Darktrooper Progress Thread 8MAR2011: Getting back to it

[tubachris85x]

Chris I sent you some measurements taken off my FX bucket the other day, did you not get them?:confused

You did? Through PM or what method? I havent recieved anything from you, Im sorry, it could have been a technical error with the board. LMK, Thanks!

Oh and Z-man, I just got back to my house in tally, I didnt have my FX on hand. Despite the original falling in on itself, I just compared it.

Comparing them, its apparent that the DT helmet is smaller then the FX, just by comparing both the dome and the face plate. I'll send you a PM soon regarding some more changes. Thanks!

 

[Zman12]

Ok I'll go look, now keep in mind we do want it smaler so you can sculpt over it.

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, well, decided to keep it the size it is now. Z-man brought up the point that it will be larger after I add the clay to it, so yea, its already pretty large.

Aside from the helmet, I just ordered a TK backpiece. Im going to wait to see how it will fit before modding it, so I know if I can use it or not for the JP

 

[tubachris85x]

Okay then, I went by wally mart just now...

I picked up some card stock, which is much fimer paper for me to use to make the version 2 DT pep helmet which I will use as the base of the final helmet. Got some elmer's glue as well, all the people on the 405th claim that its the best thing to use..which most of them all are using this pepakura method of construction, so I wont argue.

I also picked up some expanding foam that I saw. Its called "Great stuff," and is meant for sealing/filling. Im going to test it before attempting anything so I know what to expect.

All Im waiting for now to continue with the project is some ink for my printer. It will cost me almost 100 just for that, which is rediculous! Im going to need it for my classes as well, but I dont know when I will actually get it.

So thats it for now. Keeping the helmet the same size, and just need to build the second one. Im thinking of building most of it together already, and then cutting the three parts, and then fiberglassing them, and re-attach them again. Not sure. Thanks

 

[Zman12]

If you test the foam you might as well use it to seal up any gaps that you have in your house that way you get a good use out of it. And just an idea you might be able to get ink cheaper at office max, they give you rebates for your old cartridges. (I think its 3 dollars a cartridge.)

 

[tubachris85x]

If you test the foam you might as well use it to seal up any gaps that you have in your house that way you get a good use out of it. And just an idea you might be able to get ink cheaper at office max, they give you rebates for your old cartridges. (I think its 3 dollars a cartridge.)

Thanks, I will try to make use of what I can. As for the ink, my printer is a dell, and there are only 2 places I can buy ink from; online, and from staples. Fortunatly, it only cost 30 bucks for both color and black and white. Going to print out the pep onto the cardstock soon.

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, I have officially begun pep helmet version two, using better materials.
Only began cutting just now, so I'll get back to you guys in like....8 hours lol

 

[Zman12]

Yea it takes a while.... I just finished a Master Chief torso I don't even want to know how long that took...

Although I suspect it will be faster this time around. I noticed that each thing I do goes a little faster because I am starting to figure out how it works and whats the fastest.

 

[tubachris85x]

Yea, it takes alooooooooong time. After getting past the cutting and pre-folding, it gets better.

I honestly was hoping to have finished cutting the other night, but I was so tired after work that I actually passed out half-way through the pages. Im going to try to finish tonight, but most of it will be done tomorrow, dont have work tomorrow, so more time!

 

[tbone9600]

Since you guys are doing the pepakura method for armor, I thought I'd throw in a couple cents. I have built a few pep models and used a few different types of glue. I've found that I actually had better results and faster setting times using testors glue. For some reason it seems to set really quick on paper or card stock, but not too quick to make adjustments if they are needed. Don't know if this will help or not but I thought I'd throw it out there.

T

 

[tubachris85x]

Since you guys are doing the pepakura method for armor, I thought I'd throw in a couple cents. I have built a few pep models and used a few different types of glue. I've found that I actually had better results and faster setting times using testors glue. For some reason it seems to set really quick on paper or card stock, but not too quick to make adjustments if they are needed. Don't know if this will help or not but I thought I'd throw it out there.

T

Thanks for the recomendation T-bone! Im still sticking with the elmer's only because I have it on hand and saves me time right now. It actually is working very well and settles fast. Ive been building a few pieces just now, and got through them alot faster then I previously did using the tape.

Another thing thats great, is that this card stock is sooooo much sturdier. This will be a much better helmet when it's finished

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, well I got most of it done tonight. I was going to make into sections so that I could just fiberglass and then attach. However, being that it is paper that is folded and that each must fit correctly, and be properly shaped, I fear that if I fiberglass it before attatching, that some folds wont be the proper shape, and will not fit correctly.

I will say, that the two biggist pains in the a$$ has been completing the dome and then attaching the incredibly thin brow, as well as holding the whole weight of the face. It does look alot better then the first one, by far. Just a matter of attaching the rest of it together at this point. Then I will fiberglass it, starting with the dome, and up.

Will post pics upon finishing-which I dont know when the next time I will have enough time to do so. Thanks

-tubachris

 

[tbone9600]

Lookiing forward to the pics. Good luck.

 

[tubachris85x]

Sorry T, I just havent had enough time between everything goin on to actually finish assembling it. Im almost done though, the dome, face and sides are all attached together and are holding strong and looking really great. Im going to try and finish it tonight. I will then post pics of it fnished

 

[tubachris85x]

Alright, the base for the final helmet is finished. Not 100% perfect by any means, but it is 100% better then the POS version one. Just the next step is fiberglassing and filling with expanding foam. I'll let the pics speak for themselves..

BTW, in the top two pics, if you didnt notice, its actually sitting over the MR clone helmet...

Enjoy

-tubachris

 

[Zman12]

I feel some what proud that it actually looks like a helmet. Even if all I did was throw the file at you and say "here you go have fun." If you still want a textured one if you can get me the trooper with the textures working in some function I would be happy to make you a scaled color one.

It looks great, be proud.

 

[tubachris85x]

I feel some what proud that it actually looks like a helmet. Even if all I did was throw the file at you and say "here you go have fun." If you still want a textured one if you can get me the trooper with the textures working in some function I would be happy to make you a scaled color one.

It looks great, be proud.

Thanks, I appreciate your comments and your offer. LOL you mean, like a little one? about the size of a riddel helmet? That would actually be kinda cool and can put it on display on my desk lol

Oh well, unfortuatly, thats all I have. The 3ds max model was actually given to me without me even asking for it! But yes, I am pretty happy with this and I thank you for helping me out with this, even if you did just say "here ya go" LOL

 

[tbone9600]

Thats Friggin sweet. I think it'll turn out great.

 

[tbone9600]

Hmmmm... double posted again. Sorry

 

[tubachris85x]

Hmmmm... double posted again. Sorry

To the stake with YE!!!