**********************COMPLETION UPDATE***********************
<<<Original Thread>>>As it reads, the project is, for the most part, completed, and I'll be moving on to other artistic endeavors. It astonishes me how it feels like a great burden has been lifted from my conscious, and yet, my life's plate is already filled up again. I don't know if I'll ever get around to doing another costume like this again, but if I do I'll let you all know about it.
You've all been very kind, polite, and encouraging to me throughout this project's lengthy development, and I'm very happy to be a part of this growing community. I hope to serve as an example to costumers here seeking greater challenges in their hobby. I hope I can contribute my experience to everyone trying to conquer the beast that is heavy armor building. :)
Thank you all, so, so very much. I hope it's been a worthwhile experience for everyone involved.
Some interesting/funny facts about this build:
-This is my first and only costume. My only regret is that it wasn't a Gaunt's Ghosts cosplay.
-There were originally two suits at the start of the project.
-There was barely any Bondo used. I opted for joint compound in most cases.
-I have no idea how much it actually weighs.
-It is impossible to run while wearing it.
-The helmet -only- fits me to this day.
-It takes a friend to put it on.
-It takes a friend to take it off (choose friends wisely).
-The build was finished almost a week before its actual debut. I'm an asshole.
-Most, if not, all proportions were eyeballed/guessed.
-There are several drops of blood inside the suit. Somewhere. >.>
-The suit had three major evolutions.
-Six people directly assisted production in some way.
-Two of the four catch latches holding the breastplate together don't work.
-Many parts were done more than once, including the halberd (once a sword), the arms, the bolter, and others.
-There was originally a plan to cast it in fiberglass.
-There was originally a plan to make it out of Pepakura.
-There are approximately 200 foam letters decorating the armor, all of which spell Latin phrases and words.
-All ink-work and sculpting was hand-done.
-The paper is actually paper.
-I dressed up in the armor for Halloween twice.
-Fiberglass fumes made me drop shit.
-Balance in the suit is fantastic.
-Putting the suit on sucks amazingly hard dick.
-You can't touch your hands together while wearing it.
-Almost five bags of large glue sticks were melted.
-The chain is the only metal prop used in the entire project.
-There was a 2mm layer of dust coating everything in my garage after sanding.
-The trash filled over 20 garbage bags.
-I do not know exactly how much money I have spent on this project, but I estimate it's about $1300 over time.
-Approximately 1416 hours of technical labor were used.
-The suit has an estimated value of $15,500 as a sculpture.
-Approximately 60 cans of insulation foam were used.
-Three yards of fiberglass mat were cut into strips.
-Nine gallons of resin were used.
-There are at least 7 layers of paint on the entire suit.
-My game face kills heretics.
**************June 17, 2009 - February 18, 2012****************
Brother-Captain Colin, Grey Knight Terminator
