Thorssoli's Vacformed Warhammer 40k Space Marines

[thorssoli]

After several rounds of counting and re-stacking all of the pieces, we're finally somewhat confident that we have everything formed. Here's one of the part stacks (thigh and arm parts):


Here's most of the thighs assembled:


Since I'm running out of space for this build in my workshop, I've started stacking pieces anywhere I can find room:


At the end of each day, it's become more and more important to pick up the scraps on the floor and clear space for the next day's work:


At this point had the other guys get all of the leg parts assembled. With those put together, I'm able to focus on some of the details. Here's the resin cast insert detail for the bottom end of the calf:


Here's a shot of some of the thigh details:


Here's a few of the "patch" sections on one of the shins:


Since the patches and other details are pulled separately, I'll be able to make these parts different on every pair of legs.

Here's the rubber knee insert taped in place:


Here's a shot showing the limit of the range of motion for the legs:


And another picture showing the scale of the build:


The guy in the picture is my friend Daniel, one of the guys who will be wearing one of the suits. Everyone's been stopping by the workshop in the evenings in order to try on the stilts and get the hang of walking around for a bit:


It's been said before: if you can walk in my workshop wearing these things, you can walk anywhere...

In other news, I started working out the design of the first backpack frame for inside the chest armor:


While most if it is coming together nicely, I'm still behind on the sculpt for the rubber shorts to go inside the hip joints:


Stay tuned. Much to come in the week ahead...

 

[vshore100]

The seal for behind the knee looks really good. Are you going to do this for the area between the bicep and forearm also?

 

[thorssoli]

Yes. I've got a smaller version of the same exact thing for the elbow. In both cases, they're backed up with upholstery foam in order to keep them filled out and make it look heavier.

At this point, the only thing I'm at all worried about is the hip joints.

 

[Mstruvmgc]

Looking really good thorssoli. I have faith that you will have no problem with the hip joint.

 

[Starvinartist80]

Love it, love it. Every new post gets better. Thanks for sharing.

 

[thorssoli]

Here's a big pile of updates...

First off, I finished the sculpt for the rubber undies ("thunderwear" as the guys have started calling them):


Here's the first pair being test-fit to a diaper:


For details about the slipcasting process I used to make them in black latex, read my blog entry here: When My Brain Leaks, the Drops Drip Here.: Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine Build Part 4: the Rubber Bits

On Saturday I set one of the guys up to assemble all of the arm parts:


There were a lot of them:


Lots of leg parts too:


Throughout the day on Saturday, I had the guys rotate through trying on the boots so they could get the hang of walking on the stilts:


We also got a lot of boots put together:


Meanwhile, the bolters were coming together:


We also made the last forming buck for the bolt pistol:


After my friend Matt remarked at how tiny and adorable it was, I had him start cutting pieces for something at the other end of the spectrum:


Stacked together, the forms looked appropriately huge:


It took four pulls on the forming table to get all of the pieces formed:


After a little over a day's work, we had a heavy bolter:


It's huge:

 

[thorssoli]

Apologies for the double post. I had too many pictures...

During a moment of down time yesterday, I had a friend help me strap on all of the parts:


Despite all of the extensions, the range of motion is actually not all that bad:


I can even hold my belt:


I still need to pad and strap the knees and hips so they'll stay lined up right when I crouch:


Still, the whole thing is coming together:


Now all that's left is a bit of finish work on one suit and a lot of finish work on the rest:


In other news, I've decided they'll be Dark Angels.

Stay tuned...

 

[Annanymous]

one word: epic.

 

[Cinderblock]

niiiice, that full thing looks so legit

 

[NayrDeath]

You're doing an amazing job on this, Shawn. I'm happy to see that you decided they'd be Dark Angels, back when I played 40k that's the chapter I played.

 

[Starvinartist80]

Such a great build. I always appreciate that you create multiple suits. Having that team building environment is great. I love your Halo builds but this build has now become my favorite.

 

[Dreadnaught]

Awesome build, Shawn. I, too, am glad that you picked the Dark Angels. They were my favorite chapter of all time.

 

[Mstruvmgc]

That looks amazing man! I love your updates
Watching you guys walk around is going to righteous

 

[brosargeantdaro]

this is truly inspirational. This is my 2nd post on the great 405th. The dedication that you, as adults have, and the skill that you show and the mastery used in all of the builds is exceptional. I myself am tying to find pepakura. I thought I would be a real costume maker then. When I see this I know," That is real costume making". Thank you for the inspiration. Rock on!

 

[Combust]

So amazing man! Cant wait for vids of you all strutting around!

 

[thorssoli]

We will have them. For now I have three suits. Mostly done. We'll be fine-tuning the third on-site during the Bay Area Maker Faire this weekend. In the meantime, here's a picture of some helmets:


Here's the back of one of the backpacks:


Finally, here's one of the guys getting rigged up for a few minutes worth of test-fitting earlier this evening:


It turns out he's too tall for the costume, but he almost looks the part:

Too bad his hands aren't bigger...

I haven't had much chance to post these past couple of days. I'll get everyone up to date and post oodles of pictures sometime in the next few days. For now, I must get at least a few minutes of sleep.

 

[Antidromic]

Amazing and inspiring build! Also, extra thumbs up for the chapter choice.

 

[Tyvern]

Dark Angels: The unforgiven

Great Chapter

 

[Halo 1]

FREAKIN AWESOME Shawn!

 

[thorn696]

Looks Sweet. Can't wait for the group shot.