Props Giveaway Magnum Build [Soon to be Pick Heavy]

[First Strike]

Hi everyone!,
It's been a hot minute i beg forgiveness however life ebbs and flows. Anyhow pictured below is the progress/steps on building a Halo Reach Magnum. i'm working on 2 for giveaway winners from my Instagram:

Step 1: [The Template]
The Template, as well as process is inspired and created by Andrew DFT. After securing the template i brought it into photoshop and scale the template on a blank document that is scaled to in cannon measurements. if i were scaling this to myself I'd set it against an 8.5 by 11 in canvas size, and scale until the template's grip looks to fit my hand.

Step 2: [Transcribing to foam]
After cutting the template from the paper, i transcribe it to the 8mm foam. i pick and choose certain portions to cut away from the main template to work on as separate pieces. [See second picture]

Step 3: [Freeing "Buck" from Foam]
For my version/process i usually cut b/w 3-4 bucks or blanks of the magnum. 1 for safety 3 for the 3 main layers. my magnums are comprised of 2 outer layers , and a single inner layer. the inner layer will eventually have a hollow for a removable magazine. stay tuned!

Pictures: Apologies, I'm not sure if I'm posting them wrong but it says my pictures are too large. going forward the pictures will be titled to match their steps and I'll be sure to make mention/marks on the pictures for specific reference.

 

[First Strike]

POST 2!
Tonight's post covers Making the inner layer have more interactivity,, as well as starting the "Jaw" section of the magnum.

Step 1) Stenciling the Magwell [See Pictures labeled "Stenciling Magwell 1, and 2]
This is probably the easiest portion of the build. after you cut away the "Mag" section of your Magnum stencil you will see indentations going up from the bottom of your buck. from here mark there those indentations start [Pic 1] remove your template and carry those lines up to about the top of the grip as seen in picture two. as you carry the lines up begin tapering the line closest to the back of the grip [Reference pic 2 again] this taper will help us in the assembly section for more connection between the layers. once complete it should look like picture 2.

Step 2) Free Mag from Inner Buck [See picture labeled Free the Mag]
Here get your hobby knife and begin cutting. for the cleanest edges ensure your knife is sharp. for crisper lines i tend to find cutting top - bottom yields the best results to free the main body of your magazine. To free the top i cut from the center and left, then center to right. seeing as we will be leaving less support material cutting from the center mitigates the chances of ripping and tearing of either side.

Step 3) Creating Magazine Support Material [ See Pictures Stenciling Mag, Freeing wood from slate, and width of wood slate]
Here i have procured an 1/8th inch wood slate from Hobby Lobby. i do not remember the name of this wood however it is easily cuttable via boxcutter knives or even easier if you have a Dremel handy. I cut my piece via a box cutter due to my room mate being asleep and not wanting to wake them [i'm second shift currently] step one is to use the freed piece of foam from step 2 as your stencil for step 3. with a pen [Recommend ball point or finer if possible] trace your magazine out. after stenciling take multiple passes with a sharp knife to cut through the wood. taking multiple passes decreases chances of splintering. Once complete your piece should look close [but not exactly...results may vary] to "Freeing wood from slate" ref image.

Step 4) Gathering Magazine Components [See Ref Image Magnum Mag Components]
After test fitting my wood piece, and magazine from the inner buck together i realized that the pieces would be too thick without having to "Rout" one or both of the outter bucks. to combat this i made two more components. i used the same stencil to make similar size pieces out of 2mm foam and 6 mm high density foam. these 3 components together made the perfect test fit within the inner buck.

Step 5) Magnum Slide [See Ref Image Magnum Slide Components]
for this portion you want to remove the top slide portion from your template The angled "grill" pieces and the top iron sight "Hammer" piece. each should be separated into two component stencils. the body of this should be stenciled twice and mirrored onto your 8mm foam [I'm using floor mats but 8mm high density is perfect for this build too] and cut. the "grill" pieces and Iron Sight/Hammer pieces should be cut from 6mm high density [See the grey pieces in the Ref Image] you will need sharp knives to get clean grill cuts. after your pieces are cut reserve to the side for later assembly.

