Blackadder's Attempt To Build a Lucius Patten Imperator

[Augustus b'Raass]

$100?!?!?! Isn't there a cheaper alternative? Like plastic tubing for electric wire or something?

[Gederas]

$100?!?!?! Isn't there a cheaper alternative? Like plastic tubing for electric wire or something?

He's scratchbuilding an Emperor-Class Titan. What is "cheaper"? :lol:

 

 

In any case Blackadder, this thing is IMMENSE. I like it. :tu:

[Blackadder]

$100?!?!?! Isn't there a cheaper alternative? Like plastic tubing for electric wire or something?

 

You can't get cheaper than free. That is what these lawn flags are costing me plus I get the exercise walking around picking them up.

Edited June 25, 2018 by Blackadder

[Augustus b'Raass]

Oh I thought the lawn flags cost $100... :)

[Blackadder]

You Get Two:

 

Due to a bit of luck and some overzealousness I made this coil core literally twice as long as it needed to be so I now have the option of building two of these extremely futuristic weapons. 

 

The problem is; Are they too slick looking for my lumbering Imperator?

 

 

https://i.imgur.com/99NN9FT.jpg

 

Also the gun mount I made may be too crude for the Sunburst Plasma Blaster....... Does anyone else think that name is more appropo for a 1960s bubblegum jawbreaker?

 

Anyway I've managed to wrap the first strand of coil material around the core and am letting it dry overnight before installing all the almost one hundred strands for these two Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters..whatever

[CommodusXIII]

If it makes you feel better, it was originally called a plasma annihilator.  That's a bit more fearsome of a name.

[Gorgoff]

What an awesome name for a bubble gum :d

[TURBULENCE]

Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.... So totally using that for something now. Either way I'm excited to see where this goes. And I wouldn't worry about them looking to slick. I always thought that was the point of pasma tech, to look so much more advanced than anything around it. Edited June 28, 2018 by TURBULENCE

[FlamingDeth]

To be fair, gargle blasters are well known for melting through things.

[Blackadder]

If it makes you feel better, it was originally called a plasma annihilator.  That's a bit more fearsome of a name.

Plasma Annihilator

 

The Plasma Annihilator is a vast Plasma Weapon mounted only on Emperor Battle Titans. It can lay down extremely heavy fire, but also at high rates of fire. The ability to devastate a large area alone would make the weapon worthwhile, however the sheer power provided by the Titan's plasma reactors charge the weapons to their ultimate, devastating potential.

 

The plasma unleashed by this weapon explodes upon impact with all the power of a miniature sun, forming craters hundreds of meters in diameter and turning sand into glass.[3] Simply firing the weapon is destructive in and of itself as it produces a deafening roar which shatters glass for a kilometer in all directions. Lesser Titans such as Gargants are reduced to little more than melted sludge by the sunfire emitted from a Plasma Annihilator.

 

Yeah, That's what I'm talk'n 'bout!

 

 

Substitute 2 ounces For Tablespoon 

[Blackadder]

Give a Hand:

 

Yesterday evening I got tired of waiting for material for the Plasma Blaster so I decided to work on the Claw.

 

https://i.imgur.com/AfXn5Uc.jpg

 

By this morning I got a fairly good start.

[Naryn]

Man, progress is lightning fast at the Blackadder Manufactorum. I’m jealous of your work ethic!

[Blackadder]

Hands, Touching Hands, Reaching Out, Touching Me, Touching You!

 

You have to imagine these skeletal fingers cut down to proper diameters but for now we are going for size and flexibility.

 

https://i.imgur.com/lZteifU.jpg

 

I modeled my own hand for size

 

https://i.imgur.com/BnEPqx1.jpg

 

The first joint indicated by the axles will be where the finger joins the palm so three joints all together to the fingertips except for the thumb which will have two.

 

https://i.imgur.com/UqVfGp0.jpg

 

I may make the thumb eventually capable of crossing the palm but not for now.

[Sagentus]

Dam all the recent updates just keep getting better and better .. really have enjoyed watching this masterpiece come together

[Blackadder]

Subtlest Difference:

 

You can see with this subtle improvement that the grip will be more humanoid and organic (gratuitous remarks at this point are inevitable I suppose)

 

https://i.imgur.com/nBCMI0B.jpg

Edited July 4, 2018 by Blackadder

[CCE1981]

There is a slight curve to it now.  Did you heat it?

[Blackadder]

There is a slight curve to it now.  Did you heat it?

