Hey another Iron Man thread, fancy that!

[Zhayton]

Been absorbing all I can for a long while now, during which time I've grown to LOVE Pepakura and have gotten a few friends into armor building. It's a time consuming process, what with work/family/money, but I feel I'm having excellent progress with robo3687's Mark IV files, especially considering this is my first ever build of anything like this. Pics will soon follow at the advice of my wife who says I never chronicle anything. Thanks all for the knowledge I've assembled in the past 6 months!

 

[MightyJohn]

Welcome . I agree with the time consuming process. Pep is fun, but don't try to push your time. Just remember: If you're not having fun...it's not much of a hobby. Good Luck with the build.

 

[STEALTH]

Welcome . I agree with the time consuming process. Pep is fun, but don't try to push your time. Just remember: If you're not having fun...it's not much of a hobby. Good Luck with the build.

EXACTLY!

Good luck man.

oh, post some progress pics if you have some. We'd all like to see

 

[SaberTech]

No joke ... we love seeing a build from start to finish ... welcome and good luck ... hope to see pics soon and most importantly have fun

 

[clancampbell]

Welcome . I agree with the time consuming process. Pep is fun, but don't try to push your time. Just remember: If you're not having fun...it's not much of a hobby. Good Luck with the build.

EXCELLENT advice! I'm in the middle of a build, and this has reminded me to stop worrying so much and just enjoy it!
Thanks and....erm....carry on..

Rich

 

[Zhayton]

Some images, as promised. Again, my first undertaking of anything like this, go easy:

Helmet, AKA first Pepakura:

148178_472537949910_696149910_5443439_1494861_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

First time with fiberglass and Bondo, I think it came out alright:

164056_491203689910_696149910_5724355_746016_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

I didn't account for the added thickness of the fiberglass on the inside which made the helmet waaay too tight, so I cast a duplicate:

169064_10150100298044911_696149910_6055167_1931843_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

Chest plate:

180703_10150110274219911_696149910_6169615_6158685_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

Back plate:

196233_10150134652534911_696149910_6382703_5067287_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

Test fit. You can see a sunken in area and a few dimples in the helmet so I plan on recasting:

197101_10150134663854911_696149910_6382765_5128582_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

Torso assembly w/brace:

216262_10150156773274911_696149910_6457887_4478388_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

 

[phaeren86]

coming along quite nicely, love the work on the helmet!

 

[Neo2345]

Nice job dude! keep it going!

 

[Graphic Jordan]

Just looked through your photos and saw the ones of your mold making and casting.. very cool. All smooth-on I see. Perhaps I can pick your brain when I get to this stage.

 

[Zhayton]

Yeah, wifey was kind enough to let me use her Flickr business account so I dumped everything related I had in there and posted what I felt was relevant, feel free to browse.

 

[Zhayton]

Progress is stomping along slowly, and hopefully pics will soon follow. Work and other "priorities" keep getting in the way. I've dabbled in both fiberglassing and casting with SmoothOn for the helmet, and while I love the strength of fiberglass mat on the interior, it becomes such a pain to do in tight areas. Easy to get to areas, such as interior chest, back, etc. will be matted, but what's the general opinion on rotocasting the interior of the hands, bicep, and so on? Thanks everyone.

 

[halopepakura]

heres a tip i learned from one of the threads on here,you can use washed dryer sheets in replacement for fiberglass mat. its a bit easier to bend and get in corners

 

[Zhayton]

That is a REALLY good idea, very looking forward to trying it, thanks.

 

[HeatherShepard]

Back plate:

196233_10150134652534911_696149910_6382703_5067287_n by HeatherBehrendt, on Flickr

That cat doesn't look too happy that you're using his scratching post. :lol

 

[halopepakura]

no problem,but you have to get all the soap out of the sheets first