MDF M8 Avenger/Foam N7 Armor Build

[Dainbramage546]

With Mass Effect 3 coming out next month and finally getting a short break between projects in college, I decided to finally get around to the M8 Avenger.

I'll try to take a decent amount of pictures of the process, but I tend to get caught up in working and forget.

Using a mix of Volpin's blueprints, reference pictures, and a papercraft model, I made some rough blueprints of my own, which I turned into stencils. MDF board is amazing for this kind of build so I bought a 4' x 2' sheet of 3/4" and a 4' x 2' sheet of 1/4" for details.

If you've seen the build by Mr. Krix, I followed his idea of making a skeleton and putting the gun together like a puzzle, allowing the use of a belt sander.

MDF makes a really fine dust (which is "toxic") and also clogs up respirators really fast so I bought super dust masks for sanding and woodworking.

All cut out!

N7 Armor
After seeing the awesome sets of armor by EvilFX and how relatively cheap EVA foam is, what better way to pick up ME3 at midnight then as Commander Shepard?

I started by making a duct tape mannequin. My roommate found this hilarious, but helped out anyway.

Scaled and ready to go.

I'm an architecture student so this step was made easier with a plotter.

All done! I printed out the front and back but you get the idea.

I love the way the EVA foam looks. I got 4 24"x24" sheets at Lowes for $17.

Mass Effect 2 Templates Have Arrived
Here's the link where I got the templates. He has some videos on how to scale them as well if you haven't really used any adobe software.

Mass Effect N7 Armor Build! « Evil FX / BioWeapons.com
Volpin Props: Mass Effect M8 Avenger Assault Rifle
Those are the builds that inspired me to do this. Thank you!

I'll post more as it progresses!

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

After a few days work, I decided it was time for an update. Picture heavy.

Starting to assemble the pieces.

Most of the sanding was done with a belt sander. It made my life so much easier.

I got a new toy for my dremel. It made details easier and straighter.

And here's what it looks like now. I need to make the scope and middle pieces (out of styrene) as well as a few other small things. I ordered the gallon kits of OOMOO 25 and Smoothcast 300 and they came friday. Hopefully I can get this done and molded by wednesday. If anyone is interested I might sell a few casts of it.

 

[pRoJectEarth7]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Excellent work there man...thumbsup

With the speed you're doing things, I'm sure you'll be ready in no time...

Cant wait to see everything finished and you fully suited up...:love

Keep building... cheers!

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Looks great so far! I really need to try using MDF on something.

 

[Jeyl]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Will the trigger move?

:confused

 

[Wes R]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Looks really good and I want that printer, it would make large scale projects like this so much easier.

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Will the trigger move?

:confused

There's something I really want to do with the M8 that would in fact make the trigger move, as well as do other things. I don't want to say it yet, since I don't know if I could pull it off haha We'll see

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Just a quick update. Tomorrow I'm going to put on the pieces I made with styrene and then molding and casting!!

 

[cosmic_x]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

molding and casting? Will you offer kits?

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

If there's interest I'd do a run of them. I could have them available in the next couple days. PM me if you're interested

I'm doing a little better at taking pictures than I thought.
Another perk of being a college architecture student is our large spray booth. It's winter in North Dakota so I'd be screwed without it.

Nick, holding the M8

Since I didn't want to make 8 of these, and 12 of the other little styrene piece, I molded them.

My roommates probably hate me for taking up all of the counter space. Oh well.

Dixie cup molds. They can be used for something other than beer! :lol

I always make too much plastic and I need some more claws for portal guns, so it's kind of a win win.

I'm going to finish up the styrene parts on the gun, sand the first layer of primer and recoat it, then molding tonight!

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Here's a couple shots of it all put together!

I'll update more once I get the molding done!

 

[Yodajammies]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Great job with this build! Your cuts and assembly looks very precise.

 

[AnotherChris]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

The work is amazing and the speed at which it's coming together is mind-bogglingly impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how the molds come out.

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Great job with this build! Your cuts and assembly looks very precise.

Thanks! The band saw and belt sander were my best friends during this build :lol

The work is amazing and the speed at which it's coming together is mind-bogglingly impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how the molds come out.

Thanks! The last week or so I've been spending at least five hours a day at the woodshop, trying to finish this beast before ME3 comes out. Hopefully the molds come together as well as the rifle did

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

That is sweet! How much does it weigh so far?

 

[Crank729]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Awesome build!!!

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

That is sweet! How much does it weigh so far?

I'm not exactly sure, but the weight of it feels about what a rifle of this size would. It feels really solid.

Awesome build!!!

Thanks!

 

[Dainbramage546]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

Just a quick update on this, I gave it a quick painting, made the scope, and I'm molding it tonight with Rebound 25. I also took this to the midnight release of ME3 last night and it was a big hit.

 

[scorpion]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

super awesomeeeee build your work is perfect!!

 

[Fuzzual]

Re: M8 Avenger/N7 Armor Build

excellent build sir, great detail!