1st Build First armor build

[Berzzi]

I decided to start documenting my armor build journey. The plan is to build a suit based on my in game Infinite armor (shown in image).

I've decided I'm gonna do a Reach build with the EVA helmet. The chest in the first image, the shoulders swapped sides in the second, and maybe mount that wrist screen but have it fit my phone. It's going to be 3d printed PLA+ for armor and some mixture of foam for the under suit parts.i plan to have it done by Dragon Con in August 2024. The grind has already begun.

 

[Berzzi]

I started in March by buying a 3d printer. I got an Elegoo Neptune 4 Max. The first thing I printed was a reach Magnum. After dealing with initial printer calibrations that caused this:

i finally ended up with this:

not pictured are the slide and magazine that are moveable.

 

[Berzzi]

Next I decided I wanted to work on the armor from the feet up so that as I learn how to post process, the parts of the build that will be looked at the most will look the best.
First, I found shoes that give me a 4in boost on clearance for ~$50

Then I printed slices of the boot armor too check the scale and landed on 110%

I ended up using a deburring tool to remove most of the lip on the bottom of the heel to allow it to snug up better to the shoe.

 

[Berzzi]

Since the left foot, I've printed the left shin, knee, and both hand guards.

i found gloves that I felt very closely resembled the reach gloves. Since they already kinda had their own hand guard I Dremeled the under side out some and filled it with wood filler so that they lay better.

I'm currently working on getting the right for printed since I forgot to scale up two parts when i first printed it.

I've also got a pair of jogger/leggings and a stretchy cotton shirt with a turtle neck to wear underneath.

 

[N8TEBB]

Next I decided I wanted to work on the armor from the feet up so that as I learn how to post process, the parts of the build that will be looked at the most will look the best.
First, I found shoes that give me a 4in boost on clearance for ~$50
View attachment 346212
Then I printed slices of the boot armor too check the scale and landed on 110%
View attachment 346213
I ended up using a deburring tool to remove most of the lip on the bottom of the heel to allow it to snug up better to the shoe.

You'll love the tall shoes! I think I have that exact same pair. The extra 4" gives a very nice height boost, but also a huge confidence boost! You really do feel like a Spartan when wearing them! Also, those shoes are quite comfy. After a full day of wearing them at a con, I find my regular street shoes to be less comfortable than the tall shoes! haha

 

[Berzzi]

You'll love the tall shoes! I think I have that exact same pair. The extra 4" gives a very nice height boost, but also a huge confidence boost! You really do feel like a Spartan when wearing them! Also, those shoes are quite comfy. After a full day of wearing them at a con, I find my regular street shoes to be less comfortable than the tall shoes! haha

Oh I'm glad you found them comfy, I tried them on and the sole felt like a thin piece of fabric attached to a block of wood so I was gonna get thin dr.scholls. but I agree the height is great. I'm 5'9" so being 6'1" feels great

 

[N8TEBB]

I tried them on and the sole felt like a thin piece of fabric attached to a block of wood

maybe we didn't get the same shoe after all XD

 

[Berzzi]

maybe we didn't get the same shoe after all XD

Lol they're from Calto

 

[Lungorthin]

Can I get a hook up on those gloves? haha. They look almost perfect
I bought some shoes that raise my height by 6" but they're too big for my boot armor so I went with Calto's as well, 4.5" that do fit.
Also, how are you going to do the fire shoulders?

 

[Berzzi]

Can I get a hook up on those gloves? haha. They look almost perfect
I bought some shoes that raise my height by 6" but they're too big for my boot armor so I went with Calto's as well, 4.5" that do fit.
Also, how are you going to do the fire shoulders?

The gloves are zune lotoo

 

[Berzzi]

Small update:
My hands are pissed from sanding, and I'm hoping to get back to printing now that I have a filament dryer.
I've welded the left foot pieces that I had originally sliced and printed in two. And I've sanded, applied Bondo, sanded, filler primed, sanded, and reprimed the parts I do have and just need to wet sand them.

I've been trying to find colors I like. So far I haven't found a metal color that would work for the magnum or for paint chips. They either look like aluminum or have a bunch of glitter in them that makes it look bad. I'm gonna try a gunmetal called Lead Belcher and a deep slate that was recommended. Im currently thinking some kinda blue for the main armor, and faded orange trim/highlights.
I got a charcoal grey for unpainted areas, but I'm gonna check out the chalked version of it since those parts of the armor in other pictures seem much less glossy.

 

[Berzzi]

Status update, I've been printing like crazy and not have the wrists, shins, a knife and some accessories, and I'm currently printing the last helmet piece

i also got all the foot pieces ready to be wet sanded so I could set them aside.

I've also got the shins attached by soldering the inside seam, and then two part epoxy on the outside and sanded it down.

tonight I painted on bondo to the wrists and was forcefully reminded you can't put acetone in a solo cup.

I also decided I wanted to make the vents on the helmet chin functional, so that I'm easier to hear, and I can blow fans out of it too prevent visor fog.

i also think I've settled on a metal color. So I took my top two choices and put them on a scrap piece to practice the chipping weathering

i also have two grey colors I'm torn between for the non colorful armor parts

 

[Lojak]

This is looking great! Keep at it.

 

[Berzzi]

Helmet is all printed, just waiting on the visor now

 

[Jev]

Clever man for opening up the vents pre-print as opposed to cutting them out later, I'd imagine it'll look much cleaner in the finished product for it. Where are you getting your visor from?

 

[Berzzi]

Clever man for opening up the vents pre-print as opposed to cutting them out later, I'd imagine it'll look much cleaner in the finished product for it. Where are you getting your visor from?

I got the helmet files from galactic armory because they supply you with a sizing slice and a visor buck. They won't do visors of different scales than the default, but luckily my head is big enough for the default. So I'm getting the visor from them too

 

[Berzzi]

Clever man for opening up the vents pre-print as opposed to cutting them out later, I'd imagine it'll look much cleaner in the finished product for it. Where are you getting your visor from?

The vents were surprisingly simple as it was my first time really messing with an STL. I wish I had turned on mirroring to save on time though

 

[Berzzi]

Photo dump update, mostly just been printing and sanding. I got the cod piece, left shoulder, biceps and front left of the chest printed. The back left is currently printing atm. It's a 3 day print. Big thanks to moesizzlac for separating the cod piece for me. I plan to connect the cod pieces to a belt so that Its a little more adjustable.

I made some modifications to the original chest pics from MoeSizzlac. I added some slots to connect the front and back with neodymium magnets that I ordered from k&j magnets.

 

[Actuallyok]

The pieces came out great! What printer do you use? I have an ender 3 pro but the bed size is too small for any large size prints with out splitting the model

 

[Berzzi]

The pieces came out great! What printer do you use? I have an ender 3 pro but the bed size is too small for any large size prints with out splitting the model

I have an Elegoo Neptune 4 Max. The build space is great, but getting and keeping that bed level to get smooth prints is a Pain in the ass. But it's been very reliable compared to other brands I've heard about. Course Bambu still reins supreme. If u get a Neptune series I'd suggest the one step down from the max