New vod - new questions :D

I do get around a lot so some of you may already know me.
I am Steve Schaeperkoetter (7221) and I do a lot of costuming and assorted star wars works. about 6 months ago I heard about the trash can armor method and couldn't wait to try it out. for 5 months I've been the proud owner of my beskar'gam - a matte black armor with a white mythosaur skull on the front. (in my defense I made this before I had seen or heard of "The Punisher") I was quite satisfied with my armor for those 5 months until C4 where I met assorted members here and the metal-armored friends of Karen Traviss. This of course made me feel like my armor was incomplete without a helmet, better paint job, and some better pieces. (mostly thanks to Ray Ramirez )

so far I've taken the inginuity behind trash can armor and put it into making a helmet - which of course I will put up detail photos once I'm done. (just need a stalk and a T-visor.)

This is where my questions come in.

1. where can I get a (dirt) cheap T-visor? so far I've made my completed helmet for under 30. I would REALLY like to find some sort of material for under 10. I'm thinking about this blackened vinyl they sell off of a roll over at walmart but if someone can suggest a more stable means I would be exstatic to look into it.

2. what kind of interesting additions have you made to your armor? I'm talking things that make a crowd form. I really want to get a retractable clothes line or dog leash and some sort of spring loaded hook and make a grappling hook in my gauntlet. 8) this will make for some wicked action photos hehe

3. boba's helmet was completely open beneath the chin. Jango's had some sort of sealing drawstring cover from what I can tell. do ou guys usually do that or not? I think it kinda adds a cool mystery to what's under the helmet but if the common concensus is don't do it then I'll rethink that part.

4. this is the one that may cause issues and if it does the mods are more than welcome to remove this question. what makes custom mando armor into a set of true beskar'gam? what should no mando be without?

that should do it - so far most of my kit is designed towards infiltration/commando gear - IED's and stealth ops kinda stuff.

thanks for the help and for putting such awesome advice on the site!
Go Hunting! Oya!

- Steve

Su cuy'gar ner vod!

I got some advices, that you may have thought of before, but I just love to help if I can.

1) Ask yourself, what time-era would this armour be used? Is he a part of Jaster's supercommandos, or is he even an older mercenary before Jaster's time? Is he a protector?

2) If you're a commando, be sure to check SW wiki on Clone Commandos/ARC troopers and other spec-ops forces. But be sure to have a second or even third firearm, as a warrior. Thermal detonators, EMP grenades, frag grenades, Heavy utility belt and even bandoiler could help make up this look.

3) A true beskar'gam is made out of beskar, and as stated in many sources, has a special colouring to it. Remember: Boba's armour isn't true beskar'gam, it's made out of duraplast, and is different in many places than beskar. KOTOR Mando'ade have beskar'gam, and you can see the silvery/platinum colouring to it in places.

EDIT: 4) What should no Mando be without? I think I can answer that. Customs can vary from canon-true to completely custom that follows no rules. I'm one of the first mentioned, I try to research canon sources before sketching up anything.

The rules in canon sources:

1. The wearer was always protected by lightsaber-resistant Mandalorian iron, which could also deflect blaster bolts.
2. The helmets always possessed a T-shaped visor and a sophisticated heads-up display (HUD).
3. Mandalorian warriors decorate their armor to reflect personal accomplishments, clan affiliation, or simply personal preference. They often repainted their armor to reflect rank, clan and possibly the current terrain.

This means, no beskar'gam could be without T-shaped visor basically. More rules could apply, such as traditional shape of the armour itself. But that should apply to the time-era of your armour. The Fett'esque plates first appeared in canon somewhere around 1.500 BBY, and the helmet varied around 66 BBY during the Mandalorian civil war. So basically, the rules I personally would set down are to have T-shaped visor, basic shape (chest armour would be the one for modern) that reflects era/group and last but not least the warrior's field of expertise.

Hope that helped, I love the armour so far

-

About the T-Visor, I know that some costumers make them out of "smoked" acrylic, as it is harder to scratch and is used for motorcycle helmets by the pro's.

