First real project, foam

[Zero 071]

So I've experimented here and there, but now I'm doing my first real project out of foam. It's a mark v from reach and so far I've gotten most of the torso cut and glued. Now on detail work before filling in gaps and seams. Post pictures when I can. Any advice, tips, tricks?

Update on the under suit!

 

[foxleader]

make sure the pieces are glue together clean and it looks smooth. and mark v is one of the good starting point on here unless you're ODST.

 

[Zero 071]

I did one before just to get the hang of it, looked terrible in my opinion, it was made using pepakura foam print outs, which were awesome, but difficult to fit and in the end I rushed things I didnt know any better on. whats the best ways to post photos? photbucket? or is there an easier way?

 

[Xav kitsune]

photo bucket is the easiest way, Imgr and flickr are others. some use deviantart and facebook. also, a good way is to cut a 45 degree angle into some parts and use packing tape on the outer edge(the one that shows) to make a clean line. I used that idea in my recent build, though the clean look on mine is useless as I covered it with a lower quality pure custom piece.

 

[Zero 071]

photos so far

btw that glue gun is amazing, 20 bucks at walmart, comes with 3 nozzels, a fine point, regular and wide. The wide is awesome for gluing the .5 inch mats, just the right width and keeps it from globbing up. I'm going to try the fine point for filling in some gaps and seams later, I'll let you know how it goes

 

[Xav kitsune]

it is best to post the images separately, and while I don't know what templates you are using it looks pretty gorramn good.

 

[Zero 071]

no templates, just an action figure for reference, and i reference liltyrants work a lot. I'll keep that in mind on the photos. this took about 16 hours so far. had a couple days off work

 

[sarlume]

This looks great so far! I'm definitely making a Reach suit some time in the future; everyone's Reach suit always looks so impressive, and yours is nice and clean so far. Can't wait to see more! ^^

 

[Zero 071]

More progress, now filling in some seams, my least favorite part, going to get big gaps with the glue gun, then i'll try the latex for the small ones, any input on that?

 

[Gamemaster]

Try flexible, sandable putty, like mod podge, I have seen some good results in other foam builds.

When smoothing with the glue gun use low temp and work in a cold room. When the hotglue is cold you can lightly sand it with 360 - 400 grit paper. Don't sand to much as friction will gum the surface fast. I tend to work a seam, then another, then come back and smooth the first seam once it has cooled. With practice you can make your work look good.

A good paintjob can hide alot too.

 

[Zero 071]

Awesome! thanks for the tip, I tried sanding glue on my practice build and all it did was turn to goo and make a mess. Unfortunately my glue gun doesn't have settings but I have also been getting it close wiping it with my finger when it cools a bit. Hopefully later today I can get a friend to help me make a full body duct tape dummy, I plan on doing an undersuit as well. If that works out I plan on attaching the limb pieces with magnets sewn/glued to the under suit. Any thoughts?

 

[Zero 071]

well just made my duct tape mannequin for my under suit, a full body one. I plan on attaching magnets to it to hold the limb armor in place and add some texture to the under suit rather than just under armor. BTW i hope im not the only one that discovered how difficult it is to put spandex on a duct tape dummy...

 

[Zero 071]

pattern for under suit so far

 

[Zero 071]

magnetic hook ups for the shoulders!

 

[Zero 071]

magnets seem to be working pretty well, between them and some padding i think they will do nicely

 

[Zero 071]

 

[Zero 071]

after several attempts with magnets, no go... Right now I'm experimenting with snaps, nuts and bolts, and buckles. Hard part about buckles, even though they are fairly easy, is where to put them and hide them, while still being able to fasten/unfasten them. Any thoughts?

 

[EVAkura]

Don't forget about the possibility of using Velcro! EDIT: And I have not seen it done before, but a good way (I would think) to hide snaps but still be able to get to them would be to use elastic straps in place of the nylon ones... or in conjunction with nylon. Just an idea.

 

[Zero 071]

oh yeah! How did I space on that??? Thanks, I think I know what I will be using, Velcro, lol

 

[Rosh]

I've used snaps before, and if they are a part of your armor that has any flex as you move they tend to come undone pretty easily. I had my reach odst leg armor snapped to my bdus and they were falling off constantly.