Iron Man Mark VII Cardboard build - First Build (and first Post)

[Runningwater]

Hey All,

First off I just wanted to stay thank you to everyone for being a huge inspiration. The work that so many of you do on here is incredible and inspiring.

After finally giving up something that had been taking up a huge chunk of my time (World of Warcraft), I have now been able to focus on doing something that I've been wanting to do since I watched the first Iron Man movie--making an Iron Man costume! Back then I had no idea of how to even begin in making one; now after finding awesome tutorials, like the ones Stealth does on The Hero Tutorials and by other who show their processes step-by-step, I know that it is achievable and can be duplicated!

I'm currently working on the Iron Man Mark VII helmet in cardboard, I've gotten most of it complete, however the chin is giving me problems. I cannot get it to line up correctly with the rest of the face plate. If I bend it to line up with the face plate then the outsides jut WAY out and it doesn't look right. I'm using the foam templates from Darkside501st and I have a feeling I've folded them incorrectly or something.

I've attached the pictures of what I have so far, and have been struggling all night with trying to get that chin piece to attach correctly but it just won't! Please critique the helmet as you see fit, as I have said it's my very first build and I really want a good one! I'd love for the full build to be done by Halloween which is creeping up on us very quickly!!

Thanks again for the inspiration and for any help that you can give!

Sincerely,

Runningwater

 

[mactonto]

definitly somthing going wrong with the jaw porton the rest looks good from what I see. the jaw needs to be curved in a bit. I have some pics of my mark VI on my old build that might help page 2 i think ... mind you its not the best but hope it helps.



http://www.therpf.com/f24/first-build-mark-vi-my-5-year-old-son-myself-161023/index2.html

 

[Runningwater]

Thanks for the quick reply mactonto! I think I may try to recut that piece and see if I can reshape it.

 

[mactonto]

the pcs. on the main helmut that meets the lower part of the face plate (where the angled is cut) needs to be pushed in. also try looking at the mark VI files alot of the pcs. needed to be overlapped to fit so it creates depth

- - - Updated - - -

good luck I'm going to bed... I'll check in, in the morning to see how you did.
I don't think I slept at all when I did my first build... LOL

 

[ShockBlade501]

Are you gonna do the whole suit, bro? Cuz if you are, you gotta fiberglass it. I did a whole cardboard Iron Patriot build, but i didnt fiberglass him due to a time crunch for the movie premiere.... poor guy fell apart at the theater . Also, ive had terrible luck with cardboard iron man helmets... cant seem to make things line up or wrong angles, so i highly recommend the pepakura method. It takes longer, but if youre committed, the results are spectacular! But cardboard is great practice for a first build, looks pretty good!

 

[Runningwater]

Mactonto - I didn't get a chance to do any more work on the helmet last night - this past week has been mega busy and I'm getting as much time in on the helmet while I can. I'll try to get some more progress done tonight...we'll see how that goes.

ShockBlade501 - I do plan on doing the whole suit. I also plan on resin'ing it and fiberglassing the whole thing. I want it to be wearable and when I'm not wearing it I'd like it to be a part of my man cave/media center. I don't know that I'll be doing the whole electronic thing on my first go at it...but we'll see when things get closer to being done. Thanks for the encouraging words!

I'm afraid I may have to make it a size or 2 bigger for my head though...when I put it on it's so tight against the sides of my head - i'm not sure that there will be anywhere for a battery to sit to light up the eyes!!! I started out with a 95 scaled version as my head is about 22" in circumference and from what i saw 95% scale should be good for a 22"-23" head.

However, this will be a good first attempt and if I end up not being able to actually wear it, it will make a good deskside companion

 

[Runningwater]

Alright, sorry for the long delay...I finally was able to re-do the chin/bottom jaw for the Mark VII helm. I don't know if I'm pleased with the overall look. I've added some pictures, is it salvageable? or should I try to do the whole thing over. It "looks" like Iron Man...but I don't know. Is the bottom tab of the mouth supposed to be recessed into the chin, or is it supposed to be above it? Let me know what y'all think, seriously - I need some feedback, I want to do this, and I want it to be right!!


Thanks

RW

 

[Jmen]

Not bad! What is the next step? its interesting to see a process. Good luck!