Armor design

I think my big concern with the cardboard build (let it be known I was BLOWN AWAY by antman's build) is that I live in Seattle... Rain is... uh... kind of a big thing here... How would it hold up with use and weather?


Oh! While I'm on the subject of location. Any Mando's in the Seattle area? :)

I did a spin off of antman's tutorial that, if done correctly, is completely waterproof and really strong. Check out this:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=32511&page=4
post #96. I'm gonna get pics to go with it sooner or later...:rolleyes

How are you going to do the wraps? will you have to re-wrap them each time you put the armour on?

Good luck with this build!!!
:cheers
A'den
 
WOW amazing artwork! :D I like the colors, and yes, it does remind one of a "western" type of character. Add a Bane hat, and you'll be all set. (j/k but it would fit right in!)

For female armor, Mercs has a whole section for us. :cheers Take a look around and see what other ladies are doing to solve the chest armor predicament :p I'm probably going to do what a couple others have done and add darts to the armor plates, pull together, and make a kind of angular curve--not so much the bubbles as I don't want too much attention on *them*. I like the angled look, and I'm carrying it out to my knees, shins, and shoulders (need to re-do those). I'm Mir'ika Tarvos over there, Darth Taiter almost everywhere else.

Someone mentioned using the Jango Rubies helmet. I did that--used the two-piece to start with, and found it for around $40 on eBay. Not too expensive, and not too bad to work with as it has a nice shape. Now is a better time to look for it as when it gets closer to Halloween, I imagine the prices might go up or be harder to win a bid on. My thread here at TDH, "Mir'ika Tarvos", I might have some of my helmet pics. I just added a couple new pics of my knees. Novall made some great suggestions ;)

Good luck, and no need to be shy! ;) That's what these forums are here for--to help out :D
(and at least your mom didn't have to set you up on a prom date like mine did... lol)

DT
 
I hope you don't mind another response--this topic's seen a lot of action in 24 hours.

First, I've always thought it was funny, how some people talk. Say you're talking to someone about martial arts. If they talk about how great they are, they probably fall over doing a side kick. If they blow off how hard they've trained, or for how long, or make fun of their own technique, they normally can really kick your teeth down your throat. Several people have said it--you're humble comments support my point, I think. Most people don't know enough to say that the poncho doesn't drape properly. What program do you use?

I agree with Novall on most topics, and I agree on the wrap points. Your design has everything low on the hips. Several others have used or considered using wraps at the forearms or shins. I've considered it for a design, but it just looks totally off with everything else I'm planning. At times like that, I normally ask myself what the wrap would be _for_? We're talking about soldiers of various kinds. Would a soldier use a gaiter instead of a leg wrap?

People who know a whole lot more about materials and armor have already said a lot about the helmets and such. Here's a perspective on the chest plates. My wife's rig, still unfinished, will have a very subtle molding on the pectoral plates. She's fairly busty, and tries to hide it in most stuff she wears. Unfortunately, most "femmandos" seem to fall into the sexy look or the manly look, and I'm not picking on either. There are, however, LOTS of really well done mandos that are obviously feminine without looking ... you know. Hydra's springs to mind, and Shado's. My wife's flak vest will be loose enough that the plates won't fit snuggly against her. Let your vest determine how to shape the pec plates.

Have you considered a duct tape dummy? You can heat the plates and check the form on the dummy.
 
yay, girls!
your design looks superb. I'm cheating and doing a chick Boba with an open midsection, so I'll just have a few smaller, chest panels on a cropped jacket and won't have to worry about curving things too much. What I have seen in threads around here for us gals is that plastic, half-mannequin forms (you know, the mannequin 'hangers') are really handy to mold your armour from, and cheap too!

Looking forward to seeing your progress.
 
Hey don't worry about bandages because I am planning on using it with my armor. The only difference there is going to be is my mando armor jump-suit is going to be sleeveless. Counting on were I live I had thought it over a few times of if I really wanted to sweat like a pig or if I wanted to be cool when moving about in the armor. And seeing that I am use to the heat that Arizona gives off and the fact that my family does a lot of ridding of ATVs in the heat I moved more into using a sleeveless version of armor. With that I decided to put in bandages/wrappings possibly to show that my mando character recieved an injury probally from a mission of some kind. But either way it is working well.

