My combat elite build attempt...

[Joffersmk2]

Hi.

I'm new to this so bear with me. Just finished an odst build for comic con manchester and decided to up my game and go for an elite for next year.

Started off with some files from the archive and played around with them.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

Then started the foam build

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

Helmet beginning

Got my kid to help out as a head model.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

Then added a face from freehand pattern guessing.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

Once this was done, I started to grind details into the foam with a dremil tool and the pink grindy tools. (Told you I was new to this)

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

Built up the detail and then added false nails cut with scissors for top teeth.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017
• 1

For the mandible teeth I needed more cone shaped teeth so asked a mate and he came up with heat formed eva which seems to have come out well.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

Then added a helmet to the back and played with some netting to hide my face.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 3, 2017

That's it so far. Hopefully get some more on soon.

 

[PaiganBoi]

Welcome to the 405th! Unfortunately your photos are not working.

 

[Joffersmk2]

Welcome to the 405th! Unfortunately your photos are not working.

Hmmmmm. ...how about now?

 

[PaiganBoi]

Exellent!
Helmet looks sweet.
How is your vision? I couldn't see any eye holes or the like.

 

[neilbobcann]

I can see them! No advice at the moment though I'm afraid

 

[Joffersmk2]

Exellent!
Helmet looks sweet.
How is your vision? I couldn't see any eye holes or the like.

Through the mouth and past jaw. Bit restricted but the mesh is see through.

 

[Jesse]

That is super cool! Looking forward to the rest of the suit!

 

[Joffersmk2]

Right. Been away for a while bit getting back on it now.

I've started the chestpiece now.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 24, 2017

Sizing this seriously taxed my scaling ability on pepakura (which was low to begin with. Every time i seemed to get one bit the right size. The rest would be too big. I've gone for a happy medium hoping I can widen some parts and shrink others to accommodate my body!

Added to the chest piece

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 24, 2017

And this is the whole progress so far

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 24, 2017

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 24, 2017

Back of the torso next!
Wish me luck!

 

[PaiganBoi]

I feel you pain with scaling ability. Mine is terrible as well.
Looking good!

 

[Dirtdives2424]

ummmmm 8 times to build my helmet and I still had someone else make it......we're all on the same boat i guess. Welcome to the UNSC Agony.

 

[TurboCharizard]

Joffersmk2, you're nailing the silhouette right now which is fantastic, are you considering adding in LED strips or diffused lighting to the chest to get the various indicators and highlights that elites have on their armour?

 

[Joffersmk2]

Joffersmk2, you're nailing the silhouette right now which is fantastic, are you considering adding in LED strips or diffused lighting to the chest to get the various indicators and highlights that elites have on their armour?

Honestly I haven't given that much thought yet. I'd love to but my knowledge in that area is limited to say the least.

I need to look at some more game picks to see where to put them.

I was considering putting a sound board in and speakers with elite sound effects 'wort! wort! wort!'

 

[TurboCharizard]

I was considering putting a sound board in and speakers with elite sound effects 'wort! wort! wort!'

I've used this sound board with these triggers before in a previous costume. It doesn't break the bank and is small enough to tuck into most suits of armour. It has a 3.5mm jack that can be run to a voice amplifier or small portable speaker. No Bluetooth or wireless onboard sadly.

 

[Joffersmk2]

I've used this sound board with these triggers before in a previous costume. It doesn't break the bank and is small enough to tuck into most suits of armour. It has a 3.5mm jack that can be run to a voice amplifier or small portable speaker. No Bluetooth or wireless onboard sadly.

Does it need programming knowledge (of which I have none)?

I can solder and have a working knowledge of simple practical electronics, but no experience at converting audio files etc.

The more I think about it, the more I want lights now....you've sparked an interest now....

 

[TurboCharizard]

Does it need programming knowledge (of which I have none)?

I can solder and have a working knowledge of simple practical electronics, but no experience at converting audio files etc.

The more I think about it, the more I want lights now....you've sparked an interest now....

Required programming knowledge for this kit is zero. All you have to do is name audio files correctly on the microSD to match them to the expected on board logic. The connections on the one linked are screw tight so you don't even need to solder anything. Dead easy, works like a charm.

If you did want to tinker around with it you can do a bit of programming by connecting the board to your PC by USB but that's only if you want to get fancy and use some different triggering hardware.

 

[Joffersmk2]

So been working on the back plate today. For the spine part, the pepakura file was very angular and segmented.

I didn't fancy all the gluing it would take and I figure, the angles are all attempts at a curved surface anyway. So I alteed the template and stuck bits together so I could just heat form the foam.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 25, 2017

The middle bit came out well. I am concerned that the smoothness of this part might clash with the overall angular effect of the rest of the chest piece though but we'll see.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 25, 2017

I added on the winglike sides to the spine which should allow me to work up and down from there.

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 25, 2017

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• Joffersmk2
• Aug 25, 2017

I'm a bit concerned about the arm holes though. By looking at what I've built so far and the rest of the model I might not be able to lower my arms much below horizontal....hmmmmm. I might need to doctor the underarm section to give a better range of movement.

I'm pretty sure I'll need to keep the front and back separate as there's no way this is going to go over my shoulders when assembled. The question is, should I build the thing whole, then cut it in half, or do I create a much more complex fastening system to hold it together along the umpteen seams that will exist if I just keep it in two halves....thoughts? Experience? Any random ideas...?

 

[PaiganBoi]

My suggest, If you plan on keeping it in two parts, use straps with quick release buckles or snaps hidden in the inside of the armour. Then to help hide and visible seems or gaps use some thinner foam to cover those areas.

 

[Joffersmk2]

My suggest, If you plan on keeping it in two parts, use straps with quick release buckles or snaps hidden in the inside of the armour. Then to help hide and visible seems or gaps use some thinner foam to cover those areas.

Yeah I've seen that approach and it works well. My problem is the pepakura model don't have a clean break at the shoulders or under armpit area. The pieces of foam overlap in a zig zag jigsaw style all the way up and into the neck part. Just not sure if I'd be able to make it all neatly mesh together without hideous gaps.

The other idea would be to clean slice through the completed chestpiece so at least it'd marry up, then use the same clip idea with embedded magnets to seal it up tight. But that's a massive risk...what if it properly stuffs it up!? Argh!

"Joffers to limbo...paging doctor joffers..."

 

[PaiganBoi]

If that's the case with crazy zigzags then, making the chest and back one whole piece and then splitting in half to get that smooth line would be your best option.
Here's a YouTube video I found of some one who used a combo of velcro and magnets to connect their chest piece.

 

[Joffersmk2]

If that's the case with crazy zigzags then, making the chest and back one whole piece and then splitting in half to get that smooth line would be your best option.
Here's a YouTube video I found of some one who used a combo of velcro and magnets to connect their chest piece.

Tell you what, that looked pretty secure on the video...hmmmmm could I make overlaps under the joins....velcro n magnets you say....