Mando Mercs Costume Club
Mandalorian Armor => Armor Construction => Topic started by: Nishi Ja'tejag on Jun 21, 2014, 01:30 AM
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Character Name: Nishi Ja'tejag
Occupation: Bounty Hunter
Affiliations: Shonare Vhekadla Clan and Dune Sea Garrison
Original Colour Ideas
(http://i.imgur.com/EwVKD7hl.jpg)
Current Colour plan
(http://i.imgur.com/GbJBA4Fl.png)
Prior Colour plan (http://i.imgur.com/T2t8kHbs.png) (http://i.imgur.com/T2t8kHbl.png)
Icon Ideas July 2014
(http://i.imgur.com/PnMop2qs.png) (http://imgur.com/PnMop2q) (http://i.imgur.com/svrBnKkl.png) (http://imgur.com/svrBnKk)
Visor Ideas
(http://i.imgur.com/aHo0LSz.jpg)
Current Visor Templates (July 2014) Trying decide between these two.
(http://i.imgur.com/kwNrCZMl.jpg?1) (http://imgur.com/kwNrCZM) (http://i.imgur.com/l7rxNN2l.jpg?1) (http://imgur.com/l7rxNN2)
- My Flickr Gallery (https://flic.kr/s/aHsmSxpwWv) of all my WIP photos.
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I'm not a fan of full size capes on Mandalorians. It just doesn't look right to me. This is just my opinion though. As for your color schemes I like orange and white one. It was the first one my eyes were drawn to. I'd go with the visor on the left and your icon looks pretty cool. This is just my 2 cents though.
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I will definitely attend some troopings before committing to the long cape. However, I am pretty sold on it. It does not preclude some kind of swarzy backpack though.
I've been toying with the idea of Ja'tejag being a Comms and Electronic Warfare heavy bounty hunter. I already have a shoulder or backpack mounted dish antenna built from 70's era photography hardware.
Thanks for your opinions.
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Everything looks good! Though without sounding like a nay-sayer, your icon kinda looks like it could be an alternative for the green lantern corps.
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Considering I have all nine Lantern corps tattooed on my left forearm I do see a slight resemblance to the Indigo tribe. It's not to much to make it noticeable.
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Considering I have all nine Lantern corps tattooed on my left forearm I do see a slight resemblance to the Indigo tribe. It's not to much to make it noticeable.
Seems legit. 8)
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I was going for something similar to Boba's chest emblem, but now that you guys mention it, it does seem more in line with the Lantern Corps logos. Which I was NOT going for.
What do you guys think of the visor design? I have a Hasbro Boba Fett (HBF) helmet, so it needs the eyes narrowed for sure, but I'd like something unique. The paper template will need to be made symmetrical, except I really like the diagonal line below the right eye. I haven't seen many asymmetrical helmet patterns. Is that frowned upon?
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You might wanna ask someone on the app team. This way you know if you can or can't.
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If you are going to use an HBF bucket you can not just put a shim over the visor you have to move the visor up and then elongate the bottom of the T and cheeks.
Be sure to check out the how to Mod an HBF thread : http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=45516.0
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Thank you for posting the link to that. I had seen it before and am referring to it for my mods. The template I posted is to check the visor proportion and also the fang style mandibles. My plan is to cut and reattach the T into the templated position, use sintra or styrene for the fangs and fill the gap between the mandible and the plane of the visor.
I bought the HBF before I knew how much work it would require. It will take me time, but I have the skills. When I buy something for my son's kit, I want to spend a little more and work a little less. He wants a skull style helmet, but I think he'd be better off with a Rubies Jango.
Are there restrictions against adding shoulder pauldrons as well as the arm bells pictured?
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If you want a Pauldron you can have one. There are a couple of kids that use them. Are you talking about your shoulder bells when you say arm bells?
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Yes, I have shoulder bells in progress, but found some cool plastic pieces that would make nice upper shoulder (from neck to shoulder bell) armor. If it doesn't interfere with the bucket.
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I like the design! I'll be watching this!
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Yes, I have shoulder bells in progress, but found some cool plastic pieces that would make nice upper shoulder (from neck to shoulder bell) armor. If it doesn't interfere with the bucket.
You can totally have a pauldron, neck armor, upper shoulder armor, shoulder bells, and even bicep armor all at the same time. As long as your armor doesn't interfere with your helmet and it's comfortable, go for it.
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Can you throw up a pic of what you're wanting to do?
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Here's another attempt at an insignia design:
(http://i.imgur.com/PnMop2qs.png)
And what it would look like on the overall color scheme.
