Question About Shaping

I've got a set of mando plates I've made out of a trash can.
The only problem is that I want a more female look for them and I have no idea how to accomplish that.

The tools I have to work on this would be a hair dryer, or a shrink wrap gun.
Please tell me if that seems like a recipe for disaster or if you've got any tips or better ideas to shape it.
Thanks.

Are you talking about modifying the chest plates for a more "female fit"?
If so and you've already cut the overall shape of them you might not have much left by the time you're done shaping them over something. It might be better to take a larger piece of trash can plastic and make your custom fit first. Then trace out and trim the edges to the chest plate pattern.

You need room for the boobs to go, so you'll need a lot more than the basic plate shape, you may also need a mannequin to your breast size to shape the plates around as they get hot if you're using a hair dryer.

Hot plastic and boob don't mix... well, unless that's your thing and then that would be a COMPLETELY different website!

XD The mannequin is the better idea I'm sure.

So I can bend the plastic with the hair dryer? I just need to make new chest plates. I can do that. ^^

That or propane torch

just be careful with the propane torch... Zuka's known for his... pyro tendancies... lmao

If I'm going to use a propane torch I may need to call in a friend for help. Not only am I to broke to rent one, but I wouldn't be to confident in my own abilities any way. XD

What about boiling water ?
I just shaped blasters impacts on my sintra plates, simply by pouring boiling water locally on the sintra and pressing a marble (is that the correct word for kid's little glass balls ?) until the shape is correct.

"Boobs shaping" could use the same technique...

That would be one big marble!

Something else you can try that doesn't involve using a whole lot of heat is putting darts in your armor.

Basically, you cut a long thin triangle in either the inner or outer side of the chest plate then bend the ends together. Since your using a trash can, PVC epoxy would work well to hold them together. That creates a nice cop effect and only requires the piece be heated enough to get those two ends together. Below are some pics from one of our ladie's armor over at Mercs.







Hope this helps.

You can use a heat gun (safest) to get that area warm or a pot of boiling water to dip that part of the armor down in to.

I use a heat gun and ice water... heat it, bend it then dunk it in the ice water to keep its shape. BTW... don't u have a dev art account by the same name?

I do.

And thanks for the info.

he he no prob, and I like ur artwork btw... I saw ur original armor on devart and it looks pretty good as is... are you just wanting more feminine plates?

I prefer a more violent Flame so I wrap it in aluminum foil but on my insulated gloves and Use the propane torch, I know im crazy, I am also a pyromaniac, Just like my custom

Originally Posted by kal'ika

he he no prob, and I like ur artwork btw... I saw ur original armor on devart and it looks pretty good as is... are you just wanting more feminine plates?

Awe thanks.
Yeah, I am. That and I'm planning on attaching it to to a vest. ^^

cool! Can't wait to see the updates

Thanks, it may take a while for me to post any updates, I'm moving to spain for school so I won't have my armor with me there.

God, nobody listens to the pyromaniac

I would listen to the pyro, but also being a pyro, this could end badly....

lmao true statement

i more pyro than you, I can burn water, XD

I could burn a salad, but I think that's more my home making illiteracy than being a pyro.

Oooh, sick burn. Heh.

I got tired of bending my plates so took a pair of pliers to them, oddly, it seemed to shape a lot better/quicker.

Amazing what a bit of impatience can do...

You got Pics Saz?

I'm always a fan of the mannequin female armor. :3

Swanky, what'd you use to make them shiny?

Nothing, they're just a grey metallic bin I used!

Ah, Nice. I need to buy shiny paint for my Jango plates... this stuff is so pricey.

another option for femmando plates is going to ebay and buying a female torso mannequin in 1 cup size larger than you are, to account for the vest and flightsuit. you can usually get the vests for 15.00-25.00. if drawn out and cut properly, you will get your entire front torso plates and perhaps a backplate as well.

sometimes they are a bit thin. if that's the case, you can reenforce them by fiberglassing the backside if the plates.

1 can of fiberglass resin 8.00
1 roll of fiberglass matte 4.00
1 torso mannequin 20.00

getting all your torso armor for, give or take, 32.00 without headaches and alot of work:

PRICELESS!

That's a pretty good price.

we have a few girls over at mercs that have done it with great results.

you could toss it in the oven at 350 for 5min, and shape it on the maniquen, the dip the plates in cool water

That won't make it to flimsy will it?

It shouldn't, I have heatformed plastic several ways and it doesn't seem to degrade it at all.

no this is what u do
1. get your plates on metal sheet(like u put cookies on)
2. put them in a 350 for 5 min.
3. fill up a bowl w/ cold water
4. place them on the maniquen or ur body
7. then dip them in the cold water
thats what i would do

suh-weet. Would it matter that I've already painted them?

no the paint will get a little wet(like just above dry) and it will stink for like 2 minutes but here are my male plates that i put in the oven

try it and i think you will get good results

If you have already painted them and you try heating them, then you better make sure you are somewhere that air can get to. The paint will release fumes that can be dangerous.

on my chest peices (only too) i used a propane torch with great success, just aint gonna put pics up till i get an abdomen place and a collar plate