-
(http://i.imgur.com/iF301rb.png)
Lock and Load, Mandos!
Having fallen under the curse of Photobucket, I decided to redo my weapons page instead of trying to update my clunky attempt at it the first time around. I've done a fairly sizable amount of work on my weapons as it was the easier thing to do than my armor. For a while I was very limited in the time and space I had to work on my kit, so the smaller pieces were the best bet. I have to thank my Father for being so brilliant and knowledgeable, willing to work with me although he barely understood anything about the culture. Many a nights spent in his basement were well worth the effort. I now have more space, and a much closer vod whose also working on his own kit alongside me.
Background
As I stated in my armor progress thread, my Mandalorian is a former Corsec Agent, and Royal Guard. Thus his weapons reflect his life in that capacity and his adoption into the vode. His weapons will include dual pistols, a Mandalorian dagger, and a modified Force Pike.
Dagger
I started off with a few designs, and through some voting on my last page, I settled on the one below. One of the things I like most about it is how it reminds me of my favorite fictional dagger; the sword of Omens from Thundercats. The face of it and the guard is going to be comprised out of rougher material (like bone) and then the hilt and blade will be more modern.
(http://i.imgur.com/v18pFCi.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/3uLUBuy.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/llvPWX3.jpg)
Cut out of some spare wood in my Father's shop, and using woodglue to clamp all the layers together, I then used a dremel to carve out a decent dimension to the dagger. I used a wood burning kit to burn in the Mythosaur design onto each side. After that it was left without much definition until I got to my friend's shop and he really helped me hone in the blade.
(http://i.imgur.com/GU9hDpk.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/r6Y9iUu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cvUEitt.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/vmu2ahu.jpg)
I shellacked the dagger after getting the blade refined, and then I cut off the knob at the top. It was a little too short for my grip, so afterwards I have a piece of PVC slid over the handle to make it more round, bondo'd the seam of it to smooth it out, and now I'm onto the painting phase. No real good pictures of that progress, but more to come soon.
Pistols
These dual pistols are based off of the Nerf Firestrike. When I was doing my research for starting this kit, I read and heard a lot about how difficult it is to make Nerf weapons passable, as they are so very distinctive. However I like challenge, so I picked up two of these and started to rough out a design for them.
(http://i.imgur.com/1SFnf7i.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SzzebXf.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/H8pjwl2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QGJCwIZ.jpg)
I started off with this design, adding things to the overall concept to make a more streamlined weapon of choice. The main barrel came from the guts of the toy, while the bottom barrel is a piece of black PVC. The knob on the side is half of a cut up vacuum tube. Inside the PVC is the other part of the vaccum tube that looks very swarzy if I do say so myself. From there I started putting the pieces together, cutting out holes in the blaster barrel and using the spring that was inside as a nice addition in crimson red. Painted the barrels and the spring already, and I am working on a paint scheme for the rest, but it was a bit of a do-over as my first attempt was not as accurate as I would have liked.
(http://i.imgur.com/WCRyk3m.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WwUdlLL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YF8psdj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RJOwPtp.jpg)
Force Pike
My search for a screen accurate Force Pike took me down many different avenues. I talked to people in Spain, Europe, and on the RPF looking for someone that was making them. Eventually I stumbled upon an amazing creator in Florida. He is very easy to work with, has a very decent price, and makes all variations of the Force Pike. If you would like to reach out to him - here is the link to his Facebook Page. (https://www.facebook.com/ccforcepikes/?ref=br_rs)
(http://i.imgur.com/zIBExKl.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/pQmESDY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/otKa2Jb.jpg) (http://i.imgur.com/dNrPGLG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zTXjW3e.jpg)
It is very light weight, screws apart into two pieces, and measures 40 inches in length. I will be modifying this and weathering it to look battle hardened and retrofitted into a Mandalorian arsenal. Thus far I haven't figured a way to carry it on my kit, other than in my hand, so that'll be some engineering for later on.
That's about it for now though vode. I'll be sure to update this thread as I go. I hope you enjoy the progress, and I certainly look forward to showing you more as the months progress. Oya!
-
Really like what you've done with the pistols. If I may offer one suggestion: sand them a bit more. Perhaps you already have but the few shots you have of the body make them look a little rough. Despite that, you've done a great job erasing their nerfiness!
-
Looking good, vod. Can't wait to see you get this all together! ;D
-
Really like what you've done with the pistols. If I may offer one suggestion: sand them a bit more. Perhaps you already have but the few shots you have of the body make them look a little rough. Despite that, you've done a great job erasing their nerfiness!
These pictures are a bit out-dated. I had already started doing some more sanding and painting originally, but they came out rather awful. My local vod has helped me sand that down, and get rid of the first pass. We also smoothed things out and made them look better I still need to work on getting a better color scheme for them, and figure out where I want the colors to go. So far they are sidelined at the moment, as I was working on the dagger. I ran into some issues of my own there, but it's still coming along.
Eventually when the weather warms up I'll be back at it, working to make this dream a reality.
-
Small Update
Just wanted to give a small update on the weapons. I had originally done a paint job on my own with the dual pistols I was working on, and it didn't come out great. Once I started meeting with a fellow maker nearby, I learned there was a lot more to be done to these before painting. So we stripped down the paint, and started really sanding them and using some plumber's dope to spot fix some of the really rough edges. These are the guns without the extensions on, primed and ready for a paint job. I haven't done much more with them at this stage, still trying to figure out a good design for the paint.
