I need help on the armor itself

ok i need some help on the body armor and the shoulders, i want to make armor that will last, (not out of cardboard or paper) but i dont want to make it out of cast iron if you get what im saying , i have some ideas floating around in my head for custm armor but i need a material to create it out of. the second part of the question is how do i attach the armor to make it rugged, (i want to use it for paintball so taping it on wont work, and velcro might not hold up) any suggstions thanks for reading.

Vandal

Sintra/Centax 3mm plastic foam board is what you are looking for... pretty cheap, easy to cut/mold.

You can attach with industrial strength velcro or use snaps (walmart)... You can use an adhesive to keep the snap attached to the armor and then sew onto the vest (which is how I have mine)

ok thanks a lot i really appriciate it, and where would i but sintra at, a hardware store?

You may be able to get it from a hardware store or possible an art supply store.
I found the best place was to look in the local market/industrial areas that work/supply in plastics. Its called Sintra or Centax (and there is another name for it as well, believe it starts with a K) which basically are "brand" names, and basically the same material.

I was able to pick up a sheet of 8ft x 4ft pretty cheaply. You can find it online as well for decent prices but the shipping will most likely be as much as your order (if not more)

i think it is also called foamboard...=)

im kinda ify on the sintra foamboard thing, i just don knw how rigid it is, i dont wantmy armor flopping all over the place lol

It's plenty rigid it's basicly flat pvc pipe with tiny air bubbles in it. I found my at my local 'Sign Making' shop. It's also known as expanded pvc.

or you can cut up a garbage can, that might hold up better to airsoft or paintball a little better.

there's no need to worry about the strength of sintra. It flops around a bit when it's in a big sheet, but when you cut it down to the size of an armor plate it's rigid as can be. If you really want to be sure about it then get 6mm instead of 3mm. I've had the best luck buying 24"x36" sheets from sign shops.

thanks alot for the inputs guys, really great help. I have a question about the bucket, im in the middle f making mine now i just dont know if its the most efficient way to do it, i didnt do an exact replica because i first molded it out of clay but i was curious what you guys found the most efficient and rigid way to make a bucket, thanks

Vandal