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[SandieMac]

I'm currently working on my mando (hoping to have it complete by the end of this year).  I've cut the metal (with some help from my Mando friends), formed it and I'm almost ready to paint. 

Question - instead of gauntlets I'd prefer something that is a little less heavy looking so I'm opting for bracers.  I'm all of 4'11" tall and don't want to feel too weighted down.  Is that acceptable for approval?  If not, I'll manage to get some gauntlets done.

Also, instead of a back plate I'm opting for a cape (I'm currently weathering my fabric before I sew the cape together) and I'm opting for a loin cloth instead of a cod piece. 

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Valo Tonar]

I commend you, if only I had metal working tools and skills My second kit would be all metal. looking good keep up the good work.

[SandieMac]

Thanks!  I'm lucky to have friends in a build group nearby that open their shop once a month to let us have at it with the tools.  

[Bewilderedwolfman]

Nice plates! Just make sure that if you don't do a backplate, the cape covers your back.

[SandieMac]

Will do!  Thanks!!

Another question - I'm looking at vest material and I like the way corduroy fits.  Is there a specific material the vest the plates are put on needs to be?  Or can it be anything as long as it's a sturdy material. 

[Jorad Werde]

Will do!  Thanks!!

Another question - I'm looking at vest material and I like the way corduroy fits.  Is there a specific material the vest the plates are put on needs to be?  Or can it be anything as long as it's a sturdy material. 

anything as long as it's sturdy

[Laaran Kar'ta]

I've been told canvas may work better. This is simply because thinker materials (like corduroy) can get really warm. And you have to realize with a real metal set of armor you may get even warmer than the average merc. Just something to think about.

[Havelock]

I think you need to have forearm coverage that entirely encloses them.  However, you don't have to have lots of big boxy things and weapons on them.  As far as I'm aware, you can keep them as streamlined as you'd like.  And while I personally wouldn't want a flak vest of corduroy, it should be sturdy enough to work.  I'm looking forward to seeing this build progress, vod.

[Natan Vizsla]

Trying to hit everything you asked about or I think would be good advice for ya:

Cape is good to go by itself if it covers all of your back so that a lack of a backplate isn't noticed. If it dips too much between your shoulder blades then you can make a reverse collar to give the feeling of a whole backplate.

Bracers work in a specific way and can be a little difficult to get right so they don't look like RenFaire bracers. The block quote below is straight from the CRLs regarding forearm coverings.
"Forearms must be fully covered by one of the following:
Full or half/bracer style hard shell gauntlets.
Heavy leather bracers which wrap at least 3/4 of the way around the forearm.
Laces are HIGHLY discouraged as a method to secure these types of bracers.
Preferred methods would be belting or buckles.
Materials such as vinyl, pleather, and thin leather or suede will NOT be acceptable as a use for forearm covering. Pleathers or vinyl COULD be made into strips for wraps but are unacceptable as bracers.
Ren Fair bracers, Unmodified-Leather bracers, Reenactment bracers are no longer acceptbale; and if an individual wishes to become a beast master than the leather gauntlet will be permitted but only after being approved.
Wraps will no longer be permitted to replace gauntlets unless used specifically for the “Montross” Mandalorian character, future canon characters with wraps for gauntlets, or Early Crusader armor kits."

Any material is allowable for the vest (T-shirts are the only no-go), it is suggested it be durable to keep your plates in place. Duck canvas and leather are two of the most common options. The vest does have to be fitted to you (little slack) so take that into account if you're using a less-breathable material. Also if you use a zipper as a closure method it needs to be hidden.

Plates look good so far, before you get too far down the build path we usually like to see the plates taped onto you so we can check size and spacing.
Keep it up and you can be done by Halloween.

[SandieMac]

Wow!  Thank you everyone for your great advice!!  I needed to hear from those of you that already have armor! 

Fingers crossed, and maybe I'll have it done by Halloween then!   

And where should I send a pic of the plates taped on? 

[Jorad Werde]

Just post the pics of the taped on plates here, we'll let you know if they're too big, too small, too close or what ever.

[SandieMac]

Great!  I'll take pics and post them soon.

[Straka Zulu]

Going all-metal for a first kit? I commend you for your bravery!

[Mercy]

I went with a streamlined vambrace sort of look. I'm not a fan of heavy weapons laden gauntlets either.
Pictures in my WIP thread if you're interested. Fourth link in the sig below.

[SandieMac]

Awesome! 

I just painted my armor this weekend.  I need to get the other pieces done as well, but this is what I have as of now.  The bucket is also in the same color scheme.  I'm pretty happy with the way it's turning out so far.

[Bewilderedwolfman]

Looks great! You are coming along fast!

[SandieMac]

Thank you!! It seems fast, but I've been slowly working on the armor since about March of this year.  Work seems to get in the way of the fun stuff I want to do! 

[Havelock]

It's definitely looking really nice!

[Straka Zulu]

Dig that color scheme, vod. This is coming along pretty quick.

[SandieMac]

Thanks!  The color scheme goes with the name I've chosen which is Blau Vidua (pronounced "Blah-ooh"  "Vee Do ah" which in Catalan means Blue Widow).    Wanted something in commemoration of my heritage - even if it's a little dark!

[SandieMac]

So, I just taped on my armor to check the proportions (I know it's a bit crooked in the pic).  I still have some more bending to do, especially on the chest plates but let me know what you think.  Do you think it's proportioned correctly so far?  I don't plan on having it permanently either bolted or velcroed on until I have all the pieces fitting correctly. 

[Bewilderedwolfman]

I'm not OM so don't listen to only me but the ab plate looks too big. I would take some off the bottom. Looking great though!

[SandieMac]

I appreciate the advice!  It's all a work in progress.  Thank you!

[Jorad Werde]

it's all about half an inch too big, and the spacing is VERY narrow,

[SandieMac]

I'm not so much concerned with the spacing as I am about the proportions since it's only taped on with duct tape.  So taking 1/2 an inch off all the pieces should work better I take it? 

I appreciate the advice since I'm still just in the building process.  THANK YOU!!