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what have I got myself into

So hello there, Im eccentric normality and I like to make things. Recently Ive been making things that are 3D printed, such as my own action figures, board games and such. I was struck recently with the desire to have a titan for my fledgling Admech force, but rather than sink £700 into one from FW, I figured I would use it as a learning experience and create my own.

It is not going easily.

So at thd top of the project I have the most basic parts designed and Im printing it at half size on my faster printer, my big one being out of action and my small one being too small to print the parts at full size.

My current progress is as such: I have the head and torso printed, the legs are being worked on and so are the arms. Things fit together okay, but a lot more detailing is needed.

Looking good.
Are these from published files, or ones you created?

 Skinnereal wrote:
Looking good.
Are these from published files, or ones you created?

This guy is made from files Im creating. Once the half scale prototype is made, I will use it to work out what details I want to add to the model. Ive already decided a built in mounting point for the carapace weapon would be a good idea.

The proportions between the head and the armor over the neck are WAY off. The neck should be able to swivel side to side. It won't even fit under the armor plate as shown.

 SlaveToDorkness wrote:
The proportions between the head and the armor over the neck are WAY off. The neck should be able to swivel side to side. It won't even fit under the armor plate as shown.

The head just about fits under the armour when turned, but yeah, that front section needs flaring out and bringing down a bit.

So Ive attempted to get the legs printed and wow do I have a problem! THOSE ARE WAY TOO WEEDY! however thats not my only problem as the shoulder guards seem woefully inadiquate too. Time for embiggening I guess

It's a bit chibi...
A smaller head would fix everything, for a big robot or something.

 Skinnereal wrote:
It's a bit chibi...
A smaller head would fix everything, for a big robot or something.

Aye, I think that will be the way I go with it, though not much smaller. The picture Im working from shows the head as quite large: https://goo.gl/images/vpdv7l

ANYWAY! Updates updates, the legs are much better now, Ive made them far larger, see the comparison photo. Im printing the other leg now which should give me an idea of the models finished hight. I did minorly muck the leg up though, I somehow didnt attach the peg used to connect the knee armour, so there is that.

Neat project. May I ask what software you use? I am in the market for a 3d Printer but I know very little about doing my own designing.

Wow, I like where this is going... crazy age we live in where one can print an idea of an idea of the far future.. wacky indeed and nice work, good sir. I shall be monitoring this thread,,,,

 Ssgt Carl wrote:
Neat project. May I ask what software you use? I am in the market for a 3d Printer but I know very little about doing my own designing.

I use 123D to design my models currently, but I learned how to do what I do In tinkercad. Both are free and worth a look at.

Progress! Hes a big boy! As probably expected, maybe a bit too big considering this is supposed to be the hlaf scale prototype. Ive tinkered with the legs in order to make the pose more wide legged like the official model. Also Ive had to beef the guns up. That gattling cannon is WAY TOO SMALL.

But progress is going well, I will be attaching some armour soon.

Coming along nicely. The legs look better thicker like that. I always felt the waist and legs on a reaver were a a bit skinny. The waist and hip joints would need to be quite strong to support and stabilize the torso while still being able to move.

If you print it in ABS. You can use acetone vapors to remove the print lines from the model. By putting the pieces in a container and a soaked tissue on the edges for 5 to 10 minutes. It will completely smooth out the surfaces.

Obviously, you will want to experiment with it to get the right timing.

For smoothing PLA you would need Chloroform.

An Example of that would be:

Youn wrote:If you print it in ABS. You can use acetone vapors to remove the print lines from the model. By putting the pieces in a container and a soaked tissue on the edges for 5 to 10 minutes. It will completely smooth out the surfaces.

Obviously, you will want to experiment with it to get the right timing.

For smoothing PLA you would need Chloroform.

An Example of that would be:

Ive had some experience with using acetone. It gives some nice results but Im always worried about using it and melting my projects. But I think I will need to do it for this guy to give the proper finish.

