My EXPANSE weapons, Miller's hat (and a Foundation Prime Radiant cameo...)

[JOATRASH FX]

Hey gang,

I've been slowly getting back into making stuff, so I figured I'd do a collective thread about it . I've got a few things on the burner- a revisit of "Vera" from Firefly (has its own thread), I've been tinkering with the Prime Radiant from Foundation since the premiere of Season 2 and a whole mess of pistols and other things from The Expanse. I've also been (very slowly) sculpting new heads for the old Hot Toys Hicks, Apone and Vasqez 1/6 figures. (I might have to do a thread on those in the modeling secion instead of here... we'll see.)

First up some photos from the Expanse and Foundation.

Prime Radiant prototype. The final version will have traced engravings from the screen prop!

The above is my "almost final version". I made 3-4 different finished copies and probably printed another 4 sets of parts with different types of symbols and lettering. (The real prop has a series of geometric shapes. I've been spending some time trying to redraw them to see if they will print nicely as engravings.

Here's a W-I-P of me redrawing the correct symbols of the prop after perspective-correcting screengrabs.

I'll see if I can do some w-i-p shots of how I assemble it when I build the next version.

As for the Expanse, the first thing I did was Miller's hat. The original Guido Delgado is impossible to find, so I found a "close enough" trilby, re-bashed it, trimmed the brim and put a new band on it... pretty much redid it from the ground up and even metal printed a badge!

(I will be remodeling the grips on the airsoft Rhino...)
I've only just made a start on Amos' shotgun. The correct laser scope is impossible to find now, but there's sn updated model that I have and will be modding to get is close. There are a lot of models of FN airsoft out there but only one has the correct details and rivel positions... it's not cheap, however.

Next up, the Star Helix. This is pretty much done, except for the decals which I'll probably do for ALL the props at once. I looked for a small enough flashlight to fit in the scope, but the tube is so thin that in the end I opted to just prep it for adding a LED. I also made it so it can be tapped and screwed in place, without using any glue!

Printed, primed and test-fitted:

The first copy I did had threads on the light cap, but it ended up being a very tight fit.

Here's a test-painting of it (front barrels are not on yet). Much too saturated blue, so I'll be redoing it.

Mars pistol... this one was pretty fast and easy. (I also managed to snag one of THE last copies of the under-rail laser pointer.) I am talking to a machinist about doing the rear barrel in aluminum for me. Looks rather bland without all the markings!

I'll be doing Ashford's pistol too... I have the paintball marker, just haven't started on it yet.


(Note: I do have runs going for both the Prime Radiant and a couple Expanse props, but please keep any questions about the runs there or via PM and not here, as per the RPF rules!)

More pics and build info when I have it...

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Some shots of Miller's hat... before and after.

The crown taper is all wrong, so I actually created a shaping buck to fix it...

The buck has a 3d printed shell and is filled with plaster. An IKEA leg serves as the stand for it! That way, if I need to make a differently shaped buck, I can just unscrew this one and swap it out. (The hat on the buck is a brown version I'm working on that will have a Hellboy BPRD badge!)

The base hat came with this awful turned-over trim edge with a plastic wire inside, so I cut it off, removed the wire and replaced with an accurate edge-ribbon instead.

I don't have a bust of Thomas Jane, so good ol' Yondu "Mary Poppins" Udanta will have to model for me.

(I still need to add a black feather!)

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Well, I promised some W-I-P shots of the Prime Radiant, so here goes.

Where do the supports end and where does the lattice begin? I need a magnifying glass to cut them all off! I use a very fine electronics clipper for it.

Test-fitting in the shell.

Gloss-coating the inside. Many layers creates nice light refraction. (I could also fill it with clear resin, but since I don't have a pressure pot, there's too big a risk of air bubbles that will ruin the look.)

