What Paint Colors? RESOLVED -Now BKBT Build Log

[bigkidbiggertoys]

The inner circumference of the standard shin armor is about 13" at the base and tapers in to about 12" at the smallest point.

 

[joe]

I decided against modifying the boot and am making a new set of shin armor. I have taken the existing file and stretched from front to back so it doesn't look too wide from the front. I will end up needing a bit of padding as I have chicken calves but it should work out in the end. For the record, the top outside circumference of my boot is about 14.25"

Very interesting. Appreciate the information! Sounds like I shouldn't have a problem since an extra 1.25 inch circumference is a decent amount of difference. I don't think I could take it in for my boot either jeans fit in just right for my boot.

Your kit is coming together. You have any photos of partial suit ups?

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

No suit ups yet. I wanted to get all of my armor finished first so I could work on orientation before I commit to doing any modifications to the suit

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

A few updates but I'll first start with the lower leg armor. I printed off a new set that I modified to fit the boot I have so I don't have to modify the boot. I opted to use a paracord lace for the front under the center plate and I glued the plate in place so it won't move around. The paracord acts like a hinge when I put on the armor and snaps back into place. The only thing I would change is my lacing pattern. After I finished it occurred to me there was a better way but this works well so I will leave it alone.

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I have also started machining the metal parts. These are the first parts I have turned on my metal lathe. There is a bit of a learning curve but the parts are getting more consistent as I go and gain some experience. Not to machinists tolerances but good enough for Cosplay!

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

Also worked on the helmet a little more and added padding. I still have to figure out a way to attach the visor so I can remove it if needed and I am thinking about an intake fan of some sort. I like to work on 2 or 3 things at the same time so if I reach a stumbling block on one, I just carry on on the others and let my mind process and figure out a solution in the background.

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

Lastly, the material for my cape came in. I opted to use a Melton wool as that was easier for me to find locally. I has a similar texture to felt so the ends do not really need any treatment to keep from fraying. This is under fluorescent lighting so the color is a bit washed out but it is a charcoal grey.

 

[Whistlingbird]

Any use of magnets with your build... for gauntlet closure, etc. ?

 

[malibu139]

I have also started machining the metal parts. These are the first parts I have turned on my metal lathe. There is a bit of a learning curve but the parts are getting more consistent as I go and gain some experience. Not to machinists tolerances but good enough for Cosplay!

These look fantastic- nice work!!

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I actually started off the leg armor using magnets to hold the front plate on, but I found that it would still move around a bit and was causing the plate to protrude more than I liked. The only downside to the method I used is if I need to replace the paracord it will be hard to lace up. I will have to enlarge the holes. Not a big deal but at least I have a solution if I ever need to do it.

Any use of magnets with your build... for gauntlet closure, etc. ?

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I have started some of the leather work. The strap for the leg ammo is quite thin and I had some 3 or 4 oz leather that looked about right. I cut a 1" wide strip, added some grooves for the detail, cleaned with alcohol and dyed. It is not really a light brown to my eyes so I opted for a couple of coats of Saddle Tan taking care to finish the edges as well. The dye is Feibings Pro Dye and it is my first time using this particular dye and the results are fantastic. Easy to use and highly recommended! I finished off by buffing with some beeswax for a low sheen finish.

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

Worked on the lower strap tonight. It is a fairly lightweight garment leather. I wanted it to end up about 2" in width so I cut the leather at 3", used Barge leather cement to glue the edges and folded them in to give me the finished 2". The trick is to hammer the folds flat after to get a nice, finished look. I just need to add some velcro to the back and will permanently attach to the shin armor once I have finished painting, I am going to get all of my leather pieces fabricated first and then do some color toing after to bring everything together for a more cohesive look. Right now I can see the brown on my leg armor is a little too red. I'll see how everything looks in the day under different lighting conditions.

 

[SoCalFett]

A few updates but I'll first start with the lower leg armor. I printed off a new set that I modified to fit the boot I have so I don't have to modify the boot. I opted to use a paracord lace for the front under the center plate and I glued the plate in place so it won't move around. The paracord acts like a hinge when I put on the armor and snaps back into place. The only thing I would change is my lacing pattern. After I finished it occurred to me there was a better way but this works well so I will leave it alone.

Nice work!! Did you do your boots?

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

The boots are from Crow Props. I looked for Blaine Orsen Sketchers but couldn’t find anything in my size and they were almost as expensive

Nice work!! Did you do your boots?

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I worked on some more metal pieces today. As I wanted the leg ammo hollow to keep it light and screen accurate, I opted to use tubing and spun some end caps. The first 3 pics you can see me facing the material and then cutting a shoulder into solid aluminum for the end cap. I ended up cutting the diameter slightly larger than the tube and threw the end cap into the freezer and heated the tube before pressing them together. No glue needed and they are not coming apart! I then turned the assembly to get a nice consistent diameter and finish and lastly, cut the grooves with a parting blade and finished the ends with a small radius.

 

[malibu139]

I worked on some more metal pieces today. As I wanted the leg ammo hollow to keep it light and screen accurate, I opted to use tubing and spun some end caps. The first 3 pics you can see me facing the material and then cutting a shoulder into solid aluminum for the end cap. I ended up cutting the diameter slightly larger than the tube and threw the end cap into the freezer and heated the tube before pressing them together. No glue needed and they are not coming apart! I then turned the assembly to get a nice consistent diameter and finish and lastly, cut the grooves with a parting blade and finished the ends with a small radius.

Those are so awesome

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

More progress today. I finished the end of the lower strap, added velcro which I also glued on with Barge cement and added a double faced tape to permanently stick to the armor. I don't want small bits and pieces to fuss with and you can see on the reference pics that the lower strap has been glued into place.

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I also darkened the paint on the leg armor so their is more tonal balance with the leather pieces added. Some of my pieces may be on the darker side but I thought it was more important to have a cohesive look. I also started working on the upper strap, working again with 3-4 oz leather that I dyed myself. The overall height of the belt is 3". I started with a test piece and then transferred to my belt once I knew it was going to work as planned. The only thing left is to get some heavy thread for the stitching and final assembly.

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

Just a small update today. I spun off some knee darts this weekend so tomorrow I can finish assembly of my knee armor.


I also picked up a leather shoe patcher sewing machine and spent a couple of evenings stripping it down, tuning it up and building a base for it. I may motorize it in the future but will work with it awhile first. I have done lots of leather work but haven't been able to sew leather until now. I'm looking forward to getting into this!

 

[bigkidbiggertoys]

I installed the knee darts today. I drilled then threaded the aluminum as I didn’t want to epoxy them in and risk breaking them off and losing them.

looks better than the temp darts for sure!