Iron's HIC - WIP Build

[Irongladiator]

Howdy my fellow Fett's!
Back in summer of last year (2024), I've been contemplating building my very own 'Han in Carbonite' (HIC) prop...

And in October/November I decided to pull that trigger, and did so during a couple vendors 'Black Friday' events. The main vendors I chose here were:
1) Wes Coke (From Facebook's 'HIC Han Solo in Carbonite Build Group') - (Also on 'Esty')
2) Todd Blatt (From 'Custom3DStuff.com')
3) Jon Tichenor (From Facebook's 'HIC Han Solo in Carbonite Build Group')

And here is my list of the stuff I've obtained....

Part​	Vendor​	URL​
Han In Carbonite Cast​	Wes Coke Designs​	Etsy Link​
Wooden Box Kit​	Custom 3D Stuff​	Custom 3D Stuff Link​
Complete Core Panel Kit​	Custom 3D Stuff​	Custom 3D Stuff Link​
Top and Bottom Plugs​	Custom 3D Stuff​	Custom 3D Stuff Link​
Electronics​	Jon Tichenor​	YouTube Link​

I have obtained all the parts needed and have begun my build. More pics to follow!

Cheers,
-Iron

 

[Krewkid82]

 

[Krewkid82]

So sad fettronics doesn't do the electronics anymore for these...I watched Jon's video but it's from like 10 years ago. Did he respond pretty quickly?

 

[Irongladiator]

Krewkid82
Yeah it is sad to see that Fettronics is out of the game. Jon responded pretty quick but did say that he does it more for fun, rather than as an actual side business. He informed me that he wasn't sure when his next run would be. But I'd reach out regardless just to see what he says.

 

[Krewkid82]

Krewkid82
Yeah it is sad to see that Fettronics is out of the game. Jon responded pretty quick but did say that he does it more for fun, rather than as an actual side business. He informed me that he wasn't sure when his next run would be. But I'd reach out regardless just to see what he says.

Let me know if he starts a run I have everything wishlisted except electronics. I was sad to go to the website and see it closed such a bummer.

 

[Irongladiator]

Hello All,
It has been far too long. Since my last post on my HIC Project. As with most people, life got in the way. We bought a house last year (Moved out of our Condo) only moved a few blocks from where we used to live. As part of our 'making it our own' initiative, we undertook a big project this year and remodeled our entire kitchen (Just shy of $40k), to include new cabinets, countertops and appliances, as well as new flooring for the entire main level. The end result is that the wife is happy. And that's all that matters, right?


But on with the HIC Project Update....
After ordering the stuff I'd need to begin building about a month went by before I started getting the items. First up, was the Complete Core Panel Kit as offered by Custom3DStuff (aka Todd Blatt). Todd is known for his incredible attention to detail and who Adam Savage (from his 'One Day Build' series) used when re-vamping his HIC....

Here is that Complete Core Panel Kit which included all the Metal Greeblies (We all love metal bits and bobs)....

Shortly followed by 'Wes Coke's' Han Solo cast pieces....

I then received Todd's Box Kit.....

As a precaution, I clamped it all together to ensure it all fit like it should, and....

I then kicked off the project by gluing (Liquid Nails) down some thin plywood to the sides....

More to follow....

Cheers,
-Iron

 

[Irongladiator]

Once the sides fully dried, I then started building corner supports out of 2x4's and screwing them in place....

At this point the box is still very flimsy and can be tweaked without too much effort. I then decided to add in additional support by installing 1x1 sticks and using L-Brackets to hold them in place....

Then it was off to Home Depot to purchase a large sheet of thin plywood. I couldn't fit the sheet into my vehicle so I had to cut it on-site....

After a couple more trimming sessions once home, I achieved a perfect fit....

I then laid down some more liquid nails.....

And applied the sheet and piled stuff on top of it to weight it down. and let it rest for 48 hours....

Stay tuned, more to come.


Best,
-Iron

 

[DrToothache]

Oh man, this is looking fantastic!

 

[Irongladiator]

I followed that up with additional support braces going across the middle portion of the HIC block. I used a T-Bevel on some 1x4 sticks and cut them for a perfect fit....

After some creative ideas on supporting the top and bottom supports, I got it all fixed and in place. (Which is supported much better now and doesn't flex anymore)

I convinced the wife to let me buy a woodworking router so that I can round out the edges. (What convinced her was the capability to build and shape custom shelves for our home.

I then started to hit and round out the top and side edges...

After that, I then took some bondo and patched in all my counter sunk screw holes...

Using my palm sander, I got it sanded down in short order with only some spots needing some additional touch up's.....

I then flipped over the carbonite block and began working on filling in the gaps with DryDex wall patch....

I then laid out Han and began fixing him in place with Liquid Nails and throwing down some popsicle sticks and temporairly screwing them in place to hold it while it cures....

More to follow.


Thanks,
-Iron

 

[Irongladiator]

Once the Liquid Nails took over and held the Han cast in place I removed the popsicle sticks and began slathering on the 'Carbonite' texture. And for that it was simply DryDex....

After that, and using reference pictures, I began assembly of the panels and greebles using E6000 and applying the decals....

I then gave an initial coat of paint to the Han in Carbonite Block, and for this I used...

(Sunny stands guard )
I realize that the bondo patches painted differently and I think that is because I didn't give the patches a rough then fine sand all over for that even finish. I'll do that this upcoming spring.

I then took the electronics for the so-called 'Hero Panel' and airbrushed on some Tamiya X-3 Royal Blue on the circuit boards....

And then proceeded to wire up the Hero Panel using Hot Glue....

Then using bolts, washers and nuts I fixed all panels to the HIC block....

I cut in a hole for the electronics of the Hero Panel....

And installed the Hero Panel....

Because I'm doing this in my garage, where it is positioned in an alley where others can easily see what I'm working on. I've gotten more than a handful of curious people coming up to me to inquire.


And here is a video of the electronics in action...

And then here electronics showcasing both modes. It has two modes. "Steady" and "Rapid Flashing"....

OK I think I got you all caught up. I even had it out at ECCC (Emerald City Comic Con) this year....

And then out at a 501st event for a Star Wars Themed Summer Camp too...

And was able to get my kid to take a few pics with him as well...

Still more to follow. I still have to assemble the top and bottom cavity plugs (Three holes on the top and three holes on the bottom) as well as put together a metal greeblie for Panel 2. Todd normally sold these separately but I was able to convince him to throw them in since I pretty much bought everything for this HIC Project. He now includes them as a standard with his full set of metal greeblies. After that I want to fasten it to the wall in my garage with it off the wall a couple inches to appear that it is floating. Also to happen in the summertime.

Till then....

Cheers,
-Iron