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[Serim Merec]

you've just got it set up to show more than 15 posts per page  I had it set to more for a little while but I changed it back because people would reference a page in a thread and it would be different for me and thus I couldn't find the awesome armor tips 

[Zophar Ptay]

you've just got it set up to show more than 15 posts per page  I had it set to more for a little while but I changed it back because people would reference a page in a thread and it would be different for me and thus I couldn't find the awesome armor tips 

Exactly.  I changed it back to default for just that reason

[Dresdon Acacin]

Meh...no biggy-I am working on a light-up display for my gauntlet screen using your etching method yout old me about, and I'll keep you informed of the resualts...

oh and I was pondering your C6 no-armour sit'iation and came to the conclusion that if it were me in your predicament, I would maybe just get the body armour done and let the helmet wait if need-be.

[Zophar Ptay]

no armour situation?   I've got the torso outside curing another coat of resin, the neck-hole properly sized and the sides trimmed to within a ¼" of where I want them, leaving the little bit there for sanding/grinding later to shape. 

At this point, the helmet looks like the only issue I might have since I can't seem to get in touch with the guy who was working on the model for/with me...

I'll get working on the blaster while in curing time, but I only have an hour or so today to spend on this, then busy all weekend.

[Dresdon Acacin]

Lol, lucky for me I have no school until thursday then I'm off. Not having a life helps that too       If my materials hold up, I can probably get all my upgrades done this summer, and obviously in time for h'ween...my deadline's july 28th though...      lets have a race!

[Zophar Ptay]

I don't suppose anyone has access to CyraxLionheart in person?  Trying to get in touch with him about my bucket and I can't get him on email.   

In other news: trial fit pictures in the very near future.  Possibly tonight.

[Zophar Ptay]

So I just got back from my friends' place fixing the compressor.  Turns out that, being an engineer, he did have the highly specialized tool needed for the job.. a bigger hammer.  Got the casing opened, replaced all the wiring and cleaned her out, put it all back together and one of the funniest coincidences in a VERY long time, within seconds of us throwing the power switch to test her out the power went out for a three block area.  LOL  Power came back on a few minutes later and the compressor ran like a champ.  So yay.. I have an airbrush to play with now.

Took longer than expected though and I need to crash for the night, so maybe test fitting pictures tomorrow after work.

[Dresdon Acacin]

You ever notice that the port were the leads plug into on H-VAC compressors have the lil transformer that makes a good armour greeb?   used one for my com realy on the right earcap of my V3.

[Zophar Ptay]

Alright, so I had to learn a few new tricks and skills since it appears that we recently misplaced our CyraxLionheart.  I picked up the project from the last update he had sent me and I think I have the new bucket model completed and unfolded, ready to assemble.  A sneak peek:



For those familiar with pepakura, that is roughly 90 parts printed over 22 LEGAL-sized pages.. I have my work cut out for me.  Or, rather, I wish I had someone to cut my work out for me   It is ging to be a challenge trying to keep all those parts organized and orderly through this build, but if I can get this thing together and looking like the rendering, I am going to be thrilled.

In my breaks I am also still working on reinforcing the torso armour and have the structure 90% done on the front and sides, and 50% done on the back.  I should be on to bondo and smoothing in the next few days.  I know I keep promising pics, but what can I say.. I'd rather be working than taking pics

[Serim Merec]

Well I'm glad that you can atleast attempt to put it together! Can't wait to see it

[Dresdon Acacin]

LOL, I added like half the `damn suit to my upgrades without updating any WIPs

[Jango Nova]

Good luck with your Pep man... 22 pages is a long build lol

[Zophar Ptay]

Good luck with your Pep man... 22 pages is a long build lol

The worst part is, it's my first time modifying a model and unfolding it.. and scaling it.   So I won't know if I screwed it up until I'm well into it.  LOL   Ah well.. here's to crossing my toes and hoping for the best   I think the largest build I've done so far was around 18 pages and around 80 pieces.. so this shouldn't be tooooo much more hassle as long as I unfolded everything alright.  I also have an organizing system set up to keep all my parts straight and easy to locate so once they are all cut and grooved [still using the cardboard so they have to be cut on all the folds as well] the assembly should just be a matter of time and waiting for glue to dry.

Shins/knees and gaunts should be a relatively easy affair with the design I laid out at the beginning, just wanting to wrap a couple of things up before I start on yet more parts.  I am planning on using PVC and sintra for them.  Boot armour will be fiberglass right over the [protected] boot so it is form-fitting so again, very quick and easy [in theory] to get that knocked out.  Which leaves me with a loin cloth, finish the blaster, and build a holster.  I am expecting to use Ohld Vahrt's blaster hanger idea rather than the initial plan of a holster integrated into the thigh plate.  If I am going through the trouble of making a pretty blaster, I want to show it off    My friend got back from his latest hitch and brought me a couple of b rass pipe fittings that would make really neat barrel ends so I may scrap my blater design and go with a different one, or I may just hang on to these and use them for a pair of blasters later... we'll have to see.

In other news, belt and pouches came in yesterday.   Well.. half of the pouches did, anyway.  There was a mix-up at the lab and the picker shorted me a set of pouches so they are shipping them out Monday.  I had them tack on three more matching belts that I figure I can cut down to use as straps for my gaunts and shins, that way it all matches and I don't have to weather the leather because it is actual milsurp WWII leather. Hooray for milsurp shops!  I keep eyeballing this canvas flare gun holster to use as a tool pouch... but then, everything else would be nice not-so-pretty leather and this one box of canvas... I think I'll just wait and get a leather one from  GreatSkyRiver Falco.  His newest offering looks almost dead on for this.  That will have to wait for a future upgrade though, given the (way-blown) budget and (hopefully not blown) time constraints.

I know, I know.. pics pics pics... not that anyone is still reading this thread or clamoring for pics of my ugly mug, but I like to think they are out there


[/wall of text]

Sorry about the wall of text.. I just had my first cup of coffee in two weeks and it's apparently gone straight to me head...   

[Dresdon Acacin]

Lol, don't go emo over all that pep work.

[Zophar Ptay]

Alright, update time.  I have almost all of the parts for the helmet cut out and ready to start assembly.  I have also decided to cut my losses on the torso and shift directions for two reasons.  1) When I decided I didn't want the sides skin tight and added spacers, either my dummy form wasn't as tight as I thought, I've lost weight, the spacers were much bigger than they looked, or [most likely] a combination of the above.  The "breathing room" gap turned out to be so big I couldn't comfortably put my arms at my side, and with gaunts I'd have to walk gunslinger-style all day.   2) The sides are not symmetrical and I can't see them improving as I go.

So I am going to shelve the one-piece upper for a future upgrade and do this as a more traditional one piece chest with abs and a back plate, using straps between the chest and back.  I'd say that this piece works very well as a proof of concept for the pep-over-t-shirt idea and I will revisit the technique later.  I think this is a case of valid concept but flawed implementation.  In the top right picture you can see where I must have let the shirt wrinkle/wave under the first coats of resin so I ended up all wavy instead of a clean arc.

With that in mind, I have ordered a few more belts to cut down and use as the strapping so the straps will match my other leather parts and will already be weathered and ready to go.

Pictures of the soon-to-be-cut-up one-piece upper torso, for posterity sake:





Having company over all day tomorrow, so back to work Tuesday.  I'll be leaving it as one piece for a while longer to make it easier to work I think, but I'll get on a few spots that need more reinforcing then start bondo on it by mid-week.