1st Build Halo 3 mk-VI, foam floor mats

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Ravenxl7

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I've finally started my first armor build. I was contemplating doing a Halo Infinite build, using the mk-VII stuff as a starting point and building on that as new options became available, but as you can see I decided on doing a Halo 3 mk-VI build instead. Not sure if I'll make this a multiplayer/custom Spartan, or if I'll paint it up as Grif from Red vs Blue.

I got some floor mats from Harbor Freight and started with a hand plate. I know, it turned out rough, very rough, but this was a good learning experience. Most importantly, I need a sharper knife to cut the foam with.

As rough as it is, I'm still happy with what I've got. Some cleaning up, sealing, plastidip, and paint, and I think I'll have a nice little piece of armor. Even with me accidentally cutting the one piece the wrong way, putting the texture on the wrong side.

I do see why people tend to stay away from using hot glue for this, but for at least now I'm going to continue to use it.

Next piece I'm planning on making will be the other hand plate, but after that I'm going to start on the forearms.
 

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Hot glue is pretty good for reinforcing seams, but I personally use loctite liquid super glue, it sets insanely quick and is pretty damn strong
 
Hot glue is pretty good for reinforcing seams, but I personally use loctite liquid super glue, it sets insanely quick and is pretty damn strong
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm planning on picking up some contact cement to use for most of the armor, but will definitely be using hot glue for reinforcement.

Small update: I've cleaned up my first hand plate. Might not come across in the pictures, but I think it looks a lot better now. Still might smooth things out a bit more, but I'm just about ready to seal and plastidip it.

Also, realized I had it posed the wrong way in my first photos, lol.
 

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Thanks for the recommendation. I'm planning on picking up some contact cement to use for most of the armor, but will definitely be using hot glue for reinforcement.

Small update: I've cleaned up my first hand plate. Might not come across in the pictures, but I think it looks a lot better now. Still might smooth things out a bit more, but I'm just about ready to seal and plastidip it.

Also, realized I had it posed the wrong way in my first photos, lol.
this is great, got a tip if you are using hot glue. when reinforcing with hot glue do it on the inside not the outside.
 
I've had hot glue break while dressing for a convention - it ruined the piece, and I couldn't wear the armour. I really recommend a strong contact adhesive, with (as others have noted) hot gluing inner seams.
 
what part will you tackle next?
Next piece will be another hand plate. I picked up a new utility knife, so if that goes well enough I might make a third one to replace my first attempt, and then use that first one as a test bench for the other steps.

That said, once In satisfied with 2 hand plates I'm planning on starting on the forearms.

I also picked up a can of plastidip. They only had white and red, so I went with a can of the red.
 
Update: Got a couple of things done today. Got my second hand plate cut out, and the new utility knife I'm using did as great job. Probably not as good as more seasoned builders in here, but it was a significant improvement over the first one. Haven't glued it together as I haven't had a chance to pick up some contact cement yet.

I also cut out some of the other patterns I've already printed out. Specifically the patterns for the forearm and shoulder pieces.

Also sealed my first hand plate with some tacky glue last night and coated out with plastidip today. Went on pretty well imo, and I'm looking forward to painting it.

Also wanted to say that this build is going to take a long time to finish. I'm not planning on having it finished till sometime next year. Partly because I'm going to try and take my time with it, that way I reduce the risk of completely messing up a piece. Weather is also a factor. I've got another two months or so of optimal temperatures to be working with some of these materials. There's also some more personal reasons, which for now I'll be keeping to myself.
 

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Update: I got all the pieces for my right forearm cut out. Still have some work to do on them before gluing together, but at least they're all cut out.

Also, I picked up some contact cement and assembled my second hand plate. I'm planning on coating it in tacky glue later tonight. Was also going to plastidip it, but it's started to rain, and has cooled down significantly, so I'll try and do that tomorrow, weather permitting.

As intimidating as it can be, I think the contact cement process went well. Should go pretty well from here.
 

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