Spartan 127, this is CRAZY good for someone who's had very limited experience with Pepakura. Most people I know would go "Yeah, first try, I'll try just a helmet, or just a weapon, something small," but you just kinda looked at that and said "Pffft. Starting small is for sissies. THIS IS HOW REAL MEN MAKE ARMOUR!" and just kind of jumped right in, so kudos to that, man. The amount of time and effort you put into this is amazing, down to the little arrows and extra tags on the calf pieces, it's so inspiring! Add to that you're not even making this suit for yourself, so you won't be able to wear to fruits of your labour just make it that much more awesome! You're so dedicated!
You'll nail this by Halloween, easy, at the rate you're going. Even with your horrible work times (3pm to 1am, wasn't it? Or has that changed), you're still pumping out armour pieces at an exceptional rate!
But yeah, keep up the great work, man! Your kid should be so proud to have you as a dad!
ROFL!!!!!!!!! Hmmmm . . . . interesting way of putting my taking on of this project. But YEAH!!!! It's my undiagnosed OCD issue that my wife says I have. She tells me I get obsessed so it must be OCD. LOL. And yeppers. Work 10 hour shifts (more like 11 to 14 hours shifts a lot of times) on a 3pm to 1am shift. Oh well. Someone has to do it. I really appreciate the compliments and thanks.
UPDATE TIME
Got some pics. I haven't got much accomplished by way of finishing the details on the torso, but figured I would share what I have. My sticker idea for the triangles and triangle warning sticker on the back fell through, so I have to get some of that done. Anyway, here's some pics.
Overalls (Going for thumbnails this time on them. . . Hope it works)
My solution to having to cut it
This is the bottom section in front where I cut it. I used drawer roller latches to join them together. They have a good grip and I was lucky and got it straight on the first try. . . . LOL. There's a couple more photos of the two parts of it in my photobucket folder with those pics if you want to take a look at what they are.
This is where I cut it on the top. I don't know if it was the best place to do it, but too late now. . . . It actually lines up really well. You can see all the Smooth Cast though from where the paint chipped off when I cut it. I haven't had the time to add touch up paint yet. . . . Some day. . . .
A pic of where I cut the bottom pieces. Towards the right in the photo between the gray and black arrows that I actually got to add tonight after being late getting off early . . . LOL I think it turned out OK as far as alignment. What do y'all think? Again, I haven't been able to add touch up paint. So be kind. . . .
Buckles I used were from some old life vests. I shouldn't have to worry about those coming apart. . . . LOL. . . Now if only the three sticks of hot glue I put on each side will hold through Halloween, I'll be good. . . .
Some other details that I got to put onto it tonight. . . .
The gray stripe on the back on the left and the UNSC on the right
And my special touch to personalize it for my son. His initials and B-Day on the right shoulder strap. :$
These are places I haven't been able to do yet. I printed off the UNSC Eagle and Globe as a sticker and going to try it tomorrow and hope it works. On the left (well in the pic on the left. . . LOL) figured I'd pay tribute to the Good Ol' 405th and put their emblem on it. Afterall, without everyone here, this build would not have been possible. Still working out the kinks in my stencil for that one though in case the whole sticker thing falls through.
I still have to add one of these to the back of the torso
This is the ones that I added to the thighs. They're tiny, but you can read them now. . . LOL
and I have a lot of other minor things that need to be done. I also need to reinforce the parts where the little things go under my son's arms where they join the back piece. After cutting it in two separate pieces, it's got way more give than I want it to have. I may just mix up some rondo and fill it to help out and make it last through Halloween.
My son had his hand in weathering the whole torso. In reality I think he was just happy to finger paint, but he said he wanted it dirty so he made it dirty. . . . LOL. After I get the bottom sections reinforced and finish the detail markings and blending in some of the chipping and battle damage, I'm going to get some foam in it around the arms and neck to finish it out. If that doesn't work I'll use the floor mat idea that Davik gave me for around the arms. Then, add whatever padding I need to.
Let me know what you think and if anyone knows a way to keep the joints on the top of the shoulders from separating that isn't too difficult, please let me know. They line up well and when I had some foam under it it didn't look like it would move much, but I was wanting to know if there was a way to keep it rock solid as if it were still one piece that someone has had success with. I've been looking. Just haven't found anything yet. As always, all feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Again, thanks so much to everyone here on the 405th and those especially that have helped me along the way. I'll try to get some more accomplished by Thursday evening and share if possible. After that though, I'm off to the coast for some R&R. :cool
