Ironman Arc Reactor build up from my kit. [IMG heavy + timelapse video]

[MandoMan531]

Just got my kit today. Looks great TC!! Thanks again. Hoping to get the rest of my materials next week and get started.

As I was scrolling down and hit the above pic of the Arc I thought, "the screen looks like faucet screen" haha. Has anyone figured out what kind of power connector that is on it in that pic?

 

[FSURobbie]

Hey TC, quick question for you. I'm not sure if you know or not, but does the mesh cover the whole area at the base there or just the round center? I was looking at pics of the prop itself, as well as Jason Ehl's beautiful machined build he made and while I couldn't tell definitively from the prop he definitely covered the whole area. See here:

http://www.therpf.com/attachments/f9/machined-iron-man-arc-reactor-img_2912.jpg-25687d1273873829

I got an aerator to cover the round portion as I had come to similar conclusions on my own about finding a finer mesh, but I'm debating whether I need to cover those three elongated rounded rectangles that encircle the center of the reactor and wanted to get feedback from you and others.

Also, can you tell me the type of capacitor that came with the kit? I have been trying to track down a more screen accurate baby bluish capacitor based off of pics of the prop but unfortunately electronic sites don't allow you to search capacitors by color.

Thanks man, the kit is coming together beautifully, hopefully I can post some photos this weekend!

EDIT: I also tracked down some glass half circles to cover the mesh with like Jason did. I'm not sure if it was in the actual prop but it was in the concept drawings and I thought it added a beautiful pop to Jason's build. For anyone looking for similar, you want a .5" or 12mm glass/acrylic cabochons (say that five times fast!). I actually had an easier time tracking down cheap glass cabochons rather than acrylic, I ordered 3 for .65! If anyone is interested, here's the site and product page I used:

12mm Glass Circles - Glass Domes - Cabochons

 

[ThrowingChicken]

If Jason witnessed the mesh covering the whole area and it wasn't just an artistic decision by him, then I'd say there is no reason to doubt that testimony, but I could not see it in any of the reference available. If there is mesh there, then there must be two layers of mesh because if you look at the photo above you can see that the mesh within the small brass ring is right up against the ring. If it were only behind the chassis then there would be a noticeable gap between the ring and the mesh.

As for the capacitor, I initially had the perfect one lined up, then I found out the shop could not supply the amount I would need for the run, and they had no way of getting more.

This is what I wanted to use, maybe they still have enough left in stock that a few of you can get the amount you need - https://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16164

 

[FSURobbie]

Hey TC,

Cool, thanks for the heads up on the capacitors!

I'm not sure if it was an artistic decision on Jason's part or not. Might be a moot point though, I've struggled finding a fine mesh like the sink aerator that is large enough to cover the entire area. Jason used a tea strainer but the aerator is a much finer mesh and I would like to go with something similar if I can find enough of it.

Thanks for your help!

 

[FSURobbie]

So I started wiring the LED's last night and I know NOTHING about electronics and wiring. I bought the tools to solder the wires but would appreciate any advice on doing it properly. Also, how do we test the lights? Again, total NOOB with electronics.

 

[ThrowingChicken]

That might be better left to someone else to explain, or maybe looking at video on youtube. I am pretty terrible with the internal workings of electronics and soldering.

 

[Luke0312]

I've made some progress with mine. Chose to do some things to my own taste (mainly not being as neat with the wire and use bare copper wire, while insulting LEDs under the wire). I also finished up the cooling fins today, still got to attach them and decide on how to run the wiring for it all.

 

[Valor]

Where did you get that back cage????

 

[Luke0312]

Where did you get that back cage????

I made it, been working on it for a few days. Made two of the arm pieces, molded them. Then kept casting until I had 10, made another moldof 10, cast them, so I finally had my 20. Also just molded and cast the ring and top piece for it.

 

[Berserk]

got mine in the mail today. Considering leaving work early so I can start work on it......

 

[Davlin]

Wow, that's an amazing kit you did here, ThrowingChicken. I'm really humbled by your creativity.

 

[Thessalia]

Got the kit today, I can't wait to start putting it together! One question for anyone who has worn theirs or is planning on wearing it- how would you guys recommend attaching it to wear? I'm thinking maybe attach it to a heart rate monitor strap somehow, but I'm not sure...any thoughts? My only hesitation with the strap is that it would be pretty obvious under a white shirt or tank top (I'm planning on wearing it under a thin black shirt, so I wouldn't mind the strap, but my boyfriend will probably end up doing a Tony Stark costume at some point and I think he wanted to do an open dress shirt or something. Maybe spirit glue if it's not too heavy when it's all put together.)

Anyway, any input would be appreciated! I can't wait for the weekend so I can get down to work on it

 

[ThrowingChicken]

I haven't done it yet, but for my personal build I'm thinking I will mount the outer housing to some bandage or something I can wrap around my chest, then place the arc into the housing. I'm also thinking about making contacts out of magnets, so I can pop out the arc without having to plug or unplug anything.

 

[krayvis]

Holy cow. I just made my own arc reactor from scratch, but this completely blows that one out of the water. This is intensely detailed. The one thing I would say is to just use real wire to bridge the transformers. You already have that epoxy-chrome paint mix. Use that to cement the wires.

 

[johnpavlich]

This may be a stupid question, but I'm new to all this. In your first picture (where you show all of the pieces that come in the kit), your green "glass" ring and light diffusion ring are not transparent and white on the top, respectively. That's how they are in my kit as well. Then, a few images later (the one that just features those two rings), the green ring is completely transparent all the way around and the light diffusion ring is all white. My question is, how does one achieve that? Am I supposed to use sandpaper to rub those parts away to uncover the same way they look on the sides?

 

[johnpavlich]

Boy, I feel crazy stupid right now. Two minutes after posting the above question, I carefully discovered those parts are merely a thin paper covering that just peels right off, like a sticker! Never mind!

 

[ThrowingChicken]

Don't worry, it happens to the best of us.

 

[FSURobbie]

Almost done with mine and it looks great, just have to buy a battery pack so I can test the LED's before I get it soldered together. Once I wrap it up I will share some pics. Should I post them here or make a my own thread? Not sure what standard practice is...

Thanks again TC, it's a beautiful piece.

 

[Valor]

Hey everyone. I'm essentially finished with this exceptional kit. Thank you TC for making this possible. Hope it's okay to share, but I'm pretty jazzed about this.

Here's a couple things I did differently.

1) I created my own version of the back housing for the arc. Not screen accurate, but I still wanted something that looked like it could have been salvaged from a cave. What I used was a simple PVC fitting I found at the hardware store. I cut vertical slats in it to emulate a heat-sink look. The rear of it was a lawn sprinkler fitting as the end cap.

2) Knowing that the inside components would be seen through the slats, I wanted the inside to be functional, but interesting. So I created a wire structure around some copper rings that connected all the leds and resistors. I also used a large 10mm led as a center lamp for the center circle.

3) I added a tiny push switch on the side to turn it on and off. The whole thing is powered by two 3V CR2032 batteries accessible by the removable back panel.

I also wanted a well weathered arc. And I'm still getting some details done.

So, thanks again TC.

 

[Jerome]

That actually looks pretty good! Thanks for the ideas. Are you adding the outer ring casing to it?