Protip: Putting masking tape on a flat glass pane is great when glueing things like this, because the epoxy resin doesn't stick to the tape, and glass panes are often more evenly flat than a wooden workbench! (Also great for flat-sanding by hand... tape some sandpaper to the glass, grit upward.)

Now... so far so good. After hours of tracing, drawing and tinkering, I managed to transfer most of the correct geometric symbols from the actual prop to my model. (I was originally happy and done with a "close enough" font to do the engravings, but decided to throw caution to the wind and go the extra mile. IF I can make these work... it'll be that much closer to screen accurate.) These are SMALL, like... smaller than a pinhead small... so there's a risk my clear coat will fill them in too much, but I think it'll be OK. (The frosted look will of course disappear one a gloss coat comes on.) Fingers crossed...

More updates soon...

 

[JOATRASH FX]

Success!
After a bunch of clear-coats and polishing, I'm ready to show these shots:

I was a bit afraid that multiple clear coats might fill in the runes, but they turned out fine. The trick was many thin coats (actually, about 8-10 in total) and making the symbols just deep enough. (I did a little insert with some of the runes from the screen prop for comparison.)

My junkyard thread has also been updated.

 

[graffitilogic]

Love both of these excellent sci-fi properties and I'm enjoying your work and progress - looks fantastic!

 

[Praetor]

I love this!

If it’s of interest, I’ve noticed while trying to pick apart the distortions and reflections of the prop in the show, that the gold lattice may be made of two separate frames sitting one on the other. I’ll see if I can get the reference shots uploaded to share (I’m currently on mobile).

 

[Praetor]

 

[Praetor]

View attachment 1762900
View attachment 1762901

View attachment 1762902
View attachment 1762903

You’ll notice there are some distortions near the edges, sort of a prism effect, but i don’t believe that’s the case for the sections I’ve marked here.

Some of the shots in the show are almost certainly CGI, and I don’t see the same segmentation in those, so this must have been an artefact of how they made the physical prop (two halves?).

While I’m here, it’s interesting to see that the lower layers in the lattice seem to be repeated and interconnected versions of the lattice receding into the cuboctahedron.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

I love this!

If it’s of interest, I’ve noticed while trying to pick apart the distortions and reflections of the prop in the show, that the gold lattice may be made of two separate frames sitting one on the other. I’ll see if I can get the reference shots uploaded to share (I’m currently on mobile).

Yeah, it was most likely done to make printing the lattice easier. It's a notoriously difficult part to print. I did mine in two halves (like the screen prop), then merged them before printing. (Printing in two parts turned out not to give much of a benefit to printing the whole thing in one go from the testing I did.)

 

[RandomMaker]

Hey gang,

I've been slowly getting back into making stuff, so I figured I'd do a collective thread about it . I've got a few things on the burner- a revisit of "Vera" from Firefly (has its own thread), I've been tinkering with the Prime Radiant from Foundation since the premiere of Season 2 and a whole mess of pistols and other things from The Expanse. I've also been (very slowly) sculpting new heads for the old Hot Toys Hicks, Apone and Vasqez 1/6 figures. (I might have to do a thread on those in the modeling secion instead of here... we'll see.)

First up some photos from the Expanse and Foundation.

Prime Radiant prototype. The final version will have traced engravings from the screen prop!
View attachment 1752414
The above is my "almost final version". I made 3-4 different finished copies and probably printed another 4 sets of parts with different types of symbols and lettering. (The real prop has a series of geometric shapes. I've been spending some time trying to redraw them to see if they will print nicely as engravings.

Here's a W-I-P of me redrawing the correct symbols of the prop after perspective-correcting screengrabs.
View attachment 1751316

I'll see if I can do some w-i-p shots of how I assemble it when I build the next version.

