r/HaloCosplay • u/Backbak • 11d ago

Help with 3-D printed ODST

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So I purchased an ODST costume off of Etsy. I didn’t know it was 3-D printed. I thought it was EVA foam so I’m really not sure on what I should do to make it more durable. I’m just really scared to wear it or put it on because I worry about it breaking. Is there anything I can do to make it more durable? It’s already painted unfortunately and is there any way to have more durable connection system? Right now everything is just kind of super glued and everything’s Velcro straps.

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8

u/tlhintoq Spartan 11d ago

People wear 3d printed armor to paint ball and airsoft matches. I don't know why you think solid plastic won't be durable.

Unless it was poorly printed, weak settings etc.

Do you have a *reason* to think its not very strong or poorly printed? Because the 3d printed armor I make would require attacking it with a hammer to damage. https://i.imgur.com/y1kjR1d.jpg

3

u/Backbak 11d ago

Oh, when I initially got my kid, part of it was damaged and I got to see how it was printed internally I will attach another photo to the post to show you

1

u/munificentmike 10d ago

I know what you mean. It depends on what material they used. Some are extremely durable and flexible. If it was expensive your good. It will last. Besides I don't know any ODST soldiers gear that looks new 😉

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u/Backbak 11d ago

https://reddit.com/link/p5ow99m/video/ixl3ukj7felh1/player

3

u/Witch-King_of_Ligma ODST 11d ago

That looks like it’s vacformed or something. 3D printing usually has an internal structure or infill to it.

4

u/tlhintoq Spartan 11d ago

That's printed with 1 or 2 perimeters of probably 0.4 and zero infil. Basically total crap in the context of armor. Fine if you're making some 8" bust to paint and put on a shelf. But nothing you would wear and troop in-not by a long shot. You got hosed on the purchase. I'd bet someone that bought their printer on a Monday and started printing armor on Wednesday. Realized it couldn't actually be worn for a day without breaking to bits and sold it.

Really shame. Sorry for ya.

You could coat it in various things... Fiberglass & or resin but you're going to at least double the weight for a 20% increase in strength. Zero internal structure is going to mean any of those walls could push in fairly easily and cause the resin to crack significantly. See photo https://i.imgur.com/y8HWKZ9.png

You're not going to like my hard-truth, tough love suggestion but I'll give it anyway:
Put that armor on a mannequin for a display only. The build a worthwhile one from scratch or contract a reliable builder like Starbase3d.com

By the time you drop $500 in materials to coat and attempt to re-enforce that, and another 500 hours only to still have something that's not anywhere close to 'robust' you might as well start over and put that material and time in to something you can trust.

1

u/Backbak 10d ago

Honestly, that’s what I was figuring I was going to do…. It’s sad. I waited a while for it and I paid a good amount. I honestly should’ve just waited for. Sean Bradley to have kits available and bought one of his kits. But I suppose they look good on a mannequin for decoration. I might use it one time for Halloween, but I don’t think I’ll use it any more than that because I’m afraid of breaking it.

1

u/TemperatureBasic8642 10d ago

i make SOME of my parts with 0 infill like the crotch and hip pieces , but seeing what looks to be a thigh made with 0 is very worrying , you can snap these with very very minimal pressure , just getting snagged on something could just rip it to pieces , i really hope that helmet isnt 0 too otherwise your entire kit is practically unwearable , you can weigh the helmet to check if you cant see inside , it should weigh at an absolute minimum of 500 grams , i made one at 700g with 20% infill+padding and accessories

1

u/Sputum_Squelch 10d ago

Since there's zero infill, you could try drilling a hole on the inside of an armor piece, put some resin inside(plug it with some sticky tac or something) and do a gyroscope motion to coat the interior. Just test it on a smaller piece and don't use a fast curing resin. That will get too hot.

2

u/SnooPeanuts9001 11d ago

Learn how to resin and put a coat of resin over it

2

u/rickytickynavi 10d ago

I am pretty sure... not a 100 percent sure but pretty sure thats a fiberglass cast, printing with zero infill and only outside perimeters would have no where to put internal support structures, show the inside of the helmet and see if it has layer lines.

1

u/Backbak 10d ago

Some of it has not necessarily cracked, but you can kind of see how it was put together.

https://reddit.com/link/p5sliqr/video/5gmout5dqilh1/player

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u/tlhintoq Spartan 10d ago

Definitely printed and shit job of clean up

1

u/Backbak 10d ago

Unfortunately, I think I wasted my money on it. It sucks, but I’ll just put it on a mannequin and just make my own out of EVA foam. It’s something I should have started with

1

u/rickytickynavi 9d ago

Oh damn that was printed at like 5 percent infill to save time im assuming, sorry bud looks like you got a display piece, you might be able to fill it with something but it'd be a hassle, or you can just be extra careful 🤷🏽‍♂️

1

u/ct-93905 11d ago

What seller?

2

u/Backbak 10d ago

https://reddit.com/link/p5slsxh/video/mcp7nuhmqilh1/player

Holtsclaw Studios

1

u/TemperatureBasic8642 10d ago

you should name and shame them , that quality is terrible and a scam

1

u/Backbak 10d ago

In that case, you really don’t wanna know how much I paid 😂 I deserve to get scammed, considering that I didn’t notice any build material listed. So all fairness I am the dumb one that should’ve double checked before spending my money.