Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it

Hey everyone, I have absolutly no idea as to where to put this thread other then here, so forgive me, but I wanted to chronicle the progress of my Darktrooper armor in progress, both for you guys and also as a motivation to keep this going.

I went down to Home Depot today w/ my girlfriend and looked around for some materials to get started. Im primarily going to start on the JP first and the helmet when it arrives within the next few days. Please comment and critique anything you more experienced prop makers might see wrong or know of better way to do something.

Please fogive my current list of supplies, but I am building this from scratch;)

So far what I have:

-2, 3 panel alluminum vents to cut and use for JP vents
-Black and Dark Grey spray paint (testing these for the right look)
-PVC attachments of varying shapes to experiment making the JP muzzle/thruster
- 4 (need another pack cause they ran out) semi dome doorstops

Now you may be thinking "what are the doorstops for?" Well, I thank my G/F for finding this, because its for the white round objects you see on the Darktrooper, two on both knees to the sides, and two on the chest piece. I have no idea what they are called, but I call them the "frankenstien bits." They match perfectly with the shape I needed, and they are proportional to my body as well. I feel this project is going slowly, but surely. I will post some pics later tonight of my materials for you all to see. I'll keep you guys updated!!


Here's a pic of the Darktrooper:

http://content.answers.com/main/cont...attlefront.jpg

-tubchris

Chris,

Is somebody making the helmet for you?

And what stage Darktrooper are you doing?

Hey,

I will soon be recieving an F/X helmet which I will modify to a Darktrooper, mainly because of its size, the dome is correct for the DK and I cannot sculpt that well yet:D As far as which phase its at, its more a phase two, only because Im building the Battlefront 2 version, rather then the phase three fom DarkForces, because there are not many ref. pics of that.

Here are the pics of my supplies, dont laugh, its a start. With these few piece, It'll be part of something much bigger. So I'll be pulling a Magiver...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...x/DKpaints.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...5x/DKvents.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...rankenbits.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...s85x/DKPVC.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...85x/DKPVC2.jpg

More to come!!

-tubachris

Off to a good start, good luck with this, can't wait to see how this baby panns out.
Jono!

Well, I didnt have much time, but I experimented with the nozzle pieces today to see how it would turn out. Well after cutting and some sanding, I have one piece of the large puzzle lmao, the very bottom piece of the muzzle. It looks very good and accurate, but Im going to have to craft the rest of the thruster assembly. The black paint turned out well too, but I need to repaint the piece, because I was covered in PVC dust and got some on the paint by accident. Here are some pics.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...zzlepiece1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...zzlepiece3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...zzlepiece2.jpg

The last pic is of two pieces put together. Originally, I thought perhaps it may work out that way, but the white piece's "skirt" is too short, so I need that part to be alot taller. So thats it so far. Thanks!!!

-tubachris
(Who looked like "crackman" after emerging from the backyard, my nose compeltly covered in PVC dust...)

I haven't gotten time to work on the templates for the jet pack yet, I've been reaaaaaally busy this week, and I have a troop Mon-Thurs next week, so I'll be a little late with drawing them out.

Andy

No problem, I can give you the measurements of the nozzle piece to make everything else proportional whenever you get a chance. Thanks Andy!!!

-tubachris

Hey Andy, dont worry about making the pics full size. I went ahead today, and using the one piece I already have, drew up to full size the schematics of one side of the JP. So now im heading over to hom depot to get some of those "for sale" signs to use that hard plastic. I may have one section of the JP done tonight, not sure yet. I also have to find another paint as well for the grey. More coming soon!!

-tubachris

I finnally got the main materials, and I need to get some more in the near future for the completion of the JP. I also found the right color for sure this time, and its also a gloss which will give it that "shiny" look that a regular stormtrooper has. I got the base pieces cut as well. Using the existing nozzle piece I had made, I made measurements based on the size of that piece. I feel the measurements came out pretty good sized, and compared them to my size and seem proportional. Another thing, I figured how to make the "Frakenstien" bits, I finished one today, through experimentation. Here are some pics...Enjoy.