As for the Expanse, the first thing I did was Miller's hat. The original Guido Delgado is impossible to find, so I found a "close enough" trilby, re-bashed it, trimmed the brim and put a new band on it... pretty much redid it from the ground up and even metal printed a badge!
View attachment 1751319
(I will be remodeling the grips on the airsoft Rhino...)
I've only just made a start on Amos' shotgun. The correct laser scope is impossible to find now, but there's sn updated model that I have and will be modding to get is close. There are a lot of models of FN airsoft out there but only one has the correct details and rivel positions... it's not cheap, however.
View attachment 1751339

Next up, the Star Helix. This is pretty much done, except for the decals which I'll probably do for ALL the props at once. I looked for a small enough flashlight to fit in the scope, but the tube is so thin that in the end I opted to just prep it for adding a LED. I also made it so it can be tapped and screwed in place, without using any glue!

Printed, primed and test-fitted:
View attachment 1751323
View attachment 1751324
The first copy I did had threads on the light cap, but it ended up being a very tight fit.
View attachment 1751325


Here's a test-painting of it (front barrels are not on yet). Much too saturated blue, so I'll be redoing it.
View attachment 1751322

Mars pistol... this one was pretty fast and easy. (I also managed to snag one of THE last copies of the under-rail laser pointer.) I am talking to a machinist about doing the rear barrel in aluminum for me. Looks rather bland without all the markings!
View attachment 1751327

I'll be doing Ashford's pistol too... I have the paintball marker, just haven't started on it yet.


(Note: I do have runs going for both the Prime Radiant and a couple Expanse props, but please keep any questions about the runs there or via PM and not here, as per the RPF rules!)

More pics and build info when I have it...

Great job on all of those props, including all the hard work on modifying the Miller hat!

For the MCRN pistol, I'm debating on whether or not to make the top/rear tube aluminum for screen accuracy, or stainless which IMO looks better. But I'm also hoping to find someone with a lathe to do the rings and rear bevel for me.

For the Star Helix Glock, do you have a source for the 3D-printed add-on parts? Really excellent work on the weathering on the blue-painted portion too. If you've since re-painted it and were happier with the results, what paint did you end up using?

TIA,
- Dave

 

[JOATRASH FX]

For the MCRN pistol, I'm debating on whether or not to make the top/rear tube aluminum for screen accuracy, or stainless which IMO looks better. But I'm also hoping to find someone with a lathe to do the rings and rear bevel for me.

I had a machinist lined up last year, ready to do the rear cylinder of the MCRN but in the end, no one was interested in doing a group buy. (The small number of parts meant each cylinder would've cost just over $100 I think it was.) So I kept my printed one. You need a mill, along with the lathe, to take out the rectangular section in the middle. (I 3d printer the black insert grille.) If enough people suddenly turned up, I might be able to contact the machinist again.

For the Star Helix Glock, do you have a source for the 3D-printed add-on parts? Really excellent work on the weathering on the blue-painted portion too. If you've since re-painted it and were happier with the results, what paint did you end up using?

TIA,
- Dave

I pretty much do all my own modeling and printing when it comes to addon parts or non-found parts props. I've actually just left the Helix alone. IF I decide to repaint it, it'll be when I'm done with all the other stuff.

Right now I'm actually making good progress on Amos' shotgun. Trying to get a few half-finished prop projects done.

I've had to tweak and re-print a few parts to align properly with the airsoft, but I'm down to printing the final parts now.

 

[eethan]

I had a machinist lined up last year, ready to do the rear cylinder of the MCRN but in the end, no one was interested in doing a group buy. (The small number of parts meant each cylinder would've cost just over $100 I think it was.) So I kept my printed one. You need a mill, along with the lathe, to take out the rectangular section in the middle. (I 3d printer the black insert grille.) If enough people suddenly turned up, I might be able to contact the machinist again.


I pretty much do all my own modeling and printing when it comes to addon parts or non-found parts props. I've actually just left the Helix alone. IF I decide to repaint it, it'll be when I'm done with all the other stuff.

Right now I'm actually making good progress on Amos' shotgun. Trying to get a few half-finished prop projects done.

