Kyram Do'ruun's first armor attempt

Hey, I saw you on the mysapce group, glad you made it here, there is no better place for mando things here.

Your knees are upside down, you pulling a Jeremy on us?

Woops! Thanks fore the correction. That's what I get for rushing to get the image up

Looks like this will be a pretty nice set. Looking forward to seeing it in construction.

I agree with Novall on that.

Please post progress pics when you can.

BTW. Welcome to TDH. Nice to see another person from Michigan here as well.

I'm from SW Michigan, but I am broke so I have no armour..

Welcome to TDH, and nice concept pics! Can't wait to see the final product

Thanks for the welcome and the encouraging words everyone!

OK, took some pictures of some of the items of my setup that are close to completion. The plastic bits still need some touch ups and a good dull or satin coat so they aren't so shiney.

First up are my gloves and hand armor plates. The gloves are army surplus tank driver's gloves which are black cotton and leather.


Here's a shot of each of my gauntlets. The plastic parts are each made up of one half of a Darth Vader action figure meditation chamber. The utility light is a flexible reading light cut and fit to the gauntlet. The dart shooter is part of a TV remote controller with BIC ballpoint pen ink tubes for the darts. Also needs finishing spray and touch ups. These are mounted on lace up leather bracers.


Black military ammo belt with winged skull accent on buckle.


Modified AirSoft pistol:


Modified AirSoft pistol grip rile with old asthma medication breathing tube on the end for some kind of silencer or something:

I really like that rifle. Has a kind of old west look to it.

I dont think the nylon pouches go with Star Wars, that is just me though.

I also use the nomex gloves you use.

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

I really like that rifle. Has a kind of old west look to it.

Yeah, that's what I thought too when I bought it to base my rifle blaster on. I thought the mock wood grain turned out decent but some of it chipped off the other side of the grip.

Originally Posted by Cylrul Pbz

I dont think the nylon pouches go with Star Wars, that is just me though.

Hmmm, well it was cheap enough I will probably upgrade to leather eventually anyway. I also don't care much for the modern style plastic closure on it either. Gunna keep my eye open and check out some local Army/Navy suplus places for something a little more "Star Warsy".

If you can buy from ebay, there are usually some nice small square ammo pouches you can get their that very closely resemble Fett's. That's what I use, and they are actually functional.

They usually run like $5 for 2 pouches.

Looks very cool. And there's some very clever use of the parts bin in those gauntlets.

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

If you can buy from ebay, there are usually some nice small square ammo pouches you can get their that very closely resemble Fett's. That's what I use, and they are actually functional.

They usually run like $5 for 2 pouches.

Checked out ebay and found a leather one for $125 and a styrene one that can be made in white, black, and brown for about $50 shipped from the fella I'm buying my raw armor plates from. I have to go pick up some faux leather for my kama so maybe I'll see if I can find a tutorial on making pouches and fashion my own.

Originally Posted by The Asylum

Looks very cool. And there's some very clever use of the parts bin in those gauntlets.

Thanks! I love incorperating random greeblies into my stuff but I'm still pretty sloppy. I made a real mess of the left gauntlet trying to fill in the gaps between the gaunt and the dart shooter with some liquid casting plastic. The stuff was really runny but I was able to file most of it down with the dremel.

Originally Posted by Kyram

Thanks! I love incorperating random greeblies into my stuff but I'm still pretty sloppy. I made a real mess of the left gauntlet trying to fill in the gaps between the gaunt and the dart shooter with some liquid casting plastic. The stuff was really runny but I was able to file most of it down with the dremel.

Are you using Alumilite? That stuff can be a bear. Try Kneadatite. It's a 2-part plumbers epoxy that takes up to 2 hours to set so you can work it for a good long time.

Originally Posted by The Asylum

Are you using Alumilite? That stuff can be a bear. Try Kneadatite. It's a 2-part plumbers epoxy that takes up to 2 hours to set so you can work it for a good long time.

Yeah, I really need to get something that has a thicker putty consistancy. I kind of just tried the SmoothCast liquid plastic because I had some laying around. Can I get the Kneadatite at one of my local hardware stores?

here's a very small tutorial about making a functional ammo belt that's under $100. Not a bad way to go if you want something that works and looks pretty good.

http://firespray.net/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1177955683/0#0

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

here's a very small tutorial about making a functional ammo belt that's under $100. Not a bad way to go if you want something that works and looks pretty good.

http://firespray.net/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1177955683/0#0

Those would work perfectly. Thanks!

The vendor you suggested also carries some nice leather holsters I may be able to use.

Originally Posted by Kyram

Yeah, I really need to get something that has a thicker putty consistancy. I kind of just tried the SmoothCast liquid plastic because I had some laying around. Can I get the Kneadatite at one of my local hardware stores?

I've never seen it at stores. I've ordered it online. It's pretty cheap and a 6 foot roll lasts almost forever.

Good to see you Kyram, Your off to a great start with your look. I also have the same nylon pouches, I have used them with my Sniper outfit and they work for me..... anyway great stuff.... keep up the good work and the updates..........

Thanks Valcar! I'll post more as I progress.

Asylum: Thanks for the tip. I'll start looking for someone online who carries Kneadatite.

