May 5th, 2025 Update:
Well I have good news and bad news.
Good news is I have finished the helmet and most of the upper body.
Originally I couldn't decide between a gold or red visor, but I ended up using red since it matched. I can also use the gold in the future if I want an actual chief helmet or just gold in general.
I added 50mm fans, LED lights, a 9v battery for the lights, and a battery pack inside the helmet. Its a little crowed wire wise since I dont know how to solder and I had to use what I was given. I hid them under the foam and it helps pad the helmet. I also tried to use as little foam as possible cause I know it will get hot.
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As for the armor, I have a homemade rigging harness. It works for the most part and I will eventually try to make an ab wrap to hide it. I need to pad the forearms and find a way to get the chest and back to hold together. I am using magnets at the shoulder attachment to help line it up but thats not enough. I had them rip off last night but I dont think I gave it enough time and glue.
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I haven't even sanded the boots yet and I need to put more bondo in the seam of the thighs. The calves are ready for painting mostly. The seam is a little rough but I really cant do any more for it. I have sanded and filled and sanded and filled and sanded and filled and sanded and filled probably about 8 times now. Its still visible so I think I will just deal with it. Maybe I can hide it somewhere else or it will be gone by the time im done weathering. Some other visible print lines have disappeared after weathering on the parts above.
Now for the bad news.
While putting the final piece of foam in the helmet... Im talking the LAST 30 seconds of this 220 hour project... I dropped it while it was covered in fresh hot glue directly onto my hand. Out of reflex I grabbed at it with my other hand and dropped the helmet. This gave it a crack on the front top portion of the helmet and burned both of my hands pretty bad in the process. Im all good now and was honestly more upset that I dropped the helmet than anything. I tried to fix it by hitting it with gray spray paint and then turning it into a large silver scratch. I think it sticks out but others think it looks fine. I guess im my own worst critic. At least now I can say I put blood, sweat, and tears into this thing and I have actual battle damage.
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I plan to print a BR and Reach shotty from Galactic Armory for weapons and some different shoulder attachments. Im hoping to be fully finished with the base suit soon.
Feel free to leave any tips or criticisms.