I've had to tweak and re-print a few parts to align properly with the airsoft, but I'm down to printing the final parts now.
View attachment 1847839

If you need a machinist in Europe, you can always get in touch with me, I always try to help if I have time. I'm not sure of what part you meant, but if it's what I think, 100$ seems very expensive.
You do great stuff, I'll be happy to help one of these days

 

[RandomMaker]

I had a machinist lined up last year, ready to do the rear cylinder of the MCRN but in the end, no one was interested in doing a group buy. (The small number of parts meant each cylinder would've cost just over $100 I think it was.) So I kept my printed one. You need a mill, along with the lathe, to take out the rectangular section in the middle. (I 3d printer the black insert grille.) If enough people suddenly turned up, I might be able to contact the machinist again.


I pretty much do all my own modeling and printing when it comes to addon parts or non-found parts props. I've actually just left the Helix alone. IF I decide to repaint it, it'll be when I'm done with all the other stuff.

Right now I'm actually making good progress on Amos' shotgun. Trying to get a few half-finished prop projects done.

I've had to tweak and re-print a few parts to align properly with the airsoft, but I'm down to printing the final parts now.
View attachment 1847839

I never really considered cutting out that slot, but it would be nice. I've never looked close enough at one of the actual props to confirm it wasn't just a sticker in the first place... I remember many years ago seeing the imperial stormtrooper helmets from Return of the Jedi up close IRL and being surprised that the "vents" were just strips of black tape.

Right now my all 3D-printed "background shot" MCRN pistol uses a stainless rod at the rear for weight and looks, but it gets all the details wrong because it doesn't need them. For my Airsoft/"hero" pistol, I'd like to get it as right as I can.

I found some of the Star Helix 3D print files online and they're being my current challenge. So I know what you mean when it comes to going back for incremental improvement vs. completing other projects!

The Amos shotgun is looking good. Some of these props are so far into the Unobtanium level that replicating them is the only option.

 

[eethan]

I never really considered cutting out that slot, but it would be nice. I've never looked close enough at one of the actual props to confirm it wasn't just a sticker in the first place... I remember many years ago seeing the imperial stormtrooper helmets from Return of the Jedi up close IRL and being surprised that the "vents" were just strips of black tape.

Right now my all 3D-printed "background shot" MCRN pistol uses a stainless rod at the rear for weight and looks, but it gets all the details wrong because it doesn't need them. For my Airsoft/"hero" pistol, I'd like to get it as right as I can.

I found some of the Star Helix 3D print files online and they're being my current challenge. So I know what you mean when it comes to going back for incremental improvement vs. completing other projects!

The Amos shotgun is looking good. Some of these props are so far into the Unobtanium level that replicating them is the only option.

here are some good photos of the original props from propstore. The small slot with the black part is indeed a machined recess and added black part inside.

that recess is obviously the annoying part to machine, however, this is a relatively simple part, I don't see this one being outside 30-50€ at max, especially if doing several of those. The black insert part can then be added with printed resin for instance.

 

[RandomMaker]

If you need a machinist

here are some good photos of the original props from propstore. The small slot with the black part is indeed a machined recess and added black part inside.
View attachment 1847935
View attachment 1847936
that recess is obviously the annoying part to machine, however, this is a relatively simple part, I don't see this one being outside 30-50€ at max, especially if doing several of those. The black insert part can then be added with printed resin for instance.

Yes, I believe you're right. For me the conclusive evidence was the angle shots like these:

FWIW, I'd absolutely be up for a proper machined replica piece, especially at a reasonable price...

I haven't taken a digital caliper to my screen, but to me the tubing looks to be about 12mm with 2mm walls, if they're metric stock. That would fit my 3D-printed top pieces nicely.

 

[RandomMaker]

I pretty much do all my own modeling and printing when it comes to addon parts or non-found parts props. I've actually just left the Helix alone. IF I decide to repaint it, it'll be when I'm done with all the other stuff.

