Gray Fox MGS1 Build
- Thread starter Mach1matt
- Start date
Mach1matt
Active Member
Thanks for your kind words! Yeah, all that will be addressed asap. I’ve been putting it off but you guys are keeping me in check, haha. That’s what sparked the idea to make this thing. I watched a playthrough of MGS1 and decided to take a stab at it. It’s been quite a challenge. I just hope the suit comes out like I envision it.
Mach1matt
Active Member
It most definitely is. It’s been a little slow the last few weeks due to work, but it’s coming together.Bumperoo to see if that wonderful build is still on
Mach1matt
Active Member
I suppose I owe an update for those who are keeping up with this thing. Since my last update, I started addressing the edges of all the different pieces, to try and achieve that machined consistency. Upon taking the faceplates off, the tiny screw threads in the faceplate swing arms stripped out. The 1/8” thick aluminum bar stock just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I went to Home Depot and found some 1/4”x1/4” steel keystock, and some #6 machine screws with nylock nuts. The new pieces are much more rigid and I can fine tune them better. I also screwed the “L” brackets that the swing arms are screwed to the helmet itself, so no more relying solely on hot glue.
I then moved on to gradually dressing up the gaps in the pieces. It’s been very slow and am still to this day adding a little bit at a time.
I needed to ensure the face plates were in their fully closed position so I could address that middle gap, so I started making the little parts behind the faceplates. It also houses the face “sensors”. I had to bend the lexan slightly with heat.
More bondo work.
I decided to cut the back panel out which is where I’ll put the arduino nano. I have a plan on maybe routing wires in a particular way that will look cool. We shall see. I still have another coat or two before I’m satisfied with the gaps.
I also made something that I’ve yet to see on a Gray Fox build, something the Gekko statue that I’m basing this build off of has…eye lenses.
I traced out the eye openings on some duck tape and transferred to lexan. I then heat shaped them and mounted them inside the helmet, and I was STOKED. I’m going to cover them with black one way film after I prime and paint.
I suppose I’ve made more progress than I realized. A lot of it has felt like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Especially with the faceplates. I’ve got to revisit the neck covers, as the epoxy I used to create studs for the hinges didn’t hold that well. I’ve got a solution already figured out for it. I also got 6 of the 9 sensor “sockets” installed (the red wire nut things). I have a special plan for those “sensors”. Im hoping in a few weeks this thing will have primer and paint on it. It’s been kind of cold for South Georgia lately, and I want to wait for good temperatures to spray some paint on it. I appreciate all of you for following my build. I’ll try harder to update more regularly. Thanks everyone!
I then moved on to gradually dressing up the gaps in the pieces. It’s been very slow and am still to this day adding a little bit at a time.
I needed to ensure the face plates were in their fully closed position so I could address that middle gap, so I started making the little parts behind the faceplates. It also houses the face “sensors”. I had to bend the lexan slightly with heat.
More bondo work.
I decided to cut the back panel out which is where I’ll put the arduino nano. I have a plan on maybe routing wires in a particular way that will look cool. We shall see. I still have another coat or two before I’m satisfied with the gaps.
I also made something that I’ve yet to see on a Gray Fox build, something the Gekko statue that I’m basing this build off of has…eye lenses.
I traced out the eye openings on some duck tape and transferred to lexan. I then heat shaped them and mounted them inside the helmet, and I was STOKED. I’m going to cover them with black one way film after I prime and paint.
I suppose I’ve made more progress than I realized. A lot of it has felt like 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Especially with the faceplates. I’ve got to revisit the neck covers, as the epoxy I used to create studs for the hinges didn’t hold that well. I’ve got a solution already figured out for it. I also got 6 of the 9 sensor “sockets” installed (the red wire nut things). I have a special plan for those “sensors”. Im hoping in a few weeks this thing will have primer and paint on it. It’s been kind of cold for South Georgia lately, and I want to wait for good temperatures to spray some paint on it. I appreciate all of you for following my build. I’ll try harder to update more regularly. Thanks everyone!
Mach1matt
Active Member
Hello everyone. I apologize for it being another month without an update. I haven’t had much time to work on the helmet, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t made progress. I’m the last month, I’ve continued to dress the edges up some more. I didn’t take many pics of this process but here are a few:
I then put a couple coats of white primer on it. I was so stoked to finally see it all one color! It helped me see other corrections that I needed to make.
I scuffed the primer and added some spot putty in the obvious places.
I made the foam piece that goes being the back plate which will house the arduino nano once I get to the electronics phase.
As of right now, that’s all of the progress that’s complete. I’m working on it right now and typing this as the LAST bit of bondo is curing. Trying to close up a few more gaps. I hope to get the final coat of spot putty, and then primer by the end of today. I hope to be applying gloss white paint tomorrow throughout the day. I need to stop by an auto parts store and find some burnt orange paint for the back plate. I appreciate you all being patient with me. It’s been almost 6 solid months of working on this thing and I’m nearly burnt out on it. I’ll update as soon as I can. Thanks!
I then put a couple coats of white primer on it. I was so stoked to finally see it all one color! It helped me see other corrections that I needed to make.
I scuffed the primer and added some spot putty in the obvious places.
I made the foam piece that goes being the back plate which will house the arduino nano once I get to the electronics phase.