Well, heres the main material, these were actually half the price of the smaller "for sale signs," I can have fun with these though...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...PNoparking.jpg

Next is the measurements I made. I dont have a picture of the whole thruster set up, but heres the main body half for you all to see. It only shows the main portion of it, it is actually 15 inches tall.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...asurements.jpg

Now here is the cut outs, those are two pieces overlapped, im still figuring how to hold all these piece together with out it falling apart. Stuffing anyone?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...basepieces.jpg


After experimenting, and searching for something, I came up with this and it works! A little rough, but I can fix. What I like about it, is that these were doorstops, hollow, with a removable backplate. I cut holes through the center, and pushed a red screw cover from behind and hotglued it in place. I then put the back cover back on and it is ready to go.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../DKFBparts.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...Bcompleted.jpg

Finnally, the correct color paint I will be using.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...5x/DKpaint.jpg

Im hoping my helmet will be here tomorrow so I can begin work on that. Well thats is for today, LMK what you guys think.

-tubachris

Thanks turning out pretty cool!

Good news, a buddy of mine who wants me to help him (with the others interested as well) make stormtrooper armor, told me he has his own vacu-form machine. So since this news, we can immediatly begin making the sculpts. Having a meeting today about it. I will be sculpting the Darktrooper armor, and help them as they sculpt their stormtrooper armor. Should work out in the end.

-tubachris

Heres another update...

It dosnt look like much, but I will say this much of it took me just little over 2 hours to do. I began building the backside of the JP (the part that will rest against the back armor) because that has the most boxy and less detailed areas. If you notice the top "wing" thats taped, not attached, I have it going at an angle that is seen in the ref pics. I feel its going to turn out pretty well.
Also, the "frankenbits," I know there is only 5 there...well I accidentally ruined one doorstop, so yea...Well here are the pics.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...DKTJPwalls.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...KTJPwalls5.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...KTJPwalls4.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...KTJPwalls3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...KTJPwalls2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...enbitscomp.jpg

-tubachris

Heres a quick update...

I was noticing that the upper portion of the jet pack was a little wide at the center, and that the angles going downward was too short as well, so I cut trapazoid section out and it looks more accurate to the games model. I also began doing the vent sections. It looks like its flat in the pics, but they are bent upward at an angle. I plan to attach this, angling inward to give it a more realistic look to it. Hard to get a good pic of that as well. Thanks for loooking!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...JPreshaped.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../DKTJPvent.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...DKTJPvent2.jpg

-tubachris

wow, thats comin along pretty good man, keep it up!

Yeah this is shaping up. Glad to know someone else actually had enough interest to attempt this

Thanks guys, just need to keep it going. Gonna see about getting some MDF and such to try and start doing something, but that may be later on, after I finish the JP.

-tubachris

tubachris! That is beyond impressive! Great progress man!

Its looking really great Tubachris! It looks like you'll have to go with clone armor for the legs and lower torso.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TxFett

Its looking really great Tubachris! It looks like you'll have to go with clone armor for the legs and lower torso.

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Dont forget the chest too!:D

Im gonna have to sculpt everything for this, even the custom pieces as well

-tubachris

Another Update..

I got my FX helmt today, (like a little kid on christmas day, ripped it open while my mom stood at the corner horrified by my savage excitment) Within a half hour of opening it, I have cut out the vents and painted all piece minus the back piece, because Im not sure how Im gonna go ahead and construct the "point," thinking making a vacu-form backplate that will fit the FX. Heres a pic right out of the box, but I will post some pics later tonight after its been painted up.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../TKHELMkit.jpg

-tubachris

Here she is painted up a bit, gonna try to get the mesh attached under the mouth vents tonight as well...LMK what you guys think!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...METPAINTED.jpg

-tubachris

That painted up very nicely.

the fx is huge, but to tell you the truth it will actually look good when used for a dark trooper because the helmets are supposed to be bigger.

will be cool to see how you build it up.

i am on the verge of completing my DTp3 dome, hope to have progress pics by next weekend

-=QuinN!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CombatBaby

the fx is huge, but to tell you the truth it will actually look good when used for a dark trooper because the helmets are supposed to be bigger.

will be cool to see how you build it up.

i am on the verge of completing my DTp3 dome, hope to have progress pics by next weekend

-=QuinN!

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Oh really????

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

Oh really????

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Yes :lol

Dr. Evil moment?

"Weres the freakin Darktrooperphase 3??????!!!"

-tubachris
(who wouldnt mind sharks, with freakin laser beams attached to their heads)

I'm not sure about the darktrooper. It's not quite evil enough. It's quasi-evil. It's semi-evil. It's the...ohh you get the picture, just build me some new evil deathtrap that I can drop my incompetent henchmen into.