Step 6) Creating the Magnum's Jaw [See Ref Pictures Magnum Jaw Bucks, and Magnum Jaw]
For this portion you are to free the "Jaw" template from the magnum ending up with the piece pictured in "Magnum Jaw Bucks" trace the outer most edge of this piece 3 times, reversing one for the 2 outer, single inner most layer. you wont need to do this if you are using High Density foam...you will if you are using floor mats. after you cut one outer layer buck it is recommended to test fit it to an outer layer magnum buck. Test fit to ensure that there are little to no gaps. there will be beveling on these pieces as well as raised and lowered details. at this step you can also test fit/see the components of your slide against the outer buck. see picture [Magnum Jaw] for reference.

That's what i have for my second post thus far! this is coming along nicely and i cannot wait to start all the beveling and detail additions! i tend to build/cut all my pieces and then assemble later...this method of assembly doesn't work for everyone but for getting back into the swing of things with my new work/sleep schedule it keeps me motivated. Thanks for tuning in!

 

[First Strike]

Hey All! here is part 3. Apologies for the wait work has been crazy. Last we left things off the "Jaw" of the magnum as well as other details were cut and roughed out. now for more detail pieces!

Step 1) Stenciling Jaw Detail [Ref: Jaw Stencil, and Cut Jaw Stencil]
Recover your Jaw section stencil and free it from the outer most lines and inner details. Removing these sections will help create interesting and interactive negative space.

Step 2) Transfer to 2mm Foam [Ref: Jaw Detail 2mm Foam]
After making the stencil transfer the freed section to 2mm foam. Utilize the foam to make a registration line onto the Jaw Buck, pictured in Ref material.

Step 3) 2nd level details [Ref: Jaw Stencil 2nd breakdown,, Finished Raised Detail, and Play Tested Detail]
Once the first level raised detail is complete, further breakdown your stencil [See Jaw Stencil 2nd Breakdown and Play tested detail] i ended up actually breaking it down further than in the 2nd breakdown [see Play tested detail, paper stencil in top right of image] once your stencil is cut, transfer to another piece of 2mm foam. for me personally it is better to have separate colors for visual management and contrast, however this is a personal preference and is not required. i always also recommend play testing/fitting your detail pieces. this may help you decide if you want this to be raised edges or scoured pieces, there are many schools of thought but as I'm not going for game accuracy this is on the creator's whim . once complete your pieces should look similar to the two ref pics for this step!

Step 4) Magazine butt plate and details [Ref: Mag Stencil, Transfer, Free Mag Bottom and Detail Stencil, Stencil on 2mm foam, and Freed Mag Detail]
Whether you call it a mag bottom, butt, or butt-plate this is the section we are working with. if not already free the Mag Butt Plate from the main stencil and transfer to foam 2x since only 2 sides require the details[Ref Mag Stencil, Transfer]. Cut your pieces after transfer. reserve your stencil, and grab more 2mm foam (Shocker i know).
[See Ref: Free Mag Bottom and Detail Stencil, Stencil on 2mm foam, and freed mag detail] in these images you see the piece i cut from the mag stencil...kind of a weird sideways Italy boot right? so transfer this to your foam (I have a piece already complete and test fit to a magazine buttplate) you need 2 of these pieces as only the outer sides should have this detail.

Step 5) Stay with me, lol this is the last step for this part! [Ref: New Stencil Breakdown, Magnum Siding Detail, and Magnum Siding Freed]
Whew okay. welcome to the last step for this part. 1stly grab your magnum stencil and break it down [Ref New Stencil Breakdown] we will need the thinner middle section i am calling the "Magnum Siding". Transfer this piece to (who could have guessed...2mm foam) and then free your 2 pieces from the foam [Ref Magnum Siding Detail, and Siding Freed Pics]. I recommend utilizing something to weigh down the stencil as you go so the piece doesn't flop about if you are using printer paper and not card stock.

After that is complete...congrats! you made it to the last step and we are done. After this we have 2 more pieces to make and then we can go about prepping our surfaces for gluing! you guys are awesome, thanks for tuning in and liking the post. keep in mind this is my version of a foam magnum, this is the style of build i enjoy, by no means do i assert this is the best way. I hope you are having fun if you are following along!