Latex stunt neck seals research and build thread

[Sonnenschein]

The neck lenght? do you mean the circumference of the neck? This will fit 16" (41cm)

 

The height on the ribbed part will be 10-11 cm. There will be 11 ribs. You can cut it down if you want. The seals had different amounts ribs.

 

I doubt I'll make hero seal. IMO, they were hand sewn out of some kind of fabric,not rubber,

[Sonnenschein]

BTW: If I was asked to make a latex HERO seal, I'd be ready in 24hrs

 

I must have tried dozens of ideas over the last year.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking good Karin

[Dday[501st]]

Thanks for the answers Karin.

 

Looks like you're on the the home stretch now. It's been a long time coming, love to see them when finished.

[Sonnenschein]

Okay, I'm scratching the fiber glass/ bondo/ pepakura approach.

 

I think I still have lots of styrene sheet left from my hand guard builds. This will save me a lot of money and hours of sanding!

[Sonnenschein]

Next acquisition:

 

styrene sheets (0.5 and 0,25mm), glue, EU-"bondo" and PU foam

 

 

The pattern will be transferred on the styrene sheets, glued, and fill with foam for stability. Then the ribs will be sculpted.

[troopermaster]

I hope you're not overthinking the sculpt again Karin

[Sonnenschein]

I hope you're not overthinking the sculpt again Karin

 

I hope not. But this thing is on my mind almost 24 hrs a day right now.

 

I can't sculpt an ashtray out of clay, so I'll stick to techniques I'm used to.

[Sonnenschein]

I some times like overthinking, because it's cheap

 

I didn't spend too much sofar.

[Sonnenschein]

A few thought why I don't sculpt the usualy way (maybe this clears my head)

 

The last time I used clay was in kindergarten, I think.

 

I think I I could get a clay sculpt done, but I need a lot of time and several attempts.

 

But I know my way around with styrene. All my hand guards started out as plastic cut outs!

 

I want to have the master sculpt as flawless and glossy as possible. As I found out, that any roughness and imperfections will drastically reduce the durability of the finished product. I can do that with styrene

 

The master sculpt needd to be cast in plaster. if it's a clay master I'd be only able to do this one time only with my luck.

I need something more durable.

 

I don't need to buy much new raw materials. Still have some left from the hand guards. Huge money saver!

 

If you read all this, thank you! I feel much beter know!

[troopermaster]

Okay then. It will be interesting to see your final sculpt before you cast it. I was just thinking of something simple made from clay and cast in plaster.

[Griffin-X[TK]]

Just stumbled into the post. Great topic and really interested in how this turns out. You do such fine work Karin!

[Sonnenschein]

thank you!

 

Waiting for the foam to cure and having a nice snack from Hawai'i

 

 

Think of this as an elaborate armature for the sculpt.

[Sonnenschein]

Ready to hit with some bondo!

 

 

 

 

Any comments or suggestions?

[R5SB[TK]]

Basic shape and size looking good (in my humble opinion). Will you be adding separate rings of ridges or a continuous spiral to form the mold shape?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

can't quite tell from the pictures, is the base oval, would help to drape better,also would there be a over hang to open and close. Looking great good work, wish I was that handy

[Sonnenschein]

Andrew, it'll be separate rings.

 

Glen, the "draping"effect is achieved byslashing the bib into strips,about 2"

 

You can see that on the trooperonthe far left

[R5SB[TK]]

Thanks Karin.

 

What thickness of rubber will you be aiming for and what technique will you use to apply it (I'll understand if these are trade secrets)?

[Sonnenschein]

No trade secrets; everthing can be found on the net

 

After I finish the sculpt, I'll make a plaster copy. That will be dipped in BIG vat of latex. After a certain amount of time a latex "skin" has been built, and the vat will be emptied.

 

The thickness should be around 1 mm. The sample I've shown earlier is about 0,25 mm

 

If one is worried that 1 mm is not enough: a bicycle tire is about 1mm

Edited September 4, 2012 by Sonnenschein

[R5SB[TK]]

Thanks for the information Karin. Looking forward to seeing your sculpt!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Going really well, can't wait to see the finished product

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

some troopers have large necks. mine for example is 17 1/2"

[Sonnenschein]

I know Vern! That's why I asked everybody for their neck size in advance

 

I'll make the 16" version atm, When it's finished, we'll see how much it stretches to be still comfy.

 

A larger version (like 18") ist easy to make once the first one is finished.

 

If eveything works out, there will even be a 14" version (as in "M", "L" and "XL")

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

having something strong, thin and accurate will be a very important factor in comfort on your work!

 

looking forward to it!

[Sonnenschein]

Thanks everybody!

 

Just a little experimenting with the pattern. You can also see my modified tool

 

 

Sorry to bother you all with every single step, but evey mistsake I'll make will end up time consuming and costs money ; (which I don't have enough of both, lol)