But in all seriousness, this project is coming along nicely.

Heres just a small update,


I just finihsed making the vents for the jet pack, although a small detail, took me the longest. Its comming along at a slow, but steady pace.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...ishedvents.jpg

I also finished the walls for the topside as well.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...partsDKTJP.jpg

-tubachris

Question, where did you find your FX helmet kit? I'd like to have just a helmet to mess around with, and was just wondering. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jodo

Question, where did you find your FX helmet kit? I'd like to have just a helmet to mess around with, and was just wondering. :)

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I had acquired it from someone who had sold it to me, but PM me if you need a source.

-tubachris

Here another update

I could have done more, but I was more busy tonight then usual.

I manageed to start the main box on the main side of the JP.

Tell me what you guys think...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...x/DKTJPBOX.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../DKTJPBOX3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../DKTJPBOX2.jpg

-tubachris

Check out the Cade Skywalker thread for my work on that, Darktroopernut.

Jet Pack's looking good Tubachris. It's kind of hard for me to make out what needs to be done at this stage, but I think you've got a good grasp of the situation. Keep it up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShatirLavan

Check out the Cade Skywalker thread for my work on that, Darktroopernut.

Jet Pack's looking good Tubachris. It's kind of hard for me to make out what needs to be done at this stage, but I think you've got a good grasp of the situation. Keep it up.

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Well im quit surprised how well this is turning out myself, pretty much what is left is to complet that box first with detail, and paint it before i can attach it. On the main side there is a nasty line of the dried glue thats holding the two main pieces together, but it cuts right through a detail, so what im planning to do, is make a whole other surface to cover it, and give it a less 2D look, plus, I just realized that at the very bottom below the thrusters, the surface actully cruves down a bit. Im trying to get all this stuff planed and assembled at a good pace, but thats what I got.

-tubachris

Doing a good job so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shortimer52

Doing a good job so far.

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Thanks guys for your support :)

-tubachris

Ok guys, MAJOR UPDATE

I finally got the nerve to go down to Lowes to seek materials for my vacu-form box. The thing was that their customer servie sucks! I called for someone to help me at leat 45 times, becuase I wanted to get a sheet of MDF cut down. No one ever came, so I took initiative, and found already cut down wood that will work other then the MDF. Its 2ft x 2ft table now, took me 2 and 1/2 hours to build tonight. I put a hole through the center (well almost center) as. Its simply amaziing how I managed to build this thing from only a dremel, some left over screws, and $13 worth of wood....Anywyas, Im hoping to convice my mom to let me use her oven, an another reason for her to kill me...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...acuformbox.jpg


Well despite my fiasco at lowes on my search to find someone in my almost blind anger, I came across the hardest piece I thought I would take forever to find. For the jet pack, there is on the sides of the protruding boxes at the top, a round piece, which I could not find anywhere in the hardware store, but just came across this accidentally. Matches perfectly, despite the square thing in the middle, but I dont care at this point.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...roundmetal.jpg


Enjoy

-tubachris

Chris, this is just amazing. I've always wanted to do a Darktrooper myself, but never gave it any real consideration as I never had the resources (or skills :D ) to do it. Seeing you take the plunge into something that has never been done before (at least that I have seen) with very little reference and what must have been a hard start is awesome and just downright respectable.

If, in the future, you do decide to use the bucks to sell a few copies, I may be interested (I'll leave it at that :lol )

Chris...for your Vaccumtable box, you might get some silicone via a caulking gun, or one of the squeeze tube ones, and line the inside of it...make it pretty much so no air can leak through...and it will give you way better suction.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TeamFett

Chris, this is just amazing. I've always wanted to do a Darktrooper myself, but never gave it any real consideration as I never had the resources (or skills :D ) to do it. Seeing you take the plunge into something that has never been done before (at least that I have seen) with very little reference and what must have been a hard start is awesome and just downright respectable.

If, in the future, you do decide to use the bucks to sell a few copies, I may be interested (I'll leave it at that :lol )

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Thanks, I realy do appreciate that, and even though you may not be 6'7, you can have a set :)

Quote:

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Gilmore of OKChris...for your Vaccumtable box, you might get some silicone via a caulking gun, or one of the squeeze tube ones, and line the inside of it...make it pretty much so no air can leak through...and it will give you way better suction.

