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[arc97]

Alright, this will be my first time attempting costuming...ever. Here is my concept.



I want to try for a more narrow visor than usual and I was wondering if there are any helmets sold like that. Also, what would be a good thickness for the Sintra and where could I buy it in my area? (Hampton Roads, VA).

I look forward to hearing advice from you all. I love your kits and can't wait to have my own. 

[Vailin Flynn]

Looks like a pretty solid concept, vod. My armor's made of 6mm sintra. It's harder to shape, but more durable than 3mm.
A quick search for your area produced:

Ain Plastics Inc
1347 Diamond Springs Rd Ste 100
Virginia Beach VA 23455

They deal with PVC foam sheeting (Sintra), they just call it PAILIGHT. I'd suggest calling them first to make sure they have exactly what you're looking for. You can also look to sign shops for sintra, but the price they're going to quote you varies. I was quoted $35 for 2'x2' of 6mm, so it may not be the most cost effective option.

[Carid Vhett]

For narrower visors you want TCW deathwat helmets. TMA are a good choice. Nice concept vod.

[arc97]

Looks like a pretty solid concept, vod. My armor's made of 6mm sintra. It's harder to shape, but more durable than 3mm.
A quick search for your area produced:

Ain Plastics Inc
1347 Diamond Springs Rd Ste 100
Virginia Beach VA 23455

They deal with PVC foam sheeting (Sintra), they just call it PAILIGHT. I'd suggest calling them first to make sure they have exactly what you're looking for. You can also look to sign shops for sintra, but the price they're going to quote you varies. I was quoted $35 for 2'x2' of 6mm, so it may not be the most cost effective option.

  Thank you Vailin Flynn for the information on the armor.

For narrower visors you want TCW deathwat helmets. TMA are a good choice. Nice concept vod.

  Ni ceta, Carid Vhett, I didn't use the right words to describe the visor design. I'm not looking for narrow as much as more angled(?)
Here's a picture of the mando design compared to a normal helmet.

left is the above concept, right is the normal mando maker.  The bottom of the visor slims down and the cross of the visor is narrow and maybe curved more.

[arc97]

Alright, I think I found a helmet to my liking visor wise. How is the quality of the NME Stalker and is it an approved helmet?

[Carid Vhett]

Stalker is good. NME have been back logged for a while now (couple of months) just be prepared to wait.

[arc97]

So here is the armor templates cut out to poster board and taped to me. Whatcha think vods? I haven't started on the knees yet but that will be next.



its a little crooked but I hope the proportions are right. I'm using the Jango Fett 5'6" template.  What is a good material to make the vest out of? I plan on using scrubs in lieu of a flight suit.

[Catika]

I used duck cloth for my vest. It's 9.99/yd at Joann fabrics, but you can probably find a coupon to use. I used scrubs for my flight suit as well. I bought an extra pair of pants to use as sleeves since I couldn't find a long sleeve top that would work.

[Natan Vizsla]

Everything looks like a size too large to me. For sizing, it helps if you wear a light colored shirt that we can tell where the torso ends and the sleeves begin. Also a straight on instead of angled shot is better. I'd say take off  a 1/4 inch on the sides of the plates to start with. Is the bottom of the ab plate sitting at your navel?

[arc97]

Everything looks like a size too large to me. For sizing, it helps if you wear a light colored shirt that we can tell where the torso ends and the sleeves begin. Also a straight on instead of angled shot is better. I'd say take off  a 1/4 inch on the sides of the plates to start with. Is the bottom of the ab plate sitting at your navel?

I think I'm going to try to retake pictures with a lighter shirt as you said. Also the shirt I was wearing was a bit too large, so time for round two (and more tape)

[Mavik]

Agreed, everything is looking a bit large.

[Havelock]

Also, for procuring sintra, you can ask your local sign shops if they have some scrap you can scavenge.  I got enough sintra last week to make (I think) at least two full sets of armor.

[arc97]

Time for round 2. I decided to use the next smallest template before I try measuring and trimming.



I only did the torso this time to save on paper in the case it doesn't fit.

[Kebii'laar]

To my rookie eyes, that looks a lot better.  Wait for a more trained eye to give an opinion, but I think that might be the size you need.

[Vailin Flynn]

Looks better, but I would still recommend that you shave about a 1/4" off the outside edges of each plate. Otherwise, you'll have trouble crossing your arms in front of you without the plates pinching you, or getting bunched up.

[Natan Vizsla]

Take off a little on the outside, about an 1/8 to a 1/4 inch. You should be able to move onto your armor material of choice and we can fine tune any adjustments from there.

[Jorad Werde]

It does look better, although you may want to elongate the chest and abb plates vertically to compensate for your body shape. 

[arc97]

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Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

I promise, I'm still here. I've been working as well as prepping for college. I'm still working on acquiring supplies and I hope to have a real update soon.

[Havelock]

I feel your pain.  It's all good, vod.  We're here when you can post updates, we're here when you can't.   

[Welkin]

Yeah, I've had a lot of stop and go on my kit, as long as you come back to it you're doing okay.

[arc97]

Quick question. Sintra is foam PVC? I've never seen it so I assumed it was a solid sheet of plastic.

[Havelock]

It's "expanded cell foam sheet" I believe.  It's the stuff they make realtor's signs out of.  Well, the ones that aren't wood or sheet metal.     So yeah, solid sheet of plastic.

[arc97]

But it's marketed as "PVC foam board" though, right? Just wanna make sure I'm looking at the right stuff

[Natan Vizsla]

If you ask a sign shop then 'PVC foam board' will probably do the trick. Ask for scraps and you should get plenty of smaller pieces, you'll most likely need to buy a full sheet from them to make the chest, ab, collar, back, and cod pieces.

[arc97]

So I now have two 4' x 4' sheets of 3mm sintra. Soon the armor shall be made *maniacal laughter w/ echo*