Kyram... Nice armor design. And I too love the blaster rifle. With than lever action base, it could be suitable for either Star Wars or Firefly.

i was thinking the same...would make a great firefly rifle...just needs a suitable girly name...like vera lol...anyway...nice armour...i especially like the gloves...thinking of doing that kind of armour plating myself

also meant to ask...were you on any formus with ur sw customs...i to am a customizer aswell...im on jedidefender

Originally Posted by Kyram

Thanks Valcar! I'll post more as I progress.

Asylum: Thanks for the tip. I'll start looking for someone online who carries Kneadatite.

Kneadatite (more commonly known as "the green stuff") is used a lot in sculpting gaming miniatures. I have sculpted several out of this stuff. You can get some at just about any gaming shop that carries Games Workshop miniatures. This is a smaller amt. than what you can generally buy online, but if you don't need alot this may help.

The only thing you want to know is that when you use it it wants to stick to absolutely everything. More often than not it will stick to the tool you are using to put it on with rather than the part you are trying to put it on.

You can dip your tools in denatured alcohol, or use the "spit method" (Yeah, I lick my sculpting tools...so what?!? ) to alleviate this momentarily. But you have to keep doing it over and over.

You may want to try Bondo. If you've never used it before, its a quick mix, fairly easy to sand, and inexpensive (@ Wal-Mart) filler. Plus pick up a tube of Bondo glazing putty. This stuff will fill in any small holes or rough areas and sands like an absolute dream.

Hope this helps some.

Originally Posted by Zarek Vor

Kyram... Nice armor design. And I too love the blaster rifle. With than lever action base, it could be suitable for either Star Wars or Firefly.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by setra

also meant to ask...were you on any formus with ur sw customs...i to am a customizer aswell...im on jedidefender

Yes, I post to the YakFace forums as AstroZombie00. I have the figure customizing on hold for the moment as I can only afford one hobbie at a time.

Originally Posted by drokkul

Kneadatite (more commonly known as "the green stuff") is used a lot in sculpting gaming miniatures. I have sculpted several out of this stuff. You can get some at just about any gaming shop that carries Games Workshop miniatures. This is a smaller amt. than what you can generally buy online, but if you don't need alot this may help.

The only thing you want to know is that when you use it it wants to stick to absolutely everything. More often than not it will stick to the tool you are using to put it on with rather than the part you are trying to put it on.

You can dip your tools in denatured alcohol, or use the "spit method" (Yeah, I lick my sculpting tools...so what?!? ) to alleviate this momentarily. But you have to keep doing it over and over.

You may want to try Bondo. If you've never used it before, its a quick mix, fairly easy to sand, and inexpensive (@ Wal-Mart) filler. Plus pick up a tube of Bondo glazing putty. This stuff will fill in any small holes or rough areas and sands like an absolute dream.

Hope this helps some.

Thanks for the tips, Drokkul! I plan on ordering some Green Stuff and I'll keep an eye out for some Bondo next time I'm over at WallyWorld.

While I'm waiting on my raw armor plates I've decided to try to refine my design a bit. So I did up this rough composition of what I am shooting for using images of peices I have already fabricated and what I am expecting to. It's a kind of goofy looking cut and paste photoshop frankenstein but it should help give you all an idea of what I'm trying to do. Any contrcutive input would be much appreciated.

I don't see anything wrong with the look. In fact I like it a lot, and thats the best thing about a Custom Mando, the maker can just about do anything they like. It's a good look and the rilfe also looks great also..... it's going to look sweet......

i agree...this is going to be awsome when its finished.

Wow, I like your emblum (cant spell am useless) it all looks great though...looking forward to see some more of it finished!!!

Greetings vode! Finally have a REAL update for you all today. Just got my bucket in the mail the other day and have been working on it obsessively ever since. I have the visor and inner support cradle on order at the moment and am thinking of adding a micro fan for a bit of ventilation. Anyway here it is so far:

nice job so far! BTW on your cut and paste pic up there, it appears that your shoulder pieces are pointed the wrong way, or on the wrong sides. Maybe it's just me, other then that, IT ROX!

EDIT: I looked at it again, the emblems are pointed the right way, but the shoulders aren't. Again, if it's supposed to look that way, just ignore me, cause your concept is awsome! Can't wait to see the final product!

Eh, you're probably right, or atleast the proportions make it look that way. Just kinda slapped it together to show how the colors and where the designs would be and stuff. I put the knees upsidedown on the first concept I posted, lol.

Originally Posted by Darasuum_Verd

nice job so far! BTW on your cut and paste pic up there, it appears that your shoulder pieces are pointed the wrong way, or on the wrong sides. Maybe it's just me, other then that, IT ROX!

EDIT: I looked at it again, the emblems are pointed the right way, but the shoulders aren't. Again, if it's supposed to look that way, just ignore me, cause your concept is awsome! Can't wait to see the final product!

Ah, that explains it. Nice job though!

Originally Posted by NovallTalon

here's a very small tutorial about making a functional ammo belt that's under $100. Not a bad way to go if you want something that works and looks pretty good.

http://firespray.net/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1177955683/0#0

I read it, it doesnt seem like a tutorial, it seems all you are saying is "Buy some pouches, and attach them to a belt"

To me that seems like common sense.

Originally Posted by Cylrul Pbz

I read it, it doesnt seem like a tutorial, it seems all you are saying is "Buy some pouches, and attach them to a belt"

To me that seems like common sense.

It was helpful nonetheless. The ammo pouches look great and are a good price for WWII surplus and functional to boot.