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Post by Cyber Leader on Oct 16, 2012 17:40:59 GMT -5
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Post by Cyber Leader on Oct 18, 2012 19:48:39 GMT -5
Finished the gloves. can't wait until I can redo them later in the year or next year. Thought they came out pretty well for a rush job so can imagine how nice they will be when I have more time to get them done right.
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Post by Cyber Leader on Oct 22, 2012 15:49:33 GMT -5
Looks like I will have to update this again this weekend. Just discovered my final essay for one of my classes is due.... tomorrow. So I need to try and get that done tonight and hope to finish my other homework early in the week so I can spend the whole weekend working on the under suit.
Would have been farther along this weekend, but my sewing machine decided not to work so I used hot glue for temp stitching so I can get an idea of what I am doing.. Will go back and hand sew the pieces this week and hope this weekend to at least finish the torso piece. That is the only one I really want to make sure is done. Then elbows. Plan to make a farmer john type suit and using velcro and maybe some elastic to close and keep snug.
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cybermanguy
New Member
You will become like us
Posts: 26
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Post by cybermanguy on Oct 23, 2012 8:47:09 GMT -5
So, explain your methods of sculpting the hands and the mold making process to me... for the gloves......Ideally they look like they came out pretty good however they are a little rough but i understand you were in a hurry
Im just guessing Do you first make a mold of your hands and then form the gloves around those molds and let harden after that apply some sort of release agent so that the last step being that your pour latex over the glove forms to let dry and then pull off to release???
I might try attempting this but currently im happy with the gloves i came up with as "Starter gloves" but having latex gloves seems Ultimate. I like what you've come up with...very similar to the ones that Reactor Drone molded for himself awhile back
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Post by Cyber Leader on Oct 23, 2012 16:37:40 GMT -5
There are a few ways to do it, I just do what is easiest for me especially for my small apartment.
To get a mold of my arms, I use Alja-Safe Molding gel from Smooth-on. It is easy to mix and I just used a cheap trashcan to make the mold because the gel is really a one time use. I bought the small box which I think is 5 lbs? when mixing it, use COLD water. Don't try to use the temp they tell you because if it is slightly too warm it will harden before it is mixed. If you are doing it alone, this is even more important. I found out the wrong way. Once it is mixed you stick you arm in there and it hardens, or turns to a solid gel in about 10-15 minutes. Just slowly remove your arm and you have the mold
From there, I just mixed up hydrocal and poured it into the mold. This dries in about an hour, so a few hours later just to be on safe side I pull the gel off and have a mold of my arm.
With the plaster arms, I used clay to sculpt the glove over the arm.
Once done, I go through the hard part that I hate the most because it is MUCH easier with a mask. I make a molding wall around the cast. I normally used water based clay for this because it is cheap and I already use it for the divider on the arm. After I form the wall, I start the divider, basically making a divider ensures only plaster (hydrocal) will be poured on half the hand. In this case, just the top half.
I spray the top of the hand that is still exposed with clear spray paint. This acts as a non-stick. Can also use non-stick cooking spray. Then mix hydrocal and pour on top to make the first half of the mold. Ensure hydrocal is at least 1/2 inch thick. Once this hardens, flip over the hand, remove the divider clay, clean up the hand as best you can, spray hand and already hardened mold with the paint or non-stick. Repeat with the hydrocal and let it harden. When making the 2nd half, it is recommended to place a small amount of clay at the edge you can remove and then use as a pry spot.
Once you pry the 2 sides apart slowly to avoid any breakage of the smaller parts (such as all the lines in the glove and finger digits) remove the hands and hopefully most of the clay. Use a wooden tool, pencil, etc to clean out any hard to get clay, but majority will come out easily. Nothing that will scrape the plaster.
Once this is cleaned out, you have a 2 part slush mold.
The molds are pretty simple to use. Doesn't take a lot of latex really, but does require a little bit of time when you first pour the latex. From this point on it really is personal preference. My gloves are 2 layers thick and they are perfect for me. I am able to wear a liner in them, which I plan to do, and they are snug, but not uncomfortable.