Ssgt Carl wrote:Coming along nicely. The legs look better thicker like that. I always felt the waist and legs on a reaver were a a bit skinny. The waist and hip joints would need to be quite strong to support and stabilize the torso while still being able to move.

Ive added more details in the latest versions of the legs which will be printed... uh... sometime. I always assumed that titans used some kind of anti-grav technology to keep them upright, but yeah, bigger and chunkier legs would be a good thing.

r3n3g8b0y wrote:Wow, I like where this is going... crazy age we live in where one can print an idea of an idea of the far future.. wacky indeed and nice work, good sir. I shall be monitoring this thread,,,,

Im glad to have your interest. I do have to admit, being able to just create things still excites me greatly.

SO PROGRESS! Ive worked on beefing up the guns, which I will be printing some time whenever. Ive got the reavers new shoulderpads attached and added its shinguards. not sure if the shins are big enough but they will do for now. I decided to take a photo with my largest figure so far, my knight, and I might have made the models a wee smidge too large, remember what you are seeing is a HALF SIZE prototype. Im currently printing up a new back shell and a missle launcher that Im really quite excited to throw onto the titan.

Also have a little group of Exo troopers Ive printed for my board game.

Wow. That's pretty good for 3d printer.

I do agree the shin guard probbly should be more beafed up and reinforced to fit with the imperial design.

 jhe90 wrote:
Wow. That's pretty good for 3d printer.

I do agree the shin guard probbly should be more beafed up and reinforced to fit with the imperial design.

Absolutely! I also have to work on the pegs and such to attach the shin armour. I am also hoping that the knee armour helps make the legs look a bit more powerful.

Tiny update. New back shell and Ive created a little missle launcher for the reavers back. Once again my curse of making things too small strikes again, the missle launcher is a bit weak looking.

Well, you are doing better than I would since I am a dinosaur tech wise. I would if inclined, make a titan from plastic sheets and rods.

 shasolenzabi wrote:
Well, you are doing better than I would since I am a dinosaur tech wise. I would if inclined, make a titan from plastic sheets and rods.

If you want to make something, make it, even if your methods feel old. Its a great way to do something interesting and save some money in your hobby. That said my way didnt save all that much money, only... lets see... cost of the printer vs a reaver titan... £200! Saving! There or abouts anyway. A small update this time, changed up the legs for a wider stance and more detail, and gave him GUN ARMS! A gattling blaster and a volcano cannon specifically.

Updates updates... well the titan is having a bit if a spruce up file wise, Im adding more pipes, tubes, rivets and other details in order to make the next pront a decent upgrade, so in the mean time, have som scandelous non-titan malarkey.

First up I designed and printed a little astronaut pal, working on my 80s inspired space atheistic for my Wild Spaces figures. I think it went well. I also recently purchesed a dust tactics/warfare Jagdluther and Im thinking up what to do with it painting wise.

Very cool thread. I'm following it with interest. The bonus is that when you redo the various parts for size or detail you instantly give yourself some great-looking scenery!

UPDAATES! So Ive set about making some files look better, which has been going alright mostly. Ive added some pegs to the arms so they can stay in place without glue, and made the missle launcher muuuch larger. I tried to do the same with the feet, however Ive made the peg at the wrong angle.

When the reader titan is finished could you send me the files? I have a 3d printing obssessed friend who plays admech...

Agent8606 wrote:
When the reader titan is finished could you send me the files? I have a 3d printing obssessed friend who plays admech...

When this titan is finished I will be putting the files up on my thingiverse/pinshape for ALL TO SEE AND USE, because I feel that is the right thing to do.

Well as far as updates go this one is pretty lame. I managed to screw up the foot pegs AGAIN! And now the titan leans forward like hes trying to do a Michael Jackson/tin man lean, only he is top heavy and so FALLS OVER. Not quite sure what happened, but Im replacing the pegs with some good old ball and socket joints.

However on the good side of things, Ive got a new head made, its flatter and has some tubes in it to make it more Reaver-y

Awesome progress! Do you have any other 3d printed models planned for the future?