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Yea, I was acctually about to do this, but I was soooooo tired after building the thing by hand. I'll take note to do that before I begin.

Thanks again guys for your support!:cheering

-tubachris

Just to keep you guys updated, I went ahead and sealed the inside of the box and acquired some saw horses for it. I built two equal holding frames as well. What I have left to do before its ready, is I have to attach some hinges, and improv a locking/ mechanism for it as well. Then, I need to construct an oven. I plan to build a box, equal to the holding frame, line the inside with that heat resitant, reflective metalic tape, and then put together 3 rows of 3, of those IR bulbs, the red ones that are meant for generating heat. So those are the only things left for that.

To add to this, a fellow Tuba player, who is actually just short of my height, and general size wants to help, so he as well can have a Darktrooper suit. I plan to go to home depot this sunday, and pick up some MDF sheets, and start constructing the arm piece, wrist gauntlets, hand guards and possibly biceps. These are what Im planning but it still depends on when I get the proper tools. LOL I put my poor dremel through hell getting it this far.

-tubachris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

Thanks, I realy do appreciate that, and even though you may not be 6'7, you can have a set :)

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Just a couple inches off ;)

Arg... Update

I just finished weatherstripping the platen (table top surface of the machine) and it looks like that will keep it airtight with the frame on top. About the frame, I had built two "almost" identical frames, but I mathamatically screwed up the measurements, making them too narrow, and not even with the box itself, plus, I need to use a different method of attachment between each piece as well. I learned that my grandfather has a whole garage of power tools, and that I may use anything thats in there for this project, so Im going down there tomorrow, which will speed up the project. Also, I went to lowes and was looking at the Halogen bulbs, and I was trying to find what are called "IR bulbs," sopposed to be for generating heat. I saw a lable saying "internal reflective" bulbs, but I was not sure exactly if that was it. If anyone knows what Im trying to find, please let me know. Thanks guys!

-tubachris

Dang dude, nice work there. Oh and since its one o'clock AM. You must be hardcore at making costumes! :lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slacker

Dang dude, nice work there. Oh and since its one o'clock AM. You must be hardcore at making costumes! :lol

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Ah nerts........Well, I lost track of time, well, dosnt matter, what ever gets me closer to finishing this thing. You have no idea how much I want to get this thing done, not because im tired of working on it, I just want to have it lol, and know that I am actually capable of building this...no matter, I told myself regardless, Im finishing this, end-of-story :)

-tubachris

I went down, and got some power tools for making the molds. I acquaired a hand powered circular saw, a jigg saw, belt sander, and a hand planer. I still need to get one of those smaller hand sanders though. I can start making the molds this week once I get the MDF sheets from home depot. One major step closer to getting this completed!!!

-tubachris

Chris,

Nice to see you still going full bore on this. Do you know of any other members in your area that could help you out instaed of you making it a one man project?

Two heads are always better than one, and it makes the work go a lot faster as well.

Good luck, and I look forward to more progress pics..

cant wait to see the finished armor!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jodo Kast 3

Chris,

Nice to see you still going full bore on this. Do you know of any other members in your area that could help you out instaed of you making it a one man project?

Two heads are always better than one, and it makes the work go a lot faster as well.

Good luck, and I look forward to more progress pics..

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I have actually been trying to get pthers to come out and help me out, but they are fellow students at my school, and out scheduals limit us to only weekends if we do get together to work on it. I have 3 people who want to make TK suits, but I told them that they would have to pay for the MDF if they were dedicated enough for the project. I hate to say it, but a few of them say they want to, but when I ask them to come down, or even really talk about it, they always "have something else to do," and I find that they arent as dedicated to the project, that I need them to bee. I'd ask the 501st members, but they live way too far to come down to really help me out. So in the end, it is going to be a one man project all the way. Im settin a goal for myself, to get this built and ready before I leave for college (if I get accepted, I find out on Valentines day, nervous)
But If I get accepted, I'll be leaving for FSU in June, so I have a fe months.

Quote:

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Commander Voltairecant wait to see the finished armor!

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You know, thats exactly what Ive been thinking too! lol

-tubachris

Alright........

I just got my first hand introduction into the world of power tools and the world of sawdust....