(http://i.imgur.com/GbJBA4Fl.png)
The discerning eye will also notice that I darkend the tan jumpsuit, and made the tan flak vest grey, per the colors of the real fabrics.
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The new insignia design looks real good. Just make sure your shoulder piece is correctly aligned when you do it. I painted mine upside down so I have to redo the shoulder now. Liking the darker colors, but I'm still not a fan of the cape.
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I have two ideas that I was wondering if you guys think would fly. Please evaluate separately.
1. Dark Eye style probe droid hovering above my head (this would probably be mounted on a clear riser or between a comm-pack antenna and another point).
(http://rpggamer.org/shippics/aspprobedroid.jpg)
2. A modified helmet similar to the US Navy flight deck helmets. This would be a modern era full bucket, but with the reinforcement panels at the front and rear of the crown. Also probably enlarged ears.
Here's a pic of the inspiration:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4430289649_e8c90e26d0_m.jpg)
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You can absolutely add panels like that. Cyrus Rang was working on a similar design for his pilot. As for an asymmetrical design, I've seen helmets with mythosaur skulls on one side, and there used to be the Krayt bucket with a small krayt dragon around one side of the T visor. I don't see why you couldn't do what you're describing.
I really like the left of the three visor styles the best personally.
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Everything looks good! Though without sounding like a nay-sayer, your icon kinda looks like it could be an alternative for the green lantern corps.
Is this less Lantern-ish?
(http://i.imgur.com/svrBnKkl.png) (http://imgur.com/svrBnKk)
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I never thought Green Lantern with your old symbol personally, and I don't really think the new one looks like it either personally. I think you're fine with it. I really like the color scheme you've chosen as well. Still digging the bottom of the two visors the best, but either one is awesome. The first one really invokes images of a mythosaur skull, which is cool, but there's something about the clean look of that bottom flare that really stands out to me. Plus, it'll have better vision than the top one, which isn't to be overlooked.
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Liking your current color scheme the best & if you like the cape, go for it. I got a lot flack for having a lot of fabric on my kit, but it was the look I wanted so I stayed true to the idea I had.
As for the Visors, they all have merit. The first one (the flared one) reminds of a Clone Trooper helmet, while the fanged one reminds me of the executioner bucket. me personally the last one looks a little Cylon, the visor should have a bit of a tapered look imo, but again, it is your kit & if you like it, run with it.
Follow the Tutorial on properly modding the Hasbro bucket & you'll be good to go. Looking forward to seeing your build progress
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What do you guys think of me using this spray paint technique as part of the distressing and aging process on my armor?
(http://i.imgur.com/BvFA7Hxl.jpg?2)
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Really cool technique, but I'd be afraid it would flake off too easily & ruin all that hard work. If it stays, I'd say give it a try & let us see it on an actual armor piece so we can see exactly how you plan to use it
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Just what Naasad said. Very cool looking, but I can see that flaking off real quick. Maybe with a clear sealer coat on top?
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Hello Y'all
I'm new and am very interested in making my second Costume a Mando, but need help.
I'm at Fort Huachuca. I have tried sintra, plastic garbage can, and pepakura and have been very displeased with results.
I was hoping to meet some people (active members) to guide me to both save money and be able to be approved for full membership first go.
I hope to meet up with you guys soon.
Thanks
Mark
msx6768
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Hey Mark, I'm one of the Arizona Ruus'alors & it's our job to get new folks going, shoot me a message & we can talk there so we don't hijack this thread
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Besides range finders and whip antennas, are there any other common ear cap attachments?
I will probably go antenna for my Droid Hunter concept, but I was hoping you vod would suggest other options.
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My old helmet had a vane antenna on it & my current one has several sensor arrays built into each of my ear caps. Your best course of action would be to look thru the completed helmet threads in the Helmet board
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I am considering making my chest armor from pottery ceramic or slumped kiln-fired glass. I like the idea of NOT-plastic, even though I already scored a 4x8 sheet of 3mm Sintra.
I know that it will be heavier, and I'll have to build in connection points or use really strong magnets/velcro/glue to attach it.
But both of those materials are somewhat (not terribly) fragile. So long as I pack them carefully, am I likely to have them break while wearing? How rough do onlookers get with us bucket heads?
What other considerations should I consider?
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I am considering making my chest armor from pottery ceramic or slumped kiln-fired glass. I like the idea of NOT-plastic, even though I already scored a 4x8 sheet of 3mm Sintra.
I know that it will be heavier, and I'll have to build in connection points or use really strong magnets/velcro/glue to attach it.
But both of those materials are somewhat (not terribly) fragile. So long as I pack them carefully, am I likely to have them break while wearing? How rough do onlookers get with us bucket heads?