As of right now, that’s all of the progress that’s complete. I’m working on it right now and typing this as the LAST bit of bondo is curing. Trying to close up a few more gaps. I hope to get the final coat of spot putty, and then primer by the end of today. I hope to be applying gloss white paint tomorrow throughout the day. I need to stop by an auto parts store and find some burnt orange paint for the back plate. I appreciate you all being patient with me. It’s been almost 6 solid months of working on this thing and I’m nearly burnt out on it. I’ll update as soon as I can. Thanks!
joberg
Legendary Member
It's looking very good compared to your previous update. I know; it's a learning curve and you're experimenting with techniques that work or don't The use of Bristol paper to make a dam\form when applying bondo is a good idea...it's just that it's not a strong material and while the bondo dries, your paper might warp. Plastic\Sintra or even a good quality cardboard (make sure you spray it with a gloss) is a better option as to keep your lines and joints straight. Eager to see it painted of course. Keep up the good work
The use of Bristol paper to make a dam\form when applying bondo is a good idea...it's just that it's not a strong material and while the bondo dries, your paper might warp. Plastic\Sintra or even a good quality cardboard (make sure you spray it with a gloss) is a better option as to keep your lines and joints straight. Eager to see it painted of course. Keep up the good work
Mach1matt
Active Member
Thanks! Yeah, it has been. It was definitely a “Hmm, that may work” moment. It actually did help. I found just wrapping masking tape around the previous finished edges and bondo-ing up to them worked. I’ll keep those tips in mind for the next project. Thanks for your input as always joeburg!It's looking very good compared to your previous update. I know; it's a learning curve and you're experimenting with techniques that work or don't
Mach1matt
Active Member
I appreciate it, George! I’m honestly just ready to be through with this process. I’ve still got the suit to build and October is coming fast.No need to apologise; you update when you do
Thanks for sharing your progress & good luck !
George
Master Member
Consider this: if the mask is your greatest 'hurdle' to keep you awake at night, you'll be in (crafter's) Heaven after it's done , racing through the rest of your building process (and ofcourse not forgetting to enjoy each step of the project).
Forget deadlines eventhough you probably established them; they're dead weight that slows you down here and now.Let your enthusiasm be your motivator rather than your watch/calendar/wallet/etc.
Good luck !
Forget deadlines eventhough you probably established them; they're dead weight that slows you down here and now.Let your enthusiasm be your motivator rather than your watch/calendar/wallet/etc.
Good luck !
Mach1matt
Active Member
You always have the right thing to say lol. You’re the Yoda of this thread lol. Honestly, the EVA foam work is what intimidates me. I’ve never really used it before. I’m afraid I’m gonna have an awesome fiberglass helmet with a crappy foam suit below it. I noticed how easy it was to contour and heat shape making that panel behind the back plate, so I’m optimistic. The main thing I’ve noticed thus far is how inconsistent my cut edges are. I’m sure with some practice I’ll get better though. I’ll definitely be watching more YouTube foam tutorials once I get there. But anyways, thanks for all the encouragement throughout this build! It means a lot.
Mach1matt
Active Member
Hopefully so lol. I do too! I was skeptical at first as to how it would look. It’s VHT Engine paint. Burnt Copper. I was honest surprised at the lack of orange paint at the local Advance Auto Parts. It’s a pretty close match to my reference pics, and metallic at that. Kind of a shame only that small little piece has such a nice color lol. The suit has a lot of it though. Should look killer against the blue.Paint will make it even better...love that finish on that small orangey piece
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George
Master Member
Nice, smooth surface on that helmet and awesome looking paintjob.
I so recognize the hesitation if not intimidation with new or challenging things, but then the thesis would become: it all depends on how bad you want this that will enable you to reach your dream.
Perhaps not even look ahead that far: just this small step.And above all: enjoy what you're doing.Make your field of vision smaller: just this brush stroke, and sense your enthusiasm for this project as you do it.
It's my favorite character from MGS1 for PS1 as well, and believe me: I played that sucker red hot with every break from school I could find.Compelling storyline, intense suspense, Meryl looked the bomb even without her Desert Eagle, and ofcourse always going for extra mile and happy ending for everybody.
Excellent choice for a project.Can't wait for the next update.
I so recognize the hesitation if not intimidation with new or challenging things, but then the thesis would become: it all depends on how bad you want this that will enable you to reach your dream.
Perhaps not even look ahead that far: just this small step.And above all: enjoy what you're doing.Make your field of vision smaller: just this brush stroke, and sense your enthusiasm for this project as you do it.
It's my favorite character from MGS1 for PS1 as well, and believe me: I played that sucker red hot with every break from school I could find.Compelling storyline, intense suspense, Meryl looked the bomb even without her Desert Eagle, and ofcourse always going for extra mile and happy ending for everybody.
Excellent choice for a project.Can't wait for the next update.
Mach1matt
Active Member
Thanks man. I will probably apply one more solid base coat. I gotta find some inkjet water slide decal paper locally before I add the clear coat. Oh, I want to finish this thing bad. I’m sure I’ll get the hang of the foam work relatively quickly. He is my favorite character too. Made unlocking him in VR missions that much more satisfying, even if it was for 3 small missions.
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