Noob + Sword build = Good?

[mrmikeman]

Hey guys. I am planning on building an energy sword for the release of Halo Anniversary and I just wanted some input on whether I should scratch build it or use a pep file for it.

I have a fair amount of excess cardboard from my armor build and felt it would be easier to use that compared to the cardstock, resin, and bondo needed for a full pep (money is a little tight right now).

Once I do start building it, I will start postings pics of it here. Thanks everyone.

 

[Sky Walker]

scratch build it... peping is a complete waste of time for an energy sword. its a pretty simple desighn. and just a suggestion( if you can get ahold of some) try useing styro-foam. i always wondered how that would turn out... so you could really give it a 3D look/ but hey cardboard works awesome too it you call on that one

 

[mrmikeman]

Thanks for the idea of using styrofoam. I never thought about that. It would be lighter than cardboard and would be easier to form. i think I will try that for the blades, but I will use cardboard for the handle.

 

[Trooper114]

I saw some made around here, some one made a energy sword out of plexi glass, foamboard, and LEDs. It looked amazing when it was done.

Edit: Here it is http://www.405th.com/showthread.php...16-hr-of-building-time?highlight=energy+sword

 

[mrmikeman]

Hey guys. Thanks for the idea of using styrofoam for the blades. In the end I decided to use styrofoam for the entire thing (both blades and the handle). Here are some pics of what I have after an hour of cutting and shaping:

http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x366/mrmikeman1/?action=view&current=100_0785.jpg

 

[thatdecade]

Has the right shape, but idk about the foam choice. How big are the bumps in the foam? How thick does the next layer need to be to make smooth?

When doing a scratch build, Floral Foam is usually recommended. A little bondo and she already mostly smooth without sanding.

 

[mrmikeman]

Has the right shape, but idk about the foam choice. How big are the bumps in the foam? How thick does the next layer need to be to make smooth?
QUOTE]

The bumps actually are not that big compared to the overall area. A little sanding and shaping will give me the profile I am looking for. What I plan to do is use thinly cut strips of cardboard to add additional strength and bulk to areas that need it (bulk the handle and strengthen the blade). Thanks for the idea of using the floral foam. I hadn't thought of that. This is just my first sword build so I don't have everything figured out.

 

[lordhood32]

to be honest man your blade is a little crooked just throwing my insight on it

 

[mrmikeman]

Hey everyone. Just an update on my sword build. I failed. My sword snapped into 17 pieces as I was about to strengthen with cardboard. So, I decided to redo the build using thicker cardboard. I didn't take pics of the build because it was too cold for me to care. I will post the final product once all the painting is done. Wish me luck.

 

[sandy1973]

It isn't hard to make the energy sword in pepakura style because I just make one and it turns out great here is the picture

It comes in 3 pieces so I used hot glue to attach the blades on the handle.

 

[mrmikeman]

@ sandy1973
That looks amazing. I know mine won't turn out as perfect, proportional, or sharp. Mine was kind of rushed and is barely in the shape of the sword. Did you just use resin to strengthen the blades?

 

[Sky Walker]

It isn't hard to make the energy sword in pepakura style because I just make one and it turns out great here is the picture

It comes in 3 pieces so I used hot glue to attach the blades on the handle.

ya wow i didnt relize the pep looked good... and ya mrmikrman sorry for leading you in the wrong direction with the styro-foam, but look at sandy's sword and yours. i think working on getting the blades thicker will help it be more handle-able.

 

[mrmikeman]

ya wow i didnt relize the pep looked good... and ya mrmikrman sorry for leading you in the wrong direction with the styro-foam, but look at sandy's sword and yours. i think working on getting the blades thicker will help it be more handle-able.

Actually, I scrapped the old build and went for a thicker yet shorter version (again using styrofoam). It was rushed and didn't turned out as good as I had hoped, I will post pics as soon as my camera works again.

 

[sandy1973]

I used smoothcast 320 to harden my sword by cut a small hole on each piece and pour the liquid plastic mixture inside and turn each piece around until inside all covered. You should try the insulation foam (2" thick) for this build because it's stronger than styrofoam.

 

[Iron Monger]

Great idea. I like the plexi glass design as it allows the light to travel through it, though it looks more rigid. Depending on the size you could do a plaster mold of the pep as it doesn't seem to have any concave edges. then pour in the sweet invisible nectar of casting resin. You could even engrave electrical current patterns on the outside of the hardened resin. Hmmm might be time for a sword build...

I tried a sword build through trial and error...The Dragon slayer... my mistake was making it too heavy with planks of fibro board and resin over cardboard (which is now cracking.) I guess styrofoam is the best ingredient to start with.

The Dragon Slayer:

http://flic.kr/p/aCWPL2

 

[thatdecade]

Quick Warning: Building a flat blade out of plexiglas will lead to a fragile sword that can barely manage being swung. The rotation of the blade is the worst for torque forces.

Need to make the sword with a cavity for strength, not flat.

 

[mrmikeman]

Hey guys. It's been a while since I had any work done on my sword. I had to repaint it THREE TIMES! The color just didn't work out. Plus I didn't have my camera. Well, here it is:

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[Warpath5150]

what happened? it looks so diffrent from the last pic

 

[mrmikeman]

what happened? it looks so diffrent from the last pic

I had to scrap the last sword. It snapped when I tried to swing it as a test. This is the end result of using more styrofoam, more glue, and a little duct tape. I put a wooden dowel through the handle to hold the blades to the handle securely and keep the handle from snapping while swinging it. I know one of the blades is shorter than the other but atleast the whole thing isn't crooked or flimsy.

 

[RTGCBT]

It isn't hard to make the energy sword in pepakura style because I just make one and it turns out great here is the picture

It comes in 3 pieces so I used hot glue to attach the blades on the handle.

Nice Blade man, Any molding projects foreseen in the future?