On an unrelated note, I now also have resin Luke ROTJ and Obi-Wan TPM sabers on their way to me. I'm rather enjoying these "budget" saber projects! Sure, I have MR versions of most of the OT sabers, but they're really just for looking good in their display cases. It's nice to have something to be able to hold or casually put on a tabletop without fear or damaging them, or having to clean/polish them.
Anakin ROTS resin "stunt"
- Thread starter Gregatron
- Start date
There some cool chrome solutions on this thread http://www.therpf.com/f62/iron-man-movie-helmet-sculpt-update-09-12-finished-36671/index4.html
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/kc/killerchrome.htm
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/kc/killerchrome.htm
After much deliberation, I decided to get some Spaz Stix Mirror Chrome. It seems to be an economical solution that will hopefully provide good results. We'll see!
Also been doing more body work, and primed the entire saber to look for imperfections. Overall, the raw casting was already quite smooth and sharp. Not a lot that needs to be addressed.
Also been doing more body work, and primed the entire saber to look for imperfections. Overall, the raw casting was already quite smooth and sharp. Not a lot that needs to be addressed.
For chrome paint I'd definitely recommend Alclad II Chrome. It's by far the most realistic chrome paint I've found, you airbrush it over gloss black (the smoother/glossier the better). Also great for a variety of metal effects when sprayed lighter coats or overcoated with various clears.
I should add that I can't speak to how it will hold up to a lot of handling. It's a laqcuer based paint so it's probably ok, but I don't have personal experience in an application like this.
I should add that I can't speak to how it will hold up to a lot of handling. It's a laqcuer based paint so it's probably ok, but I don't have personal experience in an application like this.
Some progress--still cleaning up the body, but, I received my custom board, and am now test-fitting it:
In other news, I received a Luke ROTJ casting (looks to be from the EFX, based on my research), and one of those cheap, bagged Obi-Wan TPM sabers that are always on sale on eBay and Amazon. That one, I'm curious about. It doesn't look to be cast from the MR, or a Parks or Larbel. Hmmm. Also, the pommel cubes were clearly installed upside-down before the prop was cast, but that's fixable.
Any recommendations for greeblie sources for these two (tri-ring, LED arrows, red blanking cap/button, brass valve/purple hemi)?
In other news, I received a Luke ROTJ casting (looks to be from the EFX, based on my research), and one of those cheap, bagged Obi-Wan TPM sabers that are always on sale on eBay and Amazon. That one, I'm curious about. It doesn't look to be cast from the MR, or a Parks or Larbel. Hmmm. Also, the pommel cubes were clearly installed upside-down before the prop was cast, but that's fixable.
Any recommendations for greeblie sources for these two (tri-ring, LED arrows, red blanking cap/button, brass valve/purple hemi)?
nice work, and nice finds! You'll have to show us those build threads too!
The "bagged" props - those people are absolute recasters or something else sketchy. Their Luke ROTJ emitter is made up of inaccurate pieces of pipe or something, and cast obviously. even if they're not recast their resin and pulls are shoddy quality. I hope yours is ok!
The EFX should be great. I'm not sure how legal it is to recast an EFX piece...but you have it now, make it beautiful!
The "bagged" props - those people are absolute recasters or something else sketchy. Their Luke ROTJ emitter is made up of inaccurate pieces of pipe or something, and cast obviously. even if they're not recast their resin and pulls are shoddy quality. I hope yours is ok!
The EFX should be great. I'm not sure how legal it is to recast an EFX piece...but you have it now, make it beautiful!
Received the resin grips, and began sanding them for fit and accuracy. Filed the edges of the circuit board down for a perfect fit into the clamp.
Also started working on the TPM Obi-Wan. I had to saw off the pommel so as to orient the cubes correctly with the buttons and other landmarks on the upper half of the saber, then sawed off the cubed themselves for correct positioning and drilled holes into them.
Also started working on the TPM Obi-Wan. I had to saw off the pommel so as to orient the cubes correctly with the buttons and other landmarks on the upper half of the saber, then sawed off the cubed themselves for correct positioning and drilled holes into them.
No, I haven't given up on this. Quite the opposite. I'm nearly done with the ROTS! Used Spaz Stix Mirror Chrome, which gives a nice effect. Unfortunately, the reflectivity was dulled when I coated the saber with Future in order to protect the finish. Looks closer to polished aluminum, rather than chrome. A necessary evil, since the chrome paint would otherwise flake off very easily without a clearcoat.
just a few more details to button up. Photos will follow upon completion!
just a few more details to button up. Photos will follow upon completion!
This is pretty awesome. Are you planning to attach a stunt blade to any of these?
SB
SB
Nope. These are just cheapie resin versions of the heroes, rather than bladed stunts.
Isn't that what the stunt sabers were?
The bladed stunt sabers tended to be less detailed and more comfortable in the hand than straight reproductions of the heroes would have been.
ARGH!
Everything was perfect. The Spaz Stix finish, everything. I'd just finished painting the detail bits, when...I accidentally chipped the finish. Attempting to fix it with a misting of Spaz Stix didn't work, because there was less chrome on the chipped areas than everywhere else, resulting in an uneven finish.
So, I had to repaint the entire top half of the saber black, and start over. The results aren't quite as smooth as before. I'll have to wait until it's cured and I can see it in daylight to determine whether I should strip the whole thing (which would include removing the grips and Covertec) and start over with the painting. Very frustrating! I was 95% done before this setback.
Everything was perfect. The Spaz Stix finish, everything. I'd just finished painting the detail bits, when...I accidentally chipped the finish. Attempting to fix it with a misting of Spaz Stix didn't work, because there was less chrome on the chipped areas than everywhere else, resulting in an uneven finish.
So, I had to repaint the entire top half of the saber black, and start over. The results aren't quite as smooth as before. I'll have to wait until it's cured and I can see it in daylight to determine whether I should strip the whole thing (which would include removing the grips and Covertec) and start over with the painting. Very frustrating! I was 95% done before this setback.
Take a big pause and step back. See how it looks once it's fully cured and maybe start from scratch if you have to - and it's okay! Try to forget about the project for a bit and come back - that helped me whenever I got too frustrated. My Ranch Saber...you can't even tell I nearly killed it now, I had the patience to do what "must be done" *insert emperor voice*
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