I began making the layers for my first mold. It is for the helmet modification of the backpiece, for the FX helmet. My jigg saw busted on me (its old, and just bought $10 saw blades too!:thumbsd:thumbsd) So I was reduced to using my larger circular saw, to cut around the lines, and then use my dremel to cut partially in the excess to weaken the wood, and then sanded it down with the belt sander. I cut out two shapes but my tracer piece is sanded down to its final shape before I go ahead and glue all needed 14 layers....Enjoy.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...tmodcutout.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...etmodview1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...etmodview2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...mtmodview3.jpg

-tubachris

cutting out mdfs sheet, glueing them, and planing them down....

now you know how i feel.

Unfortunately i've had a lot less time to work on mine now that school started. By the time i'm down with that, and work, it's 9 and most people are already asleep in my house, bad time to run scrollsaws and hand planars.

looking good tho

-=QuinN!

Good news.....

Remember DARKTROOPERNUT? Well since what he did really ticked people off here and myself, in order for him to make it up, Im having him help me get some of this done as payback. Hes gonna spend a few days with me when he gets down here for his spring break from college. Payback is always fun...:)

-tubachris

Getting there, 2 sanding belts, wrist cramps and looking like a tusken raider, got me to 8 layers so far. Im thinking i may need to make at least 2 more, then i'll just add one or two layers of the semi-circle "wall" pieces..

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...shelmetmod.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...helmetmod2.jpg


On top of this taking longer than it should be, seeing that my current jigg saw does not work, I covinced my parents to get me a new one, but I will have to wait till next week or so. Starting to take some shape.

-tubachris

From what I've seen it looks good. But less than half the pictures actually show up for me...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zombierepellent

From what I've seen it looks good. But less than half the pictures actually show up for me...

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Thats weird, is it the web browser thats causing that? If you want, I can send you the pics..

-tubachris

Another update as I wrapp up tonights work.



Im showing alot of this mold only because this you might say would be the Darktrooper's most unique piece of armor, despite the jumpjet pack. Tonight, I added 2 more layers, glued them together, and began to shape it out. I got alot of it done, but theres more sanding to do. I mainly started on the top left (if your looking at it from behind) As you can see, I put it next to the FX pieces to show a really rough preview of what its gonna look like in the end.



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...tmodshape4.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...tmodshape3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...tmodshape2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...tmodshape1.jpg



On a side note...MDF sawdust smells like cat ****.....



-tubachris

Nice work! Keep it up!

Looks good. IMO the point needs to slant down more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TeamFett

Looks good. IMO the point needs to slant down more.

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Yea, like I said, it needs more sanding. Where the bottom curve ends, is where the top one will slant to. You cant really tell from the pics, but I have lines drawn on the top to show where the helmet curves around, and I have yet to sand the area up to that line, once that is sanded, it will slant more, and be farther down. lol, this sanding took me about 4 hours....

-tubachris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

On a side note...MDF sawdust smells like cat ****.....
-tubachris

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wear a respirator and dispose of the dust.

mdf contains formaldehyde, which will mess you up.

you definately don't want to inhale this stuff. sand somewhere that gets good airflow.

just a friendly tip. the back of the helmet looks great

-=QuinN!

Looking really good there Chris! I'm just wondering if that weight from that helmet won't make you fall over :).

that piece of wood is for a base mold right?

because man that would be heavy depending on which type of wood it is (i take wood shop hehe)

Generally since my arms are like noodles I think any big concentrations of wood are heavy.

lol, its jut the vac-form mold, the cas will be made of plastic

tubachris

This is something I've been waiting to see for some time. Great job, dude! Keep up the good work. I know there will be several of my buds back in OK who will be interested in your progress, as they want to do Darktroopers themselves. It's good to know someone is willing to teach us.

Hey dude, your custom came out very well done and original. As far as teaching how to build the Darktrooper..lol...Im learning as I go, but I can help alot in the end. Forgive the time, because the mold making process is a real time consumer. I'd be happy to help anyone with this, but so far theres not much lol. Thanks.

-tubachris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CombatBaby

wear a respirator and dispose of the dust.

mdf contains formaldehyde, which will mess you up.

you definately don't want to inhale this stuff. sand somewhere that gets good airflow.

just a friendly tip. the back of the helmet looks great

-=QuinN!

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Oh boy, all Ive been using was a towel wrapped around my face, with a pair of goggles I had found. I had asked to get one for this part of it, but they said that "couldnt you just use one of the cheaper disposable masks?" I really do need to get one though, but so far I havent had any ill effects yet. I find myself covered in the saw dust, even up my nose at the end of the time I spend out there. So its gonna catch up to me at some point if I dont get a respirator..

