Mass Effect 3 Foam build WIP

[thehunter7]

Hi all!

Just wanted to show y'all my new build that I am going to be working on. Granted I haven't actually started, still in the process of developing some patterns and getting reference shots to go on. But my foam pieces just got in today. They were a little bit thinner than I wanted, due to the fact that the pic on eBay showed 1/2 inch while it's actually less, but figured I'd work with it.

Also ordered some EL wire to add some lighting effects to armor, as well as use in an omni tool that I will hope to make out of some plexiglas shaped with heat gun. (which by the way, has anyone tried this? Or even know if it will work?)

But anyways, I built a halo set with pep and figured I'd try some foam out. Part inspired by Indy moguls video awhile back on how to make sic fy armor as well as EvilFXs mass effect 2 build (his stuff is amazing!)

But anyways, I will be taking lots of pics and hopefully will have some progress up soon. Will be making a run to home depot for a few supplies later today. But for now I'm just hoping to get a good build started that everyone can enjoy!

Edit: I know it's probably self explanatory but if you click the pictures it opens up bigger, I just didn't want to upload the full thing here cuz it takes up so much room. And if you're like me and view the forums on mobile some times, it's hard to see the full picture. Anyways, thanks for reading!

[thehunter7]

Drawing up some quick templates to get an idea

Click here

[thehunter7]

OK Hi everyone, I have a few pics showing the progress of my stencils. They might be a bit hard to see due to the fact that they are in pencil on posterboard, but I will outline in sharpie later tonight.


Part of Side, trying to see how far down to go etc. Also need to work on belt piece soon.


Hard to see, but due to my lack of a light table, I just traced one side with a piece of printer paper, cut it out, fliped it over, and traced it to get more of a symmetrical feel.


Here is the upper chest pieces drawn out. They are a bit bigger, trying to compensate for the curving around with the heat gun.

[thehunter7]

Day 2-3

Ok so I have finished the chest pieces, minus the front belt, but here are some update pics. I modded my soldering iron to use a small xacto knife, which makes cutting a breeze... even on my dull blade I had, need to get some new ones.


Modded soldering iron with xacto


side by side foam and stencil


Foam close up


Chest stencils with abbs


Chest piece finished cutting out, minus belt

[thehunter7]

Ok so I have begun using the dremel and the heat gun to form the chest pieces... however, ran into a snag with trying to connect the neck guard and the upper chest part, so I'm going to have to redo and make them 1 piece. But will still use the pieces, might make another suit with it or something. Here are some pics of using the dremel and heat gun.


Initial heat forming test. Works pretty good! And holds that position quite well, even for my foam which is not as thick.


Some testing with the dremel tool on how it works with the foam. Quite easy I might add, just takes some patientce to not go too deep.


Here is the heat formed upper chest piece, with the smooth parts. But I am going to have to redo this one, but now that I have had practice can make smoother and cleaner lines with dremel.

[KrovikanCorvinus]

This is looking as though you have mastered the knack of this perfectly, I can't wait to see how this turns out, keep us posted!

[thehunter7]

This is looking as though you have mastered the knack of this perfectly, I can't wait to see how this turns out, keep us posted!

Thanks man! It's been interesting and will be sure to update as much as I can! Which speaking of I have one right now!

I pretty much have all the front chest pieces done, minus the belt on the front.


Old chest piece, though turned out ok when I glued on the neck piece.


Vacuum piece roughly where the belt will go


Close up

[ZoidianKings]

Wow, I really like how you're able to make those areas that smooth with a dremel. Also, keeping such clean lines throughout the different sections.

[thehunter7]

Wow, I really like how you're able to make those areas that smooth with a dremel. Also, keeping such clean lines throughout the different sections.

Thanks, it's pretty difficult to keep my dremel straight at times, which you can see it slipped up on the neck piece and I cut a line in it lol

[Nessy]

This is looking really good, I'm surprised that there aren't more people posting here. Great detail work. I am especially impressed that you built all your own templates. Keep up the good work!