New to 405th, Second Build - Scout Mk IV

[Ruuqo]

Hey folks,

I'm new to the 405th and decided if I'm here I might as well post up my current last minute project!

Last year I built my first 3d printed costume (the ODST in my profile pic) along with my partner's (in my banner) from Aguilar's files [largely modified to work with a foam chest/back rig because I wanted a more accurate look with the shoulder straps and back piece and didn't like the strapping setup]. Took about 3 months to build both of them. Because I'm a sucker for punishment I'm now attempting to build a whole spartan suit in just over a month lol
I won't be rushing it of course, if it doesn't get done it doesn't get done, but last minute major projects are a core part of who I am XD

This is now a casual build with no time restrictions.

This time however I'll be building my Halo Infinite spartan, which is a Mk IV base with a Reach Scout helm, Reavian Werewolf & ODST shoulders. I have plans to build a battle rifle and sidekick but those are almost definitely not going to get done in time for September so I'll be re-using either my H3 Sniper Rifle or the Needler (was my first major LED project) I built my partner with this costume.

(My Spartan)

I'll be 3D Printing most of it but similar to my ODST costume I'll be cutting/removing and modifying some of the 3D parts to incorporate replacement foam pieces [for a comfier fit, I'd rather have comfort over perfect appearance and this particular paint scheme makes some of that even more doable without being as noticeable].

This is technically my third 3d printed costume but really it's my second as I built both odst suits at the same time with the same knowledge so I count those as one- so this suit is with a bit of experience this time.

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Now onto the bits ya'll wanna see. I'll update as I make progress! Pray for my printer folks XD

I started a few days ago, helmet core is done and is in sanding/prepping phase (pic below is post assembly, pre sanding).
The helmet is TitleWaveDesign's Reach Scout Helmet, which features the FAST tac helmet insert designed to be interchangeable with other helmets which I printed... and to be honest not a fan- great concept, the room above allows for cabling and wires and the gap can create some airflow... but the extra space that insert takes up drastically reduces the amount of comfortable padding I can put in... and like I said above, I'm prioritising comfort [and I also have no current desire to make another helmet]. I took out the foam padding from my ODST helmet and stuck it in as a test fit and it fits way better and nicer, so I'll be ignoring the insert and going for the standard helmet padding method.
This particular helmet file also features the removeable chin that's magnetised. It's.... an interesting feature?

Technically I can fit my head into the helmet without removing the chin but it's... tight [designed that way], so I will likely be keeping the removable chin. I also have the visor printed in clear Resin along with all the lenses, and I have a purple visor tint in the mail but I'll dye it if it doesn't arrive in time. So onto all the post processing for that too!

Got the chest of the main suit (by HudsonForge) being printed now.
I have so many things in the mail I'm hoping arrive ASAP (paint, magnets, the visor tint, etc) but I'll keep my updates posted here!

I've been meaning to join the 405th for a few years and finally have, so I'm glad to be here sharing my stuff and seeing all yours!

 

[N8TEBB]

Because I'm a sucker for punishment I'm now attempting to build a whole spartan suit in just over a month lol

!!! That's quite the time crunch! Best of luck my guy. While it's technically not impossible for that timeline to work out, I would honestly be really impressed if anyone could make a whole suit start to finish in a month.

This particular helmet file also features the removeable chin that's magnetised. It's.... an interesting feature?

If the helmet's designed that way then it's probably a feature worth keeping. I think FuriousFido has an ODST helmet with a removable chin piece, seems to be quite useful for getting relief at cons without needing to take the whole helmet off. My helmet doesn't have a removable chin, but the mk VII has a big enough space for me to get my head into the helmet without it being too tight of a fit, so not really needed anyways.

I've been meaning to join the 405th for a few years and finally have, so I'm glad to be here sharing my stuff and seeing all yours!

Well welcome aboard! We're happy to have you and we're excited to see what you create!

 

[SgtSaint]

I swear "Superman & Lois" just knocked off the MK-VII for John Henry Irons.

 

[Ruuqo]

!!! That's quite the time crunch! Best of luck my guy. While it's technically not impossible for that timeline to work out, I would honestly be really impressed if anyone could make a whole suit start to finish in a month.


If the helmet's designed that way then it's probably a feature worth keeping. I think FuriousFido has an ODST helmet with a removable chin piece, seems to be quite useful for getting relief at cons without needing to take the whole helmet off. My helmet doesn't have a removable chin, but the mk VII has a big enough space for me to get my head into the helmet without it being too tight of a fit, so not really needed anyways.


Well welcome aboard! We're happy to have you and we're excited to see what you create!