-tubachris
(Who needs his lungs to play Tuba)

If that wood has formaldeyde in it be careful when handling it too. I dont know if it will bother you or not, being absorbed, but that stuff can burn your skin too. I had chemical burns from the wrists from it one time. It wasn't fun.

lookin sharp chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by t_bone9600

If that wood has formaldeyde in it be careful when handling it too. I dont know if it will bother you or not, being absorbed, but that stuff can burn your skin too. I had chemical burns from the wrists from it one time. It wasn't fun.

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As long as the saw dust from the mdf isn't wet it'd be "ok" for skin contain. "ok" meaning it won't kill you, breathing it in on the other hand, like anything else, will affect people in differents ways..but all negative. even a simple $0.99 dust mask(if not a respirator) will help.

-=QuinN!

You know what the funy thing is, that I havnt really had anything happen to me yet, but then again, I dont want to jinx myself. Ive been covered in the saw dust several times and nothing has happend yet. Dosnt mean Im not ignoring the warnings, I just think its kind of funny that nothing has happend. Man, oh man, Im gonna be messed up when I reach 40.....

-tubachris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

. Man, oh man, Im gonna be messed up when I reach 40.....

-tubachris

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At least you'll have a cool costume :lol

Sup dude, its your brother (from a diff fam) , u know ari, for real this time bud. I love how the progress is coming along. Its def shaping up pretty good dude. Its gnna take a bit more time but its shaping up. You should post the pictures from after you were on back molding that pvc pipe part. now that was a funny sight!

Hey it looks good, all the pics are showing up now.

I've never heard of a dark trooper before this, what is it they do and why is their helmet so messed up?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ThisIsMyWorld

Sup dude, its your brother (from a diff fam) , u know ari, for real this time bud. I love how the progress is coming along. Its def shaping up pretty good dude. Its gnna take a bit more time but its shaping up. You should post the pictures from after you were on back molding that pvc pipe part. now that was a funny sight!

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lol, I looked like a crack addict..Glad to see your being serious now about it..

Quote:

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zombierepellentHey it looks good, all the pics are showing up now.

I've never heard of a dark trooper before this, what is it they do and why is their helmet so messed up?

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Darktroopers originated from the game, "Dark Forces," was about the special project of building these super droids, called darktroopers. They were developed in three different versions, or phases, 1st one, being a skeletal droid, with a shield and a sword (weird for a SW game) phase 2, which is similar to the one Im doing now, and then, the phase 3, where in the game, was like a mech suit for the Admiral who created the project. They were like the super seals of the imperials, but more evil in a sense...

-tubachris

.....and they were hard to kill too :D

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup Hey Chris, How about some progress photos? Im headin down this weekend so Im def gnna come by and check it out. I will let you all know how it looks in person.:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :cheers :albino

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Originally Posted by ThisIsMyWorld

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup Hey Chris, How about some progress photos? Im headin down this weekend so Im def gnna come by and check it out. I will let you all know how it looks in person.:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :cheers :albino

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Hey, I actually have something to show. Not very much, only did about an hour of sanding. I was working the forward, rounded part, that will be matching with the face piec. Almost got it to where it needs to be.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...metshaping.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...etshaping2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...etshaping3.jpg

-tubachris

lookin good

4 days till I get down there. Lets have the helmet finished by then. My fav part. Lookin sick dude. I'll tell ya, your the only person who Id put money on that can make a piece of wood and a piece of plastic a masterpiece.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ThisIsMyWorld

4 days till I get down there. Lets have the helmet finished by then. My fav part. Lookin sick dude. I'll tell ya, your the only person who Id put money on that can make a piece of wood and a piece of plastic a masterpiece.

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Well, dont put all your money down just yet...

