Feeding costume addiction!

Hi everyone! I've just finished my stormtrooper armor ( but the tweaking never ends) and will be applying to the 501st. I currently belong to a group based in upstate NY, Saratoga region, called the Adirondack Outpost. We combine 501st, Rebel Legion, and R2 Builder's Club members. We share out passion for the SW universe through various projects. After finishing my TK, I was going to wait quite a while before starting another costume, but I just can't wait! I've been trying to figure out what to do next, and I keep coming back to the Mandalorian Armor. So, I'm beginning my research here much as I did when I started my TK armor.

Thanks to all of you who came before me for your amazing research and know- how. I look forward to many future communications with you.

welcome mate - recognise ur name from over on FISD
like u got the bug - already doing up a TK as 1st, next is a TB, but like u I am already here researching a mando

this is a great board - let me know if I can help in anyway ;P

Thanks very much Heatshock (I love that name !!) I just made the decision yesterday to start researching everything. Do you know if there is a preference for the armor material? I've seen stuff on the auction sites, (where I really don't want to make my purchases) made of sintra, fiberglass, ABS, and PVC. I wasn't sure if one was stronger than another or maybe more fragile. My TK is FX, which seems sturdy, and I'm not sure what my AP is made of but it seems a bit thinner material. I've noticed some folks are using trash cans for their material, but I'm not too fond of that idea, I'd have to see it in person.

Thanks for any help,
Timmer

well.... depends on who u ask I think. Fett heads here like the sturdier stuff, also cos of film accuracy, they prob are a little more critical regardign shapes, sizes and wot u must or must not have. U will find mando land diff cos of the different requirements of indiv costumers.

FX stuff is indeed ABS, strong flexible. Some helmets were made of this.
- u will find more FG and resin stuff here than TK land.
- some people use HIPS - thinner than ABS usually, a little more brittle; but I think it holds shape better at the vac forming stage
- sintra usually comes in 3mm or 5-6mm thickness and is the way people go for a budget build. I guess if u layer it up, it can be quite thick too
- check out WOF for a scratch build on most everythign that is part of ur hard armour, lid, armour, gauntlets - I started one just cos I thought it looked so cool!
- Trashcan builds arent that bad tbh mate. but like I said - it depends on wot u go for.
- you might want to check out Mando Merc Costuming Club as well if u decide on custom mando; they also maintain a list of vendors and vendor bewares over there.

loads of really helpful guys on here too; enjoy ur stay and pm me if I can be any more help TK brother. AP is some choice armour btw mate.

Nate

Nate, thanks so much, you've been a great help already. I'm not sure what I'm going to scratch build and what I'm going to buy pre-built. So much more reading to do!

Cheers Nate!

Tim

Heya Tim,
Welcome!!
If I can help you with tips for the soft parts let me know. If you are going with a custom Mando, you have more freedom with your soft parts design and can more easily make up all of your soft parts yourself.

You will find a huge amount of info. There is also a custom Mando forum as well, the
Mandalorian Mercs.


Happy Thanksgiving
Debbi

Here is a link to the Mandalorian Mercs website.....

http://www.mandalorianmercs.com

Hi Debbi. I saw "Ladysewforus" several times as I've been doing my homework here and knew that at some point I would have to possibly seek you out. Having you find me is awesome! I'm not sure if I'm going Fett or custom Mando yet, but thank you for the link and your assistance.

Happy Holidays to you!

Tim

Howdy, and welcome aboard, fellow TK! I found myself here too because I need to feed the costume addiction. It's like potato chips... you can't stop at just one!:wacko

Absolutely! I wanted to do a Fett costume, but someone in my group just started one, so I thought I'd try something else. I'm just too short for a Vader (which we have in our group anyway), other trooper variations don't really interest me except for some of the clonetrooper variations. I need to lose more weight to fit into that armor I think. I would love to rig up a giant Chewie suit, but nah. I keep coming back to Mandalorians. I can make a custom if I'd like, which is great. I love the TK, but just to have something as a spare (plus more comfy) will be a plus. Thanks for the welcome DJ!