(https://i.imgur.com/866JmXa.jpg)
And onto the dagger. This thing has gone through a few updates. I started off with putting a pvc tube over the wooden handle and adding in some epoxy to strengthen the bond. From there I screwed a hole down into the wood base of the handle and then added in a wooden knob I found. Used some hockey tape to then wrap around the handle and give it a decent grip. The crest of the dagger got a gunmetal paint job, and the silver is the first attempt at making the wood look like a blade. However after looking at it, it's clearly still wood, so I'm going to try some silver rub-n-buff to see if that'll make the difference I'm looking for.
(https://i.imgur.com/2a3BDiH.jpg)
-
Hey man! looking good! have you tried aluminum tape? I saw it on Adam Savage's one day builds and it makes wood look like metal. I will be buying some I can bring it to the AP if you'd like and are able to make it.
-
Small Dagger Update
Been a while since I made any progress or movement on the weapons cache for my kit. I've been inspired recently and am currently working on gaining some headway on the various pieces and parts that I want to incorporate. Soon I should be able to do some real work on them, but for now, just wanted to show you an update of what I did to my dagger. I used the aluminum tape method to coat the blade. It's still rather rough and has a lot of bumps and scratches, so I'm wondering what tips and tricks you all might have to smooth it out and make it look more like a blade.
(https://i.imgur.com/72NWsts.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/XIAKRie.jpg)
I've also finally got around to sending some pictures to a vod I met at Mercs Con who'll be helping me design a 3D model of a gauntlet idea I have in order to potentially 3D print some parts out to make it a reality. I'll keep you all informed on that side of things when I get some of the visuals back.
-
Concept Designs
Oya ner'vode; it's been a long time coming for an update to this ancient thread. I haven't done much in the way of weapons for the last few years. Most of the weapons are still at a stand still, but there has been some progress made, that has allowed me to put together a few concept designs. I've had these in my head for quite sometime, but now I'm going to finally share them with the vode. While my armor progression is moving along, I felt like sharing a small update here with what I have in mind.
Force Pike Modifications
The Force Pike will be the mainstay of my kit, the weapon of an Imperial Royal Guard. It's gone through some use, wear and tear - and has been brought into the forefront of my Mando's arsenal. It's not going to look as pristine and clean as the ones that 501st legion like to sport, and I think that will make it a unique piece to my collection.
(https://i.imgur.com/aHORlY9.png)
This is the distressed and altered look I'm going for currently. A bit of metallic paint near the head, and a bit of bluing discoloration for use of that lethal tip. There's also some ashen blacks and rust colored imperfections down the shaft showing the wear and tear. Finally there's a new wrap on both of the previously black hand grips, which will be accomplished with some hockey tape, and this chosen fabric, that will tie into my kit.
(https://i.imgur.com/cDS0AlL.jpg)
Right Gauntlet Construction
Recently I had a friend help modify a base gauntlet 3D model, and then a gracious Rancor member 3D printed them for me. They are very rough at the moment, and will need a lot of added construction and modification to make them viable, but it's a good start. For my right gauntlet, the main weapon will be a dual stun mounted weapon. I plan to incorporate an old Nerf wrist mounted toy into the gauntlet and modify it to become a light up stun weapon. None of the following pictures have any refinement to them, they are just designs and concepts.
Base Gauntlet and Glove
(https://i.imgur.com/qPDlO9H.png)
Nerf Toy Casing
(https://i.imgur.com/O5kNwXL.png)
Base Gauntlet with Nerf for Reference
(https://i.imgur.com/M6IJacN.png)
Design for Gauntlet Modification
(https://i.imgur.com/qjUfP7o.png)
-
Just for fun, and to kill some time, I made a mock up of your knife. I put a flat edge on the bottom so it could be printed in one piece. I'm thinking of changing the hilt so it can be printed in parts on a smaller printer. As it sits, it is about 14.5 inches.
(https://i.imgur.com/NwhrnLQ.jpg)
And don't worry, I'm not stealing your idea for my kit. I just thought it was an interesting idea and was bored. Doing things like this is good practice and helps me get better at 3d modeling.
-
Hey Vod!
No worries at all, I'm just glad that I inspired you to create that. Btw, you're about half an inch longer than mine is, so that's pretty darn close! I like the embellishment on the handle. If you happen to get it refined, I'd totally be interested in getting the file from you to have printed. Mine was a trial by fire, and it's very rough as it is.
-
I couldn't send the file for the earlier version because I used someone's file for the mythosaur. It was a placeholder until I mocked up my own. I made some minor changes to the handle, but kept the flat edge for printing vertical. This is what it looks like now.
(https://i.imgur.com/2jCK0Jf.jpg)
-
I dig the tapered handle, but the original mythosaur you grabbed elsewhere I think fits so much better. The organic nature of the skull doesn't meld too well with the design of the rest of the dagger, plus it would be hard to print I think with those tips (at least from what I've read about the printing process)
-
I agree. But my modeling skills are good enough to make a mythosaur that good. Also, I think that because Bo Katan is a Nite Owl it influenced the look. I would like something a little more neutral if that makes sense.
I have made multiple knife handles, but this was the best tapered hilt turned out. Trying to get better.
-
I spent some time yesterday mocking up my own version of a less organic mythosaur and swapped out the blades so this is 100% my own files. 16 hours later, this is the result. It is fine for a prototype, but if I were to use it, I would thicken the blades and size up the handle a little. Hope you like the end result.
(https://i.imgur.com/BsAG8la.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Wusg9oW.jpg)
-
That's a beautiful dagger you have there vod, also love that keyboard!
I might have to hit you up later on if I want to have another go at the dagger if mine doesn't pan out.
-
PM me your email and I'll send you the files. I might tinker with it a little bit more, but I'll send you the different versions.