Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club
Brigades => Canon => Canon/Legends => TCW/Rebels => Topic started by: Kryamla Redalur on Jul 22, 2019, 02:18 PM
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Hey there everyone! My Clone Wars S4/5 Bo was approved Just before Celebration! I’ve always wanted to apply for brigades but just needed a break from armor building! Well I’m ready to start back up and just wanted some feedback on what I’ll need to do for brigades?
First thing I want to do is re-do my gauntlets. I already have new ones and will start working on them this weekend hopefully (they’re 3D printed).
Second thing I want to work on is a new headband. My current one is okay but it doesn’t sit as flush to my head as I’d like. I have an idea of what to do thanks to another Bo :) also planning on starting that this weekend.
I was also thinking of doing another round of grey-wash but that will likely be at a later date.
Otherwise, here’s how my kit is currently.
App pictures:
Front:
(https://i.imgur.com/QrQRRU5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xArhv1W.jpg)
Side:
(https://i.imgur.com/p6NSV3I.jpg)
Back:
(https://i.imgur.com/puYTvmi.jpg)
Side:
(https://i.imgur.com/tKn95UQ.jpg)
So yeah, that’s where I’m at! Any help for brigade level would be great!
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Hey there, stranger!
We do not have BRLs for Bo...at least not yet.
We spoke pretty often when you were knocking out this build, and I know the amount of detail you put into this kit.
I personally think you just walked out of the show, but I'm interested to learn where you think the weaknesses are?
I'll ping Padm to get in here.
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New gauntlets are my first thing I’d like to upgrade! My current ones have a few issues and I’ve lost a few pieces so my friend is printing out some new ones for me to finish.
I’m also thinking of doing a heavier grey wash to the helmet and jetpack but wanted thoughts on that?
Next thing I’d like to upgrade is the headband; it got a bit broken traveling to and from Chicago so it’s in need of some TCL. I have a new one cut out, it’s just a matter of finishing it lol.
This one is a biggish one but could potentially wait until post brigade approval: sewing a new flightsuit and vest out of thicker, sturdier spandex.
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Unrelated but might help! Here’s my reference album!
https://imgur.com/a/z9nhkin
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Thank you for providing your reference album. That's VERY helpful!
I would agree with the added grey wash. All these characters have a smokey sort of look to them, and I think that will help sell the animation to real life transition even better.
Have you taken a look at her shoulders? They seem to come up off the deltoid area a little bit where yours seem to be flush. I think that's just a matter of placement.
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Yeah I’ve noticed that they seem to sort of float lol I can try repositioning mine - they’re just held on by Velcro :)
Good to know about the grey wash - I will add it to my list of things to upgrade.
I’m going to try to get the gauntlets and headband done by 12/1 for the Hollywood Christmas parade :)
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Apologies for my late response >.<
agreeing with the weathering, as I think it will help (much like you & Mi'ix said)
If you're remaking your vest, I would recommend the trim on the sleeves be a light blue to match references, unless there is one with them white that I can't find. Please let me know if there is so I can add it to my reference folder (& honestly, hitting it with a coat of acrylic paint works as well so you don't resew that sleeve trim on if it's a pain!)
for adjusting the shoulders to give that animated-floating look; a small thin band of foam near the center, either running horizontally or vertically, should make them float off your arm. doesn't need to be big, and as long as it doesn't poke out of the edges it should be good. i did this with my Clone and it evened things out. animated kits are hard when it comes to stuff like random floating & small pieces of foam can be your friend ;)
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I did not consider the idea of additional padding, so that's definitely another option for the shoulders.
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Oh foam is a good idea! I’ll definitely look into that :)
And the trim around the sleeve is actually a light blue, but likes to change color based on lighting :laugh: I could look for a slightly darker blue (but still light blue) if you think that would be best! It’s just bias tape so it’s easily sewn on :)
I’m going to get started on the new headband come Monday and hopefully continue working on the gauntlets then too!
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commenting to follow :like:
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Woo!
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Got some work done on my new gauntlets and headband this past Monday but didn’t take any pictures lol. I’ll continue to work on them this week and hopefully at the armor party next weekend!
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I did not consider the idea of additional padding, so that's definitely another option for the shoulders.
Just to add this is what we have done for the Super Commando animated shoulder tabs as they really have to stick out.
We took 80s style shoulder pads, cut open the back and removed half an inch of foam to free some material, and then placed it under the shoulder and sewed both pieces to the main vest. It really keeps them out like wings then.
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Finally got a chance to snap some progress pictures!
Gauntlets are bondo-ed, sanded, bondo-es again, sanded again, and painted! Still lots left to do (weathering, attaching the buttons/darts, black/grey wash).
