Tips from Newbie to Newbies (on foam build - for now)

Tip #27: Making Low temp Glue gun

I couldn't find temp controlled or low temp glue gun. If there is, the price is probably very expensive.

I dont know about temp controlled glue guns, but i got a low temp glue gun for $3.31 at walmart.

P.S. Amazing tips you got here, really helps a lot for people who are starting (like me) on this types of builds
 
I have set here and read your entire thread from start to finish and have learned a lot as the noob that I am at this. I am in the process of making my IP suit and of course started form the helm.... am on Mark III now LOL but am going to stop and move on to armor parts and come back to helm. Wish I had found you at the start of build so many helpful tips. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH !!!!
 
It's been a long time since my last tips. Not sure if anybody still visit this or not.


Tip #30 Make a circle cut

Some of iron man parts is circular shape (ear, shoulder, elbow, etc). My attempt to make (almost) perfect circular cut using scissors or knife has failed.
Now I made the cut by using hose clamps. Quite easy, as long as it has close to round shape. I use some pipes, bottles or anything close the the diameter I wanted, tight the clamps around it. This will make the clamp closer to a perfect circle shape. Filing the edge of the clamp to make it sharp(er) is also helpful to cut the foam.

After the cut, it may have unwanted edges. To clean it, just simply burn it (see my previous tip on burning the edge).

And it's done. round cut.jpg
 
Light source (blue): most popular is LED. I use 2 strip of LED strip 30LED/m. LED strips normally sold in rolls of 5m. Alternatively, use DIP LED. This is bulkier and have to connect them one by one. EL will have a very low profile container since it does not need space between the source and lens (even lens might not be needed). However EL need to have a driver unit (which can be easily put elsewhere). I experimented with EL but I personnaly prefer LEDs.

Hey IMIM2! I just wanted to say how impressed I am with your Iron Man for newbies tutorial. I have a question regarding your LEDs. I see that you use 12V LED strips for your helmets, but what batteries/battery pack do you use to power them? Where do you store the battery pack in the suit? How long does it usually last?
 
Thank you.
Pepakura for foam build is a bit "simplified" version of paper build. Best way to illustrated: paper have almost no thickness , where foam can be vary from 2-10mm. So if you want to make a box (50x750x10mm) for example, in foam you can just cut 50x750mm rectangle from 10mm foam. Where in the paper build, you need to have 2 pieces of 50x750mm, 2 pieces of 50x10mm and 2 pieces of 750x10mm. Hope you understand the concept.

I covered plus and minus in foam and paper build in previous thread too.

As for cardboard, depending on what kind of cardboard. For corrugated cardboard, use foam template. For duplex (or some will refer it as cereal box), use paper template. I am thru with corrugated. I will be experimenting with duplex, and I will update info/tips regarding this when I finish playing with it.

My suit can't fly, nor it has repulsor blast, but it surely a chick magnet :love(see my link below). If you can make the suit fly, please post the WIP, because you will be refer as RPF's GOD.

JFcustom created a very "easy" foam template so it can cut down building hours a lot. The down side is that you'll loose the detail more.

If you haven't build foam customes, I'd suggest that you try a simple one first. Mk4/6 is a good way to start. MK5 and Mk8 is not for beginner (not trying to be snob, but it IS difficult to build). But nothing is impossible, all you need is to do, there is no trying, and practice makes it better.
Well as an aerospace engineer student I can tell you that yes it is possible to fly but might look a little but less like iron man well you will look like the mark 1 first you need to be a lightweight person in my case im 6 feet eat like 3 man and never been able to go over 110 lbs ahah so soyld not be a problem. Second thing you need kerosen. 1 or 2 small kerose tank ( maybe one in chest and one in the back . Also you need 4 rc afterburner jet engine which im pretty sure you can find in really proffessional rc shop but at what price ahah ans put one behind each ankle so yoh can control their thrust direction and onon each repulsor. 3rd you need to make that let you you control each engine thrust power like 2 dimmer like sistem in each hand controlby finger moves. You woukd need to fly more in superman position. Arms in front and hands down so the thruster keep your horizontal pitch fligh stability. 4th you need a radio comunication system which is not a option because as soon as your flying your under the obligation to comunicate all your intentions with an air traffic controller. Then the 5th part which is nearly impossible is to get the FAA (federal aviation administration) if your in usa or your your aviation administration in your country the certify your suit safe and authorized to be fly but good luck for this and if you you dont well your gonna end with 2 fighter jet behind you and you cant go away from them like in the movie ahah since the engine are not enought powerfull to go supersonic ahah. Well good luck [emoji1]

