How long does it normally take you guys for a foam Iron Man build?

[MasterMichael]

I'm thinking I'm pretty slow. It takes me hours just to glue a piece together. Maybe I need to learn to pick up the speed? I only have done (foam) helmet, boots, shins, and cod piece. If I worked at it 6-8 hours a day do you think I'd be able to finish it all before Halloween? This is including covering it in smooth cast 65D, sanding, painting, and other small details. My last years build ended up pretty badly, while wearing it, thanks to only having a layer of glue covering it.

 

[markseven]

Time, budget, quality - pick two! Depending on the quality u wanna achieve, u might or might not make it in time. Experience and right tools will fasten your build. If u lack those then better off buying a finished one from others. I hope it helps

 

[Psicorp7]

My Iron Man builds have taken anywhere from 9 months to 4 months. It can be done quicker but you have to cut some corners and simplify your patterns. Or you can give up work and sleep and hope for the best! :lol

Which mark are you doing? Maybe you can do a half-armored Tony like in Iron Man 3 or the arm test in Iron Man 1?

Good Luck!

 

[MasterMichael]

I am working on Mk. 43, same one I did for last Halloween. Just using foam and coating it with liquid plastic. I've already got all the measurements done. I'm just wanting it look of better quality than last years. I haven't painted completed parts though, that will be a challenge. Last year the spray paint got every where when I tried to do that.

 

[George]

Michael,my advise would be to take your time for something that already costs a lot of money and is supposed to be fun.Don't make it harder on yourself by setting a deadline like so many others do.Craft because it is your hobby that you enjoy.You're not here for a job application at Stan Winston's School,so no-one is expecting anything from you,except you enjoying what you do.The rest is a matter of reading and applying,time and experience,improving where you can.Now go and have fun opcorn

 

[Ikras]

I'm with George on this one. Took me two years (on and off) getting mine done but it was worth the time. If you rush it then things will go wrong, things will not turn out how you want them too and there's a good chance you won't be happy with the outcome.

Some people can pop out a helmet in 4 hours that looks amazing, but they've been at this for years. With time and experience things will come faster.

I think that you just need to try and set a realistic target of what you want to have done. Don't be afraid to accept that some things may not happen in time. Better to miss the deadline and produce something that is everything you want it to be than rush parts and have it complete but not be satisfied.

It entirely comes down to your preference in the end.
Enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[blue2k]

Takes me about 2 weeks to make a full iron man suit from foam (painted, electronics, hinge systems, strapping etc). Few hours at night (after work etc) should do it. I suppose it would also depend on the iron man suit version, some are simpler than others. The more you get used to it, the quicker it will be. Familiarity breeds contempt etc. The first version I made took about a month and a half, but most of that time was devoted to researching materials, construction methods and what have you.