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[Alta]

So I actually managed to get my hands on an animal hide. Now I know nothing about treating this thing. All the goop (yes, I'm calling it goop lol) has been cleaned off and it is essentially just fur and leather but it hasn't been dried out. How does one do that exactly? I'm searching through the forums and teh web, but I just wanted to make a post and see if anyone following this build knew anything about how to treat animal hides and what not. Then there's the fact that I'm not all that sure what to do with it afterwards. I plan on trying to make a visit to the place my mom got the hide from, but until then, I'm on my own lol. I know absolutely nothing about how to do this. I am sadly completely ignorant on this subject, but I am excited to learn, so any and all help/advice/tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated! I hope to have some more pelts soon! 

EDIT: So I found some stuff on the web that said to dry it out by covering it in non-iodized salt so I went ahead and did that (after I stretched it all out). Any kind info on stuff related to prepping a treating animal pelts though is still greatly appreciated  It's gonna be a while before this thing is anywhere near usable lol

[Azereth]

Salt will work but it may be too stiff. Do a web search for hair on tanning and you'll find more info. I think you'll have to get a tanning solution from a leather place to get it the consistancy you want. It's been a while since I read up on this stuff though so I might be wrong

[Alta]

From what I remember of what my mother remembered the guy telling her (lol) that sounds about right. The salt has indeed dried it way out and it's as stiff as a board, so I'll have to find something to loosen it up a bit. Also, quick question, it's a dear skin, and on some of the leather bits, there are light brown spots...Did I mess up there and it's going rancid there or is that normal? Really hope I didn't mess up ^^;

Any help in this department is appreciated. I'll keep internet searching but, as I said before, if you're bored and feel like postin tips, it would be greatly appreciated 

Also, I'm still in need of feedback on that crossbow. Anything and everything is appreciated!

[TrooperJasher]

Instead of bolting the antlers on, why not make them one into one piece, then in the stock, cut a hole large enough for it to just slip in, then overlay that with another piece of wood, or make it look like it is a decorative bone working.

As for the substitute for the metal, is there any reason your not using some type of rope? You could use some leather strips, giving it a more natural feel, besides it looks like it is some type of rope, since it's not drawing from the ends, but a few inches inward.

As for the scope, with the HUD in your helmet, I don't see a need for one actually... but that is my personal opinion.

I agree with Tracyn, it does look more like a knobby piece of wood, although it would look pretty cool to have the barrel and then layer different antlers/horns, and bone over it. Leaving enough of the barrel visible, but it would still have an extremely organic feel.



Something like that... just an idea, and throwing it out there. Not the best sketches...

[Alta]

Many thanks for the feedback! I greatly appreciate it!

I hadn't thought of making the antlers to where they could slide through and rest in the stock. I'll have to keep that in mind. That makes me think of a couple of other ways I might could approach attaching/anchoring them should some of the ones' I have in my head right now not work out, so many many thanks!!

As for the rope bit, I'll be honest I just hadn't thought of it. The pic made the drawback section look like it was of a more firm/thicker substance, but maybe that was just me. I like the idea of using leather strips. I'll definitely look into that

Ya the scope idea is out. I may have some iron sights what nots but that will be about it.

I'm not sure about using additional antlers as I don't want to overuse that idea, but I hadn't thought about using additional bone, which sounds pretty neat.

Many many thanks for the feedback! I got a lot more ideas zipping through my head now! I'm gonna try to tweak the sketch and re-upload it! If anyone else has anything they might like to add/suggest/what-nots, don't be afraid to chime in! I love all sorts of feedback lol

[Alta]

OK update time (finally lol).

The actual animal pelt seems to be OK though it's wicked stiff so I'm going to have to do something about that. Any tips on how to fix that would be greatly appreciated Also, the awesome fox fur has vanished from stores  I'm going to try to go hunting for it. Hopefully I'll manage to find it.

In any event, finally taped together the mock up helmet. This is just for a sizing test.



What do yall think? Seem to be the right size to yall? I plan on making the actual thing out of cardboard. It'll still have cheeks but they'll be filled in to look less recognizable. Also, to anyone that has any experience doing 100% scratch builds, do I glass the inside to keep that part of the cardboard from getting wet? Just curious.

Any tips, tricks, and feedback are always greatly appreciated! Hope to have more for yall soon!

[Tracyn Ordo]

The best thing to do is put a coat of resin on the outside to help give it some strength, then apply the fiberglass to the inside of the helmet. If you put the fiberglass on the outside you will have to do more work smoothing it out.

Size seems pretty good to me though.

[Alta]

So...new job, new (temporary) place, and a few hiccups in my daily routine later and we at last have progress! Yay!



Not much but it's a start. The mandible cutouts are throwin me off a bit :/ They're not lining up like I would like, hence the reason no cuts have been made just yet till I figure out what's going on there. Hope to get that worked out soon. I've finally managed to locate some stores here and there too so I hope to have some soft parts and what not up too before long

Anywho, feels good to be back in the saddle! Hope to have more updates soon!

[Alta]

Sooo...started this up again. Figured I should just pick up where I left off. New look:





And possibly the barrel of the (hopefully) soon to be (and all too heavy) early era bowcaster:





Looking at this more I see it has some kind of drum thing in the front. So that should be fun to make haha! Guess the monster barrel will sit just above that. I'm thinking of making the overall base out of a 2x8x5 or 6 thing of wood. The front and the back end will likely be a bit thicker with little extra bits add out of a thinner slab of wood. Middle section will have a bit of trimming so it doesn't just look like a block. I hope to have a sketch here soon.

Question though. Where do y'all think I should attach bits for a shoulder strap? Need to figure out where (and how) to do some iron sights too. Hmm... lots to do.

Well I hope no one minds me bringing this back from the dead. Would love folks feedback while I work on this monster though. Goal is to have it ready by C8. Wish me luck! As always, feedback and tips are greatly appreciated!!

[Alta]

Might not look like much but it's a start. Tomorrow is dome construction (and hopefully glassing) and chest plate attachment and trimming. Hopefully I'll get the arm armor glassed and the legs trimmed and shaped too, time permitting.



Chest plate will need a little work as the collar is a bit wonky on one side but hopefully it won't be too big of an issue. Will trim off some of the excess from he darts to keep from needing too much fiberglass filler. Will just reinforce the seams from the inside.



Need to get to work on soft parts and air tank drafting too. So much to do! Trying desperately to avoid last minute crunches!