Light reflective armor, toe claws, pogo arms and wings, oh my!

[Rexkreator]

Hey everyone, newb here who hasn't even gotten his Airtrekker extremes in the mail yet, but I've been scoping all your mods and armors and glow spring (wth?) and thought this would be something you all would appreciate...http://www.sweetskinz.com/

  Sweet Skins bicycle tires come in about 10 different patterns including flame, digital camo, bat wing, and my personal favorite, diamondback rattle snake (that I actually have and will be putting on the springs asap!)  And yes you read the title right, they have reflective patches of print throughout the various patterns.  A headlight, or even the sun at the right angle will flash bright silver!  Safety, wicked patterns, and full sock armor wrap, what's not to like?

Will post some pics when I get my new legs fully armored!


Oh and i just thought of something, anyone ever use a counter balance to support a more aggressive forward lean when covering horizontal distance fast whether running or bounding?  Basically, a weighted tail...........like a kangaroo...no wait, I'm serious!  Think about it...*grin* ....anyway, I have some crash pads to purchase!

I have some other ideas like some kind of ratchet/clutch mechanism to store the springs power and release it on command so you could land from on high and the clutch would engage at the maximum flex storing the rebound until you released it via some kind of hand cable....anyway I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but perhaps one of you guys could *run* with the idea...

[Jason]

Yep Toddy put some pics of them up here a while back they are very nice 

Jason 

[olieviling]

Nicely

[Rexkreator]

Yep Toddy put some pics of them up here a while back they are very nice 

Jason 

 

I expect it to add a tad bit of weight...prolly why I see mostly inner tube and 7 layer taps mods.

It might need another thread, but has anyone ever tried a toe claw?  Something to grab inclined ground for bocking up grassy hills, something slightly raised like a raptor claw that would not interfere when landing on flat ground but would dig into the earth when ascending? Lots of hilly terrain around here. I've seen the cleat mod and might try that first...still, something that i "know" wont slip, that and it would look freakin wicked! Snakeskin armor and a raptor claw, talk about dragon legs!...as long as it didn't interfere with normal bocking.  Anyway, thanks for the feed back!

So Bock on with yo bad selves!  I'll be bouncing on your heels soon enough!

Rexkreator

[Jason]

Like the idea of the toe claw mate

Look forward to seeing it

I did some off road things like studs and spikes but they didn't work on the road

I don't think the tyre armour would add much more weight than the inner tube and tape if anything it might be a bit lighter depending on the tyre

Jason 

[Rexkreator]

Like the idea of the toe claw mate

Look forward to seeing it

I did some off road things like studs and spikes but they didn't work on the road

I don't think the tyre armour would add much more weight than the inner tube and tape if anything it might be a bit lighter depending on the tyre

Jason 

 

You just sparked another idea....put the toe claw on a hinge and lock system similar to bike seat releases (or what ever works best) with teeth in the mech so that there's no chance of slip.  So in the raised position it's totally out of the way, bock on down the road to the park, lower and lock the claw and you're ready to shred off road.  The claw could be made fully weight bearing but it doesn't need to be, it would work in tandem with the rubber soul sinking far enough into the ground to prevent slip in any direction...all nice in theory I know, will be fabbing out the parts and letting you guys know how it works out asap.

It would look freakin badass too, basically a velociraptor claw...and just as dangerous!  Pursue at your own risk...like I need to tell you guys that.  heheheh

Man....with a raptor claw, a weighted "kangaroo" tail for forward lean counter balance and snake skin springs I'd probably get shot by some half crazed crypto-zoologist!  Hah!  Now all I need are retractable hang-glider wings and I could do Jersey Devil appearances!   ........................................

 

[xoxos]

after seeing a few vids and getting tire sox on i did take a walk thru the desert here. i haven't tried any rock faces yet, probably will one day. i'm thinking tire sox have enough grip.

wings, thought about that.. either that or 'arms' that reach the ground and attach to shoulder/elbow and use forearm for control.

[Rexkreator]

after seeing a few vids and getting tire sox on i did take a walk thru the desert here. i haven't tried any rock faces yet, probably will one day. i'm thinking tire sox have enough grip.

wings, thought about that.. either that or 'arms' that reach the ground and attach to shoulder/elbow and use forearm for control.

That would be cool....I'm imagining the land-striders from Dark Chrystal but more of a pogo stick arm for all fours bounding in cadence like a cheetah....work on those single arm push-ups!  I remember seeing some of the behind the scenes where the actors had on only the prosthesis and not the skin...looked like a longer version of a single arm crutch with the arm cuff....there is an in-post suspension made for bicycle seats, I don't see why it wouldn't work in a modded crutch and whalah, spring arms!

I'm refining the toe claw idea a bit  I think at least 3 to 5 metal claws splayed out the front would be best though they could all issue from a single attach point for simplicity of operation.  I'm thinking for steep grassy/rooty ground, like all the hills and gulches out here in Hawaii...wouldn't be good for stone although I'm planning on the claw being hinge retractable and or easily removable for change of terrain.

The wing idea was more tongue in cheek....I was thinking a cable system with a pull handle at your shoulders linked through the necessary pulley/wing-finger design to flip out a full on wing when you grab the handles and push down or out in any direction.  Designed to function as an air break/steer option when jumping off of roof tops of course

[Jason]

  Most of it done in one costume mate 

Jason 

[Rexkreator]

Most of it done in one costume mate 

Jason 

  ..............

