Shredder - TMNT - My first build ever!

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

I have a few friends that i've watched build costumes over the years and even inquired a few times about how they did what they did. Most seem to be a little secretive about their methods. So when I found the RPF I was really excited that strangers would freely and gladly help where people I actually knew were afraid of competition. So to the wonderful people here, i thank thee. A special thanks goes out to PepMaster, Stealth, Fierfek, the folks on Fierfek's SW pep thread, the pep question thread, flagweaver, Deelite, mikey123, and the other folks at the SoCalProp Party that I cant remember, but were more than willing to share their works.

Why Shredder? Moreover, why the Utrom/Armorized version?

Well first of all, I wanted something iconic that wasn't overdone. Super Shredder from the end of the first TMNT movie seemed like an instant win in my mind. I've never touched a sewing machine, so i needed to keep the material creation to a minimum. While looking through reference photos, Shredder seemed like it was mostly cloth, where Demon Shredder & Utrom Shredder were mostly armor. So that was it, Utrom shredder it was. I easily found a free pep file created by PepMaster.

**RPF Support**

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

This has started out as a missive pile of cardstock...

I thought i'd never get through all the cutting, scoring, & folding. I'll never think pep building is easy again, i promise...

First I tackled the helmet...

then the Torso armor

They look surprisingly good together i think...

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

Getting the "easy stuff out of the way, I finished the arms...
(Photos coming)
One Shin...

and one shoulder...

And then i tackled the dreaded skirt...

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

Utilizing the advice of Stealth and his "TheHeroTutorials" channel on Youtube, I speant 3 days searching for SmoothCast 321. Which apparently is banned in California (thank you liberals), but i was able to find a similar product, SmoothCast 300. Again due to the ban, i couldnt get it in anything larger than a pint.

Tonight i'll pick up paint brushes, a face mask, aluminum foil, & bondo...
(Pictures to come)

**that954trooper** · Jul 2, 2012

looking good

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

that954trooper said:

looking good

Thank you for the compliment.

To all RPF'ers: All ridicule, advice, etc is welcomed!

**Shakeitdavey** · Jul 2, 2012

Shredder!! love it brah, keep up the good work. Can't wait to see it finished.

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

Lets see if it can be done in 8 days! I have SDCC to be at...

**EyeofSauron** · Jul 2, 2012

looks good.
where did you get those pep files. it seems idont have these in my vast collection yet

**89Forever** · Jul 2, 2012

From PepMaster. Unfortunately he's been banned; he provided some great free pep files.

**krizalid** · Jul 3, 2012

EyeofSauron said:

looks good.
where did you get those pep files. it seems idont have these in my vast collection yet

This is the LINK:

NO.0000863Details of the work

**Hanzo** · Jul 3, 2012

This is going to be bad ass!!

**BornOffire** · Jul 3, 2012

looking good!

**89Forever** · Jul 3, 2012

krizalid said:

This is the LINK:

NO.0000863Details of the work

that looks like it. Beware though. the file needs to be adjusted. i'd increase at least the helm if not everything by 10%. its built for a 6' man, but there are parts that wouldn't fit my 5'1" 105# girlfriend.

As my first pep project, this was a great self tutorial/experiment.

**89Forever** · Jul 3, 2012

BTW, I started with some SmoothCast300 on one of my arm pieces. holy crap! when they say it has a 3 minute pot life, they mean it. It started turning into snot and then 10 seconds later into a snowball. I'd much rather have something with a 15 min window.

I also used fiberglass & resin to add support to the inside of the forearm and back or hand pieces.
(pictures to come)

**SampleName** · Jul 3, 2012

This looks good, especially for your first build. Good luck with the rest of it, and keep posting pictures.

**The Ronin** · Jul 3, 2012

89Forever said:

BTW, I started with some SmoothCast300 on one of my arm pieces. holy crap! when they say it has a 3 minute pot life, they mean it. It started turning into snot and then 10 seconds later into a snowball. I'd much rather have something with a 15 min window.

Sounds like my bondo in 105* heat.

**89Forever** · Jul 3, 2012

i didnt realize Co got that hot. i assumed you were in az or nv. you can bondo inside though cant you?

**Mr.Spider** · Jul 3, 2012

If you dont mind losIng brain cells in the process sure. Bondo is not f

**89Forever** · Jul 3, 2012

i haven't gotten to the Bondo stage yet. maybe tomorrow if the holiday doesn't interfere. i thought it was fumeless. good thing i have a balcony and a face mask.

**Vince** · Jul 3, 2012

Best looking shredder design IMO. I was wondering what the cartoon design would look like done up in reality and it translates wonderfully. Amazing job, I cant wait to see this completed.

**The Ronin** · Jul 3, 2012

You can bondo inside if you have a respirator, and no other living things in the house. I can't stand wearing mine unless I absolutely have to, so I usually do resin and bondo work outside.

**89Forever** · Jul 3, 2012

@Vince - Thanks man. I hope to get some pictures up tonight. I found out that resin doesn't cure well after dark, so it should give me some time to post.

@Ronin - I hear ya. PPE blows. we don't get a whole lot of air movement in my area, so i either have to string out an extension cord & fan or go outside and use the PPE anyway. the PPE is well worth the hassle.

**The Ronin** · Jul 3, 2012

89Forever said:

@Vince - Thanks man. I hope to get some pictures up tonight. I found out that resin doesn't cure well after dark, so it should give me some time to post.

You can mix your resin a little hot by adding a few extra drops of hardener to make it cure faster. Beware of warping the hotter you mix it, though.

The reason it takes longer to cure is because of the temperature drop overnight.

**89Forever** · Jul 3, 2012

The Ronin said:

You can mix your resin a little hot by adding a few extra drops of hardener to make it cure faster. Beware of warping the hotter you mix it, though.

The reason it takes longer to cure is because of the temperature drop overnight.

I was afraid to add more hardener as i don't want to run out before my resin does.

As for the temp drop, what was supposed to take 2 hours, was still wet 6 hours later; and its not like its cold here. i thought about taking a blow dryer or heat gun to it, but i didn't know what kind of negative results i'd get. would it be okay?

Shredder - TMNT - My first build ever!

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