Optimus Prime ion blaster built !! (new update !)

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

I finally got a day off and some free time so I thought I'd share some build pics of my project, I'll do a full write up on my blog after I finish.

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The main part of the gun started as a 4" coupler and adapter glued together with pvc glue, the adapter made a near perfect bevel which made things alot easier. I also glued a piece of Sintra, cut from a paper pattern I made, around it for the raised part .

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I made a pattern out of cardstock for the barrel ridges and cut those from Sintra .


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I then scored lines in them to bend over the sides to get the shape I wanted.

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Ta-Da !

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Those ridges were a terrible pain in the behind to smooth out

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I cut the handgrip and magazine out of MDF and made trim rings out of 1/4" MDF, and glued them together

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After sanding them into shape, I cut some thin strips of Sintra fot the grip details and glued those into place

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I cut the sightline parts out of MDF, then I used drill press to hollow out all of the MDF parts as much as I could to make it lighter.

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I found a cool pvc adapter that looked great as the barrel end! I just beveled the edge a bit with my sander.

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I made an adapter out of MDF and Bondo to join the front barrel tube and have the tapered part in between.

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I made the rear box out of poplar and Sintra, if you look at the box from the rear, it tapers down from the middle to the top, that was a pain. I just need to add the raised "vents" for detail.

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I cut square holes in the side of the barrel and fit a smaller diameter tube inside for the cutout details , I need to add the asst. tubes and widgets and will do an inkwash in there after painting.

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And that is where I currently am ! andy questions, feel free to ask !

 

[Judge Spartan]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Very cool build!

 

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Still plugging away at this thing, been slow for progress this week but I start my vacation thursday and plan on getting this thing done ! Thanks for all the feedback !
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[jaybible]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

An optimus prime build is awesome...This is Epic!.. looking forward to your vacation updates...

Now how bout an energy axe to go with it? haha

 

[Valdez]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Very very cool. always wanted a prime cannon glad to see there are other like me.

Follow thread.. clicked

 

[xioulong]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

I love the build. I wish I had thought of some of your techniques when building mine. It would have gone a lot smoother. Please keep up the good work and I can't wait to see the completed gun.

 

[Gorgot3000]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

amazing work !

 

[Kevin Gossett]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Looking very good!

 

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

I got 95% done with fabrication and assembly today and finally got a solid coat of primer on it, I have one little piece that goes between the grip and clip, and the details in the chamber cutout to be done. Should I wait until after making a cast to paint it ? What do you think ?

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[jaybible]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Def cast it up before painting...ur just gonna have to do it all over again Its looking very good, I wish i was in posting distance

 

[Valdez]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

A thing of beauty
Prime would approve

 

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Thanks for all the positive comments guys ! It helps keep me motivated !

 

[CrimFC3S]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Fantastic build! If you make any to sell, I'll take one!

 

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

Fantastic build! If you make any to sell, I'll take one!

I do plan on this being my first endeavor in casting, I'm spending extra time now making sure the details are right and there are no cracks or gaps to ruin the silicone. If it turns out good i'll let you know !

 

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster WIP

I have FINALLY finished the "build" part of my Ion Blaster ! I want to cast copies of it but I need to learn everything I can first about making molds. I have the videos on the Smoothcast website bookmarked, as well as pouring over other members build threads like Volpin's to learn what I can. The blaster is less than ten pounds, I can hold it one handed, which is pretty good considering the materials used. I'd love everyone's feedback, I have much to learn.
P.S. I coated it in Optimus Primer.... (rimshot) lol

The picture is of the Ion Blaster that comes with the Masterpiece Optimus.

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[Kevin Gossett]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster built !!

This is awesome! Very clean

 

[jaybible]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster built !!

I want it!! :'(... just when im about to move to Australia, this comes along!.. U sir have done prime proud!.....Also....cheeeesy pun hahaha

 

[familyman]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster built !!

Nice build. this thing looks great.

 

[Weaselhammer]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster built !!

Thanks alot for the comments !

 

[Ozymandius]

Re: Optimus Prime ion blaster built !!

Nice build. Cool to see that I wasn't the only one to have this idea.