Did I misunderstand, or read correctly? Did you manage to make a helmet out of trash can?

- H.

There were some Mandalorian's who didn't wear helmets. Master Jaing who's skull you have on your chest was one as well as an early Mirta Gev suit. In my opinion, the helmet makes the armor.

Sarim pretty much has a good answers for everything =) (Good job Sarim!)

I would say that if you want to stand out...make things work. Now, I wouldn't make your flamethrower work as we don't wanna set kids on fire. However having working chest displays, moving RF stalks, lighted gauntlets, and other do-hikies is what attracts the crowds. Trust me, people love to see your armor "work". =D

For the vinyl helmet ring...I don't know of many people who do that. Mainly because the helmets are already so dang hot. That would just make it worse! Most people use Baklavas over their head...and even those are pretty darn hot, I don't normally use mine because luckily I have a short neck and not so big melon.

For your T-Visor, you can always grab a welder's mask and cut one out of that. They arn't very expensive at all and you should be able to get one at most hardware supply stores.

What you have done already looks good! If you plan on upgrading, just upgrade in small steps =)

There were some Mandalorian's who didn't wear helmets. Master Jaing who's skull you have on your chest was one as well as an early Mirta Gev suit. In my opinion, the helmet makes the armor.

Sarim pretty much has a good answers for everything =) (Good job Sarim!)

I would say that if you want to stand out...make things work. Now, I wouldn't make your flamethrower work as we don't wanna set kids on fire. However having working chest displays, moving RF stalks, lighted gauntlets, and other do-hikies is what attracts the crowds. Trust me, people love to see your armor "work". =D

For the vinyl helmet ring...I don't know of many people who do that. Mainly because the helmets are already so dang hot. That would just make it worse! Most people use Baklavas over their head...and even those are pretty darn hot, I don't normally use mine because luckily I have a short neck and not so big melon.

For your T-Visor, you can always grab a welder's mask and cut one out of that. They arn't very expensive at all and you should be able to get one at most hardware supply stores.

What you have done already looks good! If you plan on upgrading, just upgrade in small steps =)

Double post Nov, not your fault though, it does that a lot.

Welcome to TDH, I would answer the questions to help out (which I would love to) but I am sneazing and weazing, so it is hard to concentrate.

1. - You should be able to just go out and get a welder's mask to cut into a T-Visor....I've been thinking of perhaps looking into motorcycle visors that are colored chrome. I know some ARC Troopers have gone this route, but Im not for sure how cutable they'd be etc. Not to mention they'd be more expensive.

2. - I don't have any working thing on any of my costumes...But a grappling hook sounds cool.

3. - Mine's not covered,but I don't beleive very many Mando's,Fetts,etc. do cover the bottom's of their helmets, but I'd be intrested in doing so sometime...Im not realy for sure how I'd do it though, if all else fails you could always wear a balacalva that covers your chin,etc. under your neckseal.

4. Armor and guns. But seriously, I'd think a Mando helmet, mando styled torso armor, and a belt of some type. I know alot of people think all Mando's should have jet packs, but (sence Im cheap) I don't think all of them need one, but it always helps to have one for coolness sake. I also think a Mando shouldn't have any skin showing (unless your going helmetless, then your head could show of corse).

P.S. - Im digging those sharp gauntlets! :cheers

Sarim Thiri said:

Did I misunderstand, or read correctly? Did you manage to make a helmet out of trash can?

- H.

Click to expand...

yep sure is!


got done with everything but the other ear and stalk. the visor is a clear saftey mask with a smoke tinting added. it works well I think.

still trying to find the best retractable line for my grappling hook though. the dog leash sounds best right now but I really want to know how bit the insides are without the case...

You can get your t-visor from t-visor.com on ebay. The seller's name is rembrandt-enterprises. They are about $15 shipped. These visors are great.

i was thinking of using one of those key doohickees that have your keys strapped to your belt but have them on a retractable cord whcih just lets you pulls your keys as much as you want then takes them back to the belt for my grapling hook..if anyone is confused as to what im talking about you arnt the only ones...im not 100% sure myslef lol...ok now im babbling brisk sighning out!