XRobots Iron Man: Video added page 22, fours years into 4 mins

[Bimmer]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

holy eff! how did i miss this thread?? This is so incredible! i love it. I seriously am so tempted to build mine in foam. All these foam builds are just coming out so great, but this one is just above and beyond awesome.

The ONLY little thing i see that could use some fixing is the ab plating. It looks very flat in the center.. If that was heated and bulged out a little to make a more convex shape, it'd be spot on!

so beautiful! ahhhh

 

[Wes R]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Very cool and thank you for finding out about the white glue as that's alot cheaper than anything else.

 

[CinnamonB]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Wow. That build is unbelievable. Foam construction is really getting it's own little renaissance lately, eh?

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Thanks guys....

It took a few weeks of my spare time to get this far - I probably made one whole piece each evening or something.

Yes, I know the ab plate is too flat, this was the second one I made and I'm not going to mess with it right now. I may well mould that piece in plaster and cast it in Latex or Urethane rubber. It all depends what I do with the sides and back of this 'middle' section which may also be rubber. The spine will also be cast rubber as well as the neck seal.

I've tried all the pieces on me, and it fits/scales ok. The cod-piece will need trimming once I have a strapping system in place. At the moment the legs are quite 'spacious' on me, so they will need foaming out inside before they will stay in place properly.

I'm going to prime up some of the single sided pieces - chest/back/shoulder bells etc, and mould from them in Silicone. I'll do some casts in Urethane roto-cast and fibreglass and see how it comes out. If it goes well then I may well do this for the whole suit before painting the foam version up and ruining it by wearing it.

 

[warlickjacoby]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

mmm im craving an update

 

[battman2036]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

I've been looking for Plastazote here in the US but it seems a bit costly. What are the major differences between that and the foam flooring pads many people use, and how do you determine the density of the particular sheets?

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

It's hard to know what the differences are without seeing the materials side by side. The Plastazote I'm using will stretch with heat, whereas I'm pretty sure Polyethylene will just melt (?). I can tell the density of this because the material I'm using is sold as a specific density (LD45)... This foam is smooth whereas the camping mat foam looks like it's textured.

I'm paying roughly £ 20 GBP for a 2metre x 1 metre sheet which is 10mm thick.

 

[warlickjacoby]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

James, Have you painted it yet? or are you going to mold it and just paint the casts?

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

So the plan is to paint it in grey primer which I've already tested on the foam/PVA, it sticks well and remains slightly flexible. Once that's done and I've sorted out any imperfections that I can without ruining it - some light sanding and filling around the seams basically, then I'll make Silicone moulds from the pieces. Once the moulds are done I can make rigid pieces, but I'll also return and paint up the foam/PVA suit.

This will leave me with at least two sets of the major parts and I can decide which pieces need to be rubber to fit either - the neck seal/middle torso section etc.

I think I'd really like to have a rigid suit to actually wear, but I'm also really curious to see how the foam suit comes out in the end because it's a good quick cheap and convenient method for making costume and prop parts.

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Here's the chest plate painted up with a couple of coats of Plastikote 'Super Primer':

Looks reasonable to me considering it's foam. Any further clean up will take place once I've moulded and cast it in something rigid.

 

[Graphic Jordan]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

You sir are an inspiration. Great work!

 

[Skaggs9573]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Awesome work! I think I might have to try the foam technique for the abs and cod on my suit. I know the older military sleeping mats were a smooth foam. I guess I'll have to hit up a surplus store and see if they will work.

 

[Wes R]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

i'm looking into fiber glassing my foam costume to make it last longer and seem more realistic plus i can always make molds of it to modify later.

 

[Graphic Jordan]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Hey crimson. Any pics of the suit?

i'm looking into fiber glassing my foam costume to make it last longer and seem more realistic plus i can always make molds of it to modify later.

 

[Wes R]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Its still in the planning, i'll make a WIP thread for it though. I'm just watching what these guys are doing so i have a clue lol.

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Another small update for today, the foam back in primer:

 

[Graphic Jordan]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

Amazing!

 

[AsgardAssassin]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

This is amazing! I'm having a go with making my own and i'm curious about you using plain PVA. can your directly paint this? I have heard members from the US talking about Rosco Flexbond, but me been an englishman, PVA is far more accessible and I have tons at work!

 

[Wes R]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

I'm curious about the white glue (PVA) too as I can get it by the gallons cheaply at the craft or office supply store.

 

[XRobots]

Re: XRobots foam build - sealed and shiny (IM MK6)

I just used PVA from Wickes. Basically it's water soluble, so if you touch it with a wet finger it gets sticky - which is I assume why the wet paint sticks/bites into it.