Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it

[CombatBaby]

LOL Don't be mad bro..

I'm not mad I've just been too busy with TK molds and boba fett stuff to play with DT stuff in awhile myself. I switched over to the battle front version completely though. Someday I'll do a phase 3 but the battlefront version is going to be more recognizable and wearable. Your helmet looks great

 

[tubachris85x]

I'm not mad I've just been too busy with TK molds and boba fett stuff to play with DT stuff in awhile myself. I switched over to the battle front version completely though. Someday I'll do a phase 3 but the battlefront version is going to be more recognizable and wearable. Your helmet looks great

It'll get done one way or another. I just got a new job with better pay. Things are going to be looking up! Next pieces I'll be getting are the clone parts, which will account for about 90% of the suit....

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, here are the pics I've been slacking on posting. These are from tonight. I went and got what I could finished with the sculpt. Unfortunately, there is only so much I can do at this point but it still "looks" like a soup sandwich (to me) but it's where I need it to be for the transition mold. Structurally speaking, it's no good, so I'd like to get this in the rubber ASAP and cast a solid and or hollow resin piece to work out the final master. My concentration tonight was symmetry where the areators go, as well as re-sculpting the bottom part of one ear cap. Finished off "filling out" the forward "tube" section, so both sides are pretty spot on with each other

This mix grey and white clay is really throwing me off and cannot wait to get a solid piece in one color!!

Close up of the re-worked section

I haven't posted here in awhile, but things are moving along with this project. This past weekend I was able to put the order in for the clone armor pieces from OSCS and about to get a belt set from SteelBitz. The TK parts are coming in as well. These pieces will cover about 90% of the entire suit. Just need to make these last few upper body parts and I'm good to go.

Getting anxious here....

-TC

 

[StyX]

Dude your bucket is looking great!! Keep up the good job. Yeah it may have been done in 1996, but things have changed A LOT since then when it comes to armor and costumes. Yours will look WAY better when it's done I'm sure!

 

[tubachris85x]

Thanks man! Yea the design changes have been drastic but I think they kept key elements when designing this one.

Good news all around. I am about ready to make the transition mold for the helmet. For the list of supplies I need, then just need to sit down and do it. Next thing, I am going to be having the torso pieces CNC killed directly from the 3d file. Discussed this withheld studio whos helping me out. Gonna throw on some hydrocal and vac form it. I'll keep you all updated!

 

[tubachris85x]

Steelbitz sent me a pic of my custom belt! Looks pretty good for color! Can't wait to get it in the mail!

 

[tubachris85x]

Got some help from Brandyn the other day, just wish I had more time! He helped me get started with the clone parts and got me to a good spot to continue fitting and getting the "space diaper" fitted properly. I had to extend both sides on the cod and butt plates to get a good overlap so I can work with it.

The good news is that the thigh armor won't need to be extended, I cut down one set and learned that I can assemble it right after I trim the excess plastic off. I will however have to cut down the return edge at least halfway to get it comfortable.

To top it off, I received my clone hand plates as well as my belt from steelbitz. It's slowly coming together!

 

[tubachris85x]

Hazza!

The first 100% finished part of the suit is done...the handplates!

 

[tubachris85x]

Started making fixes for accuracy on the helmet today in preparation for the transition mold in two weeks. Got one eye finished and looking a hell of alot more accurate then before and I started redoing the frown. I think I got the shape I want (need), which IMO makes the helmet look "different" then before, and I think that subtle change in angles really makes it appear more like the in game model. Just need to finish re-doing the teeth...

More to come...Ordering molding supplies tonight!

-TC

 

[tubachris85x]

Ok, well I should have been asleep an hour ago but got to work with the helmet (no new pics just yet) but I started making more corrections for accuracy. Here I present a side-by-side comparison. The 2nd one having annotations to show the areas to be re-worked (what's left at least)

One of the biggest things I kinda hesitated on redoing were the forward "tube" sections that lead into the areator location. The game model depict the starting point/line as where the frown points down on each side. My sculpt's version has it starting higher than the frown. I already cut one side down tonight, need to do the other.

