Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it

Well, today was better. Practicing is slowly paying off, but I still need some more, and also some more plastic, but I still have one sheet left over, and Im not going to use it until I order more.

Some better results, but I need to improve. First off, the helmet mold. I have gotten better at learning when the plastic is hot enough, but Im still having issues getting these corners soft enough. For the helmet mold, the second time casting it, it came out more sturdy and the plastic stretched enough to allow the top to be thicker, but it cooled a bit before the bottom could form properly. Second time, it actually formed completly, and was the first time it has formed completly, but the plastic is just too thin. I know that the HIPS can stretch enought to keep it firm, but I need to get thicker plastic, because I cant keep wasting good sheets until I get it just right for one mold. Here is the first formed piece:

goodform.jpg


Next up, I decided to give the guant and hand guards a try. Im a bit happier this time, becuase it formed somewhat, and almost all the boxes formed great as well. Pictured below, is the better of the ones. This cast however, the end boxes didnt form completly due the plastic not stretching enough.

guantcast.jpg


guantfit.jpg


This is probly my first good cast, small, but Im happy about it. This is the left hand guard which formed with the guant above. The detail appeared and no defects. I just roughly cut it out, and I need to cut and sand the edges and its a keeper. Now I just need to do this with everything else.

guantbetter.jpg


guantbetter2.jpg


Note, the detail on the surface, the line on the strip closer to my thumb is hard to make out in these pics, its there, just the flash makes it dissappear.
More practice needed, but I think I have improved a smidget.

-tubachris
 
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Wow that looks great! I'm surprised you don't have that many replies since you posted your work. For the helmet, maybe you need to cut the mold in half going down so you have 2 symmetrical halves. I think since it's so tall, the plastic has to stretch so much, but if you cut it, you could lay the pieces down with the fresh cut to the table, and have two halves to the helmet back. Just my 2 cents. Those look like some good smores.

Good luck! How did your graduation go?
 
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Wow that looks great! I'm surprised you don't have that many replies since you posted your work. For the helmet, maybe you need to cut the mold in half going down so you have 2 symmetrical halves. I think since it's so tall, the plastic has to stretch so much, but if you cut it, you could lay the pieces down with the fresh cut to the table, and have two halves to the helmet back. Just my 2 cents. Those look like some good smores.

Good luck! How did your graduation go?


It went very well, 3 hours long but it was a good night, thanks for asking!

I had actualy thought about possibly cutting the helmet mold in two, but Im afraid of how it would look having seam running down the center of it. Im just going to use thicker plastic, maybe even try to use ABS so that it will match the rest of the helmet pieces. Jus to throw out this question, does anyone know the type of ABS or even what source they use for the FX TK suits? Thanks guys!

-tubachris
 
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Whew thats a long graduation!

If you cut it in two, can't you re attach the pieces then use a filler? I'm not sure how much bondo likes plastic, so you'd have to ask someone else about that.
 
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Whew thats a long graduation!

If you cut it in two, can't you re attach the pieces then use a filler? I'm not sure how much bondo likes plastic, so you'd have to ask someone else about that.


I guess I could try it, but I wouldnt want to risk it. I took the better formed cast (although thin) and cut some of it and just wanted to test fit it. Im gonna have to make a few adjustments to the mold. I also took the guant half and the hand guard, and cleaned them up and I may even keep the guant half until I cast the bottom half. The hand guard is definatly a keeper, so Im just gonna have to cast the right hand now.

-tubachris
 
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I decided to use the last sheet today, Im gonna order more on thursday, so I formed the other half of the forearms. I think it came out well. I just need to do some more cleaning and fitting, and im gonna paint them up, and it will be the first piece of the armor!

guant1.jpg


guant002.jpg


guant003.jpg


-tubachris
 
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Looks awesome. Can't wait to see more. Just out of curiosity. Have you thought about putting a sheet of pegboard over the vacuum base? You would have to build a sealed box with the vacuum attachment on bottom and pegboard on top. You wouldn't have to worry about the plastic sucking down into the large opening that way.
 
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I guess I could try it, but I wouldnt want to risk it. I took the better formed cast (although thin) and cut some of it and just wanted to test fit it. Im gonna have to make a few adjustments to the mold. I also took the guant half and the hand guard, and cleaned them up and I may even keep the guant half until I cast the bottom half. The hand guard is definatly a keeper, so Im just gonna have to cast the right hand now.

-tubachris

Since you are painting it bondo is a great idea. Just rough it up then bondo and sand away. Once it is pretty smooth wet sand it with either 400 or 600 grit and it should look great then when you paint it.
 
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This is really starting to take shape! Really looking forward to seeing the finished Darktrooper =D
 
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I just want to see the helmet put together already :) :)


Dont worry, Im working on it!

askywalker98:

That looks sharp! Sorry about Vista.

Hey, whats wrong with Vista? lol, I got the Inspiron 11E05 laptop for a grad gift, and I love the thing.

Ordering more plastic this weekend, a sheet of .080 and a sheet of either .093 or .125 thick for the helmet casting.


-tubachris
 
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Sooooooo....Are those smores screen accurate?:lol: It's lookin' better and better evry time I see it! :cheers
 
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Great progress so far. I did have a thought about your electrical issues being an electrician myself. Depending on the age of your house and local codes, the best place to find a dependable 20 amp circuit (2400 watts at 120v) would be in your kitchen. Another option would be your laundry room. Where do you live at exactly? If you're somewhat nearby, I might be able to help out in the electrical department.
 
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