(https://i.imgur.com/qWDpFFZ.jpg)
Also got started on the new headband. The base layer of paint has been done, started sketching out and taping the design.
(https://i.imgur.com/nSIxg3H.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/E8VCB0z.jpg)
Hoping to get everything completed in the next week or two!
I’ll likely work on adding the foam to the shoulders and perhaps a new flightsuit/vest after the Hollywood Christmas parade! :)
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Looking good!
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Got the headband painted - now there’s just a bit of clean up work left, adding a bit of a darker grey to that trapezoid, weathering, and adding the lights :)
(https://i.imgur.com/10KjDKE.jpg)
I used a slightly thicker tape but I like the way it looks.
(https://i.imgur.com/w7dWfVJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/08alFOz.jpg)
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Looking good so far. Let me know if you need help with the lights.
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Wow!
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Looking good so far. Let me know if you need help with the lights.
I shall! I ordered lights from the same place but in warm instead of bright. I just have to find where I put those... lol
Wow!
Thanks! :)
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Bit more work done today! Headband is weathered and ready for lights! (Just gotta cut out the little slots when the plexiglass gets here. I think that’s what it is; my fiancé ordered it lol). Gauntlets are weathered and mostly finished; just need to add the buttons once they’re printed and black/grey wash them.
(https://i.imgur.com/JH9E76D.jpg)
This is a bit more heavily black washed than the first headband due to the fact I’ll be adding more black wash to the rest of the plates in the future.
(https://i.imgur.com/58kndSl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LXndqG5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/n95G7Z4.jpg)
So small progress but I’ll take it :) hoping to get the gauntlets done by Saturday for a troop!
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Looking good! What color paints you used for the gauntlets?
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Montana gold signal blue :)
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I can't believe how smooth those gauntlets look.
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Thank you! Lots of spot putty and sanding! Lol I really enjoy finishing 3D printed stuff :laugh:
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I trust you on the trim of the vest, you're seeing it in person. much like jango's jumpsuit; it's lighting dependent haha
you're looking really good! I love the headband and the gauntlets. the lines are SOOOO clean on that headband
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Thank you! :<3: I used a really skinny tape for the lines on the headband, makes small detail work like that easier!
I did get a chance to black wash the gauntlets, just didn’t snag any pictures yet! All that’s left is adding the buttons once they’re printed! :D
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Buttons installed and were done! Just need the padding but that’s easy :)
(https://i.imgur.com/8o7eTjU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/P8WcJhc.jpg)
The flash sort of washes it out, I can try to get a better picture tomorrow in daylight lol.
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(I had the little slice-y blade thing in the pictures above, just forgot to include them lol)
Anyway! More updates: weathering to the helmet. Still gotta do the rest of the kit but I’m liking this!
(https://i.imgur.com/frauM4L.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UuSKiBI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QuPVrWu.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tqNQSHj.jpg)
Bonus cat picture!
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That looks good!!!
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Please include the cat in your Brigade Application, please. :)
Great job on the weathering!
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Haha I can definitely include her :)
A bit more work done this evening before my back decided it was done lol. The lighting is terrible but I added another black wash to the chest plates. Just have to do the legs and jetpack.
(https://i.imgur.com/7KZyFNY.jpg)
I started cutting out the headband slots for the plexiglass/lights, and I’m having a hard time with that. My fiancé said he would help so we’ll get that done tomorrow hopefully!
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Looks more and more like the gritty TCW season 5 Bo!
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Getting there :laugh:
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Just lovely, Kryamla.
How goes the shoulder plate adjustment?
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I haven’t tried anything just yet unfortunately :-X I’m hoping to get to that soon!
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I black washed the leg armor just haven’t had a chance to snap a picture lol
Almost finished headband, just needs some lights!
(https://i.imgur.com/9NwQeRH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CJQ672a.jpg)
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Fantastic.
The lights will really be the cherry on top.
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I haven’t made too many updates since my last post but I wanted to update my current to do list:
New flightsuit: I ordered a swatch of some thin neoprene spandex in a charcoal grey. If the color matches (or is very close) to my current set up, I’ll be ordering enough fabric and sewing new leggings and vest with turtleneck/long sleeve combo. Swatch should be here by Friday/Saturday - will update on this when it arrives.
New back plate: still need to pattern this based off my current one, but backplate 2.0 will be made out of sintra.
New thigh plates: same as back, will be sintra instead of vacuformed.
New gloves: at the last troop, I started getting holes in my thumbs so I’ll need to remake those. Simple enough :) just need to get some fabric!
Shoulder float: previously discussed here, just need to get around to do it lol.
