Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: 6milPhil on 28 August 2013, 04:12:18 PM
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I've recently finished a few pieces for Akula's space opera project ( http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=50885.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=50885.0) ) and thought I'd share the builds. Until they were available this was all hush-hush, so here's my chance to post about them.
It was great fun with a fairly open brief, but don't let Akky know. ;)
I've not got photos of the very beginning of the build. When it comes to build threads, like all of us, Akky likes to see every stage.
This is the flyer, the rear sections has been built as a box, which I've then lined with miliput and then filled with resin to make it tough and vacuum proof.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04297-001.jpg?w=480)
Underneath the flyer body is a diamond shape of foamex to form the base
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04296-001.jpg?w=480)
For the cockpit windows Akky expressed wanting something insectoid, I had a dig around at the haberdashers and found a couple of suitable buttons which would work well.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04298-001.jpg?w=480)
Having selected which button delicately handcrafted insectoid eye was to be used it was onto the cockpit. The basic cockpit can be seen.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04300-001.jpg?w=480)
Meanwhile on the base I put the detail. This part is really simple and thankfully produces a mould which will run and run.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04317-001.jpg?w=500)
Finally the build is complete, at every stage there was filling, sanding, tutting, more filling and more sanding.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04318-001.jpg?w=500)
Onto the casting, and the base worked perfectly from the off... HURRAH!
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04352-001.jpg?w=500)
The topside is simple and smooth, but being the top of the cast does need a slight sanding for a perfect fit.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04353-001.jpg?w=500)
The main body is a single piece, so it was important for it to be durable but also hollow so it won't have to cost a fortune, again a light sand is required.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04355-001.jpg?w=500)
The eye detail has worked well I think.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04358-001.jpg?w=500)
As has the whole model, the recesses at the rear have seperate detail to fix in.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/dsc04360-001.jpg?w=500)
This detail is quite fussy, while the main model is very simple. I've done them seperately because I'm much more likely to get a miscast on the detail and if it were part of the main model that would be a large and expensive miscast.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04401-001.jpg?w=408)
The wings were slightly delayed as I couldn't get the sections laser cut in time so had to do it manually. Again it's simplicity makes a good efficient mould.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04399-001.jpg?w=421)
Next up was a sci-fi utility buggy, and in chatting about it I mentioned the early U.S. utility vehicle which I mistakenly called a goat, when it's actually a mule...
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/M274_drawing.jpg/300px-M274_drawing.jpg)
We agreed this, in a more futuristic style, would work well... and being sci-fi it should have six and not four wheels.
This was the base model, to be cast in two pieces.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04371-001.jpg?w=308)
Together it's the right height to allow for easy access.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04370-001.jpg?w=400)
It's also the right length for a 28mm figure to recline on.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04364-001.jpg?w=400)
There were two basic types of goats/mules... one ammo and weapon supply the other medical. This is the supply one, and fortunately Akky already had some metal bits to help this along. The concept is for the gunrack to be a pop-up.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04390-001.jpg?w=342)
The first version of the gunrack neither worked well nor looked as good as it might.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04393-001.jpg?w=619)
So I put a top on it which pulled it all together.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04395-001.jpg?w=443)
Each model also comes with a seperate lid, so you can have it in the down position if you want.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04398-001.jpg?w=466)
For the medical mule it was a lot easier, a bed, pillow, medicomps and a cross on the front. I believe there's an injured figure being made for this.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04388-001.jpg?w=381)
Hope you've enjoyed reading about these as much as I did making them... 8)
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Nice stuff Phil. You really do keep busy!
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I love seeing threads like this where you can see the whole process. Cracking work on the two models.
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Thanks guys. I do like to keep busy on the modelling/casting front especially when it's a basic concept with the freedom to develop it. 8)
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Looking good but curious how you make a mold for the hollow cast? :D
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Nice thread - good to see the photos all in one place (even though I've seen them individually before)
8)
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Looking good but curious how you make a mold for the hollow cast? :D
Having made the model mould I take measurements allowing for the thickness needed for the model.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04402-001.jpg?w=480)
Then I make a box matching those measurement and fill it with rubber to produce a bung.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04403-001.jpg?w=480)
When casting I do the degassing and fill it enough with resin for the roof thickness, once cured I put the bung in place and top the mould up with resin. It's wonky here because there's no resin in it at the moment.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04404-001.jpg?w=480)
Even on a short or medium run this saves a lot of pennies.
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When casting I do the degassing and fill it enough with resin for the roof thickness, once cured I put the bung in place and top the mould up with resin.
I didn't realise you could double pour resin like that. Does it not create structural weaknesses?
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I didn't realise you could double pour resin like that. Does it not create structural weaknesses?
Nope the great thing is both silicon resin and silicon rubber always and completely fuse with themselves. It might have a slight difference in colour if the mix of filler or colourant aren't identical but aside from that no, it's perfect. It's not time sensitive either.
On all vacuum casting it's a matter of putting in a skinning coat first, degassing that, and then topping up. If you fill a mould and then degass it most of the resin will flow out and be wasted.
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Great work. Any pics of the degasser?
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Great work. Any pics of the degasser?
What my Vacuum Chamber? Really?
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04405-001.jpg?w=440)
Bleeding weirdo... :P
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Having made the model mould I take measurements allowing for the thickness needed for the model.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04402-001.jpg?w=480)
Then I make a box matching those measurement and fill it with rubber to produce a bung.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04403-001.jpg?w=480)
When casting I do the degassing and fill it enough with resin for the roof thickness, once cured I put the bung in place and top the mould up with resin. It's wonky here because there's no resin in it at the moment.
(http://slugindustries.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/dsc04404-001.jpg?w=480)
Even on a short or medium run this saves a lot of pennies.
Thanks for that much appreciated!
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Very interesting, thanks!
I've degassed molds half full of resin before, it wasn't pretty :)
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Great seeing how these came together.
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Thanks for sharing. Informative and interesting. Great job on those BTW. How did you make the wheels for the buggy?
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They're off an abandoned scratchbuild project for VBCW which is why they're partly painted. The hub is punched plasticard, with the detail cut prior to forming with hot water, set into a thick plastic washer which I've engraved and cut tyre detail into.
If you do a search on here for Brent's, of Company B, thread about making wheels and tyres he goes into great detail about making them with tons of photos.
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Thanks Phil. Much appreciated.
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No worries. It was Brent's post which inspired me to make wheels, until then it was a mystery to me. If you find the post please put the link up here because I think it's one of the most enlightening posts I've ever enjoyed.
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The most fabulous tutorial on making tires - tyres :
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=25801.0
Thanks again Brent