Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it

Hey everyone, I think I need some more ref pictures of the shoulder armor. Its just from certai angles, it looks more bulbus than in other angles, so its a pain to design accuratly. I was wondering if I could possibly get some more screen shots for reference.

Also, the oven is gettin closer to being built. Im thinking of getting a large cooler (the kinds with metal and insulation) to hold the burners and then line it with aluminum like the kind you cook turkey's in. Thats it for now.
Thanks guys!

-tubachris
 
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I have started to design the shouldr armor today, and the hardest part of this, is getting the size of it right in comparison to my size. Some things that have to be considered is the proper curvature on the top and bottom (from the front) and the length. In the reference I have, it sticks out a few inches from the end of the actual shoulder. Here is a picture of the design compared to me. I apologize, no one around to take the pic for me, but I had to improvise. Also, its hard to see te full size, because its laying slightly at an angle on my shoulder, its actually larger than it looks...I just need some feedback and recommendations. Thanks

shouldertestfit.jpg


-tubachris
 
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Okay, well after much procrastination, I started the mold. I already have the first 8 layers, but it used a whole sheet of MDF (i only get to work with one sheet at a time) so I'll need to get another this week. I did do some more "research" (really just staring at the shoulder of the DT while playing the game) and did realize that it is not cut off as I one thought. It comes to a rounded point. The layer posted in the pic is what I believe the accurate shape (if looking from the top). All im going to say, this is going to be a large mold. The longest length is 1 ft, and after its done is going to be 7 1/2" tall. Very big amor piece.

shoulderlayer.jpg


-tubachris
 
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Yea, the surface can fit 4 of the helmet molds if I had sculpted 3 more of them.

-tubachris

Do you want to? I might know a quick, fairly easy, and inexpensive way to do it if you do need duplicates of a mold? As long as there aren't any undercuts.
 
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Do you want to? I might know a quick, fairly easy, and inexpensive way to do it if you do need duplicates of a mold? As long as there aren't any undercuts.

Are you thinking of the plasteriing and filling of resin/silicon method? I thought about that, and I may need to depeing on whether or not I need to cast several of the same pieces to save time and plastic. The onoy thing with that, is that I can probably only cast the helmet mold one at a time because of its height, and I dont want to risk losing a whole sheet versus being able to only have one cast on it. Forgive my lack of knowledge, but wat do you mean by undercuts?

-tubachris
 
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I'm really enjoying your progress! Your enthusiasm is awesome!! You are showing incredible creativity and perserverance!! Right on!

Helmet's off to you!

-Rex
 
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For any of you guys going to CIV, (I cant-no money/transportation:cry ) I just found out that they are going to have a 501st panel with representatives of each class. The special ops COG will be making a presentation, and is going to include pictures of the helmet progress and will make note of it being a battle front dark trooper, also will put my full name with it for credit. Yes, I have a last name, but you'll never figure out my middle (for those that actualy see the presenation) I may not be there, but im happy that my project will be getting more attention.

-tubachris
 
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Well upon further thought and planning, I have decided im going to scratch build an oven for the vac-former. I went to home depot and picked up some hardibacker 1/2" cement board, 15amp plug, switch box, 20 amp switch and only 10 ft of 10-2 G romex wire. I still need to get the nichrome wire, ceramic posts and the appropriate screw and such. I have most of it, but I need to get the last parts online.

-tubachris
(And I have no idea what Im getting myself into..)
 
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Alright, took about half an hour, but the layout of the wires on the hardibaker is drawn up. Now I just need to get the drilling done and order the rest of the parts... Fortunatly, I got this drawn in one shot.

ovenwirelayout.jpg


-tubachris
 
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Saturday, I went with the local 501st squad to a hospital visit to help out. I had chance to look at a few of the tk parts in person, and I was able to see the hand guards. I have to re-sculpt these for the reason that mine are too small for me at least. Theres nothing wrong with the ones I have already sculpted, its just their size. They may fit someone else's hands, but not mine. Im also going to try something else that may make these easier to make. Some things I need to fiz, is making them more curved, and making the detail more clear. I have the idea that maybe using some sort of dense, but thin rubber, cut out the right size of this, and since it would be flexable, it would just easliy form to the rest of the mold. So no more having to sand a solid piece of wood hoping it has the same curve as well as not being too thin.

Also, the nichrome wire for the oven was graciously donated to me by CJanassen, a fellow member on the tk560 site. I want to make a note of his generosity for my project.

More coming soon. I plan to get this oven finished before the end of April, or mid May, so that I can start the casting. My goal right now is to finish the helmet completly no later then the first week of June.

-tubachris
 
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By the end of this...you'll be a celebrity. Just don't get so far and then quit...HANG IN THERE!!! :D
 
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I gotta say, finding these suckers took me awhile, and then trying to find enough for this was just as hard. I need 56 of these #10-24 1 1/2 bolts w/ screw nuts. I have all the screws with washers and wing nute for the terminal posts and those are just awaiting the ceramic posts I still need to order. Unfortunatly, while I have everything else, I still need 13 more bags of the 10-24 bolts. I am just ticked they just couldnt sell these in a box...
Not pictured is a piece of sheet metal which I will use to help attach the oven walls together.

boltspic.jpg


-tubachris
 
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Seeing how I was denied being able to purchase helmet decals, and I couldnt find any online (at least where I was searching) Im forced to just paint on the details. Fortunatly, when I first went paint shopping for the correct grey, I picked up the wrong shade, kept the paint though, and went out and found the right shade. Well, Ive realized that it is a good enough shade for the helmet details. Ive painted this on the helmet already, just deciding between a black marker or the auto stripping for the black lines. I'll post pics whens its completly finish.

-tubachris
 
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