What other considerations should I consider?
I'd advise against ceramic plates, as ceramics tend to be brittle and fracture easily. True, they might be relatively durable, but one hard knock too many means the entire thing will crumble. If you want something durable, look into building metal plates, which have all the durability of ceramics with a bit of give to prevent fractures.
Generally, fans are fairly respectful. Sometimes, people do get handsy, but that's the main reason we have handlers- to help us with any unfortunate run-ins.
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Not just what Cin said but it may not permitted? At least I don't think a member has ever asked about it or decided to use this technique. Sintra is adjustable, easy to use and if you go with a heavier like 6mm or wider than you will have a look that you can curve the edges on and such.
But despite that I really love the slight offset of colors from the rest of your kit to the shoulders. Enjoying it immensely!
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I think I will get the Sintra panels complete and get approved that way first, then look at moving on to ceramic clay or glass as a later project. But I don't think either is as likely to be as fragile as you guys imagine. And fired glazes have a depth of colour I've never seen replicated with paint anywhere, not even high end automotive paint jobs.
The glass idea came from a friend of mine who hasn't taken his glass for recycling because he's considering getting into blown and slumped glass. I've done some fused and slumped glass work in the past, and again, it's a beautiful medium hard to duplicate.
Meanwhile, I've decided to rebuild my vest with side openings instead of the back zipper. I've read so many discussions about donning armor with side vs. back openings. I just can't decide if I'm going to cut a whole new set of vest fabric parts, or edit the existing vest. Would it be advantageous to have two vests? (I have plenty of fabric, situations like these are why I always buy more than the pattern requires.)
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I think I will get the Sintra panels complete and get approved that way first, then look at moving on to ceramic clay or glass as a later project. But I don't think either is as likely to be as fragile as you guys imagine. And fired glazes have a depth of colour I've never seen replicated with paint anywhere, not even high end automotive paint jobs.
The glass idea came from a friend of mine who hasn't taken his glass for recycling because he's considering getting into blown and slumped glass. I've done some fused and slumped glass work in the past, and again, it's a beautiful medium hard to duplicate.
Meanwhile, I've decided to rebuild my vest with side openings instead of the back zipper. I've read so many discussions about donning armor with side vs. back openings. I just can't decide if I'm going to cut a whole new set of vest fabric parts, or edit the existing vest. Would it be advantageous to have two vests? (I have plenty of fabric, situations like these are why I always buy more than the pattern requires.)
It may not be fragile, but it will be brittle, herein defined as being unable to give. Hard might be a better word, but the idea that it will sustain fractures and break down over time needs to be noted. Hell, even ballistics-grade ceramic plates will crack after a bit of even non-lethal abuse. It's an unheard-of material, so if you really have a Jones for freaky, new armor materials, kick the App Team a PM and ask. You might need a proof of concept piece/ model to show that it's usable.
What kind of vest are you working with? Let's see.
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I finally got around to modifying the visor proportions on my Hasbro bucket. Before I put more work into it, I want to see if you vod think that it is acceptable. I will still add the tapered vertical mods after I know this cross bar is narrow enough.
Thoughts please?
(http://imgur.com/MJWiZcu.jpg)
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I am a clumsy person, so personally I would feel super unsafe running around with literal glass panels strapped to me. That sounds like you're asking for injury... Glass may be durable, but if you fall with your full body weight onto one of your plates, do you really want to take the chance that it will shatter?
Your visor could probably come up just a bit - it's still a bit larger than most visors, and since you're starting from an HBF you want to make sure it's as far from the base model as possible, haha. It's close, though.
HBFs take a ton of work - I salute you for being brave enough to tackle one :P They do turn out nice in the end, though.
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I am a clumsy person, so personally I would feel super unsafe running around with literal glass panels strapped to me. That sounds like you're asking for injury... Glass may be durable, but if you fall with your full body weight onto one of your plates, do you really want to take the chance that it will shatter?
Your visor could probably come up just a bit - it's still a bit larger than most visors, and since you're starting from an HBF you want to make sure it's as far from the base model as possible, haha. It's close, though.
HBFs take a ton of work - I salute you for being brave enough to tackle one :P They do turn out nice in the end, though.
A vod after my own heart, safety conscious. THAT is an excellent point that has convinced me NOT to do a glass visor either, as I had considered. Ceramic will shatter, but not into anything dangerously sharp. Glass, well that's another matter. Perhaps eventually a ceramic set for trooping and a set for photoshoots. I'm just really keen on the idea and look of it.
