More sci-fi cosplay badness from prop-maker, costumer, and MAKE pal Shawn Thorsson. I haven’t played Dead Space 2, yet, but I enjoyed the first one, and I have to say that protagonist Isaac Clarke’s “Engineering RIG suit” looks exactly the same to me. And Shawn’s version is pretty spot-on. Lots of details over at Shawn’s blog, and more pics in his Flickr set. [Thanks, Shawn!]
The Digi Comp II is a replica of a binary mechanical computer that can perform basic mathematical functions. As shown by Windell Oskay of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories at Maker Faire Bay Area 2011, it uses billiard balls as its counters and performs calculations in real time as the balls make their transit down a ramp with specially places guides and levers.
In the early aughts, I ran a popular and well-regarded tabletop wargame modeling and converting site called 40K Konversions. It was dedicated to all forms of modeling related to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. I went through my articles from the site and have put together some of the best tips and tricks that I published.
According to Instructables user nsnip, they’re made from Baltic birch! To make this board, he cut the rounded ends off stacks of sticks with a table saw, laminated them stick-by-stick in five layers with alternating grain directions, and glued the whole thing together in an improvised vacuum press made from a clothes storage bag. Impressive, meticulous craftsmanship.
Scott Lowther’s models aren’t (generally) painted, because Scott Lowther’s models aren’t (generally) for display—they’re for casting molds to make kit-parts from. If you’ve ever been curious about this process, Scott’s site has a great selection of finished, in-process, and still-to-come master models he’s working—on contract or on “spec”—to turn into kits.
I’ve been trying to figure out the name of the modeler at TANKS & Trolls, and it’s been tough enough going to persuade me that he would rather remain anonymous. “Bulldog UK” seems to be a favored forum handle, and whatever his real name is, there’s no denying his talent. Shown here is a scratch-built “Warlord Titan” for WH40K gaming. The detail page has tons of great in-process shots.
David Shuff reports on the 2011 New York Comic Con: While superheroes, video games, toys, and all things anime abounded on the show floor, a few stalwart crafters were sprinkled in the mix, proudly displaying their handmade creations.