Now in for the bucket; many have sudjested this to me and I am now lending my support in for you vod. When it comes to a bucket try the rubies jango-style helmet. There can be some on ebay and if you search for jango fett helmets on google you will be more then likely to find a mando helmet for under your price that you are willing to spend. I've searched as well for a good style jango helmet that will work and am still searching.

For me its getting the stuff down then up-gradding later on when I get more money in my pocket. But truly I am excited to see what you come up for with your armor. Good luck and keep up the good work. Hey even check by mine to see how well I am doing. I only got a few peaces together but they are coming along.

Again good luck vod.

I was actually JUST crawling all over ebay earlier looking for the Rubies Jango! The more narrow head shape was more of what I was looking for. And I totally know what you mean about getting what you can and updating as you go. Probably what I'll end up doing with the actual armor pieces. Thanks for the support and I'll check out your thread right after I post this!

Actually, Mandalorian Mercs has a chapter that spans OR/WA. We've got a few peeps up that way.

Oh awesome, I won't feel so lonely then while I'm working on this lol!

I did a spin off of antman's tutorial that, if done correctly, is completely waterproof and really strong. Check out this:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showthread.php?t=32511&page=4
post #96. I'm gonna get pics to go with it sooner or later...:rolleyes

How are you going to do the wraps? will you have to re-wrap them each time you put the armour on?

Good luck with this build!!!
:cheers
A'den

Oh sweet! I think I'm actually going to attempt the cardboard build and see how well I do with it and how much I like it. If I end up destroying it or I'm ust not up to par skill wise then I can always buy the Rubie :)

As for the wraps, the one around the mid section will be almost like a sash like Nov suggested. I'll glue the wrap fabric onto another piece of fabric so that they look layered and all that, but it will be easier to keep them from slipping around and getting caught on other armor pieces. So it'll be one individual piece when I get it finished and it'll be secured under the leather vest. The rest will be ones that I just rewrap, no biggie since it's just the arms and legs. :)

WOW amazing artwork! :D I like the colors, and yes, it does remind one of a "western" type of character. Add a Bane hat, and you'll be all set. (j/k but it would fit right in!)

For female armor, Mercs has a whole section for us. :cheers Take a look around and see what other ladies are doing to solve the chest armor predicament :p I'm probably going to do what a couple others have done and add darts to the armor plates, pull together, and make a kind of angular curve--not so much the bubbles as I don't want too much attention on *them*. I like the angled look, and I'm carrying it out to my knees, shins, and shoulders (need to re-do those). I'm Mir'ika Tarvos over there, Darth Taiter almost everywhere else.

Someone mentioned using the Jango Rubies helmet. I did that--used the two-piece to start with, and found it for around $40 on eBay. Not too expensive, and not too bad to work with as it has a nice shape. Now is a better time to look for it as when it gets closer to Halloween, I imagine the prices might go up or be harder to win a bid on. My thread here at TDH, "Mir'ika Tarvos", I might have some of my helmet pics. I just added a couple new pics of my knees. Novall made some great suggestions ;)

Good luck, and no need to be shy! ;) That's what these forums are here for--to help out :D
(and at least your mom didn't have to set you up on a prom date like mine did... lol)

DT

Oh good point about the helmet! I'll have to get to work on that cardboard build to see if I end up wanting to snatch up one of those before halloween. Or maybe wait till after and hope they go on sale *fingers crossed*. I'll definately search your armor posting and check out the Mercs to get soem ideas to solve my... erm... "problem" lol.

I hope you don't mind another response--this topic's seen a lot of action in 24 hours.

First, I've always thought it was funny, how some people talk. Say you're talking to someone about martial arts. If they talk about how great they are, they probably fall over doing a side kick. If they blow off how hard they've trained, or for how long, or make fun of their own technique, they normally can really kick your teeth down your throat. Several people have said it--you're humble comments support my point, I think. Most people don't know enough to say that the poncho doesn't drape properly. What program do you use?