Quick question then regarding the Star Helix pistol and 3D-print components: Do you sell the printed parts, or the print files? I have the appropriate Glock Airsoft that I'm building up into the Drummer pistol version and I have a reasonable top piece, the front upper and lower barrel printed out to my satisfaction, but your top piece looks better and I could certainly use the rail attachment piece rather than having to fab my own from scratch. Same goes for the little cover pieces for the frame... Thanks!

 

[JOATRASH FX]

If you need a machinist in Europe, you can always get in touch with me, I always try to help if I have time. I'm not sure of what part you meant, but if it's what I think, 100$ seems very expensive.
You do great stuff, I'll be happy to help one of these days

Heya,

Sorry for not getting back to this thread. I've been off and on. Lots of "real life" stuff taking up my headspace at the moment.

I saw your 3d model in the other thread... maybe we should compare notes, haha.


This past week I managed to find some "creative prop time" and made a lot of progress on Amos' shotgun:

Still needs decals (I'm making some using the propstore images) and a couple other things to add. Sadly, I didn't have the energy to document the entire build, but I did take some photos of when I rebuilt the red holoscope to be accurate. (I'll upload them later.) The correct scope is no longer available... the current ones have the buttons in the back and a "flat" outer case. I modded mine so that it now looks correct. Even moved the circuit board to the side!

 

[RandomMaker]

Heya,

Sorry for not getting back to this thread. I've been off and on. Lots of "real life" stuff taking up my headspace at the moment.

I saw your 3d model in the other thread... maybe we should compare notes, haha.


This past week I managed to find some "creative prop time" and made a lot of progress on Amos' shotgun:

Still needs decals (I'm making some using the propstore images) and a couple other things to add. Sadly, I didn't have the energy to document the entire build, but I did take some photos of when I rebuilt the red holoscope to be accurate. (I'll upload them later.) The correct scope is no longer available... the current ones have the buttons in the back and a "flat" outer case. I modded mine so that it now looks correct. Even moved the circuit board to the side!

View attachment 1851730

That's looking really good! I'm tempted to build one to go with my Amos jumpsuit, although the MCRN rifles look a lot easier... What was the original scope they used? It kind of looks like a modified old Bushnell Holosight.

 

[JOATRASH FX]

That's looking really good! I'm tempted to build one to go with my Amos jumpsuit, although the MCRN rifles look a lot easier... What was the original scope they used? It kind of looks like a modified old Bushnell Holosight.

It wasn't actually that difficult of a build, all things considered. (Well, compared to something like VERA from Firefly...)

The downside is that the base airsoft is EXPENSIVE if you want the correct one.

The you need the scope, the front laser/light... and a few weaver/piccatinny addon rails as well as the pump grip. I think everything except the correct scope is available. (I think they used cheap airsoft versions of Eotech scopes.)

I found ONE seller on eBay that was advertising the correct scope but it was a place in China and I strongly suspect they just ship out the 'current' version without changing the photos, so I didn't chance it. (I also found an online seller that had photos of the correct one, but it was a weirdly set up site, so again... I didn't chance it.) Modding the currently available (well... late last year at least) scope (bottom right) wasn't too difficult. I resin printed an addon piece for the side, cur out a hold for the buttons. As soon as I dig out the photos I'll post them.

The rest of the parts are just a mix of 3d prints (PLA and resin) and a bent aluminum sheet to cover most of the top rail. I tried to use as little glue as possible... most of the parts are screwed on, and the airsoft is still functional, aside from the barrel being cut down, if I removed the magazine cover. Pump handle moves too, but I suspect it will wear down the paint over time if it's used.

 

[RandomMaker]

That's a lot of good info, thanks! Now I'm scared to look and see how much that base Airsoft is. I'm already working on two Expanse pistol airsofts, which are expensive for toy guns...