Building a studio scale pod car

[3d-builder]

Always wanted one of these, figured when I got good enough at vacuum formong it would be a great project to try.

I used an existing pod car kit as refrence to start to build my pattrens.The kit in shape I think is beautiful but the fit is not so beautiful. I decided to make a top and bottom hull so I could pretty much make sure of a great seam around the two hulls.By making two hull plugs (which you don't have to) I can stack them and sand them dead nuts even before I start claying the pattern.This also lets me see that all the cross sections are in place correctly.

I cut the kit up to get the cross sections and keel lilnes for the different assemblies. Top hull, bottom hull, canopy landing, landing gear bay......
To fil lthe armature I used all Apoxie sculpt a two part modeling clay.The patterns will be VERY HEAVY but they will be bullet proof also!!!:love Thats the story the pics will explain the rest!....I hope, if you have questions just ask along the way!

Regards,
Michael

 

[3d-builder]

Day two let the clay begin........which is more fun than building the armature!!:lol

 

[3d-builder]

More pics of the clay action.........

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

Looking great Michael. thats going to look awesome when your done. also got those parts sent out to you today.


Al

 

[swfan]

Sweet looking build Michael.

Isel

 

[Lazyeagle]

Hello

That is a marvelous and innovative build. May I ask what's the brand name of the epoxie clay you're using- it's not like Das or something is it? Just wanted to know if there was a UK equivalent brand.

Thanks

'Jay.

 

[3d-builder]

Hello

That is a marvelous and innovative build. May I ask what's the brand name of the epoxie clay you're using- it's not like Das or something is it? Just wanted to know if there was a UK equivalent brand.

Thanks

'Jay.

Jay it's out of the USA and it's called Apoxie Sculpt. It's a two part modeling clay and it's non toxic so you can probably order on-line. It doesn't shrink and it hardens like marbel, you can sand it machine it drill it..........it does make a bit of a mess when sanding, not to bad as I usually wet sand it.

 

[Lazyeagle]

Jay it's out of the USA and it's called Apoxie Sculpt. It's a two part modeling clay and it's non toxic so you can probably order on-line. It doesn't shrink and it hardens like marbel, you can sand it machine it drill it..........it does make a bit of a mess when sanding, not to bad as I usually wet sand it.

Thanks Micheal

The clay route sounds good as I was embarking upon a master pattern build which has a profusion of curves and wasn't looking forward to just smearing two part body filler over a ribbed armature. And as you mentioned it's tough and can be sanded so that's a plus and the fact it's clay could give me a better medium for creating some of the curves.

Thanks again

'Jay.

 

[cayman shen]

I'd like to thank you for bringing the phrase "dead nuts even" into my life.

 

[ralphee]

Great start Michael, im glad your doing this, its a BIG fave of mine!

lee

 

[MonsieurTox]

You're the master about vacforming Michael !
Cant wait to see it finished, I hope you will not redoing this one again and again !

But please go back on your F-117 !

 

[imaginager]

Wow, you're well on your way! Looks great!

 

[3d-builder]

Great start Michael, im glad your doing this, its a BIG fave of mine!

lee

It has to be a fav of yours it's Empire!!!!:lol

Thanks Lee!

 

[3d-builder]

You're the master about vacforming Michael !
Cant wait to see it finished, I hope you will not redoing this one again and again !

But please go back on your F-117 !

No I don't think I will be re-doing much on this one. I will have a bit of bondo action just to make things pretty.

I will get back on the F-117 when I get a bit more cash for the plastic!!

Thanks Julien!

 

[qcfoundry]

michael,
may i ask why you're wearing gloves?
apoxie is non-toxic (is one of their selling points). are you doing something else that the pictures aren't illustrating?
thanx

 

[ralphee]

michael,
may i ask why you're wearing gloves?
apoxie is non-toxic (is one of their selling points). are you doing something else that the pictures aren't illustrating?
thanx

Yeah, keeping his hands clean of apoxie possibly, beats a manicure afterwards :lol

lee

 

[qcfoundry]

lol..
good point....if forget about "others"
i'm one of those manic ppl who trim their fingernails WAY too short (and get constant "reminders" from their loved ones to quit).
suppose the gloves would be rather helpful in that case.

 

[3d-builder]

This pattern for the Pod-car or the pod car in general is very large......and girthy.When you spend 3 hrs with your hands constantly in water and clay they get more than wrinkly!!:lol Not to mention thats 3 hrs for just one half of the hull!!

regards,
Michael

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Love that ship, love that build ! Now I only need to find a european supplier for apoxie sculpt and ... ah heck, I think i´ll have to look for a kit of that ship in the near future !

Michael

 

[REL]

Nice work, Michael. Are you going to make an MF in scale with it?