Initially the finger tips were parallel to each other. It was wrong but I could not put my finger on it (Groan!) Now the index and pinky fingers converge at the tips toward the middle and ring finger. A much more lifelike representation. 

 

I didn't heat it but; cut, pared down, and reglued.

 

Thanks for the reply.

[Naryn]

Looks great! I love that you’ve included a ruler in these photos; that power fist is gonna be BIG!

[Blackadder]

Looks great! I love that you’ve included a ruler in these photos; that power fist is gonna be BIG!

 

No need for a ruler. Each of the squares are slightly over a square half inch in size. (14,37 MM).

Edited July 5, 2018 by Blackadder

[Blackadder]

A Failed Attempt:

 

One of the duties of posting these updates is to show my failures as well as triumphs.

 

I've wasted a few days on trying to make the coils on this Plasma Blaster and I am not enthused with the result so before I try a different approach I'll show what did not work out. 

 

https://i.imgur.com/kIFXXt3.jpg

 

I came up with a new idea that I believe will produce a better result and in the long run be much quicker to produce.

 

Once I have a good start on the procedure I'll post an update.

[Blackadder]

This Is Definitely the Better Way To Go:

 

In the space of one hour I've exceeded the work of several days.

 

https://i.imgur.com/EadMMJl.jpg

 

Note: The rods are staggered only as a demonstration. When they are glued they will be flush with the edge.

 

Of course I shall have to bend these to the shape of the coils.

[Augustus b'Raass]

Interesting to see your proces - but can you elaborate a bit what you did that didn't work and what you're doing now that's giving better results? The pictures only say so much, and I'm interested to learn from your work!  :)

[Blackadder]

Bend Angle Radius:

 

The relationship between the strength of a material and the amount of curve that can be imparted to the the material before the fatigue point where it will crack instead of take the curve. 

 

In aircraft it applies to aluminum alloys etc and the metal fatigues when too much stress crystallizes the area being bent to a point of material failure.  

 

https://i.imgur.com/qGaviga.jpg

 

plastic is subject to similar restrictions. That is where we are now. How to impart a bend and not fatigue the styrene?

 

https://i.imgur.com/9rRdwgv.jpg

 

I am soaking the assembly in Tamiya Cement for the test tomorrow to see if I can get the parts to bend without fatiguing.

 

A judicious application of heat may be necessary.

[Blackadder]

Win One For The Gripper

 

Or Fail to do so; it's the moment of truth when we'll see if my makeshift bender will work or not.

 

https://i.imgur.com/mpEkKz4.jpg

 

After a hiatus of three days I finally had the time and nerve to see if all my work was for naught.

 

https://i.imgur.com/GCK6X9J.jpg

 

I put a lot at stake with this wooden jig which in spite of its crude appearance is actually pretty precise.

 

All that needed to be done is boil up an quart of water and pour it over the clamped sheet of Styrene. 

 

https://i.imgur.com/0jQKQbQ.jpg

 

In my moment of mental anguish all my better half could say is, "Couldn't you have Hoovered the Floor?"

 

 

[Subtle Discord]

Hummm... indeed that's an interesting detail to try to produce in styrene in a timely manner.

 

I think you're on the right track, but I'm not sure about hot water. If it works, great, but I'll toss out some input if it doesn't work out.

 

I've done a few long straight bends like this in styrene while creating design prototypes and it's tricky to pull off well. I highly suggest creating a shield (Read: a piece of 4mm masonite with a long slot cut in it of the appropriate width) so you can hit it with focused heat (Read: use a heat gun or even hold it over a red-hot stove burner) along a specific region you want to bend. This will let you control the heat to mostly only affect the stripes on the corners that you want to bend, while leaving the flat areas cool enough to remain flat during the process.

 

Laminating the rod to the flat styrene before the bend might not be the best way to go either; as you create the bend it might be stretched, adding stress, as it needs to traverse the larger radius of the outside of the bend, if that makes sense. If you run into troubles you may consider bending the flat styrene into a shell, and then after glue the coils in place over the form you've created. As long as the base shell is stiff enough (and it should be with the bends in the shape creating rigidity) using a round dowel you could easily cold bend half-round styrene rod to wrap around the shell/shape and not create too much stress that might distort the shape of the outcome.

 

Edit: nevermind, I've overlooked your first attempt where you were trying this. Naturally, you're attempting this so you've got the best idea what's working and what's not.

 

Now, if you got the pictured attempt to work, then all the power to you, but if it doesn't co-operate I hope I can offer some insight that might help you better tackle the problem.

Edited July 14, 2018 by Subtle Discord