Building A Better Stargate

[revford]

A little more progress. I've boxed in the stand of the DHD and trimmed it down.




Trimming the base down to the edges of the stand means I can reuse it on any terrain without it looking out of place.

It just seemed like a better idea that way. Also saves time on construction. Lots of time.

[revford]

With the basic shape complete, I added the crystal.



Then, with the crystal covered in masking tape, I glued the DHD to the end of a screwdriver so I could paint the texture over the whole thing in one go.



All textured up. Once this is dry it's going to be painted exactly the same as the Gate.

[revford]

Dark coat complete.

[revford]

Basic painting done.

[Gluteus Maximus]

Lovely work again!

I assume by the times on your posts, that you are really enthused about this project. That or you are an insomniac  ::

[revford]

Lovely work again!

I assume by the times on your posts, that you are really enthused about this project. That or you are an insomniac  ::

Cheers!

And strangely enough it's a bit of both.  

[twrchtrwyth]

Looks great.

[revford]

Almost done with the gate build now.  No live updates for this part of the project. Mostly as it takes so long to cast up the blocks.



The blocks are cast up from plaster using a Hirst Arts mould (number 70). These take a good day or so to set.

Next I glue them together with Silicone Rubber Sealant, as it's the only stuff I've found that really bonds the plaster blocks solid.

This will take a few hours to set then it's the same black to grey to white paint job as the other Stargate parts.

When painted I'll mount it on a cardboard base.

[fastolfrus]

We did a lot of Hirst Arts casting last summer, and found the best way to speed up the drying process was to lay out a layer of blocks on a baking tray (leave gaps all around them) and stick them in the oven (minimum gas setting) for half an hour.
Dries the bricks out nice and fast, and they glue together better, also take paint better.
My other half even bought me a new baking tray to help keep the bricks clean.

[revford]

We did a lot of Hirst Arts casting last summer, and found the best way to speed up the drying process was to lay out a layer of blocks on a baking tray (leave gaps all around them) and stick them in the oven (minimum gas setting) for half an hour.

I'll have to give this a go next time I'm casting blocks.

My wife isn't a big fan of blocks as they sit out on newspaper for a day or so 'making the house look untidy'.

This could save the day on that count, cheers.

[revford]

Under the ever watchful eye of my hairy Goa'uld overseer, the construction of the Chappa'ai continues.



The stand is almost complete, here in it's base coated black form:



And now in it's drybrushed stone colours:



Once the paint is properly dry, I can attach it to a cardboard base and the Stargate will be complete.

The extra walls shown are just that, walls, built from the spare blocks leftover from the casting.

[revford]

Glued onto the base now, once the silicone sets I'll be able to trim and paint the cardboard and the gate will be complete.



It's going to stand in that slot, like so:



The Stargate will be removable so I can build alternative bases for it to stand in and match up with other scenery.

[revford]

Done! As if my magic, the Stargate appears.





And a shot of the completed Stargate on the table, our brave explorers appear to find the Chappa'ai defended by Jaffa:

[twrchtrwyth]

That looks great finished, good job.
I have a blanket like that to, except mine's green, yellow and orange! ::

[Plynkes]

Very nice. Now all you need to do is replicate that jazzy water-effect for when the thing is switched on!

Only kidding. You don't have to do that. Would be cool, though.