Envoyé de mon SM-G530W en utilisant Tapatalk
 
I'm not sure who you're asking, but as for mine, I'd say around $400. But it was spread out over several months. So it wasn't that bad of a hit.
I dont know for you but for me I think the most expensive part of the suit is the paint I think even if i can get pretty much the real iron man color choosing duplicolor for my paint wasnt really the best idea 15 can$/can and they only cover 10 square feet or 1 squaremeter but i dont know if its that surface with one coat or that surface with multiple coat but ouch it hurts a lot knowing I use the half of the red paint can only for my neck

Envoyé de mon SM-G530W en utilisant Tapatalk
 
Well as an aerospace engineer student I can tell you that yes it is possible to fly but might look a little but less like iron man well you will look like the mark 1 first you need to be a lightweight person in my case im 6 feet eat like 3 man and never been able to go over 110 lbs ahah so soyld not be a problem. Second thing you need kerosen. 1 or 2 small kerose tank ( maybe one in chest and one in the back . Also you need 4 rc afterburner jet engine which im pretty sure you can find in really proffessional rc shop but at what price ahah ans put one behind each ankle so yoh can control their thrust direction and onon each repulsor. 3rd you need to make that let you you control each engine thrust power like 2 dimmer like sistem in each hand controlby finger moves. You woukd need to fly more in superman position. Arms in front and hands down so the thruster keep your horizontal pitch fligh stability. 4th you need a radio comunication system which is not a option because as soon as your flying your under the obligation to comunicate all your intentions with an air traffic controller. Then the 5th part which is nearly impossible is to get the FAA (federal aviation administration) if your in usa or your your aviation administration in your country the certify your suit safe and authorized to be fly but good luck for this and if you you dont well your gonna end with 2 fighter jet behind you and you cant go away from them like in the movie ahah since the engine are not enought powerfull to go supersonic ahah. Well good luck [emoji1]

Envoyé de mon SM-G530W en utilisant Tapatalk

I'm lees than 6ft...check
weight 154lbs ....will work on that
kerosine..............check
Hmm....let me search ebay on jet engine........
As for supersonic, I already 70% making Shotgun. I just need bigger jet engine
 
Hey IMIM2! I just wanted to say how impressed I am with your Iron Man for newbies tutorial. I have a question regarding your LEDs. I see that you use 12V LED strips for your helmets, but what batteries/battery pack do you use to power them? Where do you store the battery pack in the suit? How long does it usually last?

Forgot to reply this one..I use 9v battery pack, I place it at the back of the helmet for weight balance. It last around 3 hours. But I always kept spare.
 
Hey man, I have been asking around and have gotten different answers on this: How do the boots look/ how are they made, I can't imagine anyone walking around on the foam itself without it wearing down.

Btw, this whole thread is pure gold. Thank you for your service!!
 
Sorry for late reply.
My first experience with boots, I created a "shell" and under that, I wore crocs shoes.
A lot of people saying that crocs is horrible, but it is comfortable.
The problem with shell, it didnt "grip" the actual shoes, and I don't want to sacrifice any of my shoes.

My next one is to buy the cheapest flip-flop. I created the sole with 10mm foam for my pep boots, and hot glue my flip-flop into it.
To guard against wear, I glued a piece of used carpet (which I have it a lot), and periodically change.
The problem with flip-flop, it doesn't have the back "guard", so when we walked, the back side of the boots tends to drag, unless we use effort to keep the sole align with the back of our feet (I'm sorry I can't explain this clearer). But my point is, we would walk funny, because the sole won't bend.
The best solution is to glue a fully enclosed sandals or shoes into it. and cut the sole (as well as the carpet) in two pieces, or V cut it on the inside.
Made the cut where the shoes normally bends.
In this way, the pep boots, and the shoes will conform your walking style.

My recent costume (stormtrooper and antman), I just use rubber safety boots. One is white, one is black with some red molded parts, so I dont do any mod.
Except for stormtrooper, I cut the length of the boot to make it sorta ankle boot, since it is covered with shin part anyway.

I hope it gives you some clarification

Thank you and happy build
 
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