Iron Man MK 3/ Fem. Capt America WIP (Couples Cosplay)

[Dardger]

Hi everyone. I've been wanting to try my hand a pepakura for a while now, but I've never gotten around to it. I'm going to Katsucon in February, so I now have somewhere to wear my Ironman suit, and a deadline. Hopefully I will get it all done in 6 months.

So far in my research, the following people have been incredibly informative. I want to thank you guys for posting and showing people how to create these things. I wanted to let people know that I used their teachings to put in my costume.

People I want to thank:
Dancing Fool- files
Stealth- tutorials and Youtube channel
Zabana- files
Indie film geek- tutorials and posts
XRobots.co.uk- tutorials and posts

I've been reading the forums with my girlfriend, and we both agree that this place is very informative, and very helpful site. Hopefully you guys can help me in my journey in making my Ironman costume and my girlfriend's female Captain America costume. I don't want to sound like I'm begging, or asking anyone to stop by, but I just thought I would document my progress and ask questions as I go along.

I'll be posting pictures and updating frequently.

 

[Dardger]

I've been looking all over for how to measure various parts of the costume, but for the life of me, I can't find out how to measure for the side abs.

So far, these have been a life saver:

silentd3at4
How to size War Machine and Iron Man pep files

Halo Goddess
HaloGoddess' "How To Scale" and More Tutorial

 

[Dardger]

I just finished gluing and reinforcing the chest piece. I plan on hardening it with Smooth Cast 325. I've used it for other projects and really like it. This weekend I'm going to the Dollar Store and Home Depot to find some stuff for the Arc Reactor.

 

[stabyd]

not to be an ass, but you should use foam instead of paper because the finished paper armor looks terrible

 

[Helagak]

In the most respectful way possible, I agree. The pepakura did not turn out well... This isn't an attack. Pepakura is incredibly difficult and time consuming! Seriously, try a foam build. It's faster and easier. And seeing good results will just encourage you to keep going. That's the reason I am doing a foam build.
Good luck man! Hope it turns out awesome!!

 

[IMIM2]

Did you use scribber first before folding? I think it helps to have cleaner folds.
If I am not mistaken, some folding direction is also wrong.
Check the paper weight also.
Hope it helps.

 

[Dardger]

Thanks for the input everyone. The paper pep has a definite learning curve. I'm using 110 weight card stock, and hot glue. The hole is definitely a bit wonky, but I'm planning on modifying that anyway. And the scriber is a really good idea- I've been using the blunt side of the exacto knife which is... not ideal. lol.

I already have all of the stuff for the paper version. I hope that I can fix most of it as I'm hardening it. But I may just scrap this piece all together and redo it.

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate the input. And I hope I don't come across as offended or aggressive.

 

[Duncs]

one day ill have a go at this lol

 

[Dardger]

Hi all. After some research and soul searching (and being reminded that Amazon has a kick ass return policy) I decided to go with foam. Helagak, your foam armor looks amazing and it gave me the final push to go foam.

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Doomster, I want to commend your attitude towards this. The previous comments were a bit blunt, and many people would have immediately jumped on the defensive. Pepping is definitely a time investment, so the decision to scrap a large piece like the chest is a hard one for sure. I'm sure you have learned a few things from that first build, and that will make your project all that much better. Well done! :thumbsup

 

[IMIM2]

I didn't realise the background until you mentioned it.
You did hot melt on paper?
Paper is thin, and hot melt (as it sounds) is HOT.
I started using glue stick at first, but you need to find a good one that strong enough.
I decided to switch to PVA glue (White glue) and ended up using it for foam coats. I switch from paper to foam after one try.
But I am not trying to encourage you to switch.

 

[Dardger]

I didn't realise the background until you mentioned it.
You did hot melt on paper?
Paper is thin, and hot melt (as it sounds) is HOT.
I started using glue stick at first, but you need to find a good one that strong enough.
I decided to switch to PVA glue (White glue) and ended up using it for foam coats. I switch from paper to foam after one try.
But I am not trying to encourage you to switch.

I think you're right, the hot glue was causing the paper to warp. :facepalm
But I'm with you, after the first piece I made, foam seems the way to go.

 

[Dardger]

Doomster, I want to commend your attitude towards this. The previous comments were a bit blunt, and many people would have immediately jumped on the defensive. Pepping is definitely a time investment, so the decision to scrap a large piece like the chest is a hard one for sure. I'm sure you have learned a few things from that first build, and that will make your project all that much better. Well done! :thumbsup

Thank you for commending me on my attitude. It definitely makes me feel better after explaining to the Miss about large projects. She was pretty shellshocked.

 

[Dardger]

The foam:



It seems easy to cut with sharp exacto knives, and it was only $17 a 4' x 5' roll. I bought extra, just in case.

 

[IMIM2]

Doomster,
I suggest you read JF custom thread:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/foam-speed-building-filesntricks-added-guyver-war-148889/
before you start foam building.

 

[Dardger]

Doomster,
I suggest you read JF custom thread:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/foam-speed-building-filesntricks-added-guyver-war-148889/
before you start foam building.

Thanks, this is very helpful! One thing I am still a bit confused on, and I can't seem to find the answer anywhere... there are dotted lines on some of the pieces (on the edge, not on the inner parts). What should I do with those? (Below, I've attached a photo of what I'm talking about)
Also, in Stealth's video, he says you should disconnect the dotted lines on the inside. Some of the pieces look really small when I disconnect them. Am I doing it wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[IMIM2]

I don't have the version of Mk 3 you have.
But judging from the picture it should not be connected
Green indicates neck lower armor
Red is side upper back panel

 

[Dardger]

I don't have the version of Mk 3 you have.
But judging from the picture it should not be connected
Green indicates neck lower armor
Red is side upper back panel

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Dardger]

Well, okay...I feel kind of stupid. This is my second try and I'm still not sure I'm getting it. The first try I tried to combine some of the smaller pieces into larger pieces, and that didn't work out too well. So then I quit trying to be fancy and went straight from the templates, and it looks huge. I'm 5'10, and Dancin Fool's files are the standard 6', so I thought it would fit right, but alas, it seems made for a giant.

I checked out JFCustom's thread (thanks for the tip, IMIM2) but apparently it didn't stick... Any tips for foam working would be greatly appreciated! The pieces don't seem to fit together. You all have already been awesome help.

I'm building the Arc Reactor while I'm taking a break to research what I'm doing wrong with the chest. I built a prototype, but scrapped it. Once I finish the good version, I'll share the photos and information. I appreciate everyone that stops by, and don't want to bore you with failed experiments.

 

[IMIM2]

The seams look okay. You're doing good.

Do you have pepakura software near you when you glue the pieces together? Looks like you glued wrong pieces.
It is important to have the monitor near you so you can check and TEST FIT before gluing. The 3D side of the software can be rotated, zoomed or select certain area for confirmation, and it linked to 2D side. Use that.
Read JF's thread carefully, especially on the gluing tips. He was very detailed yet his illustration and explanation were so simple.

Take picture on what specific area you think you made mistake and share it. By doing that we help other people not to make the same mistake

Too bad I'm not into Mk3. I have Mk6 that is already simplified, cut and ready to assembled, and that's10mm! Otherwise we can build them together.

Well, I am busy with other side project at the moment anyway.