Some of the problems you can run into, and that I ran into this time around. Was with the mold making. When I am trying to box off the hand, I am trying to use as little space as possible. I wish I had not of been trying so hard to hurry because I ended up with plaster leaking on both molds through the wall I made around the hand. This caused me to have problems and mess up the clay on the hand. By the time I got ti cleaned off, the clay was too soft but I did not realize it. That is why some of the lines are a little wobbly. Another problem with this mold in general no matter how good the sculpt is, is that the lines are so thin on the glove, the plaster is too fragile and it really can be hard to keep most of it intact. I think I got most of it with no problems. Lastly, make sure you have the 1/2 inch of plaster all the way around minimum. One of my gloves, 3 finger tips had holes at the top of the fingers in the mold. I put clay there to keep latex in, but it really messed up the finger tips quite a bit. I really am not a fan of these gloves for sculpts because of the small detail.
My next mold, I may try wax since I have never worked with it, but depends on the price also. I know what I am doing with this, at least when I am not in a hurry. I was just having a really bad day the day I made the mold, but considering the process that takes 2-3 hours for me took 10+, I think I did okay. When I got the leaks of plaster, I went into panic mode since I have to do this inside and I don't want plaster on my carpet. That is all I can say, because everything was going wrong that day.
I recommend oil clay for the sculpt on top of the hands.
When you use the latex, make sure if you can to have a heat source. I used a portable heater for about 8 hours of them before I brought them inside and let them dry. Give them 3 days at least to dry before you try to demold them. I tried on the 2nd day and ran into some wet areas. really makes things ugly when that happens because you can't just get the liquid latex back where it needs to go.
Latex coloring is just done with acrylic paint mixed in. Does not take much at all and it dries darker then it is wet. I used a regular silver for the gloves.
Once my gloves were done, I actually went back and painted latex into the holes/pits that are on the pictures. I also painted the finger tips and that smoothed them out. Lastly, covered the whole glove again in 1 thin coat of latex just to give a uniform color.
I plan to remake them after Chicago Tardis. If I do, I will let you know. I will take my time on the sculpt this time and I have to redo my arms because the trashcan was just not wide enough. Some of my fingers are too close to each other and it affects the mold and glove ultimately. Plenty of mistakes I made this time around, but I was not trying to be perfect, so I am fine with it. I was looking at images of them from a distance and you can't tell there are problems. I figure it can't have as many problems as my suit itself.....but that is fine with me too. Looking at the BBC cybermen and talking to people who have personal knowledge of the props used in Who... none of them are nearly as perfect as they look on film. I am so glad they told me about that so I can feel better about my attempts.
Also plan to redo some if not most of my suit. I am planning to make a solid black or weathered version with rust. Also found the parts I need for a Cyber Controller, so will have that option too.
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cybermanguy
New Member
You will become like us
Posts: 26
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Post by cybermanguy on Oct 23, 2012 17:20:24 GMT -5
The process sounds like a nightmare...especially since im not experienced with that type of artwork. I would be happy if what i could come up with, would come out half as good as the set you molded...
Im also curious how well they work out for you.....as in sweating in them etc... Be sure to take plenty of photos to post up some pix of yourself at the Con, especially since im not gonna be there. (Man i wish i could have gone and been able to hang out with ya) I was looking forward to the CYBER-Brit ROCK party too darn it.
Thanks for posting all the informative details for casting and mold making. OH yeah....And try and do some recruiting there too for the 13thLegion...
Since ive been under the weather and sickly for the past few days the only thing ive really been doing is working on using photoshop to put together a recruitment flyer for us to hand out for the 13thCyberlegion...almost done with it.....its imagery found on the net with added stuff....i will show ya when im done with it.
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Post by Cyber Leader on Oct 23, 2012 19:18:59 GMT -5
lol, it really is not that hard. I can try to make a video next time I do it. I would need to order more supplies too.
I ordered 500 business cards advertising the site. Can put out some flyers too Got some ink pens and T-shirts also I plan to wear when not in the suit. Wish Vista print would come up with some more great sales I need to get 2 more shirts. I got a few extra shirts to give to people so hopefully it will draw attention. Asked a few folks I have spoken to in the past to drop in, will send them a reminder since they were planning to build suits. Would love to see a more active site here since I know there has to be more people wanting to build or have suits already done.
