I totally agree with Septic, paint and weathering are going to cover a lot of minor issues. This stuff is really looking awesome!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Looks brilliant!

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A02/TQ2.0.52141E1

"Errr... Roger that's a 2-1-6..."

Fantastick work.

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Cpl N.Storey A12/TQ2.0.02132E1
MARINE RAIDER

Very nice! Inspires me to revive my project!

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"He is as clumsy as he is stupid."

I agree, your work is looking great so far!

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Thanks everyone. Riding the wave! Feeling the flow.


So got a bit more progress. I got my 2nd 'sled' in on Friday. I was able to crank out a good chunk of work to get the last (i hope) of my aluminum parts drawn, cut out, and shaped.



Just barely all fit!


Turned those into these... (not pictured are the shoulder bells, which I did not finish last night.)





I also played around with the steel... This is going to be a nightmare! I know it is common sense, the difference between steel and aluminum as it relates to a hammer was startling.

First 'inaccurate details' have to get removed. On both the greaves and breastplate, there is a vertical ridge down the front.

On the greaves it wasnt so bad. I hammerd that out pretty decently. Only real damage was the paint on the inside (and who cares, right?)



The breastplate proved more difficult. The seam was not hammered in originally. It was created by welding the two halves. As expected, trying to hammer it flat resulted in the original weld splitting.



I will have to cut out the excess and weld in the trademark flat ridges. I can't say doing the body this way is recommended...BUT here I am. No turning back now.

I removed the 'skirt' bits and hammered the shoulder blade indentations out of the back. Got a looooong way to go on the steel bits.

Finally finished the 'bells'. Pretty proud of these guys.


First, my 'failed' bells (just as a bit of warning/advice if anyone was thinking the same). This occured before I got my 2nd sled.
I thought I would take a page form my 'flower pot' armor and try to find a metal bowl already in the correct shape. It did NOT go well. Despite finding a very nice stainless steel bowl in the right shape, it was a lost cause.

Once you cut the bowl, you realize just how thin the material is (all its strength comes from the base and top roll), plus despite the thin material, Stainless steel does not hammer nearly as nice as aluminum. It was just springy. Super springy. It would not hold its shape was not malleable. Plus I cut myself up a little bit! What is a project without a little blood to go with the sweat though, right? Live and learn...


So once I committed to making it from the sled, it went about as easy as any other part. The lone exception was the indent details. I didn't want to mangle them like I did the pouldrons, so I rigged this little setup.

Warmed up PVC pipe. I made the negative shape and a little spoon to hammer into the bells.


Worked great! Quite pleased with myself over this one.


Starting to come together





The "bump plate" for the helmet is the last of on my aluminum "to do" list. Then I wont be able to avoid the steel work any longer!

That looks awesome!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Dam Good Job mate Exellent )

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Cpl N.Storey A12/TQ2.0.02132E1
MARINE RAIDER

Genius idea with the PVC former!

+ it's not a *real* project till you've bleed on it! Some of my best scars are from projects

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Cpl Aron "septic" Williams
A10/TQ0.0.82146E1

Pretty solid weekend as far as progress goes.

That dang bump plate may have been the hardest shape yet, but finally finished it.




After that, there was no more goofing off. It was time to hammer steel.

The good news is 18 gauge steel isn't as bad as I feared. The bad news was things still got a bit sloppy as precision hammering is still not my "thing". But it is what it is, and this is what I ended up with.

Greaves


They arent as bulbous as I would like (too straight up and down, not round in the calf like TE's), but they will do for now I guess.

Back

As I mentioned, I was aware my plan to use an existing steel breastplate as the foundation may create more work than it might save. My fears were confirmed!!!

You can't really tell from the back, but the existing foundation is a bit small. Either that or the default arm holes/contours are too big. There is simply not enough space to fit screen accurate details in the existing material in the area under the arm pits. I had to 'shrink' my contours for the buckles simply to get them to fit and I will have to weld on the 'lames' (steps) under the rib cage because not enough material was there to accurately hammer them in.

When you add in all the cutting in order to remove the inaccurate ridge to get things flat up front, you end up with a huge headache that didn't actually save you any time. If at all possible, I recommend going Schotti's or Retrograde's route of just building the breastplate how you want it the first time from the jump.

That said, after all the headache, I think I did actually salvage it (as long as I don't butcher the weld job, which is no given)





Hope to get it welded today. We'll see

Listen UP MARINE!
This is AMAZING! MIND BLOWING JOB!

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If you can read this, - you're too close!
ALIENS: Last Stand (Fan Film): https://felixberner.de/film/ALIENS-Last-Stand/

I agree with Burner, Exellent Job well done

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Cpl N.Storey A12/TQ2.0.02132E1
MARINE RAIDER

Got it welded up. Was just as rough as I feared, but I have more cleanup I can do. It should be fine after a bit more sanding.

Here is the steel breastplate (so far).









I think the 'construction' is done. Time to start getting serious about strapping it up and cutting up the foam padding.

Now that looks amazing congratulations

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Cpl N.Storey A12/TQ2.0.02132E1
MARINE RAIDER

Well that looks pretty damn awesome dude.

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Outstanding work.

your creativity seems to hold no bounds.

Thanks again guys.

Started Padding the armor. Using a surplus sleeping mat of some variety, but unfortunately not dutch! Still should do the job.


Just loose dry fits for now. I will strap it all up before I glue it down and take a heat gun to it so it conforms perfectly.


The only padding that is actually visible is the lobster plates, so I tried this on them.



It wont fool anyone into thinking it is dutch mat, but is a bit more accurate, eh?
Effect was achieved by making slits with a straight edge and a razor blade, then taking a heating gun to it. The edges of cuts recede back when slightly melted and reveal the grid pattern.

Nice technique! Does the job nicely, keep it up mate!

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AKA: Simon

Exellent work like allways, just keep going pal

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Cpl N.Storey A12/TQ2.0.02132E1
MARINE RAIDER

Amazing. Looking forward to your finished painting! Like the dirty and used look of your baby! This is mind blowing! Really!
I really hope you used the official USCM hand welder to fix the armour !

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If you can read this, - you're too close!
ALIENS: Last Stand (Fan Film): https://felixberner.de/film/ALIENS-Last-Stand/

I commend you on your efforts...I'd never ever be able to do what you're up to...badass.

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Please check out my Ghostbusters Ecto-1 project: http://www.therpf.com/f9/ghostbusters-ecto-1-project-largest-ever-209393/#post3250225
My M56 Smartgun build: http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14382

I am seriously blown away by this. As someone who JUST started looking into getting his first set of armor... this blows my mind. Excellent work!

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I have not failed... I have succeeded in finding what DOESN'T work

Superb effort!

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"The other Gareth"