Friday, April 29, 2016

Spartan Mk VI Helmet Visor Update

So, as noted, I don't have much time to do anything. As such, today I am working on my helmet.
First off, I wanted to add another fan into my bucket. It likes to fog up.

This is not a hard thing to do. All you need is a computer fan, a 9V battery clip and 2 butt connectors. Cut the end of the 9 volt battery clip and strip the wires. Insert the black end of the wire into one end of the butt connector and crimp down the butt connector. Take the black wire from the fan, insert it into the other end of the butt connector and crimp it. Do the same with the red wires in another connector. Attach a 9V battery, and TA-DA, you should be in business.

Here is the insert I have from Stony Props. As you can see, it has holes I put in it to fasten it to my helmet. I purchased a clear plastic desk protector from Staples, cut out a piece in the same size. I overlapped the two pieces and put a dot on the clear plastic where I needed to put the holes for attachment. Next, I traced the pattern onto the protective peel of layer. I then used and Xacto knife to cut out the pieces.


Here is the clear plastic overlay for my visor. Up close, you can see it easily, but if you are farther away, it is less obvious.
...and here is the final result. I think it will look even better when I get the hexagon visor!
I also made the "light" covers on the side much smaller.





Next up on my list today is to add in the new fan...only downside is it is REALLY loud compared to my other fan haha. So we will see how this goes. I had originally ordered some blower fans, but they never arrived and the seller refunded me :(

On the bright side, my neck microphone has now shipped! Which means when I talk, there will be NO sound from the fans in my bucket :D

Thursday, April 28, 2016

BOOMco Halo M6 Inspiration

As I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of my M6, here are the pictures I am using for inspiration!

First, this is the image of the BOOMco M6 I have ordered:

 
 Apparently, taking this bad boy apart is a pain in the butt and it breaks relatively easily...so wish me luck. 

 Here are the game/official looking M6s that I am using for a ref:

 

And here are replicas made by fans with repainted BOOMco M6's mixed in:
 
http://img08.deviantart.net/adf8/i/2013/094/1/2/halo_reach_m6g_replica_by_johnsonarms-d60hchg.jpg
This is the colour scheme I think I am going with.


BoomCo M6 OD by KillingjarStudios
This is a painted BOOMco. Only thing I would change is "Halo" sticking out the side. Also the part sticking out at the end would need to go...

Boomco Halo M6 OD 2-tone by KillingjarStudios
Another BOOMco with a custom paint job. I also don't mind this paint scheme.



 Ugh! Hurry up and arrive! I want to paint!

Spartan Mk VI and Anime North 2016 Updates!

'Sup internet?! Yes, I know. I have been away for WAY to long, but I never forgot you! Life has been busy, ya know? But don't worry, I am still adding and fixing stuff on current cosplays and working at new cosplays (specifically, my Nightingale from Skyrim). I also whipped together a quick Khajit from Skyrim for Halloween 2015, so keep your eye out for my pretty kitty cosplay post ;)

So, as you all know, I am a member of the 405th (Canadian Regiment, eh?) and HIGHLY recommend that if you want to build anything Halo related, that you head over to those awesome forums with equally awesome Spartans who share a passion for all things Halo related and costuming. They are a great knowledge of wealth and have NO problem helping out if the answer isn't already buried in the forums (don't expect us to answer stuff when we KNOW the answer is on the forum, do some homework ya?). Google "405th" if you want to find us!

Speaking of Spartans, here is what I am doing for my Spartan Mk Vi for Anime North 2015:
Updates, more updates and fixing stuff.

To do in the next 30 days for my Spartan:
1) Add in the other computer fan into my helmet. I want this one to blow towards my visor so it helps control the fog.
2) Work on the visor. If my budget allows, I want to get another visor, with the hex pattern from Stony Props. The first one I have works like a dream. I am going to play around first, as I want to have the cut out effect.
3) Double check that ALL my lights work in my armor. If not, I need to replace them.
4) Get some paint thinner to get the paint off the pleather for my leg guards.
5)Hope my neck microphone arrives so I can install it. If not, figure out a way to install a regular microphone (I don't want to as it will pick up the fans...so maybe I won't).
6) Paint my BOOMco M6 when it arrives...going to be cutting this close as well.
7) Add a pocket for my phone or camera? Probably camera and most likely in the thigh.

To do for Anime North 2016 in general:
1) Try to get a closer hotel. The one we have isn't bad though, only a 16 minute walk.
2) Put my Black Rabbit Cosplay cards in the pocket of my Spartan thigh armor to hand out.
3) Pack
4) Print out directions to the hotel.
5) Figure out my budget.
6) Find all the parts to my Sheik from SSBB cosplay (this is my comfortable back-up cosplay haha and always a fan favorite!)
7) Pack my Emergency Cosplay Failure Kit

~Black Rabbit Cosplay ~ Spartan - Anime North 2015