Zoomer's Mark VI + M7SMG + M392DMR + Marine Foam Build

[Zoomer246]

So I started building a set of mark VI armor about a week ago, and now Im not sure if I should scrap it or finish it. I just don't know how much plastidiping is going to hide.
I just don't want to have to start over a 3rd time and I hate pepping and I like working with foam it's just I'm not that great it at it.
All opinions, tips, and advice will be looked at... I'm just very discouraged at this point.

Well update, I have decided to just restart and work at a slower pace. I have received some encouraging words and just gonna take a deep breath and work through this.

 

[Retralpha]

Looks amazing!

Definitely keep it up. Might need a quick dremeling, but its looking good.

 

[EVAkura]

Hello there Zoomer

I would like to ask a few questions before answering so that I can help figure out what is going on if you don't mind.

1. About how many blades did you use to make that torso piece?

2. Are you just using the box cutter blades, or are you using something else as well?

3. Did you free hand cut the pieces or did you transpose from cardstock printed from a pep file?

4. It looks like you are using hot glue. If this is the case, what nozzle are you using? What temperature glue are you using? And about how many sticks (and what length are they) did you use for this?

I have a few suggestions, but I want to hold off until I get some more info from you before proceeding. Also, if you are interested, I will be doing a live webcast soon and will be building the Halo 4 Master Chief torso during that webcast. Just let me know and if you want to attend, I will do my best to do it at a time that is convenient for you (just let me know when that is). Don't get discouraged. If you have the will (which apparently you do), all you need is some help and you will be whipping out great pieces.

To answer your question though, plastidip will hide minor flaws and gaps.

 

[Zoomer246]

Hello there Zoomer

I would like to ask a few questions before answering so that I can help figure out what is going on if you don't mind.

1. About how many blades did you use to make that torso piece?

2. Are you just using the box cutter blades, or are you using something else as well?

3. Did you free hand cut the pieces or did you transpose from cardstock printed from a pep file?

4. It looks like you are using hot glue. If this is the case, what nozzle are you using? What temperature glue are you using? And about how many sticks (and what length are they) did you use for this?

I have a few suggestions, but I want to hold off until I get some more info from you before proceeding. Also, if you are interested, I will be doing a live webcast soon and will be building the Halo 4 Master Chief torso during that webcast. Just let me know and if you want to attend, I will do my best to do it at a time that is convenient for you (just let me know when that is). Don't get discouraged. If you have the will (which apparently you do), all you need is some help and you will be whipping out great pieces.

To answer your question though, plastidip will hide minor flaws and gaps.

1. I used mainly very sharp scissors to cut out the pieces

2. Answer is above

3. I am transposing the pieces from a pep file

4. I am using a standard nozzle, on low setting, with multi temp glue, and I have used about 3 10" glue sticks.

The best time for me would between 3pm and 8pm eastern, and I would watch the crap out of it. haha

I'm also using this pep pack
http://www.therpf.com/f24/halo-spartan-mark-vi-foam-files-complete-armour-files-130172/

 

[Zoomer246]

Ok, like I said I decided to restart. Well since then I have made some progress.

Before

After

Now what I did is instead of using individual pieces I combine 6 pieces to make 1 big one, thus creating a smoother shape.
Now I would like to thank EVAkura for his wonderful videos, which I'm still watching, cause they have been a huge help and I have learned quite a bit.
I'll keep you guys updated as a chug along.

 

[EVAkura]

Awesome! The difference is astounding! I will be watching this as you progress for sure!

 

[Zoomer246]

Alright so I made some progress that I forgot to post before going to work and here it is.

So there is that, and because I got off work early it looks like I will be able to start the back today, I'm really astonished by the difference some quick tips can make.

And it seems that my 13 year old brother doesn't care what he looks like because he has already started wearing my scraped piece around, at least it will get some use.

I'll be sure to post progress pictures before I go to bed.

 

[CrazedOne1988]

Never get discouraged! I had trouble starting out, and made 3 different pairs of Reach style gauntlets before I was satisfied enough. Just keep up the practice.

I would also highly recommend an x-acto knife if you don't use one. Scissors can be a pain and can be tough on more detailed areas.

 

[Zoomer246]

Never get discouraged! I had trouble starting out, and made 3 different pairs of Reach style gauntlets before I was satisfied enough. Just keep up the practice.

I would also highly recommend an x-acto knife if you don't use one. Scissors can be a pain and can be tough on more detailed areas.

Yeah, you know that feeling when you feel you should have accomplished something but then you look at it and its not that great thats kinda what I was dealing with...BUT thanks to such a great community on the 405th I am learning the tools to be successful, which I'm very grateful for, however there is one person I would like to give a shout out to...EVAKura you sir are awesome. I love your work and your advice and videos on Youtube have been VERY VERY helpful. With that being said he will be hosting a live web feed this Friday, Feb 28th at 4pm Pacific time (UTC -8hrs). This is an open invitation and will be hosted on his YouTube channel. During this webcast, he will be starting the torso of the Halo 4 Master Chief. Also if you haven't you NEED to check out his thread it is FANTASTIC.

Ok, well enough talk, tonight started out well but when I finished my first pack of foam disaster struck, it appears that the foam I have bought is not 3/8ths and is actually 1/2 Inch, which is WAY harder to work with, plus its messing with my templates

This piece was the last one done on my first batch of foam, it took about 10 mins todo

I know, I know 10 mins for that piece, well after my waste of 2 foam sheets for my mess up of a chest piece I am taking my time.


