The Crazy Mad-Whack Project of Mine!

Ok.. So you all know of my Lord Commanders Stick. Some have asked me about the ongoing project I hinted at in the thread, and I have decided now is a goood time to unveil it... I have begun designing, on paper, and procuring materials to craft an actual suit of MK IV chaplains armor.

This will be two-fold. First, it is just far too bad assed to pass up. Second it, I need a project to test my armor-smithing skills and this will provide a very hard challenge. The outline, so far, is as follows.

The suit will be cushioned with a standard type leather jerkin (6 oz., about the thickness of a leather spiked bracer you can buy). This will be segmented, to allow for joint motion and skin breath, will be in two pieces often (front and back) when able to.

These pieces will be fitted to fit anyone vaguely near my size, so they will use either a snap rivet system similar to a jacket, or the classic hole and pokey-thingy (belt essentialy) method. Depends on which bit o' materials is cheaper and more readily available.

I may also rivet/locktite/otherwise secure the leather to the inside of the suit, and pad it with a thin yet cushy form of foam/filler material. Memory foam has been though of here, but that may be both cost prohibitive, and I am not sure of how the heat factor is on it, though it would provide a great deal of comfort.This would also bring up the issue of how to secure the leather lining to the armor!

The actual armor will be shaped first, before any embellishments. The embellishments are yet pending on how to do exactly, although it has been suggested to machine them separately out of brass, or some other base, cheap metal and give it a thick brass plate. This will be influenced, again, by cost and availability. Another idea is to cast them of a hard, baked clay (cheap and available) and plate in a medium-weight of brass, which would work, but I do not know how to work clay well.

Each piece will be secured in a myriad of possible ways. Welding, lock tite, or possibly having pegs that fit into corresponding holds that are then welded together and the hole thereby close. The last method would be more time consuming, but the more secure overall. Especially in the underside of the model is coated with lock tite. (Lock tite is essentially superglue on crack, for those of you wondering.

The embellishments will include a set of flared wings with the central icon between them being one of two adornments, left interchangeable by a set of prongs that can be squeezed to lock in or release the sigil, which will be a blood/teardrop (Blood Angels, what else?) or a Skull (my belove Black Saints). The Gauntlets will have the same dual-icon system. This may also be repeated on the helmet.

The shoulder pad will also be covered in what amounts to a glorified static cling for car windows/bumpers, so I can display separate chapter icons. I will also likely follow the method I mentioned earlier for adornments, and clay-bake/plate terminator honors and rosarius on a thick link silver chain.

There is also a possibility for a real chain sword(crazy, but do able). I have an old tree saw (kind you put on a handle, real slim), like this here picture: http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50038568/Pole_Saw.jpg. It is in truth a bit small length wise for a true chainsword, but truth be told I have the 'stick, so I am not worried. I may just make it for a friend, who is wanting me to craft him a Space Wolves blood claw armor. He's a bit small, so it would fit.

The stick has already been detailed. The helmet would be next, and would resemble (in method of structure of putting on/off, and VAGUELY close to physical appearance) the below displayed product, with obvious modifications
http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.productl...eat-helmet.htm
The only thing I am having problems with is choosing a lens material for the eyes, and might go with a thin plexiglass. Cheap, and durable. I will, however, also have the issue of, once I have a basic helm like this made, I will need to add a skull like front to it... As of yet, I am out of ideas for materials, so suggestion are welcome!

The bolt pistol is a whole 'nother issue... my obvious idea was to take and find a working airsoft gun and fit/mod it's casing with metal or whatever, then spray down and have my painting fiend of a fiancee finish it to a uniform metallic color, with an engraved aquilla on the slide. Grip would be made of ribbed metal and wrapped in some spare leather I have been saving.

The gauntlets will be fairly easy to do, with what amounts to a metal tube form fitted to my fingers with about 1/3" or more clearance, small metal crescents going in between, or possibly some sort of black spandex (but again, how to attach) to vent heat. Ideally, crafted like these below: http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.productl...tlets-pair.htm
http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.productl...sed-finish.htm
http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.product/...-gauntlets.htm

The elbow plate will be the hardest part of the arm, but if I can attach a spandex 'unitard/bodyglove' in between armor gaps, or say between the leather cushion, or use that material as the cushion itself, I can just locktite/stitch or somehow else secure.

There will be several purity seals, which since I own a large amount of sealing wax and can have stamp-seals made, or can hand etch a fairly accurate aquilla on the semi-hardened wax (it was on sale... and it works for the cast at the Faire), will be affixed as I wish. They will, again since I am near fluent in the language, be written in pre-church Latin (which equates to High Gothic). I will also being taking a note from the GW termie chaplain model and hanging a tabard of silk/other flexible fabric with oaths written on it. Purity seals can't be made of any paper I know of, as it isn't flexible enough.

The boots will likely have a thick, waxed leather bottom, as this is easy, durable, and good traction as well as easy to fix/repair. I will have a hanging loop to let the stick dangle from my hip at, much like so: http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.productl...sword-frog.htm or http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.productl...axe-holder.htm. However, since I am making them, they will cost me about... 5-10 USD. Shows you what a profit they turn on these things!