Wow bro, I bet you stole the show that night!  Did you make those wings? Nice function!  Very nice job man!  *applause*

[xoxos]

That would be cool....I'm imagining the land-striders from Dark Chrystal but more of a pogo stick arm for all fours bounding in cadence like a cheetah....work on those single arm push-ups!  I remember seeing some of the behind the scenes where the actors had on only the prosthesis and not the skin...looked like a longer version of a single arm crutch with the arm cuff....there is an in-post suspension made for bicycle seats, I don't see why it wouldn't work in a modded crutch and whalah, spring arms!

exactly pogo sticks where the force is distributed under the arm. totally mad but keen if it worked. before i saw bocks i had sketched out a non-powered 'mecha' suit like this, except my spring design was attached to the hip and taller. for wings i was thinking more gliding/flying squirrel under the arm that might get a few extra feet on bounds.

[Rexkreator]

exactly pogo sticks where the force is distributed under the arm. totally mad but keen if it worked. before i saw bocks i had sketched out a non-powered 'mecha' suit like this, except my spring design was attached to the hip and taller. for wings i was thinking more gliding/flying squirrel under the arm that might get a few extra feet on bounds.

Fully mad!  

I'm sure some pogo's could be mated with arm cuff crutches....will put that on on the back back burner

I'll probably start with the armor and claw mods then work my way through the pogo arm/wing stage. Perhaps instead of a cable system, a straight mechanical leverage system could be used....i know there is a word for it, you remember those kids toys where you pulled the trigger and a little punching glove extended via multiple scissoring levers....like those expandable gates you see at home depot....only just a couple of levers and i'm planing on extending the fabric to connect from shoulders to hips...especially hips as that will be the center of balance point.  Spring loaded so they would retract, this design would be more for maintaining short horizontal glides, running/ bounding off of hills/houses/low cliffs etc.......time to brush up on my aluminum welding skills!

Good gods, the logistics on the body support harness alone is going to be a monkey puzzle......might try working a light fall arrest harness first as they are mostly webbing and would be about the lightest option......not all that comfortable, but when I start logging more than a few seconds of flight time I'll address it then!

In addition to the toe claws, I'm pondering a heel claw, a single one to catch on slips forward and walking down slopes raised enough for "normal" bocking but if a foot slips forward, it should grab the ground in extreme angles.

Soon..........not soon enough! lol

 

[Birt]

a heel claw would also touch the ground when the spring is compressed. if not, i think it will also be too high up to stop you when you slip forward.

[Jason]

Yep mate made the whole costume

Took me a year to make it all (not full time  )

But worth every second when you see the looks on peoples faces 

Jason 

[Rexkreator]

a heel claw would also touch the ground when the spring is compressed. if not, i think it will also be too high up to stop you when you slip forward.

Thanks for the logistics bro....I'm checking out the picture in "bottoming out" in the faq section and you're right there doesn't appear to be any room for a non-interfering heel claw.....perhaps I'll save that idea for costume time

[Rexkreator]

Yep mate made the whole costume

Took me a year to make it all (not full time  )

But worth every second when you see the looks on peoples faces 

Jason 

You're an inspiration my friend!  I bet you got some great kodak moment jaw drops!  I'm thinking of doing a similar type of thing only with chain mail and bronze scale armor made to mimic dragon skin highlights....and put the claws down on the hoof...if i can get the working angle right....nothing like a little wreckage to spurn on the R&D 

 

[Jason]

Don't mention chain maille to me mate 

I have been working on a shirt for 6 months now

You might think thats a long time but I am making it from 6mm (external measurement) rings

I'm also winding the rings myself (from stainless welding wire) and cutting them by hand

Made the coif first and that is about 9000 rings

The shirt was up to about 3500 rings last time I weighed it and still only half done 

Oh and I had to unpick all the shirt seams the other day due to making a mistake with the arm pits (I was in a bad mood that day  )

I'll stick a pic up when I get it done (probably next christmas  )

Jason 

[Rexkreator]

Don't mention chain maille to me mate  

I have been working on a shirt for 6 months now

You might think thats a long time but I am making it from 6mm (external measurement) rings

I'm also winding the rings myself (from stainless welding wire) and cutting them by hand

Made the coif first and that is about 9000 rings

The shirt was up to about 3500 rings last time I weighed it and still only half done  

Oh and I had to unpick all the shirt seams the other day due to making a mistake with the arm pits (I was in a bad mood that day  )

I'll stick a pic up when I get it done (probably next christmas  )

Jason  

Lmao!  I've done a bit of chain mailling mostly small stuff like round weave and hand/arm coverings, but have not attempted a shirt yet......6mm holy crap, that's tight! but it'll look mithril when you're done!

I think you'll enjoy this "link" as well!     http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=1&websess=20291573653225&cat=Jump+Rings+for+Jewelry+and+Chainmail  .......bronze, brass, silver, gold, aluminum, titanium, you name it and some metals I haven't even heard of!  Blackened rings, solid rings, rubber rings to for stretch points....check out the andonized titanium rings!  I'm imagining a rainbowed effect over the whole torso and give some serious shading and definition, with black rubber stretch strips running down the sides and under the arms....next time I have hundreds of dollars to drop on another time eating project......but as with your costume, invaluably worth it when you're done!

 

Holy moly! I just was looking around the site and they also have scales for scale maille, large and small of various metals and color....drewl......looks like i have some overtime weeks ahead of me!

[xoxos]

6mm? respect. strong hands :p

[Jason]

Yep seen that site before and they have some awesome stuff 

I like the rainbow effect idea

Yep xoxos think the one thing I'm sure to get from this shirt is RSI 

Luckily I have made the rings from 1mm wire so they arn't to hard to bend

Jason