Hyperion Gunblade Tutorial Video Part 3

I've posted the third in a series of videos on YouTube that demonstrate the techniques I use in creating my various prop weapons. This episode is a few minutes longer than the previous two. We will begin working on the gun handle pieces.

Baccano!

I just got the first DVD in the US release of Baccano! The first DVD contains episodes 1 through 4 as well as textless opening and closing sequences, two things all AMV creators love.

Now I'll slowly be able to replace the footage in Baccano Swing! with high quality DVD rips!

Hyperion Gunblade Handle Detail Plans

Yesterday we shot the third episode of my Hyperion Gunblade construction demo. The new video should be posted soon.

In preparation, here are the rest of the "blueprints" for the prop.

Gunblade Handle Detail Sheet 1

Gunblade Handle Detail Sheet 2

Benihime Files

I've created links to the files used for my Benihime tutorial, just to keep things organized.

Benihime Pattern 1 (Quarter Inch)
Benihime Pattern 2 (Eighth Inch)

Building an A/V Stand part 6

I left the A/V stand in the garage, letting the poly coat cure for the week.

I put some self adhesive felt feet I got at Target on the bottom of the stand, both to cover up the screws and protect the floor.

I'm rather pleased with the end results.

Rock Band 2

Its amazing how much fun I'm having with this little plastic guitar game. I've had the chance to play online with my friend Jennifer. I might not be very good, but I'm having fun.

For some reason my guitarist looks like a super villain...

Building an A/V Stand part 5

I used Varathane spray Polyurethane, the same stuff I used for the wooden handle of my Cosmo Dragoon prop. It added a warmth to the stain as well as gloss and durability. After the first coat dried, I lightly sanded using 220 grit sandpaper, then did a second coat.

Building an A/V Stand part 4

I used Minwax Dark Maple stain and a sponge application brush to stain the entire A/V Stand. I wasn't sure how it was going to look, but I thought I could always just cover it with primer and paint it black if the staining didn't work out.

Building an A/V Stand part 3

The shelves are made the same way as the other pieces. I traced the original onto cardboard, cut out the cardboard, then traced that onto plywood. I used 12mm plywood for the shelves. Once they were all cut, I clamped them together and sanded them all to match.



The shelves are held in place by the grooves cut in the spine of the stand. I'm going to let them just rest in the grooves for now, if they slip out I'll glue them in place.

After assembling, I sanded every piece, starting with 60 grit when I was forming the pieces to 100, 150 and finally 220 grit to finish it off.

Building an A/V Stand part 2

With the "spine" of the AV stand completed, it was time to work on the base. I used the same method to trace and cut out the base, then atached it to the spine. The base is glued and then secured using screws. I'll put felt on the base to protect the floor from the screws.

Building an A/V Stand part 1

I created a pattern for the new A/V stand by placing cardboard against the existing unit and tracing it. I cut out the tracings to produce a set of cardboard patterns to then trace onto the wood.

I'm using 18mm and 12mm Birch Plywood for this build. It is my hope the end result will be strong enough and look good with the dark wood stain I plan to use.

I created the two main pieces that would support the shelves, tracing the outlines onto the wood, then cutting it with a jigsaw.



Once cut, I clamped the pieces together and sanded them to they would match exactly.

Baccano Swing! at Anime Los Angeles

Baccano Swing! won the Creator's Choice award at Anime Los Angeles this past weekend. The convention was a lot of fun and seems to be growing steadily each year.