Iron Man build advice

[extremisMK1]

Loving this site and how everyone pulls together and helps out. Some of the showcase stuff here is amazing!

I'm looking to start my own Iron Man MKIII build in the next couple of months, I'm just getting some tools and equipment together, but I was looking for some advice on build material. What works best and good starting point.

I'm using Pepakura for the templates with the aim of fibre glassing the suit but I've noticed other methods like foam or cardboard. As a noob just starting out I'd love to know what other peoples have experianced or any hints or tips

 

[typewriter]

Loving this site and how everyone pulls together and helps out. Some of the showcase stuff here is amazing!

I'm looking to start my own Iron Man MKIII build in the next couple of months, I'm just getting some tools and equipment together, but I was looking for some advice on build material. What works best and good starting point.

I'm using Pepakura for the templates with the aim of fibre glassing the suit but I've noticed other methods like foam or cardboard. As a noob just starting out I'd love to know what other peoples have experianced or any hints or tips

Hello buddy welcome to therpf! an advice or opinion (i guess?) I can give you for material is this:

The old school method (pepakura, resin, fiberglass, bondo (carfiller, sand etc) gives the most accurate results but the difficulty and time you have to invest is A LOT. Also this requires a bit more power tools (dremel, sanding tools, organic respirators, etc) and lots and lots of patience.

The Foam method: this method is relatively cheap and easy ( I never tried it, but fellow rpf'ers say its easy?), you just need a gluegun, xacto knife but it gives not that accurate (if youre not that experienced, I've seen people who are great with foam and they make accurate results) results.

Cardboard method, you may want to check out blackdynamo2's build thread if you want more info, I have no experience with this hehehe!

So finally, I recommend the old school method because it gives the highest quality (correct me anyone if I am wrong) of replica prop. But as ive said, time, money, patience are things you have to consider for a pep resin build
Thanks! Hope I helped somehow!! By the way, these are just opinions, so please be gentle if anyone disagrees.. just want to help a fellow rpfer

 

[extremisMK1]

Thanks typewriter - I'm defiantly looking for that accurate finish so putting the time and money in will hopefully pay off. It's putting a workshop together to build this that adds to the excitement.

Looking at some of the builds the foam version look good but almost disposable but the idea of changing and upgrading other parts over time seems like the most cost effective way as well.

Just need some good paper stock now.

 

[typewriter]

No prob buddy! Keep building and be patient!! hope to see your build soon!

 

[IMIM2]

check out my tip#22 on the link below.
there's my thoughts on plus and minus between paper and foam route.

 

[Kroazer]

I just started my first pepakura Iron Man suit as well, never worked with that before but I found a lot of info on youtube and here on the RPF! I'm doing the rescue armor from the comic books and just finished the pep helmet and the neck part, I'm working on the chest plate right now. I went for the fiberglass method because I wanted a cleaner and more realistic suit (and also 'cause I'll have all summer to build it). I hope to see pictures of your build soon
I hope your project is going to go well

Good luck!

 

[Randall Pink]

I disagree with the "foam is easier" theory that is floating around. It's cheaper and does require less elbow grease, but it is not "easier" in my opinion. Some of the the things some of the guys do with foam on here is amazing. They make it look easy. I found it quite maddening actually. I had to abandon the foam method as I was beyond frustrated. I remade the left gauntlet on an my Iron man IV 3 times and the bicep 2 or 3 times putting in countless hours during the week and using up most of my weekend. None of them were acceptable or looked anywhere as good as the ones you see on here. It looked like I had rushed it when I had taken my time. So i've switched to the resin/fiberglass route for now. I may give some of the pieces another go with foam and end up with a hybrid Iron Man. Not sure yet. Still fuming with frustration over my results with foam.

 

[extremisMK1]

I just started my first pepakura Iron Man suit as well, never worked with that before but I found a lot of info on youtube and here on the RPF! I'm doing the rescue armor from the comic books and just finished the pep helmet and the neck part, I'm working on the chest plate right now. I went for the fiberglass method because I wanted a cleaner and more realistic suit (and also 'cause I'll have all summer to build it). I hope to see pictures of your build soon
I hope your project is going to go well

Good luck!

Thanks for the advise so far everyone. It's interesting the hear how some people find it easier one way and not the other. I'm still siding with the resin build so just practicing with the paper models and then on with the build.

The Rescue build sounds very interesting Kroazar. I love that design so will be very interested in seeing how that turns out.