It absolutely is but I have FAITH
I'm not worried to be honest. My main goal is to at least get just the helmet finished. And with potential new jobs starting soon it will make it impossible to finish in time anyway, but I will try none the less!
The time crunch is due to the last convention for the year being in mid September. Worst case I have just the helmet finished, or I wear my ODST again. And neither of those are bad options

Yeh I will be keeping the feature, it works better with the visor and absolutely the ability to give myself relief without removing the whole helmet is a plus. So I ordered some magnets to give it a whirl.
My ODST helmet has a big enough space to fit my head too and doesnt have a removeable chin- this scout design by TitleWave is deliberately made with smaller necks to give a better visual "seal" but it means the removable chin is kind of compulsory if you can't squeeze in.

Thank you! happy to be here!

 

[Ruuqo]

I may have made a mistake with the scaling.

My first time using Armousmith and while I had assistance in being measured and assumed I had taken into consideration how wide the Mk IV chest piece is and scaled it down without making it too small, it seems the printed pieces are still.... too big. [This is with the piece on my avatar not actually fitting and "cutting into" the avatar as well. Truthfully I don't think the avatar is correct, but we've checked the measurements and it seems correct so I have no idea what's going on and from this point onwards I will be going back to test rings instead. This has been an expensive, frustrating and time wasting lesson.]

I have the last of the back pieces printing at the moment and will see if it's still wearable. If it's not I will try to remove the pecs and potentially build those out of foam instead if I can find a foam template, to accommodate flexibility in how damn wide it is. Because I don't want to have to re-print this and it will 100% make finishing before mid september impossible if I do. Several parts of the torso were already planned to be swapped out with foam pieces anyway for comfort and flexibility, so this isn't that big of a deal I had just hoped to make most top solid pieces out of filament so I wasn't mix-matching materials TOO much.

If the back piece ends up being too wide as well I guess I'll have no choice but to reprint it smaller.
Frustrating mistake costing me several days of printing.

If I had not already paid for the files I'd be reconsidering an alternative suit, it's just a shame I like the visual of the MK IV and dont *really* want to have wasted the money on the files [though I will still consider it if I have to reprint the torso, because I will opt for any of the others which look to offer better movement and flexibility anyway].

I was also already aware there was the chance for high difficulty in mobility due to my build and in HINDSIGHT I should have not gone with Mk IV on this issue ALONE [i am short, with a short torso]. So yknow... this is entirely on me for just being excited and not thinking this through realistically. IF I do get another suit I will probably go with either the Reach Mk V to match the reach scout helmet, or the Mk VII because the colouration on the forearms and legs look good on this.

In other news, the helmet is in painting stage.
The first layer of paint was ruined by a sudden downpour of unexpected rain so I will likely have to sand down the affected areas and try again.
I had to order paint for the green which won't get here till next week. However I was unable to confirm it was the correct shade and am just hoping for the best, but I've since found a bottle of regular paint that is the perfect shade. So.... worst case, I will hand paint it.
My magnets arrived though so I will get to test out putting it together soon.

Lenses are almost ready too but the visor I had is just.... not going to work. Whether it's the curve, the top moulded shape, internal layer lines I can't get rid of or may even the way I've sanded, polished and glossed it... the visor itself looks very crystal clear but has absolutely shocking visibility and a weird visual effect from the moulded top edge.

I will try again with it later, but for now it's back to hoping the one I bought online is better.

All in all this is not going well. But onwards we go.

 

[Ruuqo]

We did a minor test fit on my partner who is 6'2 out of curiosity and the armour [despite being scaled 10% smaller than we normally scale for him] looks like it fits him way better. We won't know for certain until the rest of the back is printed. If it still works for me, great. If it doesn't, then it's his I guess.

I'm frustrated at the moment so I will re-assess my options later, but as his spartan also uses the mk IV and he has a better overall figure for the mk iv, worst case scenario I can use these pieces for when I eventually build his suit, and consider either rescaling to 85% [which seems far too small] or go get a new set of files for a different suit. At the very least I may not have entirely wasted the materials and time spent on building this.


Alongside a potential week long gig in early september this has cemented I will not be able to finish my suit in the time alocated- which tbh? is probably a good thing. It means I won't rush this and skip corners.

 

[ReclaimerODST]

The helmet is TitleWaveDesign's Reach Scout Helmet, which features the FAST tac helmet insert designed to be interchangeable with other helmets which I printed... and to be honest not a fan- great concept, the room above allows for cabling and wires and the gap can create some airflow... but the extra space that insert takes up drastically reduces the amount of comfortable padding I can put in...

I honestly much prefer the printed insert! I’ve got one of his too and IMO it’s a lot more comfortable than padding. The pads are soft, sure, but I feel like they can never actually get the helmet fitting snug. Especially putting a chinstrap in, the insert is extremely comfy to me. That could totally be me failing at putting good pads in though lol.

This particular helmet file also features the removeable chin that's magnetised. It's.... an interesting feature?

I think you’ll learn to love this feature. Like N8 said, it makes it so easy to get some fresh air without taking the whole helmet off. Plus, kind of a cool factor.

Really excited for this build! I love the armor choices (even if you end up having to switch bases!) and it looks like you do great, super fast work. I’ll definitely be following along.