New to replica making...

[bchamberlin]

My big question is where to get started? I've been looking through some of the builds here and I'm amazed and not only just the talent, but the vision some of you guys have. I'm actually a little older and it's my son who wants to start making these things... so where to begin? He's especially interested in some of the gun props from games like COD, specifically the Ray Gun from Nazi Zombies. I don't even know where to start but I'd like for he and I to make something together. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[BAK55]

A good way to start is do a search to see if there are other threads on this prop and check out how others may be approaching it.

Looking at a prop -especially a complex, detailed one such as this- can be daunting at first when seeing the overall image. Once you break it down to more basic shapes, you'll discover you can either find or make the parts and start planning in your mind how these will be assembled. Which, to me at least, is a major part of the fun of this hobby.

I would start with full size drawings with plenty of copies to use as patterns for the parts to be made from the materials of your choice and the tools available to you.

 

[Heatshock]

Yeah, unfortunately theres so many ways to approach a prop build. As long as you realise there isnt that 1 best way to do anything.

As said before, break things down to component parts. Plan a build. Brainstorm and soundboard off this forums. You will get lots of help.

Btw you will never walk down an aisle in a hardware store or past a rubbish skip the same again
I am always on the lookout for a random bit of rubbish for a greeb or part in my builds.

 

[masterjedi322]

Depending on what you're looking to make, I might also recommend starting with a kit and then you can move into scratchbuilding if you so desire.

Sean