My only real rub here is.. Well.. The bacpack.. If I bake it from clay and plate it, it will be far too fragile, as it is so big. I can't think of how to section it off then plate and weld the baked clay/metal parts. So on that note.. Any ideas?


Oh, and so you don't think i'm crazy.... Three close relatives work in machine shops, so I have injection molds, CNC, etc.. at my disposal, as well as free steel (slag, but good enough for my purpose, i'm NOT going to be fighting in this). I also have a line on extremely cheap aircraft grade aluiminum, which if cash allows I will utilize partly, or all over, as it is 1/3 the weight of steel at the same strength. I also have a buisness account with a local leather supply chain and get leather/rivets dirt cheap (an entire side of hide costs me 20 bucks, and a bag of 300 pairs of rivets = 5 bucks), and even cheaper since I repair and help them on their Ren Faire outfits.

Thirdly, I attend a festival by-annually that has two dear friends at it that are artists. One is a blacksmith, who will let me use his forge whenever I need to, and another is a highly accomplished professional artist/sculptor who has since retired to travel fairs and sell her creations. She has told me, from pictures, that she could show me how to make all the bits and pieces I have asked, and provide the clay. I just have to help her set up and tear down the booth.

So... It's not like i'm spending thousands of dollars and such. Given I go with the most expensive methods just to cut time, this project would cost me two or three hundred USD, tops. If I take my time, and wait, it should be damned near to free (100 USD, tops). Projected timeframe: 2-5 years, depending on attendance at said bi-annual festival, etc..

Anything I left out armor wise? I purposely left out the forging and materials, etc... Mainly because I don't want to confuse you all too much... And yes, once I churn out the first few and get the process down, I have considered selling these, custom made to fit. Although I haven't though of a base price, any ideas? Especially on the backpack.. Because i'm just stuck there guys!

[Cagarner]

Thats absolutly, total Madness.....




and I LOVE IT!!!!

I cant wait to see this get started.

A few comments on your idea:

Im not exactly a professional metallurgist, but could you make the back pack by making a wooden model of the rough shape of the back pack. Then get some of that aluminium (though brass is softer; but cost!!) and hammer it into shape so it fits around the wooden model. Then do the same for the other side of the back pack so there is a front and a back part.

The if it is too flimsy, fill it inside space with some foam, even if its that expanding stuff you can get for holes in walls. Then attach the two part together.

Also, I would get some drawings worked out for the model to get the proportions correct.

For the Purity seals, use a watercolour canvas material. Its strong an flexible IIRC.

And finally, just contact GW and ask if its ok to do this. I know they will probably say yes, but you dont want to be half way through and get a Cease & Desist order in the post from GW when they find out.

Anything else I can do to help, just ask.

[NearSightedFarseer]

This would be one of the geekiest ideas i've heard, but its also one the coolest i've heard of. I'm excited to see how all this goes, rock on!

[Killermoose]

Only one word will aptly describe my feelings on this project...

WOW!!!

I can't wait to see what happens here! If you get this made I will hail you as the king of 40k madness forever more! It's a great idea, and I feel you've got the skills (and just enough... um... insanity) to pull it off!

[r4wr89]

haha erus, as always, you tackle the most ambitious projects. definitely looking forward to seeing the result of this crazy mad-whack project XD

:]
-ant

Thanks for the idea on the backpack Cag. I might end up making a mold of clay, and injecting expanding foam into it, and then layering thin sheets of metal over it. Currently awaiting my step-dads free time next Saturday so I can sit him down and get his opinion (machinist of 20 years, and my partner in my armor business.).

My main problem now is the skull... How should I do this and make it look like bone, or whatever a Chaplain would have on his helm. This mini below has been brought to my attention as a possible lead, and I might even try to make a jump pack for the armor, as this might be easier to craft.

http://gamesday.us.games-workshop.co...gold_large.jpg

Or, possibly like this (but not termie armor). http://gamesday.us.games-workshop.co...onze_large.jpg

Thanks for the ideas and encouragement. More to come as I talk to the others i'm wrangling into this project and get specifics nailed down.

[IVSothicIV]

After the suit is done, The Lord Commander needs to go paintballing and tape it, and put it on youtube...

Originally Posted by IVSothicIV

After the suit is done, The Lord Commander needs to go paintballing and tape it, and put it on youtube...

If I laqcuer it, then sure. Otherwise, to hard to clean.

[experiment 626]

Originally Posted by Lord Commander Erus

If I laqcuer it, then sure. Otherwise, to hard to clean.

cleaning is easy; just take a prisoner during a random attack, let them live and beat them silly untill they do your bidding in the vain hope that you'll one day treat them nicely!

of corse, once said slave becomes tiresome, i can always use an extra snack every now and then!

cheers!

Originally Posted by experiment 626

cleaning is easy; just take a prisoner during a random attack, let them live and beat them silly untill they do your bidding in the vain hope that you'll one day treat them nicely!

of corse, once said slave becomes tiresome, i can always use an extra snack every now and then!

cheers!

Not sure how Canada works, but in the US that is illegal.