I wouldn't mind if it were a bit narrower, I want a particuarly menacing countenance. As for tackling the Hasbro bucket, it was not brave so much as ignorant. I was just getting started in thinking on doing a Mando when it went on sale on Amazon, and I snatched it up. By the time I'd read how much more work it takes than others, I'd already sunk time and money into it. I have a very small budget for the whole suit, so. But having worked in props and on model kits in the past, I have the skills and tools to make it happen, only slowly. I'll feel more ownership if it has been heavily worked than just purchased, and I don't have the time to indulge my current whim to scratch build a whole bucket from styrene and sintra.
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Since I have to significantly modify my flak vest from rear closure to side closure, I am considering just building a new one out of dark brown plether. It would be another nod to my inspiration, since Zoe in Firefly wears a leather vest.
Is plether any hotter than other flak vests?
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Pleather/leather tends to not breathe as well...that being said, my first vest was suede & lasted a good 4 years & close to 100 troops before it walked out the door on its own
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Cool armor design, I have been wandering if you could give me advice on my mando armor?
I am going for a hooded mando look for my mando with a nme props mercenary helmet
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Hi, Nishi!
I've done (non-Mando) armor in vinyl before, and it is ridiculously hot. Leather is cooler than vinyl (marginally), but duck is waaaay cooler still and strong enough for our purposes. You could do some leather/pleather inserts if you want to look leathery. The parts that show most are probably the sections under the arms, but that's also likely the spot you most want some air flow for cooling purposes. Up to you how you want to handle it. For my thermoplastic and vinyl armor, I actually stuffed instant cold packs in my breastplate and under my gorget to keep cool. So just make sure you're ready to mitigate any heat effects.
Plus vinyl is ridiculously unforgiving. So if you make a bad stitch, your bobbin screws up, whatever, every needle mark will show. Shouldn't be a problem since it's all likely to be hidden by your plates, but if you're at all perfectionist, you can drive yourself nuts with that. Plus duck launders better, although you admittedly can usually just wipe down the outside of vinyl. If the inside is flannel lined, it'll be stronger and more comfortable, but that stuff catches every thorn, stain, dirt grain... I'm not saying don't do it. Just be careful if you do and know what you're getting into.
Maybe you could edge the whole thing with vinyl? I bound the edges of mine with a bias tape, but vinyl should work for that, too. Try 'pressing' it first with heavy weights (I usually use books) to make sure the edges are crisp, use a leather or denim needle, try coating your thread with wax or thread magic, consider using a roller or walking foot, and you may want to put down tape over the plate and advance/feeder feet on your machine (or if you have one, use the plate that covers the advance) because vinyl tends to stick to the plate and not work right through the feeder feet. You may know all this. If so, sorry. =)
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In trying to pull subtle hints from Firefly's aesthetic, I am thinking about having my flak vest connect at the sides as pictured here:
(http://www.slimfitjackets.com/image/cache/data/Aug15/Firefly-gina-torres-zoe-washburne-vest-1000x1059.jpg)
This will also aid in getting the armor+vest on and off alone if necessary.
Are partially open flak vests approvable?
Are metal buckles "in-universe"?
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Yes & yes
Alot of us have vests with open sides & metal buckles are totally ok. Alot of us use side release clips (parachute clips)
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If you purchase a vest from Sidi Renn she has the option for parachute buckles. It's the way I went with my vest.
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Made some significant progress on my Hasbro modification. It's not all glued together, so I can still adjust, but this should be a better visor proportion.
I still have to build some cheek extensions and bondo many seams.
(http://i.imgur.com/1bVgQbFl.jpg)
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Just make sure you can see out of it before doing anything that's too hard to alter. But it looks great! :)
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I think leaving the helmet extensions as they are would work nicely, give it a good Fu Manchu look. Obviously joking, build is looking great.
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Is there any precedence for a Range Finder on one ear and comm antenna on the opposite side?
I'm getting ready to order some parts, and don't want to buy things that won't get approved because of asymmetry or something.
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You're welcome to have both a range finder and a commo antenna setup.
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An alternate version of my color scheme.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50676365767_b61f82c721_k.jpg)
My paint scheme over borrowed helmet and flak vest.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50676282056_a94afc4cde_b.jpg)
Gauntlets WIP
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50674961718_86f1e64aa3_b.jpg)
Finished Droid Caller
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50676272366_9ef9577f1b_b.jpg)
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My updated holster. It is a modified cordless drill holster mounted to the back half of my original holster.
I removed the original belt slot and tab, dyed it dark brown, added a strap with snap to connect it to the back part.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51048290766_770cb3983a_k.jpg)
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That looks great!