My DC-17m Build!

Hey guys,

Some may remember the build I started last year of my DC-17m?

Here are two of the threads that show the early progress and my thoughts for it at the time:

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showt...t=27052&page=2
Scroll down a bit for it.

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f45/new-templates-republic-commando-27401/
My RC template thread.

Anyway, I'm working on it again now and wanted just one thread dedicated to it so here I am.

To begin, I plan on building all three attachments for this beast which meant me having to cut out the existing assault rifle attachment to make way for the "reveal" details that we see in between attachment fitting and removal.



I got to work on doing this today and it almost broke my heart! Even though I knew it would improve the build in the long run, it was a little hard to destroy part of the build. LOL!

Here it was this morning:


Then after me going at it with the knife!!


I didn't manage to make as much progress on this as I'd have liked today but spreading myself between commissions, kids and this is a little tricky. Anyway, I started to close up the hole that was left in the main body of the rifle before calling it a day:


More progress to follow as I continue with the build as well as design the templates I'll be using to build the Anti-Armor and Sniper attachments!!!

Thanks for looking guys.

Woh! This is going to be very impressive when you get it done. You're doing the sniper and anti-armor attachments as well?? WOW! I'll definitely have to keep checking in on this!

I remember you working on this! Very, very clean looking so far. Are you going to use magnets or snaps or something to make switching out attachments more fluid?

Skip I can't wait to see this fully done. Then again can't wait for the templates either. Great job as always mate.

Dude, Skip, this thing is going to be so awsome once its finished!!!! Really excited about watching this ones progress.

Thanks a lot guys.

I was thinking of earth magnets for holding the attachments in place. I've also made the flip-up attachment lock a working part. Either earth magnets again to hold it in the locked position or maybe some sort of snap? Not sure there yet.

Also, in that last pic I posted, you can see a recess in the new cover plate for the "reveal" area? That's in preparation for adding lighting there.

Yesterday, I managed to spend most of the day working on this. Though in the pics it may not look like it. LOL!

Most of the time was spent sanding corners and edges, smoothing out the seams and what-not. I also added more to that reveal area at the front, just need to fill and sand there now. I closed up the butt of the stock too and just need to add a little detail there.

I also started to build the rear grip. I had to make a lot of extra support here seeing as this is where it'll be handled the most. I don't want any chance of it crumpling from being handled too much. I actually got more done on the grip and trigger guard after taking these pics, it's all closed up now with support. I'm just waiting on some half round styrene rod for detailing it. I also need to sand edges and add a little more to detail it and beef it up a bit.

I also thought I'd get started on modelling the other two attachments later? Just getting ready for building them.

Anyway, here are some pics.

use silicone rubber to mold it and use urethane rubber to cast it. a hard urethane rubber like 60 or harder.

http://www.smooth-on.com/Urethane-Ru...142/index.html

make sure you use the 60. you might even look into foam rubber for it.

i would just slush cast it with roto resin.

it look pretty stocky looking. so it should hold up pretty good.

Thanks buddy, I appreciate the input from you. I'm thinking of rubber though just because it'll be more durable.

What about suppliers for the UK? That's where I am so it'd be nice to be able to get supplies from here.

This morning I updated my original model of the deece to match the changes I've made to my build. This is in prep for the new attachments I'll be doing soon. Like the deece, I'll be modelling them in 3D, then using the templates I create to build them in the real world using styrene again.

Not much but a pic of the new changes to the model.

Got the Anti-Armor attachment modelled ready today. From this model I'll make 2D templates to build it from. Looking forward to that though there's still plenty to do on the build right now.

I made zero progress on that today as the kids are off from school for bank holiday and the wife's been ill, hence the 3D modelling today instead.

Some pics for you guys:









As always, any feedback, comments or critique is always welcome. Talk to me guys!!

smooth-on has distributors in UK. just look on the find their site.

It's coming together ggreat so far. Wish I had your talent

So, will you offer the modular parts as a separate file for those of us who already have your Deece model or will we have to get the whole thing again?

By the way, that build is looking SWEEET!

Thanks guys,

When they're ready yeah. Though you'd probably have to rebuild the DC-17 base. I've modified it to accept the different attachments.

If you built it using styrene or something similar then you could modify your build the way I did. Though if you used card and fibreglass then may be better off building from scratch again.

Started the sniper attachment:

Just a quick post guys. I finished the modelling of both Anti-Armor and Sniper attachments. I haven't created the templates from them yet but soon.

You are a Rep Com god!

Thanks a lot vod!

Looking Great Skip! Can't wait to get my hands on these templates! Just about finished with the bondo on the Boushh helmet, hope to post some pics in the next few days, depending on how lazy I am/how long it takes me to finish. lol Keep up the awsome work dude!

Thanks buddy, I may get to work on those today or tomorrow?

Get some pics up!