Now this piece has been nothing but a headache and I'm not blaming it on the piece but the foam...This foam is very hard to work with and this is my second attempt at this piece. I will probably go out looking for some different foam so my headaches will stop.

Also I'm very sorry for the very bad quality pictures, my phones auto focus doesn't work, but I should have my nice camera here soon!
Like always any suggestions are gladly accepted and appreciated,
Thanks for taking a look.

 

[Zoomer246]

Well I got some bad news today, I was laid off. However that means I am full time this until I find a new job and with a shipment of mats coming in Monday I should be good till I find that new job.

So with that being said I made tons of progress today.

First off I have decided to build 2 M7 SMGs with my armor and I got the design down on paper and have started making templates

Designing the blueprint off my computer screen

The final blueprint

Templates I have begun showing the functionality of the stock

Now that that is out of the way I have made significant progress on the back piece of the chest piece, it was time consuming but I am satisfied with the result.

Today is going to be dedicated to finishing out the chest piece, can't wait to show you guys my progress later.

 

[EVAkura]

Sorry to hear about your getting laid off... I know how that feels. Good news on your free time though! And the pieces show so much improvement! By chance, do you own a Dremel? That would be a game changer right now if you finished off that piece with a barrel sander and tapered stone.

Anyways... don't forget about tonight at 7pm your time! I am going shopping now to resupply and get the last few bits I need. Other than that, my "Stage" is all set up!

 

[Zoomer246]

Sorry to hear about your getting laid off... I know how that feels. Good news on your free time though! And the pieces show so much improvement! By chance, do you own a Dremel? That would be a game changer right now if you finished off that piece with a barrel sander and tapered stone.

Anyways... don't forget about tonight at 7pm your time! I am going shopping now to resupply and get the last and few bits I need. Other than that, my "Stage" is all set up!

Yeah it was a simple warehouse job so it shouldn't be too hard to find another job.

Also to answer your question, I do in fact own a Dremel and if I'm not mistaken you go over the techniques in your Dremel video. Also I did infact enjoy last nights live stream, I'd like to see another one if you can troubleshoot the chat. (I could help you test it out and see what the problem is now that I have plenty of time)

Now own to tonight's progress, it was a very slow night this foam I have is incredibly hard to work with and I'm going to have to wait till my shipment of foam from amazon gets in

The only thing this foam was good for was the start of my M7

Its rough but I'm sure it will start taking shape once I get the outer layers on and start Dremeling

Now I play the waiting game till my foam gets here, but if I get anything else done I will be sure to keep you guys updated.

 

[Zoomer246]

Well the chest piece is done! Shape wise, I still have to detail with the dremel and craft foam. Then strap and buckle it.

Here is the finished back piece

Now I just need to break out the dremel and start smoothing it out, can't wait to get this first piece done and start working on another!

 

[Zoomer246]

Ok well I got most of the details on the actual chest piece done, and I mad good progress on the M7 Smg

I think it all turned out very well and I think I can actually say that the chest is done!

Detailing on the back looks good

Don't mind the giant star I was just visualizing how I'm painting it.

The smg is also taking shape...SO much dremel, Im covered in EVA dust.

Tell me what you guys think, now on to figuring out what piece I want todo next

 

[Zoomer246]

HUGE Update, I have been very hard at work and have finished the right arm pieces!

I also made lots of progress on the SMG.

Also because of this foam I had to make alot of smaller pieces instead of large ones.

So here are the progress pictures

Bicep

It fits very nicely, almost don't need straping

Fore Arm

I need to have it split cause my hand doesn't fit through it, so this will need buckling.

What I have done so far

Yes that is a nerf drum mag

Last but not least the SMG

Sights!

Tell me what you guys think!
I'm off to go get some food and sharpies, then its back to work gonna try and get the left arm done!

 

[EVAkura]

Real quick like. For that forearm where you had to make the split to get your hand through... I would use woven elastic band like in this picture. Just hot glue it on either side and it will stretch apart to let your hand through, but then retract to close the seam. Much easier than using buckles... and you will find many more uses for it later. I buy mine at my local craft store, but I know Wal-mart carries it in their fabric section as well.



Hope that helps!

Great progress by the way!

 

[Zoomer246]

Real quick like. For that forearm where you had to make the split to get your hand through... I would use woven elastic band like in this picture. Just hot glue it on either side and it will stretch apart to let your hand through, but then retract to close the seam. Much easier than using buckles... and you will find many more uses for it later. I buy mine at my local craft store, but I know Wal-mart carries it in their fabric section as well.


Hope that helps!

Great progress by the way!

Thank you! They fit very nicely.

Update!

I finished the left arm, so that means I am done with the torso pieces. What about the gloves you say? I have ordered some paintball gloves and will get those done hopefully when they get here on Thursday along with my foam and buckles (which means I'll be able to get the chest piece strapped together)

I'm also started drawing up a DMR, and I must say this thing is HUGE! According to the Halo wiki it is 46.9 Inches long and 12 Inches tall.

Enough talk here are the pictures

DMR drawing

Like always tell me what you think, gonna start on the COD piece today!
Thanks for taking a look!

 

[Zoomer246]

Sorry its been awhile since I posted anything but I got a lot done!

First I made my little brother some marine armor for the Con this weekend

I also began painting I chose to base it off my DCI Uniform

So overall good progress and Im on track to finish for the Con this weekend!

 

[Zoomer246]

Well got all done in time for the Indy Comi-Con. Had so much fun!

Pic with the storm troopers

Then I did some action shots downtown

Overall it was a great time, can't wait till I meet more of you guys out on the field!