Iron Man Mkiii Scratch Built - Xrobots Version

[XRobots]

I posted this in the intro thread, but someone suggested I should start a new WIP thread, which I will try to keep updated with progress as I go. You can also see the whole project at: http://www.xrobots.co.uk/ironmancostume/

Although it's not actually a Halo project, lots of the same techniques could be used for any costume, so hopefully it will be useful for a few people to see. I've sculpted all the pieces so far in Klean Klay and cast them in Jesmonite - which is like a UK version of Aqua Resin (non-toxic, water based fibreglass). However, I'm planning to use Papakura and Jesmonite to make the Pelvis and shoe/foot parts - and probably the stomach and neck sections too, as they will be easier to make correctly out of flat sheet material - probably thick card stock.

The moulds I have made are standard latex with layers of kitchen cloths in which makes it easier to thicken up the mould quickly and stops them shrinking so much - it also makes them much more rigid, although I've made plaster bandage or Jesmonite support jackets/mother moulds too. Here are a highlights of the mostly finished pieces so far, but check out the link above for pics of the clay sculpts and mould making info.

I also did a step by step tutorial style article for the helmet: http://www.xrobots.co.uk/ironmanhelmet/

 

[michaelarby]

those are some sweet pieces man!

also- i didnt know there was a brand of non toxic resin here in the uk- i might look that up! cheers!

 

[XRobots]

those are some sweet pieces man!

also- i didnt know there was a brand of non toxic resin here in the uk- i might look that up! cheers!

Thanks, yep - check out my Sig for a supplier ;-)

 

[pooper]

Amazing job on the ironman armor! Are you going to have the eyes light up as well?

 

[XRobots]

Amazing job on the ironman armor! Are you going to have the eyes light up as well?

Yep - check out the bottom of this page: http://www.xrobots.co.uk/ironmanhelmet/

...and you can see through them while they are lit.

 

[link4044]

pretty sweet looking, keep up the good job

 

[RedTogusa]

Excellent work. Another member making the Brits proud. I really like how you worked out being able to do the glowing eyes effect. Nice one.

 

[SagittariusArt]

Fantastic! Superp! Great Work on that Armor!!!

 

[ChaoBreeder]

Good job on it. Your Jabba the Hutt is amazing!

 

[pooper]

Yep - check out the bottom of this page: http://www.xrobots.co.uk/ironmanhelmet/

...and you can see through them while they are lit.

Awesome! If you don't mind me asking, what did you use to make it, and how did you do it?
Truly a work of art!

 

[XRobots]

Awesome! If you don't mind me asking, what did you use to make it, and how did you do it?
Truly a work of art!

Ok, so it's made of several layers. The main part is a curved piece of clear acrylic which I heated up in the oven and bend over a wooden plug. The next layer is standard silver window tint film, and the third is a scrim layer made from fabric intended for a brides dress veil. The scrim layer diffuses the light from a row of white LEDs along the bottom. All the white parts are just plastic sheet/strips layered up.

It's a bit like looking through net curtains, but works well as long as it's daylight outside as you can imagine.

Hope that helps.

 

[LastSpartan]

Hey Xrobots, we talked abit in my molding questions thread on the RPF, glad to see you here!

By the way, I'm watching your Jesmonite testing, and it's pretty funny to hear you breathing hard and jumping ^^.

 

[brychang]

thats amazing! i love the eyes, very cool, how easy was it to make them?

 

[TH3 FETT MAN]

Its looks really good i give you 5 smiley faces

 

[michaelarby]

xrobot i just read your tutorial for how you made the helmet and it is truly excellent- i never understood how the clay moulding process worked or what products to use, but that was very clear and precise- and the final product turned out excellent too.

might i recommend you post that same tutorial on this forum- i reckon it could easily be made a sticky.

 

[XRobots]

xrobot i just read your tutorial for how you made the helmet and it is truly excellent- i never understood how the clay moulding process worked or what products to use, but that was very clear and precise- and the final product turned out excellent too.

might i recommend you post that same tutorial on this forum- i reckon it could easily be made a sticky.

That's something I can do if people would like to read it here too - I guess it would be useful to anyone making anything that needs to turn out rigid and hollow... or even solid.

 

[LastSpartan]

I hope mine will turn as good as yours

 

[XRobots]

Here's today's update, I have the shoulder bells to attach to the straps you can see dangling there, at which point I'll post some pics of me wearing all the parts so far.

I've used Maplex board covered with black cloth ( http://www.mutr.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1422 ) to make flexible tabs attached to the back piece which have press-studs attached to them so the two halves of the torso clip together rigidly. I've padded some of it out with foam so it stands away from the body a a bit:

More coming this week...

 

[Remraf]

This is coming along absolutely perfectly. Makes me want to drop my Spartan suit and work on Iron Man, lol.

 

[Enrisan]

looking very cool, nice dude!
I think it may look even better with a bit of battle damage, but the paint looks great right now.