Project: Mithril

[Kayin]

In the days following the War of the Ring, as the Fellowship rested in Gondor, word traveled fast to all the peoples of Middle-Earth. In Lothlorién, Galadriel commissioned a memorial of the journey of Frodo the Nine-Fingered and Samwise Gamgee to Orodruin, the Cracks of Doom and the destruction of the One Ring. She commissioned her most cunning of artisans to design something fitting of the ones who had saved all of Middle-Earth. To them she gave much of the store of wealth of the Elves, to make a gift to the kindreds of Middle-Earth to endure throughout the centuries. Many and varied were her gifts, but among the most precious was mithril...

As in the days of Vingilot, Eärendil's ship that bore he and the Silmaril into the West and was set forever as a star shining to light a way in darkness, they chose of the finest woods. In the last of the war, battle raged ever closer to Lorién, and mallorn trees had fallen. Of this, the artisans selected those that bore a peculiar figuring, noting the last touches of darkness in the light, hard wood. Fitting then that these trees that were felled by darkness would live on in a tribute to the power of hope.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/001.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/002.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/003.jpg

The wood for the side panels has already been pieced together from strips of spalted (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalting) ash, glued and planed to approximately a half-inch thickness. Even so, each side weighs over 7 pounds, but there is cutting and profiling to be done yet.

I have the case skeleton assembled from 1x12 white pine, but it's with a more experienced woodworker, having a bow taken out of one of the boards (my apartment is apparently incredibly damp, and it's pretty detrimental to wood) and some router work done. I have more to see, but right now, my help says it's not quite time to work...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/004.jpg

[Kayin]

Basically an update of post one, some project sketches, though they are kinda obscured-don't wanna give away everything...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/plans-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/sparta-plans.gif

I actually have this ready to put in some of the componentry, but as I said, it's with a friend getting patched up. He'll be taking the panels after they're cut for router work as well, so this is a project of patience...

No, I will not tell anyone what goes in the Leonidas.

[Kayin]

"The artisans remembered the gift of Arwen to her beloved Aragorn-the White Standard of Gondor, a banner wrought of all the skill she had, to celebrate the return of the True King to Middle-Earth. They then took the mallorn, and engraved it with the standard, for the Third Age had ended, and the Fourth Age was the Age of Men."

And, my help looks kind of bored. He wants to chase the Dremel, but my wife wants to sleep.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/004-1.jpg

And the real work, which took hours, even though I've been an artist all my life...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/002-1.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/003-1.jpg

It's just pencil now, but I'm gonna carve it into the wood in bas-relief (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas-relief) and then silver/gold leaf it. I haven't decided if I will give it the ithilden treatment yet... But, that's many hours of Dremel ahead of me. For now, I need to wake my wife with loud power tools.

For the record, this is the picture you're trying to see...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/11618.jpg

[Kayin]

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/001-2.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/002-2.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/003-2.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/004-2.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/005.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/006.jpg

Two and a half hours. Next move is old-style silver leaf, with sizing and everything...

[Kayin]

I've got at least 20 more updates to this, but my connection is acting horribly and my IMG tags seem to be messed up, so I'm gonna grab a Dew and see what's going on.

This is more than a year and a half long-so bear with me...

[Kayin]

No lore update, just some finished side and preview of things to come...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/001-3.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/002-3.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/003-3.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/004-3.jpg

And this is what I've gotten from a miniature wargamer friend of mine...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/005-1.jpg

I'll save you Mr. Frodo!!!

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/010.jpg

Server for backing this up so I can redo in 64-bit and RAID 5...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/011.jpg

And I can't make this up, this is one of the molds I have for the next phase...

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg148/KayinAlvein/013.jpg

[Kayin]

Old Frame:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/038.jpg

New Frame:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/039.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/042.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/043.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/044-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/045.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/046-1.jpg

And for size comparison...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/041.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/040.jpg

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/006-5.jpg

Note, I cast my own raw material, machine it myself using a Dremel Drill press station I made into a manual mill and a corded drill with no torque adjustments.

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/038-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC00891.jpg

This is the moment you've all been waiting for, the Leonidas!!! Be forewarned, it is NOT finished, at any rate. More work is required. At this point, however, it's enough to give you an idea...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC00892.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC00893.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC00894.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC00894.jpg

And the power button, in mockup...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC00896.jpg

[Kayin]

In Ages past, the mightiest of all men lived, one Turin Turambar, son of Hurin. Many mighty deeds were ascribed to him, but ciefest was the slaying of Glaurung, both a great feat and a great evil, for in slaying Glaurung, he learned the truth of the identity of his bride Niniel, and all found their doom there by the falls. Glaurung, slain by Gurthang, which Turin turned on himself after learning that Niniel was his sister Nienor and was carrying his child. Nienor leapt to her death into the Brithiach, and no man marked where her body came to rest.

With that to set the tone, the latest WIP-The Death of Glaurung...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-13.jpg

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/028-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/027-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/026-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/025-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/024-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/023-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/022-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/021-1.jpg

Have fun watching the assembly of the case, thus far...