[Cagarner]

The Terminator chaplin head is way better than the other one.

Im sure that you can scare anybody into doing your bidding in this armour.....


.... unless they push you over!

he he he....


Also, make the eyes glow. That would be great, especially in the dark.

[Templar Mikeel]

Thats an awsome idea. In Firebase issue 3 they made s couple suits out of foam. You might want to check that out. Paintballing in power armor would require one thing more. A paintball bolter.

Originally Posted by Templar Mikeel

Thats an awsome idea. In Firebase issue 3 they made s couple suits out of foam. You might want to check that out. Paintballing in power armor would require one thing more. A paintball bolter.

Already on that, as a few people here I communicate with off forums know. Current design problem, on paper, is justifying buying a decent paintball gun then breaking it apart to raid the innards. The foam suits are great, but as I said I am not going that direction. They are far to clunky and un-proportioned, and while a great testament, I hope my efforts will go beyond theirs.

Now you guys have got me wanting to make a set of Chaos armor and Imperial armor and hold a paintball tourney.

[Cagarner]

The reason why they look out of proportion is becuase a real person cant fit inside the GW version of a SM. Unless you have really long legs, and REALLY wide shoulders, its goinng to have to look different to the GW Models.

Originally Posted by Cagarner

The reason why they look out of proportion is becuase a real person cant fit inside the GW version of a SM. Unless you have really long legs, and REALLY wide shoulders, its goinng to have to look different to the GW Models.

Unless you go all crazy mad whack and have your machinist step-father make you proportional armor down to 1/1000th of an inch. God bless machines. You guys on Mars had it right, they really are useful!

[last of the bloodthirsty]

Originally Posted by Lord Commander Erus

Unless you go all crazy mad whack and have your machinist step-father make you proportional armor down to 1/1000th of an inch. God bless machines. You guys on Mars had it right, they really are useful!

so what your saying your going to be 8ft tall and like a meter wide????

im a big guy (6'6'' 275lbs) but damn dude thats huge how are you suspending yourself in there just big pillows?

[Cagarner]

Here is a diagram that I have made to show you what I mean.

http://www.cg-multimedia.com/Image%2...pemectrics.jpg

The guy is a standard Anthropemectic person (though edited the stance slightly to mirror the SM), and the Space Marine diagram is from the front cover of the Insignium Astartes book (so its official).

Notice how the legs dont fit properly, the torso is shorter on the SM, and the shoulders are not wide enough.

Originally Posted by Cagarner

Here is a diagram that I have made to show you what I mean.

http://www.cg-multimedia.com/Image%2...pemectrics.jpg

The guy is a standard Anthropemectic person (though edited the stance slightly to mirror the SM), and the Space Marine diagram is from the front cover of the Insignium Astartes book (so its official).

Notice how the legs dont fit properly, the torso is shorter on the SM, and the shoulders are not wide enough.

Exactly. I will be shrinking the armor to fit my scale. Sorry if that caused any confusion. It wouldn't fit an SM of 8 ft tall, etc.. It would fit an SM of my size perfectly. So, take an SM and using a scaled proportion, make the armor. It's not making much sense to me right now either, but my step-dad is supposed to explain how the hell or what the hell he meant later this week. But no, it will likely be just my size.

[Ork warlord 'Waazzza']

WOW!! ok you just inspired me... so now i am going to be a guards man
and be equipped with a re-breather and las gun and bayonet and helmet
shoulder,knee,torso pads and armor ...YA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Ork warlord 'Waazzza'

WOW!! ok you just inspired me... so now i am going to be a guards man
and be equipped with a re-breather and las gun and bayonet and helmet
shoulder,knee,torso pads and armor ...YA!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friends got you beat. Our old Commissar for Russian WWII re-enacting is retiring, and she is James' size. She is donating her dress uniforms to him, and with my help, we are transforming the uniform of it and German SS/Panzer bits into Ibram Gaunt himself. Complete with chainsword.

[Ork warlord 'Waazzza']

I Am Going To Do It Anyway

Originally Posted by Ork warlord 'Waazzza'

I Am Going To Do It Anyway

Indeed m'friend! I encourage it! Your mind is always inventive and has some awesome ideas. I'd be interested especially in the re-breather. Are you going for a Death-Korps look?

[Ork warlord 'Waazzza']

YES!!!!!!!! or steel legion



what i am useing:
*some sort of overcoat like this http://www.momist.com/blog/uploaded_...umb-740786.jpg
* i need some pads like shoulder and stuff like that....foam!!
*an helmet but re-breather will be a http://images.google.co.nz/imgres?im...icial%26sa%3DN
*the helmet is a http://images.google.co.nz/imgres?im...icial%26sa%3DN

[masterofweirdness]

My friend (if I am I allowed to use the term ) You are insane.

Now, when I say that, I mean it in a good, encouraging, go ahead and make yourself a space marine armor suit way. I'm just reminding you that, to many, many, many, many people, this is the sort of project that absolute idiots do.

Good luck

[BrainDeleted]

hows it going? Got it worked out? Sound pretty BA just go paint balling in it and you will scare the crap out of the other team especially if you work out the chain sword