Hello everyone to whom is reading this. I am undertaking a great journey (pun intended) to 3d print master chiefs armor. It will be my first time 3d printing but I'll have help with it. I have read and listened to the tutorials, discussions, and videos I believe I am ready to start. However I would like to ask of you for advice and warnings.
I am going to use either the Galactic Armory or InstinctiveCreate3d Master Chief stl but I want to know if it is dated (as in found bugs and or needs corrections), been corrected, needs corrections and where I can find them, or just perfect as is. I have noticed people complain about the arm hole and gauntlets before but not too much with the Galactic armory version.
When designing how do you determine where buckles, magnets, and Velcro go? Also what do most people go about for the harness. (I have seen the universal guide but I want more peoples opinions and takes).
What is the general opinion of printing solid pieces or multiples pieces that you put together?
I plan on using ABS then vapor smoothing the pieces individually. I handle acetone daily at my job and know people who have vapor smoothed before.
What do most people do for the black under suits and do people incorporate elbow and knee pads into their outfits. I have seen some stl's come with molds and would like some clarification on if Urethane rubber or silicone is generally better and how to go about getting the mold made (I assume printing the stl files for it and going from there*.
Is there any accessories that anyone recommends for the builds or just something to addon to the armor to make it look better.
Lastly, I plan on working on this and finishing it up by this November in 9 months. So be honest what are the chances I can get this done in time or good at all.
Most of your questions are answered 10 times over with existing build threads. Your next 50 questions will also probably be answered in existing build threads. It behooves you to make use of all that existing knowledge. A couple hours of reading will give you man-years of understand built on experience and generously documented by those that went before you.
My "New Armorer FAQ" thread: SgtSaint's FAQ post <spoiler> I commonly recommend
1 - starting with a less unforgiving build as your first armor, then work up to one's like this with tighter and tighter tolerances after you've leveled up your scaling skills.
IE: A Spartan may not be your best choice for a first full armor.
2 - Start at the feet and work up, helmet last after you've gained skills at scaling and printing.</spoiler>
My 1st Spartan build (Not awesome) First {Halo} build - Spartan (TV series)
My 2nd Spartan build Build 2 - MK-VI gen-3. With some silver timeline influence
My 3rd Spartan build (just realized I need to finish this with more details) MK-VI Silver team season 2 [2024 build]
My ODST Build SgtSaint ODST build (AU regiment)Advice:
Just because this is new to you doesn't mean its new. You don't have to re-invent the wheel with making, finishing or painting techniques. With ANY new endeavor I urge people to scroll back in the forums and facebook pages about a year and just read, read, read. A day spent reading can gain you man-years of knowledge and insight. You see what gets asked over and over. You see the problems that pop up over and over. You see things like "after about 3 months these cracks appeared" or "how did you do strapping" or "what shade of green is this" and so on that you only get with the benefit of time.
YouTube: Instead of watching movies this week just watch YouTubes on printing, making armor, doing painting etc. There's nothing like WATCHING something happen both good and bad to be a great learning tool.
Read through some build threads where people detail the process, the scaling, the planning, the fails and successes, finishing, painting, strapping. These are a couple of mine but there are hundreds more. Also don't brush off build threads for armor different than yours. Just because it's a... Heavy Infantry Mandalorian, or whatever doesn't mean the lessons on scaling, padding and painting don't apply to your armor just as well. If you're thinking about a printer:
"What's your printer?" thread on the 405th forum: What's Your Printer?
I wish I knew this about printers before buying discussion: "I wish I knew" Tips When Starting to 3d Print
My favorite section of any YouTuber's channels is the recent post by Frankly Built who is well regarded in this genre - about taking some time to learn before doing:
He also just added this one about sanding and smoothing where it leans in to the same thing I keep saying: Just sand it (as opposed to the 'slather with thinned bondo magic shell' approach).