[Kayin]

...And one of the gifts of the Elves was ithildin, whose name means starmoon, and which can only be read under the light of the moon...

Scarce stuff, this ithilden, for its making was forgotten long, long ago. However, the Gates of Moria...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01398.jpg

And when night falls (or UV light, in this circumstance)...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01399.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01400.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01401.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01402.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01403.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/DSC01404.jpg

Letters are still not done, the wood chews up what I used to make that with-a UV marking pen for IDing stuff... Need to cut the tip down for the letters, but they'll get on there.

Til next time, I got nothin.

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/079-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/080-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/081.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/082.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/084.jpg

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-17.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-22.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-19.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/006-10.jpg

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-24.jpg

Yeah, work continues apace.

[Kayin]

Some more progress...

Front gem in the dark...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-19.jpg

And the waterfall side panel...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-21.jpg

Matching peripherals...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-15.jpg

Till the next update...

[Kayin]

Well, the moment we've all been waiting for is finally here, I have final configuration in hand and ready to fire up.

System consists of:

AMD Phenom II 720BE AM3 (0904 EPMW, unlockable I hope)
MSI 790FX-GD70
8GB DDR3 1066 (Micron D9s, baby!)
2 Sapphire HD4870x2s
Patriot Warp V2 32GB SSD
Seagate 7200.11 32MB cache 640GB drive
PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750 PSU

With cooling to consist of (either all here or all ordered)

Aqua-Computer Cuplex XT Di V2
2 Aqua-Computer Twinplex XT
2 ********************** (edited for awesomeness, and because you won't believe me till they arrive)
MOSFET block has to be ordered today
GPU loops-2xMCR320, CoolerMaster white LED fans, 2xDDC3.1
Chipset loop-HWL Black Ice GTS Stealth 240, D4, CoolerMaster white LED fans
CPU loop-HWL Black Ice GTX480, D4, CoolerMaster white LED fans

And the show, thus far...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/092.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/096.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/095.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/094.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/098.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/101.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/102.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/104-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/105-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/106-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/109-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/108-2.jpg

Enjoy, while I find a Win7 disk here to load with.

[Kayin]

Experimentation, before and after.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-26.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-22.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-24.jpg

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-24.jpg

New rads, MOSFET block and BP golden goodness...

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-22.jpg

Precioussss... My... Precious...

Filthy Bagginses, they've forgotten it here, but it founds me, it did...

And so, I am working to seal up the bottom chamber. This represents MAJOR progress.

[Kayin]

Moar pics. Lots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/026-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/027-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/028-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/030-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/033-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/037-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/045-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/050-3.jpg

More to come.

[Kayin]

Time-lapse.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-29.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/006-13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/007-16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/009-11.jpg

[Kayin]

Paint goes on...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-24.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-26.jpg

[Kayin]

And now, the water I promised...

Silver Cuplex XT Di2


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/007-17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/009-12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/012-6.jpg

Silver in progress...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/015-8.jpg

And reassembled... Comparison shots!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/016-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/017-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/018-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/019-6.jpg

[Kayin]

Blocks fully mounted, with a bit of work.

OK, a ****-ton of engineering.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/027-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/028-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/030-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/036-2.jpg

Still working.

BTW, pumps will shuffle one more time.

Danger Den is one of the sponsors of an upcoming project... I have to borrow from Mithril to pay...

[Kayin]

This is mostly self-explanatory.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-25.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/006-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/007-18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/009-13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/010-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/011-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/012-7.jpg

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/014-9.jpg

The center piece...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/015-9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/016-9.jpg

The jewel isn't lit, it's a lighting trick.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/018-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/019-7.jpg

Trim is now 95% done.

Depending on the speed of shipping, we're days to weeks out from completion of the box and moving to the base.

Next stop, Arkenstone!

[Kayin]

Thanks for sticking with me, there's still more update but that may have to wait till tonight.

Look, I TOLD you it was long.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Sweet Jesus. On toast. I kept wondering after each update how it would get better, and I haven't been disappointed yet.

I'd go so far as to call this inspirational. You have more skill than many and, it seems, more patience than most. Well-deserved +rep while we wait for the final updates...

[madd0ct0r]

holy moley. why had i not seen this before?

[Kayin]

Well, I'm not a quitter.

Anyway, here's the finalized hose routing. Some of it even comes out in convenient chunks, such as for where I have to fix the MOSFET block mounting. That's longer to remove than it is to fix (two holes, two screws, done.)

Also, my second plated block. Do THIS trick with electroplating.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/019-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/021-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/022-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/024-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/026-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/028-4.jpg

Enjoy, pumps will finalize routing, then it's leak testing.

[DonT-FeaR]

very cool

[Karbon Killa]

Got those in the RRR group buy didn't you? They look like very nice blocks.. Why haven't you posted this build at RRR?

[Spidermeld]

This Flippin' ROCKS !!!

[Beta-brain]

I wondered why I hadn't seen this before and then realized it was all posted the same day over a few hours, great work, hope the leak testing works out OK and that nasty fire monster Smaug doesn't give you grief!

