Custom Mando :D

After much thinking in my thinking spot, I devised a way to improve my pathetic knee plates. I remembered that we had some old rollerblading kneepads out in the shed. I'm really the only on in my family who rollerblades at all any more (which isn't that often anyways) and I don't need kneepads. So, after checking with my mommy, I gutted the kneepads:


Then, I sized the foam pieces properly to fit the knee plates:

I thought a little more (always a good thing to do) and decided to cover the pieces in black fabric leftover from my kama -- scraps really. Always save good sized scraps. The sewing machine got rather angry at me for trying to sew through something so thick and I had to do some hand sewing but got a pretty good result:


So, how do I attach them to the plates? Velcro, of course. Always save good sized velcro scraps. I hand sewed them all and it worked out very well:



When I had finished I noticed all the extra foam I had from the kneepads and utilized them in my bucket. Always save good scrap foam pieces. I have them in place with duct tape but I have to find that stupid glue gun...

Now, can someone give me a visual diagram of where exactly the knee plate is supposed to sit in relation to the kneecap?! I'm so confused about it. Thanks!

P.S. I weathered my armor with some black and brown paint the other day. No pictures as of yet, but soon when I do my photo shoot. When I say soon, I really mean in like a few weeks. I'm going on a trip for a while.

I think you've done a great job. Keep doin' good.

Thanks!

I'm going to shape that boot armor today. I've learned how to properly use the oven and aluminum foil to do this without a, killing myself and b, screwing up the plastic.


I'll be back when I'm done...

That's done. The boot pieces are "in-shape" (haha I'm so funny...).



I'm thinking about painting them white rather than painting them black (like my hand armor). The main reason is the fact that I still have a ton of white paint and because everything on my boots--beside the shin armor--is black already. However, my knee pads are already white and I think having the boot armor white too might throw things off. Either way, I can always repaint.

So yesterday I was bored and decided to throw on my armor and record myself because i wanted to see it all put together. It's not a photo shoot but it is something. Here y'all go, but excuse my strange behavior... You've been warned.


And weapons are slowly not really coming together, but I'm really motivated because I'm going to go to GenCon this year! I've thrown together some pathetic designs... that's about it.

great work Ord'ika, looks good! If you need help with the weapons... Like I said on the mercs, I'll be happy to help you out.

Thanks. I'm probably going to need lots of advice in the weapons department.

Speaking of which, while I was waiting for the silver coat on the boot armor to dry, I saw some wood lying on my dad's work bench and decided to try my hand at crafting a gun (a skill which my younger brother has mastered quite well, as the bench is littered with them). I want a hefty pistol and here's the gun base that I came up with:


I'm going to sand around the grip and "trigger" more and use that long lanky piece I Gorilla-glued to it as a starting point for attaching what random bits of gun-like things I've been collecting. It's not impressive yet, but it will be.

And here's those boot plate weathered, silvered, and masked. I'm going to see if I make it using what black paint I have left and if not sand it all off and go withe white paint.


Probably more progress tomorrow.

And when I say tomorrow I really mean in a few days.

Here is whats happened...

Boot plates are dun dun dun:







I've made way more progress on my pistol than just this, but it's my most recent picture:

I can't wait to show you what I've done to it. Waiting for glue to dry.

And I think that I can officially say that, for the most part besides like belt pouches, my beskar'gam is finally DONE! I grimed up the last few pieces this morning.

*dances* I'm excited.

just went through all 8 pages and wow looks great, seems like a lot more work when you see all the steps

I wouldnt knock the video. It can be difficult to figure out what exactly you should be doing in front of it.

Thanks. It's only taken me a year and a half.

This looks pretty hefty to me:





I know it's not perfect, but for what I had I think I've done all right. Lemme know whatchya think. (hint hint kal)

well... the boot armor looks great Ord'ika, and the blaster is coming along rather nicely. Do you have an overall idea of what you want it to look like or are you playing it by ear?

I'm playing by ear with what I've got. I didn't really start with much as far as a plan, but pieced things together like a puzzle and that's what I got. Here's something that I'd like to do to it:







Once again, I'm all about leftovers. These are scraps from my vest and boot spats. It covers up some of the bad spots, though I'm not sure how realistic it looks. This is Science Fiction, but I don't want it to look stupid.

Also around the round part before the mesh:


and, maybe:



Here's how it looks in my hand:


This may be crazy, but I want to paint it white (seeing as I've run out of black paint and don't want to buy another can just for one object). Let me know what you think! I welcome input.

nah looks fine... kinda has a hair dryer look to it but then again so do some of the cannon blasters

Do you remember that hair dryer I used to shape my armor? Well, not too long ago it went up in flames, literally, and I salvaged some of it. So it is part hair dryer. Speaking of which, I weathered and painted it just a few hours ago.

Between my last few posts I've been working on an ammo belt/pouches. I'm happy to say I'm done with them:









Left-over kama material, btw. I hot glued it on and it seems to be holding pretty well.

