your concept?

Tony, it's good to double check those little details ya never know....

JD, you're beginning to learn the ways of the MonCal .......... craziness though it may be ... ok. so that's just jibberish ....

Kindly grandma assassin is drooling.....

Me wanty wanty!!!!!! Gimme!!!!

You git! Guess what I have to get now

Nice work dude

Well... seeing how I'm done with Zam for CIV in any case (I'm still cramming for my daughter's Padme to get done here! )Are you still going to do the resin castings later after CIV? If so, I'll just wait for that.

What's another month at this point... *sighs heavily....*

Seriously tho Cal... whatever works best for you!

im only hoping for dcon so im patiently waiting...but man those look great!

Thanks gang!
I'm pretty happy with them and since these were just supposed to be a trial set to make better I am definitely pleased so far and the resin seems pretty danged strong so heck ... if they hold up o.k. for CIV I might just make them in urethane instead of fiberglass. It's less hazardous

I'll definitely be able to offer them after CIV so once we get back and settled in again I'll assess it and proceed from there

*rubbing hands together like ive got an evil plan*

8) 8) 8)

I think JDFett has a Sithly plan going on there!

Great Cal! Can't wait to get those in my grubby hands either! !!! Then my mission will be complete!

Cal - You tease!

Due to the CIV rush I didn't have much time to take or post pics of the gauntlets, hand guards, or thumb guards but here are some pics of them finished and on the costume:

That RULES. Awesome work, MonCal !!!

Okay... enough teasing....

Does anyone have a 2D or flat picture of the gauntlets before being made cylindrical?

I'm using a dremel tool and clay for my pieces and I can't follow the design around her arm. My doll's gauntlets aren't the best detail and the pics make it hard to visualize the design around the arm. How did ya’ll discover the pattern?

I don't think any 2D images exist... and MonCal is just gifted! He'd be the one to really answer this question.

To be honest, there aren't any really good photos of the gauntlets. Most of the pictures were taken askew so it's tough to scale them. I used the items I know the sizes of in photos to scale along with the reference measurements given a long time ago on an ebay auction of an original gauntlet.

What did you decide to use for the inner black lining of the gauntlet cuff?

That's probably the one piece I let slide as for my anal -accuracy -obsessive -cumpulsive -attention to detail I am using the same thing I used before. Drain tube.

Uoohhhh!!!!!! I'm shocked.. shocked to hear that about you Cal! ....

Cal, are the gauntlets available yet?

I know.... what am I thinking. Why stop at uber extreme analism?

Yeah.. the gauntlets, hand, and thumb guards are available. Honestly though I can't say I enjoy making them .... they take about 10 hours to make the raw kit and I waste a lot of material and stir up a lot of dust ... but they are ready
I just finished a set for a member in Germany and sent to Albin to deliver

wohoooooo, what see my eyes there. cant believe that i missed that thread.... i want to be on the run !!! ;o)

and i know im on the paid list too right

Me = Interested!

My god, your eye for detail is really breathtaking.

Any chance your making more?

Well I got my early X-Mas present today!!!

Now I have officially run out of excuses to finishing my Zam! Well... except for the abundance of free time I suppose. Don't have a lot of that... but I have all the parts, just need to get them all put together now!

Thanks Cal... these gauntlets are gorgeous!!!

love to upgrade jamie's to some of his but that wont happen...not with jango and her getting a sand trooper together..LOL plus im thinking based on his greeb i have the gauntlets may be too small for jamie anyway...and heck...i think the ones we made look pretty good...need to be thinned out still but thats just a bit of dremel work

glad you got your gauntlets now MM...no more excuses!

Yes.... get that zam done once and for all won't ya??? hehe... just kidding.... I know I'm partly to blame!! I'm sorry for taking so long with your gauntlets. That goes for all of this last batch... plus your holster Luara....

This was the latest batch of gauntlets:



Man.. these things are not any fun to make whatsoever. Lots of resin dust and sitting for hours with the dremel.

Cal... it's not your fault I'm a lazy ... erm... never mind. Honestly, I am getting there... I'm just slow.

And while it may not be fun making those gauntlets... they sure are fantastic! :thumbup

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm me wanty!!! Did i miss the price of them somewhere?

Come on MM - you have no excuses now!! Dont make me come over there and whip you, "mix that purple dye faster!!!! Cut more squares ... more!!!! That lace isnt long enough... go go GO!!!!!!"

hey mm, you better seriously hurry before the DH deletes the zam part of this forum..LOL

cal..you tempt me with those pictures...what are the ID of the gauntlets?

Skirt's done!!! Mwwhahaaa!! I'm half done with the chest armor... need to dye/sew the vest and sew the bodysuit and now the gauntlets and I'm pretty well done! That and finish the Xmas stuff and organize my life... and write the great American fan-fic novel and redesign a SW site and...and...and... *faints away from fatigue*

JD...Shhh!!!! They wouldn't DARE delete this forum... Too many blasters and lightsabers here for them to do that!!

Thanks Cal! I just picked up my package. Thanks so much - it all looks fantastic! I'm also out of excuses for being able to start this costume now that I have all the pieces.

I have a question about the 2 piece gauntlet. I see that the large upper section *should* be able to slide off. Mine is such a tight fit, it doesn't seem to want to slide off at all. I feel like something will snap or break because I'm forcing it. What is the trick?

It's just really snug. They're strong. You can just work it side to side and it should slide off. I made it tight on purpose. You may decide to dremel a little more out of the inside because once you wrap it with leather it will make it even more tight. The problem is because the top of the lower piece tapers up to a wider diameter at the top but when it's together it needs to be snug where the upper part stops.... make sens?

They better not delete the zam forums!

I wish they would add a Boushh forum!!!

I'm getting ready to start sculpting that helmet and armor soon... very soon.. now that I've discovered most of the parts and have measurements of the original

Originally Posted by MonCal

They better not delete the zam forums!

I wish they would add a Boushh forum!!!

I'm getting ready to start sculpting that helmet and armor soon... very soon.. now that I've discovered most of the parts and have measurements of the original

Ohhhh Cal! I'll love you even more forever if you are able to sculpt the Boushh armor to fit girls that have a errrrmmmm.....chest.

Thanks Cal, I was able to carefully slide and pry the two gauntlet pieces apart.

I know the photo of the screen used gauntlet didn't appear to have anything inside... but my arms are kind of on the scrawny side. Have people been adding any kind of foam padding inside to help keep them in place? I know the gloves should help take up some space, but my hands are small too. (speaking of which, I forgot I still need to look for gloves!)

Hey Kay Dee, I have done several Boba gauntlets and am happy to help you fit/trim, and line yours. Bring them Sunday and I'll be happy to help.

My wife Kathy has skinny wrists too.... well so do I for that matter

Anyway we cut some thin strips of 1/2" foam the length of the gauntlet and glued 4 of them inside the gauntlet and it works great!

Ah - good to know you used foam strips in Kathy's gauntlets. Thanks for confirming my suspicion on that!

Ron - I'll try to remember to bring the gauntlets to the parade Sunday. I appreciate all the expert advise I can get!

I thought I had saved the pic of that gauntlet that had been sold... Dang it! Anyway... weren't the original gauntlets also lined or finished with red leather? They looked padded and lined to me if I'm remembering properly - at least the parts that could be seen like the cuff piece.