I spent all morning working on the mold, and can say that Im almost done with the helmet mod. Whats left is a little bit of touch ups, the tubular section that meets with the face piece is just a pain in the butt because It needs to match almost perfectly. The good thing about the FX helmet in this case, is the ear pieces covers the edges of each side, so it dosnt have to be perfect on the edges which is good, but I still need to make it fit around the ear piece. After doing that, all I have left is to get some bondo or something of the sort that dosnt stink, and finish forming the tube section. I want that part to merge with the point smoothly, so that it curves in either side into a point. Hard to explain, but you'll know what Im talkin about when its done. After that, I just need to prime it, smooth it out just a bit more, and she's ready to be casted. Please give feedback if you feel something can be improved or done to better shape this piece. I am only using CG reference from the game, and evrything cannot be seen perfecty, so if you notice anything, let me know. Thanks.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...helmetmod2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...lmetmod2-1.jpg

-tubachris

In the second pic, if you look at the layers of mdf, the right tube is positioned at least half a layer above the left. I'm not sure if that's an innaccuracy in the FX that you're matching, but it just looks off to me. The only other suggestion I have is to send me some of that chocolate:p

They look off to me as well....

Yea, I see wht you guys are talking about as well. I actually just checked the alignment with the face plate, and they match up perfectly as far as the tubes and the size. So the alignment of the FX has an aligmment problem. I will say the hardest past of making these molds is trying to make them perfectly symetrical on each side. The alignment offset of the FX is what's making the mod off as well, but I have to do it this way, or else it wont match with the rest of the FX. I have tried to compensate for this as best I could, but it will have to be this way.

Anyways, I managed to get a respirator mask, so I can feel more confident that I'll live till the next day, and I got a new Jigg saw, which saves me like 29370878040834070808702750856804658465 hours of cutting time..Howevr, while driving home, I realized that I forgot the bondo.......Im gonna have to wait until later this week to get that. In the meantime, since I have the jigg, I started making the guantlets, top half. Already have all 6 layers glued and ready to be shaped. Did this in a half hour. I love this jigg saw! I would post pics of the molds, but im sure if I keep posting pics, someone's poor computer is gonna explode or maybe just implode.

-tubachris

Keep em comin chris. Your movin forward dude. Keep movin. I got an idea to make some money. Lemonade stands in the winter. No one ever thinks about doin these things. Its a get rich quick thing man. Think about it!

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Originally Posted by ThisIsMyWorld

Keep em comin chris. Your movin forward dude. Keep movin. I got an idea to make some money. Lemonade stands in the winter. No one ever thinks about doin these things. Its a get rich quick thing man. Think about it!

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I can just imagine you sitting at a table with a bunch of Lemons, and a giant malett smashing them, wondering where all the juice went.....

I finished attaching all the piece to the helmet mod, including the topside extension so that it equals in height to the face piece. I just need that bondo. The gauntlets I already started to shape, and one side is almost done. I am only going to make one mold for both arms since I find it uneccessary to make two individual guant molds. When I refer to gaunt mold(s) pluarl, I mean both halfs of the guants. So thats it for tonight, Im going to try and finish the top half tomorrow and begin the second half as well.

-tubachris

who ever said the fx helmet was accurate :lol

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Originally Posted by CombatBaby

who ever said the fx helmet was accurate :lol

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Well I meant symetrical to each side. The FX is accurate to this project however. Ive yet to see your sculpt though combatbaby;)

-tubachris

Well this is tonights daly grind. I can say that im almost done with the first two molds. I rode my bike to lowes to get that bondo putty, except, I found something that works better and dosnt stink. Its called "Durham's Rock Hard putty." Water based. Im almost done with the first half of the guant, but im having an issue with the appropriate measurements for the boxes. Im sopposed to have 12 all together, but I cant seem to figure it out properly. Plus, I was experimenting trying to cut out the boxes, but my tools are inadequet to cut them out properly. Any suggestions would help imensly. Also, as you can see, the putty already dried, and partially sanded to show you what I was talking about. Also, the tube sections now match almost perfeclty with the face plate. Finnaly learned to use the traceing technique.;) Note: the section of wood with the boxes drawn are not attached to the guant half yet.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../gunatlet1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48.../guantlet2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...lmmodsand1.jpg

-tubachris

looking good.are you gonna sell casts for mods to the fx helmet?