I designed two side pouches to fit my IPod so I could carry it. Also fits my phone. I designed them with the clone trooper pouches in mind.

Finished(ish) gun pics soon!

very nice, excellent work

yes very nice! colors are great and the two tone chest armor is awesome. are you still planning on doing the cape?

Very cool I was thinking something similar when I get to the kneepads on my current project. I was thinking of using those foam work kneepads and cutting them out to the desired shape then mounting the plastic part over that. Hopefully it'll work too

Thanks for the compliments, y'all!

@dustunite: Now that the I'm pretty much done with this kit I don't know what's going to happen. I still like to do some sort of cape so we shall see!

@Strabo. Lemme know how it goes.

I know I've said this like a thousand times, but I'm going to do a photo shoot! Maybe even some of my senior pictures can be in my armor.

Ugh... not the capes again! lol Your kit looks great Ord'ika.

LoL, I said we shall see.

I've been modiying me gun to clean it up a bit, but the bondo gods must not be satisfied with my sacrifices because this last bondo application hasn't dried properly and it's been like a day. I think I'm going to have to scrape it off and try again. Pics prolly later today, maybe tomorrow!

I just have to say that your armor came out awesome. It has inspired me to start working on my own armor to go with my helmet.

eh be patient with the bondo... if necessary put more over it and sand, I wouldn't scrape it off quite yet.

Hi Can'ika, been a while since I have had chance to take a look at your kit.

Totally proud of you for getting a kit done on a budget and looking fairly respectable.

The only thing I would note would be your gun, it looks a bit patched together and may need to look a little more solid, silver spray, toothpast and some cheap matt spray paint will also sort it.

Now you've got yourself to a completed stage, now comes the upgrades!

Thanks, Saz. I'm pretty proud of it too!

Mmm, I'm excited for those upgrades. I'd love to do all metal armor.

Yup, the gun is totally patched together. I'm in the middle of fixing it up right now. I've slapped some bondo on it--making proper sacrifices to the bondo gods, of course --and I have some pics of that...






I'm pretty close to all that being done and making a holster, then I'll move onto some better gaunts that aren't made out of cereal boxes. Between waiting for each bondo installment to dry, I played around with some supplies I had lying around.

Mock up gaunts made from non other than Arizona Iced Tea cans! With a Gatorade bottle insert.








After my papa cut down a tree in the backyard I grabbed a giant log so maybe one day I can actually do my own metal work. I used that, a ball point hammer, and a baseball bat to shape the cans.



I'd say it was a successful day.

Nice log, looks like it should serve you well as an avil / dishing stump

I have missed so much! I looks beautiful Ordeyn!

Glad to see you are still alive, Alpha! Thank you. I got to wear it to a convention: http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f34/g...-2011-a-42716/

awesome! U made it to a con! Way to go Ord'ika... I still haven't finished my kit yet! lol I just realized I'm past the 2 year mark working on it too. Sad I know.

Originally Posted by kal'ika

I still haven't finished my kit yet! lol I just realized I'm past the 2 year mark working on it too. Sad I know.

Have you hooked up with the Mercs in your area? How about the Legion? What can be done to help you along? You were one of the folks I read up on and followed when I first discovered TDH. Now I have a whole mess load of approved costumes in all four clubs.

yeah it's a work issue really... I'm on the mercs forum, every time the local mercs have an armor party I'm out of state... never fails. I work excessively long hours when I'm stateside, and when I'm not it's kinda hard to work on stuff. I am however right now trying to recruit some mercs/TDH vode to help out with the finishing of the first kit... which HOPEFULLY will be done NLT June of this year. I have a LOT of it done... it just needs finishing, check out my WIP thread I'll give details over there so I'm not hi jacking Ord'ika's thread.

All right! I have been working even though I haven't been updating. First off, my gun is MUCH farther along -- nearly finished. I'll get to the details of that in a second. Secondly, I'm reworking my kit a little bit, sharpening it up, what not. I added some more velcro to a few front plates so they stay on better. I'm going to reshape my thighs and make new knees and shins. I am also working towards getting some heavy duty snaps so I can properly attach my lower armor and I have leather to use as straps. I'm also going to reshape my back plate to fit better. I think that's about it besides a few other odds and ends. I'm hoping to have my kit back together for the release of Episode I on February 10. Now! The pics...

Got all the sanding done.


Primed it. I was having a lot of trouble figuring out what in the galaxies to do for greebs while it was unpainted. PRIME THINGS! It helps with "greebers block".


And this is my master plan for this side of the gun.


I had a brilliant scope idea from sprinkle bottles.

I cut off the threads and am going to put the cap on the end.


Updated design: turning those bars into fins...

...which I made from Arizona Iced Tea cans.


I cut out most of the pieces from a frame backing.


I took part in what I like to call "The Great Greeb Harvest".

