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[Havelock]

First, for anyone who may want to watch this build, I'll most likely be updating very slowly, as my kit is going to take far longer to put together than I'd like.  But, budgetary constraints.  What are you gonna do, right? 

However, since this is my first ever costume build of any kind, when I update, the posts will probably be picture heavy and I'll be eager and very appreciative for any feedback, critiques, or suggestions anyone may offer.

For my own sake, to keep myself more organized, this first post will be edited and updated from time to time, since I'm including the list of stuff I need/want for my kit, and the stuff I've already acquired.

And thanks so much to everyone who's already offered me advice and suggestions.

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For reference, the mandomaker version of my color scheme (it's supposed to be bronze and blue):


Ideas for accent color and placement (I am not a very good artist):


List of things needed for building my kit.

• Soft parts/Armor components:
     Flight Suit - Grey for preference, black if no other option
     Investigate work shirt/work pants combo -  Nothing good available locally.
     Flak Vest - Get duck cloth to have wife make vest. Canvas
     Neck gaiter
     Boots
     Girth belt
     Pouches
     Belts (2 or 3 belts.  My poor waist is going to be overloaded.    )
     Gloves
     Kama
     How did I forget to list a buyce?  (Feeling very, very stupid right now)
• Homemade Me Mannequin:
     A one size too small t-shirt.  Turtleneck might be a better way to go.
     Duct tape - crap ton
     Spray foam for stuffing the mannequin?
          Pillow stuffing
• Tools:
     Dremel
     Xacto Knife
     Jig saw - Guild Hall has plenty.  No Guild Hall access.  Don't need a jig saw currently.
     Clamps - Maybe another clamp or two.  Definitely another clamp or two.
     Heat gun
     Hand sander - different grades of sand paper
• Various Items:
     Face mask
     E6000
     Industrial strength velcro
     Utility knife
     Plastic Welding Kit
     Painter's tape/Masking tape - Will probably need more, but have enough to start with.  Car striping tape.  Thanks, Bowfanny!
     Spray paint (Don't forget the primer) - Specifically Rustoleum Antique Brass Metallic (Thanks, Kiffren!)
     Acrylic or hobby paint for black washing
     Squirt bottle? for above
     Sharpies
     Card stock or construction paper for templates - Construction paper not so useful
     Rub 'n Buff for experimentation - Maybe later
     Latex gloves
     Gloves for working with heated sintra
     Sintra
     Ruler - Replace ruler, 'cause I can't find mine.
• Weathering:
     Liquid latex
     Masking fluid
     Toothpaste
     Vaseline Did. Not. Like. - (Need to try with spray paint instead of acrylic) Lots of experience with vaseline now.  Comfortable with it at this point.

And away we go.  Oya!

[Da'am Keldau]

I like the color scheme! You can never go wrong with orange in my opinion.

[Havelock]

Thanks.  It's one of the reason I like bronze - 'cause it's kind of orangey. heh

[Havelock]

Brief update - Through some trial and error today, I discovered that I absolutely must get a heat gun.  Since I can't use the oven to heat my sintra, I thought about using boiling water.  Didn't want to mess up a pot putting the sintra in the pot, so I tried heating the sintra with the steam.  Didn't work. 

So, next thing on the list is a heat gun.

[Kebii'laar]

I shaped my Sintra with a hair dryer.  It takes a little bit of time, but you can heat it up to shaping temperatures just fine with a hair dryer on its hottest setting.

[Havelock]

Good to know.  Don't think we have a hair dryer, though.  heh  Maybe my wife has one packed away somewhere...

[Evren Jaira]

Heat guns arent that expensive, depending on where you live. But a hair dryer should work, depending on how hot it can get to.

[Natan Vizsla]

I got my heat gun at Walmart for about $30. How do you not have a hair dryer with a mane like that?

[Ralin Voth]

go to Harbor Freight if you have one nearby for a heat gun. Theirs is usually on sale for $8.99. Oh hey, look at that: http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiMTA2NjQxNDkiLCJza3UiOiI5NjI4OSIsImlzIjoiOC45OSIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQi%0D%0AOiIzNDUwIn0%3D%0D%0A

[Havelock]

How do you not have a hair dryer with a mane like that?

Towel dry, followed by air dry.   

Theirs is usually on sale for $8.99.

You rock, Ralin!

[Havelock]

*Bounces off the walls in excitement*

So a friend (whom I'm trying to recruit to the Mercs) told me about this awesome place in town called the Guild Hall.  They have almost everything I need to work on my kit.  Including 3D printers and vac-former.  Lathes.  CNC Machine.  You name it.  SO FREAKING EXCITED! 

Expect to see some actual progress on my kit in the next couple of weeks. 

And for any vod within a reasonable driving distance of Savannah, go downtown and check this place out!

[Kebii'laar]

Why can't we have a place this awesome in Montgomery? 

[Jorad Werde]

google "Maker's Space near_____" the blank being your zip code or town.  Most cities have at least one.  Usually they charge a monthly 'membership' fee and you have to pay for time on the machines, but they usually have some pretty awesome workshop space and tools. 

[Zerxus Dral]

Yup I second Jordan Werde's comment unless you live in Huntsville and the membership fee here is outrageous (ie $100 per month)

[Kebii'laar]

Well, would ya look at that, there's one downtown.  Awesome