Hellfire body progress

This weekend I made a decent amount of progress on the side panels of the main body. Building up the panels with body filler alone was taking too long so I decided to use a different technique I've seen used by other prop makers like Punished Props and Volpin Props. They've used insulation foam to build up the prop and then laminated resin or filler over the top. Luckily I had some left over foam from when I insulated my shed which was perfect.
So I started the same, building up fences and then gluing blocks of foam to the panel and fences. This was then filed and sanded down to under the required shape. I also cut the panels in half so I could easily shape the bevels.
I then put a layer of filler down and did an initial sanding pass.
Finally I glued the panel pieces onto the inner frame. During this I accidentally snapped a thin section which is why there's a stop and clamp in one of the pictures.


Jon

Hellfire Circuitry

Didn't get anything done last weekend unfortunately, too busy with errands.
But today I found the time to work more on the circuitry. I've added a switch and LED and worked the code to mimic what happens in game. Results can be seen above. I still need to add more LEDs for the other light up panels etc.


Jon

Experimentation with stepper motors

I had a pair of stepper motors arrive on Friday so I spent the evening hooking them up to an Arduino Nano. Turns out they don't spin fast enough as they're geared down. I tried opening one up to remove the gearing but the motor proved to be too underpowered. So I've now go to find a motor small enough to fit, but with enough power to spin the clip.

Over the weekend I switched my attention back to the SMG. I thickened the centre layers and cut out a section to store the electronics. I also cut out a piece from the front where I'll be mounting the muzzle and other details. I then started the outer layers, creating fences and using body filler to build up to the fences.

Check out my gallery to see images of the gun and electronics build.


Jon

More progress

Today I focused on the feature at the top of the grip. I decided to cut it off so I could shape it easily, but not before I drilled some holes for more dowels so it would be aligned when I reattach it.


Jon

Back on track

As I started from scratch during the week I spent this weekend going back over the same steps as before. The grip is now bulked out. I still need to do the bevelling around the thumb hole and build up the feature at the tip of the grip to get back to where I previously was.
I much prefer the thickness now, feels more substantial.


Jon

Step back to move forward

Today I made the decision to begin the grip and stock parts from scratch again. I wasn't happy with the thickness of the stock so I've bought some thicker pvc sheets. I've also ditched the double sided tape in exchange of screws. I've also drilled holes to feed dowels to aid the alignment. These are glued on one side, now I need to wait for them to dry so I can separate it to trim them down.


Jon

More Hellfire progress

I didn't get as much done this weekend as I would've liked. I decided to cut off the top section to make it easier to deal with both the front of the frypans the main body. I then used some mdf primer to seal the mdf as I was getting annoyed with the softness of it. On Sunday I proceeded to work on the grip, building up the top, the bevelling the edge with my router. I also used a Dremel with drum sanding bit to remove material around the thumb hole.


Jon

Hellfire started

This week I began working on the Maliwan Hellfire from Borderlands 2. I've been pondering how to make it for a while and got most of the materials together early. I began by cutting out the outline in mdf, then used a router to create a duplicate. These duplicates are stuck together temporarily using double sided tape. I then started layering the stock end of the SMG with rigid pvc sheets, sanding the shape as I went. I then moved onto the grip, doing the same. It's taking shape well.


Jon

Workshop ready, let's go!

I finally got round to tidying up my little workshop yesterday, so I've now got my building space ready. I unboxed my new scroll saw and had to take it for a spin, so to speak. So I thought I'd make a mount for my Master Sword. So I took some off cuts and used the scroll saw to cut out slots to fit the scabbard and handle. I then fit some foam on the cuts so it wouldn't damage the sword or scabbard, and mounted it above a door way.

So now I can begin the Borderlands 2 Hellfire project, but before I begin that I need to finish off my vector layout. I've only got the front and back sides (muzzle and stock ends) to do then I can scale and print it.


Jon

A look at what's to come

I've been obsessed of late with Borderlands 2. Kind of reminds me of the days I used to play World of Warcraft and the hours spent farming supplies and weapons.
So I've been thinking of making one of the guns, and one of my favs in the game is the Legendary SMG Maliwan Hellfire. As with all the guns in the game there are lots of variations with sights, grips, stocks etc. I've chosen to go with the most iconic, with the curved grip and solid stock.
I've found some a decent enough image on the net, and luckily have one in game now as well so I've been able to take my own screenshots.
So I've started making some blue prints using Inkscape to create the vectors. A preview's below, it's not finished yet though.

On a site note, I'm going to be getting a scroll saw for Xmas which will work a treat when it comes time to cut out the shape of this bad boy.

Stay tuned for progress

Jon