Came up with this from all of that.


This is pretty much where I stand for now with the gun. I'm putting epoxy on those frame backing pieces atm and working on gluing the other greebs on.


Also picked up a pipe clip and bent it into shape to make a trigger guard (temp glued on with hot glue so I didn't have to hold it on for the pic).


So, it's a big post, sorry. Y'all needed an update. When I get more work done on the actual armor I'll be back. Enjoy!

Ord'ika that blaster's looking better all the time. I have an idea for ya tho... just looking at it, I think it'd be awesome if you added a stock and extended the barrel a little bit, make it into a carbine. Take a look at the DC-15A buttstock (WWII MG34). I think with a little bit of shortening for your frame a stock like that with a slightly longer barrel would make that thing a beast.

This armour is amazing! it all looks so well made, and so cool.
One word... Legend - wait for it - dary!!!!

This armour is wicked sweet! Love the purple scheme!
And it's really cool to see all the steps. Btw, those Iced-Tea-Gatorade-gaunts are awesome. I've never made anything from scratch before, so I may have to steal that idea of yours and see if I can actually make something out of it. If you don't mind

First off, thanks for the compliments, vode. I really appreciate it!

Originally Posted by kal'ika

Ord'ika that blaster's looking better all the time. I have an idea for ya tho... just looking at it, I think it'd be awesome if you added a stock and extended the barrel a little bit, make it into a carbine. Take a look at the DC-15A buttstock (WWII MG34). I think with a little bit of shortening for your frame a stock like that with a slightly longer barrel would make that thing a beast.

I agree, that would be pretty beast. Do you think it's possible for me to build the stock and extended barrel like add-ons? I could carry the barrel and stock in a pack and pull 'em out when I really wanted to scare people.

I threw together a quick sketch of what that might look like...

Originally Posted by xxDreamWalker

This armour is wicked sweet! Love the purple scheme!
And it's really cool to see all the steps. Btw, those Iced-Tea-Gatorade-gaunts are awesome. I've never made anything from scratch before, so I may have to steal that idea of yours and see if I can actually make something out of it. If you don't mind

Go for it. My only request is that you document your work so we can all see!

kal'ika, you are the man. I looked up some threaded pvc connectors so I could have a better feel for what you were talking about and option 2 (which I like a lot more) is brilliant. I think I can do it, but it'll take some time, more planning, etc.. I could fancy up a plug to hide the hole in the back of the gun the female end would leave then take it out to put the stock in. I'd really like to try this. Thanks, kal'ika!

Hey! So far so good! I like the process you went through to come up with your custom mando. In regards to your purple problem, you may want to experiment with mixing colors together (purple with a navy blue mist could lead to some interesting effects. I don't know if you plan to or not, but I would also suggest battle scaring your armor as well. Give your mando some real grit (like you've killed a couple of armies or so!). This adds an element of extra character and realism to the armor. also, I know black is very popular but don't use the color for shading purposes (blacks and whites flattens good work and can make or break a piece of art). Instead, use dark colors of the complementary spectrum of your armor (in this case, you'd either want to go with a yellow or brown and mix a little purple in with it to give more volume to the hues).

Anyway that's my two cents (These are just some design elements I think about when I'm working on projects so take with it what you will). I hope your project is successful!

Yeah I would think a plugged adapter would work well on the back end. It's really not that difficult, the hardest part really is lining up the stock so that it goes on straight every time. It works (more or less) the same as the buffer tubes on collapsible M4 stocks.

UPDATE TIME!!!! I'm soooo close to actually being done again and sending in my app pics to the Mercs. I've acquired some new tools to help me do a better job sharpening up my armor: a heat gun and a dremel. I love them both. The heat gun (obviously) helped me reshape some plates that needed it. The dremel is helping me make gaunts and sand the hard to get places on the DC-15s. I'm making gaunts from a custom design and out of PVC pipe -- I can't wait to finish them! I'm also going to make knee plates out of the PVC pipe. I added velcro here and there to make pieces stay in place better. I made an extension for my backplate. I did some work on my vest to hide the zipper and to improve the overall work (which I haven't finished yet). I just finished making a neck seal, too. The tutorial for the neck seal can be found here: Sahi's Neckseal - MercsWiki It was excellent and only took me like 45 minutes, but only cos I messed up. I'm still glueing things on my gun together and making a holster, etc... okay pictures.

'



















The DC's have a few more spots to fill in and then they ought to be ready for resin (which I need to get because I must have had a blonde moment and glued my old can shut. ) Anywho, enjoy!

Love the neck seal Ord'ika! That really makes the armour look crisp! And thanks for posting the link...I think I wanna try my hand at making one!

Thanks, A'den!

I've got my rivet gun and rivets. Summer is just around the corner and progress will be spitting out of me like sparks from a grinding wheel. I'll update some other things that I forgot to put up if I get the chance soon.

nice work on all this, good luck with the deeces