APU Mecha

[Cadeus]

You're doing awesome! And your gun is a lot cleaner than the other one I saw on the net. I got the files for it... I hope I can do as well as you.

 

[Strode]

You're doing awesome! And your gun is a lot cleaner than the other one I saw on the net. I got the files for it... I hope I can do as well as you.

Thanks Cadeus I'm pretty sure you will do a much better job than me bro. No worries. Looking forward to your build.

More GUNS!

I tried etching some details on the barrel and as you can see i have failed quite miserably so I'm going to have to probably re-work that later. crap.

Gun holder. The guns area attached to the arm via these curved things. Since the guns weighed a bit, relative to the entire arm, i once again strengthened these parts with a metal sheeting cut to size and epoxied over night. Now it bears the weight quite well.

in place:

more later.

 

[Strode]

helooo been a while. worked on this for the last coupla days, though i'd post updates.

I was wondering throughout the build on how to approach the ammo belt/bullets of which i would need a significant number.

so i came up with this:

I made a test bullet and then made a mold of it. this was my second piece as i fudged up the first one. at this point i still had no idea about registration keys and whatnot and how important it would be. This is made using the same two part epoxy thing that is available here in hardware stores usually reserved for plugging leaks in pipes and plumbing but it hardens to a rock so it's pretty awesome.

Then using the same two part epoxy, i started making little balls of clay, wait for it to harden about 80 percent then press it in the mold resulting in these:

the excess trimmed, giving these:

at the current count, i have pressed about 130 of these, with total "usable" pieces numbering 112. Each belt thus having 56 bullets. Could have been better but no so bad too.

 

[Strode]

I then moved onto the cockpit. Unfortunately i was experimenting with the whole thing so i don't have any process pictures. The original model had an extremely simplified cockpit and control panel which i was unsatisfied with and thus decided to scratch-build my own. This is what it was supposed to look like:

and this is what i came up with:

Turned out better than i expected, everything is actuated and capable of movement. this has actually become somewhat of a problem as parts now flop around instead of being rigid and holding position. Anyone know how to solve this problem without having to glue stuff permanently in place? Input appreciated. More pictures later

 

[armamentfactory]

Awesome progress!
There's the super glue/nail polish method for tightening joints.
First, you pick which one of the 2 you're most comfortable with, then you apply a layer to the joint. You keep adding layers until you hit your preferred tightness.
Some people prefer to put a drop inside the joint assembly & keep moving it until the glue or nail polish hardens, while some prefer to apply on the separate pieces, then sand to fit. Nail polish tends to be more forgiving with mistakes, but super glue is more durable.

 

[Strode]

ok, i'll have to try that out on some test pieces, the nail polish option sounds better as superglue is always quite eager to bind everything, including my finger when you mention adding layers, you don't mean sticking it to anything right? just build up layers till essentially the width increases and thus friction also increases enough to jam the pieces together yes?

also another question i had was the ammo belt that i am attempting to make needs a lot of flexibility. As the arms are capable of movement, the belt too must be able to bend and move with them, any suggestion on how to go about this? i've been trying to think of ways and experimented with joining the bullets together with string and such but so far have failed.... thanks for the help.

 

[armamentfactory]

ok, i'll have to try that out on some test pieces, the nail polish option sounds better as superglue is always quite eager to bind everything, including my finger when you mention adding layers, you don't mean sticking it to anything right? just build up layers till essentially the width increases and thus friction also increases enough to jam the pieces together yes?

also another question i had was the ammo belt that i am attempting to make needs a lot of flexibility. As the arms are capable of movement, the belt too must be able to bend and move with them, any suggestion on how to go about this? i've been trying to think of ways and experimented with joining the bullets together with string and such but so far have failed.... thanks for the help.

Yup, build up layers until each part is thick enough, then put the parts back together. You can build up both parts or just the pin/ball or socket, try it both ways & see what works best for you.

I've been trying to solve the ammo belt problem for a while too. It's much easier if the model uses a feed chute, but exposed belts are a different problem - my conclusion was to just build the links.:unsure
Have you tried cutting a long strip of paper, then cutting slits along the length of the strip to form rings for each round? Kind of like the WW2 pattern ammo belts, but with paper.