The areator portion I initially was wanting to hold off until after molding, but I've already formed the "ring" on the left side with clay, and filled in the opening somewhat to give a good base foundation to work with later on. I plan to use short/squatty areators.

That's it for now...off to bed for me...

-TC

 

[tubachris85x]

Still working on the fixes. IDK, I feel no matter how much I change, I find something else to work on. I think I just need to settle with it at some point. I've closed up the areators portion, fixed the "tubes" on the forward sides of the face (Where they line up with the point end of the frown) and almost done with the 2nd eye. The actual teeth portion, I could not get it to where I wanted (and cleanly) so I filled it up except for the center to use as a starting point. All in all, I am starting to realize just how much more work is necessary post molding. I just hope I can get it to where I want it...

I'm getting worried about the strength of the helmet now, mainly the outer edges. I'm going to be doing some more fiberglass reinforcement, tomorrow at the latest. I don't want the piece to warp when molding. It's not that bad but I don't want to chance it.

Oh yea, all this showed up..

-TC

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, well the mixing and brushing phase is done. Gotta let it sit overnight and then make sure its fully cured before I can put the mother mold together, which I'm hoping to do tomorrow night, possibly even try making a cast! I'll post pics shortly...

 

[tubachris85x]

There ya go, the world's ugliest helmet and the world's ugliest mold, in one...

-TC

 

[tubachris85x]

Ok first half of the mother mold put on! At Fridays waiting for it to cure so we can do the other side! I'm not going to sleep without a casting tonight!

 

[Little TK Boy]

can't wait to see when this is done

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, well this was an almost near failure due to the mother mold breaking apart. Lesson for next time is to make it thicker (already pretty thick though) but it developed weak spots and snapped at them. Needless to say I wasn't very happy, despite the actual mold itself coming out perfectly.

So today, I was just fumbling around trying to figure how to hold it all together...a water bucket. It works perfectly and everything sits as it should. The only problem area being the back inside of the fin, but with the casting today, we made the shell shock cure everywhere but the fin, sat the entire thing vertically and finished the fin (which it's now curing). So there we have it, not letting it go to waste or giving up over a screw up.

Anyways, I've been holding out with pics, so here are a few


Heres the mold unassembled. The craptacular mother mold pieces along with it

Here's the sculpt after the excruciating demolding process

Here is the whole thing sitting in the water bucket earlier after starting the casting. Hey, it works....

So now we are just waiting for the entire thing to cure. Ill be back after we pull out the first cast. Until then, beer.


-TC

 

[tubachris85x]

Well here it is. It came out pretty decent but we severely underestimated just how thin the outer edges were, so we have to do some fiberglassing across the rim of the helmet. Some pieces broke off during the demold, but we CA glued them back together (not show in the pics though) but otherwise, for what it is, I'll settle. Needs ALOT of bondo work but like I said, needs to be fiberglassed before I can continue doing anything.

Really want to cut the eyes out to see how my vision will be...

Just to give you an idea of size, here's my buddy who's about 5'10"

-TC

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, well I finally had the chance to sit down and take some quality pics. Surprised that it didn't just break the camera to be honest. Though, I don't think the gf would like if I broke her expensive Cannon....

Anyways, here are some better pics. Considering the entire process leading up to this POS cast was my first time, I guess it could have been a lot worse. As you can see, there was some warping in the back section, mainly the dome. I already foresee a large financial investment in bondo. So here is the ugly duckling....

Re-attached the broken pieces...

Only a face a mother could barely love..

Look at that sexy seam line...and those curves!

So yea. I have my work cut out for me....

-TC

 

[TAC Trooper]

wicked build glad to see you getting back into bro,

-Mike

 

[rudy skirata]

you sir are an inspiration