Sunday, August 18, 2013

Kabuto finished

I have the kabuto finished. All that remains is adding the tie cord. Next up is a hanbo (lower face armour). The hanbo also acts as a tie point for the kabuto cord.




A example of a hanbo.




Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Kabuto update

Thought I would post a test of my shikoro (neck guard) for my kabuto project. I am still working out the 

rivets. Please note, the shikoro is not fully laced but the color of lace is correct. I still need to 

make the leather wedges before I can lace it up and I also wanted to get the Hachi (helmet bowl) painted.






Monday, July 8, 2013

kabuto update

After some more work the bowl part is almost complete, just a couple more tweaks. I will be starting to work on the rivets by the end of the week when materials come in. I will also be working on the neck guard while waiting for materials.



Thursday, July 4, 2013

kabuto update

All major plates are made. now just need to smooth the plates and get them ready to paint.
Next up Is making rivets and neck guard.




Wednesday, July 3, 2013

kabuto update

I have the first forehead plate on. next is the other forehead plate and a piece that holds the liner under the visor.



Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Japanese kabuto update

I thought I would give a small update on my Japanese kabuto project. I have the visor and the lower edge plate done. I have started the forehead plates, Here the right plate is being fitted and more shaping work is needed.



Saturday, June 22, 2013

Kabuto update

I have some of the Japanese kabuto helmet done. The five rear plates and the lower front, I call the brow plate. Current parts being made is the visor and the lower ring called a Koshimaki that is used to mount the lining and the neck guard. The last part that will be made is what I call the forehead plate that has the fin style on it. Please see a earlier post for what the kabuto looks like when completed. The screws you see are temporary and will be replaced by acorn shaped rivets.

Side view

Back view

Front view (showing brow plate)





Friday, June 14, 2013

Vary special friend

On 6/12/2013 I had the sadness of retiring a vary special friend and member of my family. He lived for 13 short years. His body was racked with pain from arthritis in his back legs and spine and other minor illnesses. In his memory I post this. For he will always be remembered by all that knew and loved him. His life was filled with joy, as he filled all of us with joy. It was our gift to him to put a end to his pain and suffering. Fair well from all of us to you, we know you are much happier now and we will see you again someday.

Rest in peace Charlie.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Update on Japanese sode armor

I have most of the sode done. Here is a pic showing all metal bits are connected. I still have a bit of maille to add and to attach it to the fabric backing.


next project a Japanese Kabuto helmet

I will be doing a my version of a this kabuto. Using these 2 photos as guides. They are labeled as katsushige type kabuto.









Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Armour sode update

I thought I would post this pic of a prototype plate for my sode project. the plate is next to a quarter for size reference.


Saturday, May 18, 2013

Japanese Sode armour

I am currently working on a test sode (shoulder) armour. Many sode are made with horizontal plates laced together. I am doing what is called a Karuta tatami style. Karuta means small rectangular plates, and tatami means folding often seen with chain maille. Below is a pic showing the parts of a typical samurai armour from the time period of Tokugawa (1600's).




A typical sode. 



Here is a typical Karuta tatami dou (chest armour).



Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Japanese Happrui face armour

I finally finished my version of the Japanese Happrui face armour.

Here is a screen cap from seven samurai..



And here is my version..



My version prior to paint..



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

decided to get back into metal work with samurai pieces.

Finally finished the metal work for a hitaigane (Armour for the for head).


With the liner tie..



Here is a pic from the great movie seven samurai showing how a hitaigane is worn.

I also got bored and made a Tekko (armour for the hand)


Here we see how it is worn.



Thursday, April 18, 2013

bajo jingasa

I am currently relearning a bit of armor making after having to stop for many years due to medical problems. I have always like the samurai, so for a small project I have decided to try a bajo-jingasa. I am relearning a bit of terminology as well. This style is called a tetsu bajo jingasa= Iron(tetsu), Riding(bajo), camp hat(jingasa).


Screen caps from the movie "Shogun" showing how the bajo-jingasa is worn.





Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Tracked Racers


I have decided to do a series of sci-fi vehicles for papercraft. Each vehicle is made up of separate blocks. This was done to allow the beginner to construct them easily. I had a happy accident, I realized, if you placed magnets under the white placement panels, They could become modular toys. Allowing a endless number of designs.

A short back history.
There is a planet called Natera, its a little hotter and larger than earth. There are 3 climate zones. Around the equator is the hottest and is made up of mostly sand, and little water found in small lakes and pools. Above and below this is the temperate zone, here it is mostly water with several islands surrounded by swampy type ground. Some islands are as big as a continent. Near the poles is a arctic type zone with all ice and temperature reaching in the negative during the nights.

There are 6 great clans on Natera. They are the Cado, Gildas, Adair, Rhodri, Waylon, Angus. They are at Pre-space flight but do have satellites in space. There is now mostly peace having survived a 2000 year war that caused near extinction. The survivors of the war joined together and formed clans having several hundred to thousands of members. These clans now solve disputes with cross country races. Each clan has a different style vehicle depending where they live.

I have the 3D models done at this time. Here is a preview.




I will soon release them for download.

Friday, January 25, 2013

new projects on the table

I have 2 new projects that I am currently working on.

A "V" visitor sky-fighter


and a Buck rogers blaster that was also used in the TV show (BSG) galactica 1980 series.









Sunday, January 20, 2013

update on RC Landram project

Added a new antenna (the grab rail on back).


Did a video of the RAMCAM




Size comparison to full size wearable Cylon helmet

"Galactica, this is Landram two. We've got a BIG Cylon problem here."
"Negative Land Ram 2 your problem doesn't have feet or a weapon. You are clear to roam the floor."