[pcclan]

so nice hope too see it done and overclocked

[Kayin]

And the whatever you wanna call it-it's a reservoir, but...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-31.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/006-15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/007-19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/009-14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/013-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/014-10.jpg

Really hard to end-on that with this camera.

I got my start doing the detailing with things like this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/016-10.jpg

The piece is entitled "Strutting C*cks", cause my wife likes chikins. Been painting a long time. Still not too good.

[nevermind1534]

I got my start doing the detailing with things like this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/016-10.jpg

The piece is entitled "Strutting C*cks", cause my wife likes chikins. Been painting a long time. Still not too good.

That's actually not bad

[SXRguyinMA]

this thing is crazy! awesome work! +rep

[Kayin]

Ended up doing emergency repair work.

Why?

I'll let the pics tell the story.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/006-16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/007-20.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-17.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/009-15.jpg

And the aftermath...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-32.jpg

So, I got to work.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-26.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-29.jpg

And after all that work...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/016-11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/017-8.jpg

And parting shots of Mithril in the afternoon sun...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/014-11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/015-10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/018-9.jpg

And my stalwart companion. If you consider my wife as Sam, well, he's GOTTA be like a Gandalf. Dogs are just like that. Besides, he's white.

[Drum Thumper]

Wow. Awesome doesn't even begin to describe this. Great inspiration, great execution, Tolkein would be proud.

And you've given me a few ideas for a mod I want to do based on a different series of books as well...

[madd0ct0r]

Damn cats. hope it's not set you back too far.

[Kayin]

Just a bit o'update, still getting better at the moment..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-27.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/004-33.jpg

[billygoat333]

this case is sexy!

[Kayin]

Mostly back to better than normal...

So, here's fiberglassing!

I won't let myself fill it this time till it's ready to go. Then I can shove it where it goes and USE IT.

So here I go, adding details-

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-29.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-22.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/007-21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/009-16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/010-9.jpg

BTW, yes, now I'm getting into deep pockets modding. The amethyst, and quarts point are real, and I have a pile more of the stuff to add. The firedims are not, they're pretty good quality plastic. The real far outweighs the fake, but I had to find those for red.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/015-11.jpg

And the mounting. Antique copper bolts, screwed into threaded inserts. Very secure (each side weighs 8+ pounds) and very understated. I'm really pleased with it. I have another set for the other side.

[Kayin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-18.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/013-9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/014-12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/021-6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/022-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/023-5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/024-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/026-7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/027-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/028-5.jpg

More impasto, this time with a pumice extender, and it's a LOT clearer.

BTW, my tripod sucks. At least it only cost me a buck.

[SXRguyinMA]

lookin good, cant wait to see this puppy done :up:

[Mark_Hardware]

Damn this is amazing work man! I love some of the effects you are using! +rep all day long man!

[Kayin]

The end is extremely ****ing nigh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/089.jpg

Looks like ****, but that's high build surfacer/primer tacking some stuff in place for paint. It's FAR better on my end than it looks. Also,blame Cheaps. And el gatos.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/090.jpg

That's my lift-off rad cover, in early stages of shaping. It gets styrofoam, papier-mache, plaster, paint and then impasto with heavy-duty extenders. By the end, even a raw styrofoam edge looks like a dream. Yes,that's a ****-ton more money in the top of this as well. It's embedded there permanently in dollops of fiberglass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/093.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/092-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/094-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/091.jpg

Just cause I love my camera in the sun.

And, if you want to know how close to rock it is...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/095-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/096-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/098-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/099.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/100.jpg

Enjoy, I'm pulling an all-nighter to finish this one. I want water in this tomorrow.

[Kayin]

Still going.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/001-29.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/002-30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/003-30.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/005-23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/008-19.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/010-10.jpg

Paint is ongoing...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/010-10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/012-8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/014-13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/015-12.jpg

A sense of scale-that tank is a 65 gallon tall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/016-12.jpg

Naked dog shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/018-10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/020-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/020-4.jpg

A bit of brick-red drybrushing...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/KayinStorm/022-8.jpg

And a surprise. It'll dry overnight.

I'm a bit shy of 'glass to finish the base. Other than that, it's finish paint and touch-ups.

There are a lot of little touches I'm throwing in the base as I complete it that will only be apparent to me and macro camera work. The end is tomorrow, most likely. I'm doing it RIGHT.

[DonT-FeaR]

very cool

[b4i7]

kayin! its good to see you over here... this is a fantastic project

[Kayin]

Well, on its first boot underwater, it hangs on 2A. We're giving it an overnight clear, but right now, the board is officially dead, with absolutely no way to repair.

We'll see what the morning brings.

[Mark_Hardware]

well that sux a big one

[Kayin]

It Liveds!!!!!

[Mark_Hardware]

??

[Kayin]

I have it running now, I have to track down what the issue is with the cards now. I'm running it on a 3850 for the moment... now to tear off some waterblocks and get to the bottom of this.

[TheGreatSatan]

+rep