For cutting the box pieces, I'll describe this in terms of railroad tracks. The boxes are the rail ties, and the sides running along the boxes are the rails themselves. Cut a bunch of boxes first, then lay them out like rail ties. Then cut the rails, and attach them to the sides of the boxes, then you won't have to worry about just cutting out the empty spots.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

Well this is tonights daly grind. I can say that im almost done with the first two molds. I rode my bike to lowes to get that bondo putty, except, I found something that works better and dosnt stink. Its called "Durham's Rock Hard putty." Water based. Im almost done with the first half of the guant, but im having an issue with the appropriate measurements for the boxes. Im sopposed to have 12 all together, but I cant seem to figure it out properly. Plus, I was experimenting trying to cut out the boxes, but my tools are inadequet to cut them out properly. Any suggestions would help imensly. Also, as you can see, the putty already dried, and partially sanded to show you what I was talking about. Also, the tube sections now match almost perfeclty with the face plate. Finnaly learned to use the traceing technique.;) Note: the section of wood with the boxes drawn are not attached to the guant half yet.


-tubachris

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What you want to do to get clean cuts is going to be time consuming, but I have found this is the best way to do it without layerings or using multiple wood pieces.

For bigger pieces you'd use a router, or even a dremel/rotary tool with router bits....since i assume you don't have one do this.

Use your scrollsaw and a hand drill (cordless)...you could also use a drill press but it might be too powerful.

Make a drill hole for every box. Then depending on your drill bit size you can either file the holes down to make squares -OR- use the scroll saw to cut the boxes out from the inside (you need to remove the blade from the scroll saw, slide it through the hole, and then reattach it to the scrollsaw) Then turn it on and cut out each hole, then repeat.


Hope that made sense.


-=QuinN!

Is the scroll saw the same thing as a jigg saw? Because the only tools I have to work with are the circular saw, the jigg, and my dremel which I double for smaller cuts and a drill. I tried the railroad method but runied the first piece so scratched that idea. I dont know whats with this wood, but its really difficult to sand down, and need something stronger.

-tubachris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

Is the scroll saw the same thing as a jigg saw? Because the only tools I have to work with are the circular saw, the jigg, and my dremel which I double for smaller cuts and a drill. I tried the railroad method but runied the first piece so scratched that idea. I dont know whats with this wood, but its really difficult to sand down, and need something stronger.

-tubachris

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Yep. A D.A. sander used in body work with a good 40 grit paper would knock it down good, then you could work your way up on get till you get it smooth. MDF is pretty good for shaping, It's used all the time for a base for custom speaker enclosures.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tubachris85x

Is the scroll saw the same thing as a jigg saw? Because the only tools I have to work with are the circular saw, the jigg, and my dremel which I double for smaller cuts and a drill. I tried the railroad method but runied the first piece so scratched that idea. I dont know whats with this wood, but its really difficult to sand down, and need something stronger.

-tubachris

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You could probably do it with a jigsaw but you'd have to take it easy when you got to the corners. If you do use a jigsaw, I think it would be easiest drill a hole near opposite corners then just cut the sides straight to the un-drilled corners and finish the corner that you drilled with a file. I'll post a pic of what I mean when I get home.

Here is the idea.

Scroll saws and jigsaws are fairly similar. Most things you get nowadays will be labeled scroll saw instead of jigsaws. The important thing is that the blade is held in place and goes up and down (speed according to RPM and tension). What you don't want to use for this is a BAND saw which is a blade that circulates like a belt over two discs enclosed inside of the machine itself.

Scroll saws are for detail work, generally have a much more delicate and thinner blade, and can negotiate sharper turns and angles where an attempt on a bandsaw of similiar proportions would damage or destroy the blade.


If all else fails you could always go to michaels, ace, or menards and get some precut pieces of wood for the "tracks" and some strips of wood for the "rails"


-=QuinN!

Well thats not a problem concerning the type of saw I have, cause I dont have a band saw. Its a good thing too, since I had bought a set of jigg saw attachment blades for the previous jigg saw which broke. I thought at first, I lost $10 because I thought they wouldnt work with any others. Fortunatly, they do work great with the new one I recently recieved. I just looked at the pack, and realized that I do have some really thin blades that I think will work for the cuts here. I cant cut anything yet though, because I cant seem to figure out the right measurements and spacing of the boxes. I suck at using rulers cause fractions are a pain in the a$$ and trying to convert decimals in relation to the ruler is even harder for me. Yes, I suck at math, but Im taking physics anyways.

Also, the first helmet modification mold is done.

-tubachris
(Still waiting to see that sculpt combatbaby;))

Alright, well here's the 2nd piece to final product. The helmet mold is done! I can start to move onto other pieces. LMK what you guys think.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48...odfinished.jpg

-tubachris

That looks awesome! :thumbsup

Right on dude. Its comin out good man!
"Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."