I think that’s my current list of things to do. Oh! And still add the lights to my new headband lol. Maybe I’ll get a bit of work done at my clans armor party on sunday :laugh:
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Well the swatch got here quicker than anticipated! Here’s how it compares in over head lighting without flash and with.
(https://i.imgur.com/RkFqvRs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/acFgYZh.jpg)
Best lit reference picture I have:
(https://i.imgur.com/1tQTXvE.jpg)
I think it’s still within the realm of approvable, it’s just a smidge lighter. Will this be okay for brigades?
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Dang that flash made a huge difference!
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Right? I’m hoping to get a pic in natural lighting tomorrow when I get home from work! It’s crazy how much lighting affects how the color looks! (Hopefully it’s still daylight then lol).
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Looks really solid to me. :)
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Looks really solid to me. :)
Awesome :) I’ll look at my patterns, see how much yardage I need, and order that real soon! Still intending on getting that daylight picture but I ran out of daylight yesterday :laugh:
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Finally a daylight picture of my current shirt and the swatch.
(https://i.imgur.com/qshlGhk.jpg)
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I like it.
Weathering to go over top, for sure, but otherwise a great choice.
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I like it.
Weathering to go over top, for sure, but otherwise a great choice.
I might practice the weathering on this swatch before doing the real thing lol but yeah, probably doing darker greys misted over?
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That's what I'm thinking.
Just enough to tint it. :)
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Minor update:
Fabric is ordered and hopefully will be here by the end of the week or early next week!
Also started on my new thigh plates! Hopefully I can make these work :laugh:
(https://i.imgur.com/VazSH3G.jpg)
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Look at you go!
I saw you also received a new helmet. Is that for Bo as well?
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I saw you also received a new helmet. Is that for Bo as well?
Yes! However that helmet will be for her season 7/Siege of Mandalore kit! There are a few differences that I can tell right now (helmet paint, thighs/strapping, and chest/collar plates) so once all my upgrades are done for s4/5 bo, I’ll be working on the new season!
Ideally I’d like to be able to swap pieces out for each other to go from seasons 4/5 to season 7 (and back!) but I guess we shall see once the new season airs! :)
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So after the episodes aired, I realized I wouldn’t be able to swap as many pieces as I’d like between the two kits but that’s okay! Nothing wrong with more Bo!
And don’t think I’ve forgotten this journey to brigades for S4/5! I’ve hit a speed bump with that fabric but I’ll get back to that eventually. In the meantime, I bought Kevin Weir/Imperial Surplus’ updated chest/collar plates as well as a new, smaller back plate. Here’s a quick trim from the plastic! I’ll likely need to make the chest plates a bit narrower but everything else seems to fit pretty decent when I held it up to myself!
(https://i.imgur.com/1KLAGdB.jpg)
I’m bouncing between several projects right now but I hope to get to finishing and painting these pieces soon! (Which reminds me, I need to order some more paint lol).
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Looks good so far! You're getting acquainted with ABS pretty well now!
Yes, I noticed that Season 7 Bo has alot more leather works going on too! ;D ;D ;D
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I’m learning slowly about ABS! If anyone has any tips about gently heating abs, that’d be great. I need to bend/shape a bit of the collar.
Here’s a side by side with new back plate and old. They’re about the same size so that’s good!
(https://i.imgur.com/wD5Lgqh.jpg)
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Hello there!
I haven’t abandoned my hopes of brigade level with this kit but with everything going on in the world, motivation has been low and when I do have motivation, I’m bouncing between several projects, as mentioned previously lol.
I’ve made a tiny bit of progress with the new plates from Imperial Surplus.
(https://i.imgur.com/WkOQbGX.jpg)
Trimmed down the new collar plate and started painting but I had some major orange peel so I had to sand it down. I’ll try again soon. This shows the shape from the old one to the new.
(https://i.imgur.com/ITQJY2l.jpg)
Started trimming down the new chest pieces. They might be a little large still but I’ll try to get the collar and new chest pieces taped on me for size. (Also please pardon my cats feet and the other cats head lol)
I started painting the new back plate but haven’t gotten very far and didn’t seem to take any pictures of that.
I’m still looking for the perfect fabric for a new flightsuit for this version of Bo. I don’t love that neoprene i bought but I haven’t found a good spandex that I like yet. The hunt continues.
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Oh, hey stranger!
Cat feets are always welcome.
We're just about done with the BRL for this version of Bo then we're onto S7 of TCW before we get to Rebels.
That seam on the chest plates is one of the items we added for Brigade approval. Some other goodies too.