 

[Strode]

did that man, i spent two days cutting out rings from paper and putting it on each individual bullet. i used a thick gsm paper, and stuck each paper-ringed bullet to each other, only to see it become too rigid and inflexible. plus too much weight at some points just causes the paper to peel at the glue points :cry My string attempt worked fine for a while but then because i used superglue became too hard and also started to snap. the string literally hardened and frayed. now i'm back to square one with the additional job of removing frayed strings off the bullets.

 

[nick-a-tron]

Outstanding. So much detail!

 

[armamentfactory]

did that man, i spent two days cutting out rings from paper and putting it on each individual bullet. i used a thick gsm paper, and stuck each paper-ringed bullet to each other, only to see it become too rigid and inflexible. plus too much weight at some points just causes the paper to peel at the glue points :cry My string attempt worked fine for a while but then because i used superglue became too hard and also started to snap. the string literally hardened and frayed. now i'm back to square one with the additional job of removing frayed strings off the bullets.

Hmmm... back to square one... All I got left is to try stamping or bending each link from soda cans. :unsure

...How many rounds do you have?

 

[Strode]

haha oh wow, gotta look for something a little less labor intensive. I have about a hundred and twelve all told.

 

[Heath Norton]

Just found this thread, and I have to say that this is super impressive! Subscribed.

I was thinking maybe there would be a way to use elastic bands for the ammo belts. You could use two pieces, one for the loops to hold the ammo, and one that is just for the backing. You could either glue or sew the places in between bullets on the top piece. Sewing seems like it would keep the fabric more flexible. Not sure if this would work, but thought it might be worth a shot.

Thank you for this great thread. Keep going!

Heath

 

[Strode]

Just found this thread, and I have to say that this is super impressive! Subscribed.

I was thinking maybe there would be a way to use elastic bands for the ammo belts. You could use two pieces, one for the loops to hold the ammo, and one that is just for the backing. You could either glue or sew the places in between bullets on the top piece. Sewing seems like it would keep the fabric more flexible. Not sure if this would work, but thought it might be worth a shot.

Thank you for this great thread. Keep going!

Heath

Hey Heath thanks for dropping by. Yes this is worth trying out, that is actually not a bad idea. I'll give it a shot and see how it turns out. Also welcome to the rpf. There is mad talent abound to which mine pales in comparison. If you are interested, you should peruse the build threads of our resident Japanese build master Katsu-san

http://www.therpf.com/search.php?searchid=312570

man's a genius. enjoy

 

[Strode]

some more pictures:

guns and forearms

shoulder and bicep:

All together now..lens cap added for scale

 

[Thatoneguy]

Very very nice work being done here im impressed!!!

 

[Chaank]

I'm really diggin this man. The detail is really good.

I've never done anything like this but this thread really makes me want to!

:thumbsup

 

[Strode]

Thanks guys, just though i'd throw a coupla pictures in of a dry fit that i did. looks pretty awesome to me, of course i'm biased...

There's still a hell of a lot left to do, namely the cockpit control sticks, solving the ammo belt problem, have to source a lot of redundant headphones as the cable really seems to suit the width needed to use on the model, many bells and whistles, gun details, accent pieces and so on, and finally maybe paint. But so far i am restricted budget-wise so not so sure about that :unsure

 

[Heath Norton]

Hey Heath thanks for dropping by. Yes this is worth trying out, that is actually not a bad idea. I'll give it a shot and see how it turns out. Also welcome to the rpf. There is mad talent abound to which mine pales in comparison. If you are interested, you should peruse the build threads of our resident Japanese build master Katsu-san

http://www.therpf.com/search.php?searchid=312570

man's a genius. enjoy

Thanks for the welcome. I'm really enjoying the projects here. I checked out some of Katsu-san's stuff... AMAZING!!!! Thanks for turning me on to it. I'd give yourself some credit though, this is really impressive. Keep the updates coming. Can't wait to see this finished!

Heath

 

[zookone]

Another builder used coiled metal guitar strings for the smaller hoses/cables looked really great. You probably find some used one for free off someone.