Got a little detailing done yesterday, I'm waiting on more material to keep going. Ignore those screws, I was trying something out. I'll be using something more fitting than screws there.

Update, this may be cast and produced as a kit. I have a thread over at CTN and there is interest so we'll see how it goes.

Yesterday I finished some areas, sanding here, trimming there. I also dry fit the main grip to check it was Ok. Then I had to cut out a section to make a recess in the blaster for the ammo display, LEDs and power source. I'd been talking about the FX kit but the problem was, the size of the open space needed for it would make for a very flexible prop as we're hoping to use rubber if it gets cast. My buddy who'll be doing the moulds and casting felt that the space needed for the FX kit was too much for the rubber and we didn't want to try a vac form approach for the deece. Also, being rubber trying to get a switch down to the trigger would be a nightmate I think without compromising rigidity(is that even a word?). You wouldn't want your deece wobbling in your hands would ya??

So, for now, we've opted for an open area inside the deece that would be big enough for a basic light effect. Meaning you could light the area we see when attachments are removed, even light the little light toward the upper rear part of the deece, have a static light display for the ammo counter and also have some sort of power connection in the ammo magazine slot to feed power through to light a mag when inserted. Did that make sense? I find it hard to put things into words sometimes?? The cover plate for this we're thinking can be cast in resin and held in place with earth magnets?

Anyway, I'll post some pics of the work done. The cut out area needs alot of clean up and filling yet, also I need to fabricate a box if you will to clean up the recess for the lighting bits and bobs. It's a mess in there right now and needs to be made much more mould friendly. The back of the coverplate also needs clean up.

Holy cavity making process Batman!!

Looking forward to this, gonna look awesome when your done... I love all the extra detail your putting in! so what did you have in mind for any external screws?

Thanks Gav,

Screws? You mean for the stock butt? I figured simple screws weren't very Star Wars so maybe use like a hex screw or something? It needs a little detail there. I'm gonna go back and check the game model in the editor software to see what-s there in-game first.

Looks VERY cool. Some people here have all the talent. lol

Thanks very much bud.

Ur welcome. Im recovering from a ruined clone lid I attempted to paint. Seeing this makes me feel there is hope out there for clones besides my NON-artistic self. lol

Well, I'll be doing the pistol soon'ish as well as armor. Just need to get this deece done first.

Originally Posted by Skupilkinson

Well, I'll be doing the pistol soon'ish as well as armor. Just need to get this deece done first.

Pistol too... nice!
Can't wait to see these bruv...

LOL! Me too! The DC-15 pistol the RC's use is my fav Star Wars pistol. Second to that is Captain Rex's twin pistols from TCW series.

My fav blaster rifle is the DC-17 with Boba's Blaster a very close second.

I just love RC's! LOL!

I'm glad you put Boba's in there...

Now a complete set of DC-15's would be a sight?

Looking good dude! I'm really excited to start work on mine now after seeing how yours is going and all the cool adds your making! lol, still need to finish my boushh helmet first though heh, been to busy to do much work lately.

Thanks Joe.

I'm still making progress. Things have slowed a little but only because I got sidetracked by starting a new build. The RC backpack!!

These pics aren't the best due to ****** light but you'll see how it all looks now.

I realised I hadn't updated this in a while. I've still been working on the deece but I'm also building a Snow Clone lid too from the animated series(The Clone Wars) so that has slowed me down a little.

I got a few coats of primer on it after finishing up most of the filling and clean up, just to see how close to the end I am. I was really pleased with what I saw afterwards. There's still some filling remaining after the primer's been sanded back a little but it's looking good! I think so anyway! LOL!

After that last round of filling's been done I'll be finishing off the ammo mag and the assault attachment.

Update on the way guys, I'm just waiting on some filler to set before a quick round of sanding them fresh primer.

can't wait to see it

Ok, here it is now. I smoothed out the other coat of primer, some more filling and then some detailing follwed by more primer!

There was a detail near the stock that I'd previously left out, well I added that as I think it's one of the key features/trademarks of the DC-17. Also I used some various bolts to finish detailing the forward grip and butt.

Hope you guys like it. I'm very nearly done with this part of the build now!!

that is one of the most detailed scratchbuilds of any kind that I have seen

Thanks very much bro! I'm really pleased you like it.

luckily I've seen the pics before... But why is it when I come on here all I see are little white boxes with red X's..? never had that problem before?

So you finished this yet Skip..

Hey bro,

Not sure on the dreaded red X's mate? Sorry, some pics are linked from my photobucket album and others are uploaded directly to TDH.

Finished? Never!!!!! LOL! Well, the main body is almost ready but then there's 3 attachments to finish and two different mags. It'll take a while to completely complete it. I'm putting alot of time into this and another project though so I'm not sat on my butt! LOL!

Ooh, well I am while I type this so better get cracking again!