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Oh awesome! Looking forward to seeing the BRLs are for all 3 versions (as I am crazy and eventually want to do the rebels version of bo as well lol)
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Lol you're lucky because this is the right place for crazy.
I'm thinking we'll have the BRL for Season 4 & 5 TCW Bo ready in a week or so. There is some language I want to check and have some peer review done as well.
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Okay! I’d love some opinions on sizing here! (Disclaimer I mirrored the side shot of bo so we would both be facing the same direction)
(https://i.imgur.com/F8WiYnE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XxQQ4EJ.jpg)
Obviously there is weird spacing and floating since stuff is hastily taped on but I’d like to know what you all think about the chest plates? Should I trim a bit more off of them? Do they look good size wise?
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Once you have your flakvest and flightsuit on, that’ll add a tiny bit of bulk from layering, I think your sizing is good.
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Sizing looks good to me!
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Awesome to hear, thank you both!
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Not an exciting update but... Base layer of grey and top layers of blue are down. Going to give this at least 24 hours to fully cure before I go back in and sand down to the grey layer/dry brush some grey on. Hoping to get to that this week since it’s supposed to cool down here in SoCal.
(https://i.imgur.com/bHocy0b.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ngrSm5x.jpg)
I’ve been working on the new chest plates - nothing much to show there since it’s just bondo and sanding the new return edge.
That’s all for now!
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Looks good to me! :D :D :D
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Beautiful shape and color!
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Thank you both!
Another minor update: weathering is done on the collar! All that’s left is the black wash and attachment :)
(https://i.imgur.com/SoR14NK.jpg)
I started painting the new chest pieces yesterday but no pictures of that yet! Picking up speed on this!
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:cookie: (Cookies are Mando popcorn.)
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It looks great! Nice job!
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Alright! Did a bit of a try on with the new plates (sorta?). I black washed the collar and attached it! I didn’t even have to move the Velcro :) then I held up my new chest plates, first with one of the old ones and then with both new ones. Thoughts? If the sizing still looks good, I’ll need to move the belly down a smidge I think. If y’all think that they look too large, I’ll cut some off and go from there! Please ignore my dumb faces lol, I was warm.
(https://i.imgur.com/QcpKYuk.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BBMMiC8.jpg)
Also had a chance to gently place the back plate with everything. Looking at on me, I’m thinking it’s a teeny bit wide and teeny bit too long. Thoughts on this as well would be great! The jetpack will lower and bring it a tad closer to my body, as something keep in mind :)
(https://i.imgur.com/UKLc4WV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vZEXwYR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cmWyLaN.jpg)
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Chest plates look a little big...maybe size it down to the size of your old ones?
Backplate looks a little big too...size it down as your previous one too. :D :D :D
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I agree on the back plate on sizing it down a tad (I’ll get to work on that this weekend more than likely) but I’m not sure about sizing down the chest plates to my current ones. I think my current ones are a tad small, and the new ones are a tad large? But Bo’s chest plates are awkwardly wide so I’m torn haha
(https://i.imgur.com/hwQChSp.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rb8S0CJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1VvLT1o.jpg)
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Well, all of the animated DW characters, including Bo, are tall, slim and thin body types...something that we are not... :D :D :D
With that being said, just make sure the armor be sized to the proportion of your body type, with the adequate spacing between all the other pieces, so that your body suit is also seen under and between the armor pieces. ;D ;D ;D
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To give yourself a little room for spacing and with the ab, it might good to shave just a little off the top of the chest plate. Not a lot, maybe 1/4 inch or so.
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I agree. Back plate looks a little large.
I think Rayne has a good suggestion about trimming the chest plate just a tad.
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Okay, I’ll trim a bit off the bottom and the edges for the back plate and go from there.
Should I trim 1/4inch all the way around the chest plates (top and sides mostly)? Or just off the top?
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You should be ok with trimming just the top unless they’re jabbing into your side or arm.
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No jabbing thankfully :) I’ll get to work on these changes. Thanks! :porg1:
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Everything is looking great!
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Thanks Breyo!
So I trimmed about 1/4 off the top like suggested and I think they look great! Obviously these are just taped on with a small piece of tape but I think the idea gets across! Thoughts?
(https://i.imgur.com/8lTM0mI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/z1PqOOz.jpg)
If y’all think they look good, I’ll go ahead and add the return edge back on!
Also still working on sizing the back plate down :) I think I might add another layer of 3mm sintra to the edges of the thigh plates (to make the return edge 6mm instead of 3mm), but we’ll see lol
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Looks good to me... ;D ;D ;D
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Yup, that was just the trick!
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Awesome! I’ll get to work on adding the return edge back to the top then :)
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The chest plate sizing looks much better!