I agree with Novall on most topics, and I agree on the wrap points. Your design has everything low on the hips. Several others have used or considered using wraps at the forearms or shins. I've considered it for a design, but it just looks totally off with everything else I'm planning. At times like that, I normally ask myself what the wrap would be _for_? We're talking about soldiers of various kinds. Would a soldier use a gaiter instead of a leg wrap?

People who know a whole lot more about materials and armor have already said a lot about the helmets and such. Here's a perspective on the chest plates. My wife's rig, still unfinished, will have a very subtle molding on the pectoral plates. She's fairly busty, and tries to hide it in most stuff she wears. Unfortunately, most "femmandos" seem to fall into the sexy look or the manly look, and I'm not picking on either. There are, however, LOTS of really well done mandos that are obviously feminine without looking ... you know. Hydra's springs to mind, and Shado's. My wife's flak vest will be loose enough that the plates won't fit snuggly against her. Let your vest determine how to shape the pec plates.

Have you considered a duct tape dummy? You can heat the plates and check the form on the dummy.

Thanks for the kind words about my sketches, I really appreciate it :)
Hydra's armor was definately really well done, I remember keeping an eye on her posts when she was working through her build. And I totally know what you mean with the fem armor. I'm trying to walk the line between the two :wacko. I thought about doing the duct tape dummy, Guess I was embarassed to think I might have toask someoen to tape me up lol.

yay, girls!
your design looks superb. I'm cheating and doing a chick Boba with an open midsection, so I'll just have a few smaller, chest panels on a cropped jacket and won't have to worry about curving things too much. What I have seen in threads around here for us gals is that plastic, half-mannequin forms (you know, the mannequin 'hangers') are really handy to mold your armour from, and cheap too!

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Oh I know what you're talking about! That's an awesome idea. Wonder if I could find any anywhere >.>. Chick Boba is tight, I always thought he could show a little more skin ;).


Thank you so much to everyone for the support. I thought I was excited about it before, but your enthusiasm has me even more pumped! I can do my cheapest part first which will be my helmet with the cardboard. See how well that goes and decide from there if I choose to go with the rubies. I'm not all that confident in my ability to build with cardboard but I'm willing to give it a try. Can't wait! Might post a multi-view of my helmet for some of the paint and build design. I mean if you guys want to see more of the references just let me know. Not sure how interesting they are but I'd gladly post them.

Stay saucy!
 
So I decided to go with Sintra instead of the plastic trash cans because it seems fairly cheap and looks like it might be easier to deal with and of better quality. My question is: What's the best thickness to use to make the armor? 1/4th of an inch?


My other question is that I know there are trades that go on in TDH, but I was curious if there has ever been anything in the form of an art trade for parts? I ask because since I'm new I don't have much material to offer, but I can draw and do digital paintings. I don't exactly have the most money and I want to make a good quality suit so I thought this would be an offer to lay on the table if anyone thought they MIGHT be interested. Just an idea :)
 
I wouldn't recommend them, they are too expensive, kind of slow to ship, and the sheets are too small to make armor from. Go to a sign shop and ask for extra sintra.
 
Sintra you should order online thats where im getting mine and you should do 3mm that seems to be pretty durable meterial ill give you a link to some cheap sintra.http://http://store.foamboardsource.com/sintra-pvc-foam--sintra-pvc-board.html. It seems to work.

Sweet I checked it out and I'll keep it in mind!

I wouldn't recommend them, they are too expensive, kind of slow to ship, and the sheets are too small to make armor from. Go to a sign shop and ask for extra sintra.

I was actually just trying to find a shop around here and while they didn't mention Sintra they did say they had Expanded PVC so that's why I was curious if they were similar products :)
 
Feel free to bounce over there and throw a "Hello". Look in the NWC Squad board. We're going to start having some armor parties to get everyone suited up. We could keep you in the loop if you wanted.
 
Feel free to bounce over there and throw a "Hello". Look in the NWC Squad board. We're going to start having some armor parties to get everyone suited up. We could keep you in the loop if you wanted.

Oh that'd be awesome! I'm afraid I'd be underdressed lol, but it'd be great to meet some of you all :)
 
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