Rookie Play, Rookie Mistakes

So after "winging it" and making a simple costume for my granddaughter (pink Hello Kitty Fallout 3 Power Armor) three years ago (ECCC2014), and lamenting not getting into gear for this last ECCC (or the one before that, or the one before that), I have thrown myself into making a me-sized 40K Space Marine (Mk VI) Corvus Power Armor for ECCC2018.

I have the pep files, and modified/will modify the templates as probably-eventually-fatal determined to make the armor not comically "puffy" on me, nor require stilts (or a forklift, should I fall over.)

So far i have the shoulder bells (foam, cut down something like 4" on the outside edges), forearms (cardboard with foam wrist layers), elbows (foam), and upper arms (cardboard). The arm parts I have removed two facets from each to slim them down; the forearm pieces from the inside, the elbow from the center, and the upper arm from 2 non-contiguous faces (yeah, added an extra seam to clean & fill).

I currently have the backpack template sheets up on my window being assembled as time permits (did I mention I have another granddaughter living with me?) This will be cardboard as well, part for weight, part to get rid of some of the large sheets of cardboard I have collected over years with just this sort of thing in mind.

I am running into an issue: the Mk VI chest (tighter, with hoses exposed) and shins (extend up over the knee, no separate knee-pad) are nowhere to be found in pepakura-template land! If I have to wing those, I'm prepared for it to get ugly. Also: if there are any local folks (north Seattle) who can help (or point and laugh), I'd like to get in touch. Like I may have mentioned, I don't have a lot of free time, and I'm doing this in fits and starts.

I have read soooo much here, and followed links to video tutorials, so I think I can bull through it when it comes to crunch-time. I thank those who have come before me and shared their wisdom (and errors!)

Sorry for the lack of progress, having drama get in the way of getting shop time in. I was supposed to be working on the boots/shins issue last weekend, ended up starting the backpack in cardboard (I'll get some pics in soon).

If I learnt anything, it always takes longer, especially at the start. Best of luck!

Got some time in this weekend, and some pics to share (once I jump through some file management hoops.)

Got the backpack (mostly) closed, hit the foam (and cardboard) seams with some sealer.

Aye, expected a rough lift-off on this project. Thanks for the well-wishing, equib!

Not exactly buzzing along, I thought I'd post the progress from two weeks ago:
discovered I had transferred the wrong points to the cardboard, so i had to cut a seam and re-cut a panel of the backpack before rejoining:

And it turns out the sealer I was using dries clear (trust me not to read the packaging!)


I have to admit, I'm having a hell of a hard time getting going. All the templates, all the materials are there, yet time just ends up burning away on "normal stuff".

equib said:

If I learnt anything, it always takes longer, especially at the start. Best of luck!

Click to expand...

..and in the middle.. and at the end!

Your grand-daughter is adorable in that armor. Good luck on your build.