Ohh, the gloves... If you leave them in the mold until completely dry it helps combat the shrinkage. Latex shrinks about 10% as it dries. My gloves are almost perfect. If I wear them alone I end up sweating in about 5 minutes or so. I had bought some gloves that look like women's opera gloves because they are one size and long on the arm. They are also super thin like underarmor material. I can wear them with the latex gloves. They are a little snug but not uncomfortable and they prevent me from sweating so quick. I plan to wear them during the convention for sure.
There is always next year, even if I move back home, I will be there still. Have some friends that come from all over the US to be there, and there is a special event in the works for next year I am not allowed to talk about yet. Hopefully I can after the con if they decide to announce it. Also have 1 friend that may drop by here soon since he is just now starting to build an older cyberman.
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Cyber-Storm
New Member
then the Cybermen will take humanity by force. London has fallen.......so shall the world.
Posts: 3
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Post by Cyber-Storm on Oct 30, 2012 2:03:16 GMT -5
Awesome! I wish I could build something as well made! I would buy a set if it was at all possible! I would be willing to help make awareness, and perhaps build a website for the group.
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Post by Cyber Leader on Oct 30, 2012 19:58:47 GMT -5
The build is really not that hard, just very time consuming depending on what you want to do or how you do it. Once the upcoming convention is over, i plan to redo a lot of the suit if not all of it...well the parts I built so basically everything but the voice changer lol. I would love to get a more perfect suit that I can use to vaccuform. I want a few variations such as a weathered or maybe rusted and all black. I just can't imagine there was only one version of the cybermen with stealth cyberman basically.
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Post by Cyber Leader on Nov 10, 2012 16:47:56 GMT -5
Got the voice changer today. Sounds pretty good, I just need to remember to keep my voice low. I think that if my suit is too much of a pain in the butt to deal with during the weekend, I am going to maybe take a suit and wear it with the shoes, helmet and gloves. Look kinda cheesy, but could be fun, especially for karaoke. I even have a nice bow tie with skulls.
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Post by Cyber Leader on Nov 12, 2012 9:57:45 GMT -5
Going to pick up the last piece I want for the suit today before my doctors appointment. Then 5 minutes of work and I am officially done! Since I can't put it on by myself, I guess I won't have any full pics until next week when I am at the hotel. Plan to try it on before the con starts to make sure everything works so will try to add pics then.
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Post by Subcommander Steff on Nov 15, 2012 8:27:46 GMT -5
I am in awe about how fantastic your suit has turned out. I knew you would make it work. Makes my Sontaran look like something from a garage sale.
Sorry you won't be coming to TARDIS this year, cybermanguy. I would have liked to meet another upgrade. Hope you can come next year. Heck, I hope I can make it next year!
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Post by Cyber Leader on Nov 26, 2012 2:16:30 GMT -5
Chicago Tardis is now officially over and I can't wait for next year. I hope I can find a way to get the new series suit up there again. Shipping would be a bear since the shoes weigh a ton, rest of suit is not too bad.
Had a great time for the most part other then my straps on the thighs falling apart and the thighs themselves being too big. I am going to rebuild them after my move back to NC so they look and fit right. Helmet is a bit of a pain now too with the voice cords running down to the speaker, but we made it work.
Put an image up in the Deployment post from the con with another cyberman and Stef as the Sontaran.
I think the BIGGEST highlight I had was being asked if I worked for the BBC. That really did make my weekend and honestly made the last year of working on that suit worth it no matter how many flaws I personally find in it. I could have given that young girl a hug just for asking.
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Post by Cyber Leader on Jan 3, 2013 16:15:35 GMT -5
Been spending a few hours in the storage unit each day and so far I have not found my printer and computer. Starting to get a little worried, but still have plenty of boxes left to look through. Going to try and update this thread along with the classic series thread since i want to work on the thigh pieces and the classic suit at the same time.
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