-
It's time to start my Mk II kit. And, in classic Havelock fashion, I'm so excited about building a kit that I'm starting a WiP early!
This is the bucket I decided on for Havelock Mk II:
(http://i.imgur.com/lpEVexI.jpg) (https://imgur.com/lpEVexI) (http://i.imgur.com/nbhs3KC.jpg) (https://imgur.com/nbhs3KC)
And very recently Krie Takuur - one of Demon Dog Studio (https://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=149831.0)'s awesome proprietors - messaged me.
(http://i.imgur.com/NIndoQ1.jpg) (https://imgur.com/NIndoQ1)
"One of these is yours"
I was so excited I had to bite my lip to keep from waking up my kids. Instead, I did a little dance in my chair. :laugh:
And while I absolutely love my first bucket, and don't plan to stop wearing it entirely, I have high hopes that my Night Hawk will allow me to wear my glasses and not have the visor squishing my nose down. Also, I'm quite happy with my current paint scheme, so I figured I'd carry it over to my new kit, starting with, of course, my new bucket.
So, after an hour or so playing around with photoshop, I have my proposed new paint job:
(http://i.imgur.com/vRNdOre.jpg) (https://imgur.com/vRNdOre)[/url] (http://i.imgur.com/O2X3lKd.jpg) (https://imgur.com/O2X3lKd)
And, I ordered a couple of visors from Zarya Arthos' Kalevala Virors (https://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=147710.0).
I couldn't decide between the blue and bronze, so I got both.
(http://i.imgur.com/HqZRV4R.jpg) (https://imgur.com/HqZRV4R)
(http://i.imgur.com/ss6F5pu.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ss6F5pu)
More updates will follow. And I promise that with this WiP I'll actually have more updates, and fewer chatty posts...unless you guys get chatty in my WiP, because I'm totally ok with that!
At any rate, I hope y'all will enjoy, and if you spot any eggregious errors I'm in the progress of making, please don't hesitate to let me know!
And I just got word a couple of hours ago that my new buy'ce has been shipped! USPS says it should be here by Saturday! Woohoo! I have an invasion on Saturday, so I hope it'll be waiting on me when I get home!
-
I can’t wait to see what you do! I will definitely follow closely!
-
Popcorn at the ready Havelock! What direction are you going with your plates?
-
Niiiiiiiice 8) 8) 8)
-
Yes!!! So glad you’re sticking with your paint scheme, LOVE IT!!! A bigger, badder Havelock!
-
Don't mind me, just getting on board with this.
-
Nice! Commenting to follow! 8)
-
What program did you use to "paint" that bucket? My colors never look right and I can't get the metallic to look metallic.
By the way, USPS says my nighthawk will get here Friday. Really hoping I'll get mine first just for bragging rights.
-
Commenting to follow :)
-
Thanks for checking in, vode. ;D
Sep, I'm planning on a heavy build. My desire since my first day on the forum was to have a Force Hunter Brigade-worthy kit. So I'm going as heavy as possible...without building a metal kit. :laugh: 6mm sintra for the base, pretty much everywhere, then trauma plates, flank plates, bicep plates, nearly completely enclosed thighs and calves, the works.
What program did you use to "paint" that bucket? My colors never look right and I can't get the metallic to look metallic.
I used Photoshop. Figuring it out was a little on the tricky side, and I have zero doubt at all that there are easier ways to change the colors and make something look vaguely metallic rather than the way I do it. But I'll give it a whirl. And for simplicity's sake, I'll use a bit of line art for my guinea pig.
(http://i.imgur.com/nMUm3Jg.jpg) (https://imgur.com/nMUm3Jg)
So I'm wanting to change that to a metallic bronze, right? I'd get some images of bronze and pick the one I like the best.
(http://i.imgur.com/K05IeLa.jpg) (https://imgur.com/K05IeLa) (http://i.imgur.com/B2dbes6.jpg) (https://imgur.com/B2dbes6) (http://i.imgur.com/VaCCplw.jpg) (https://imgur.com/VaCCplw) (http://i.imgur.com/EFFJ6iv.jpg) (https://imgur.com/EFFJ6iv)
In this case I'll pick photo 4 and, using the eyedropper, I'll sample different spots on the sword until I get the color I like the most. Then use the paint bucket to get this:
(http://i.imgur.com/TFGTxt0.jpg) (https://imgur.com/TFGTxt0)
Next I use the magic wand tool to select just the armor, then I go to "Filter," select "Noise," then "Add noise..." Under the Add Noise pop up box, I choose "Amount 5% and select the "Gaussian" option. Then, still with all the armor parts selected, I choose "Filter>Blur>Blur." Next up is "Filter>Stylize>Wind..." In the pop up box I choose "Wind" and, typically, "From the left." All that gives me this:
(http://i.imgur.com/1nZAegm.jpg) (https://imgur.com/1nZAegm)
For the helmet, specifically, it was a little more complex. I had to use the pencil tool and outline specific areas, so that when I used the Magic Wand tool, it would grab only the particular areas I wanted. Had to zoom waaaaaaaay in and draw basically a pixel wide. Pretty frustrating at times. But...when I got the Magic Wand tool to select the area or areas I wanted, I then went to "Image>Adjustments>Color Balance...." Then I fiddled with the RGB sliders until I got the color I wanted and copied down the numbers. For the bronze, it wound up being "+37 -36 -78." Then I chose "Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast" and set that to "-17 +19."
Once I had the color pretty much where I wanted it, I did the Gauss, Blur, Wind thing to make it look metallic. And voila!
As I said, I'm sure there are far less cumbersome, or at least more effective, ways to doing this, but that's what worked for me.
I hope that helped, Rogue.
And...I got inspired to fiddle around and came up with this:
(http://i.imgur.com/mRfluSI.png) (https://imgur.com/mRfluSI)
-
OOOOOOOOOH, I like it!!
-
Mk I kit was awesome, cannot wait to see what you do with this! ;D
-
Mk I kit was awesome, cannot wait to see what you do with this! ;D
My thoughts exactly.
Hey Sep, pass the popcorn. ;D ;D
-
Here to follow. Love catching builds at the start.
-
Hopping in here to say 'Hi' and to follow the thread.
And also to chip in a suggestion for experimentation.
On the subject of that Bronze finish - a little thing I've been experimenting with - applying metallic powders to Sintra - to see if I can get a cold cast type of finish to match up with my actual cold cast parts.
Here's a little removable plate I made (we've hooked up with a SW costuming group in the UK whose focus is heavily on charity work and we're going to be joining them from time to time) - this is Sintra, that was painted over first with a polyurethane casting resin that had black pigment and aluminium powder mixed in, and then, while still wet I dumped a heap of aluminium powder on top (wear a respirator if you ever work with metal powders!)
The whole lot was left to cure, then I tipped away the excess and sanded the surface back with some 2000 grit sandpaper and fine wire wool.
(https://i.imgur.com/aleUBvf.jpg)
I then applied the decal and weathered it in.
But, yep, you can get a real metal finish this way and for the few bucks it will cost you to get a small amount of polyurethane casting resin and a few grammes of bronze powder, it might be worth looking into and experimenting with.
(Oh, and great work on the Photoshop - another suggestion for those plates might be to make the plates sit on a transparent layer and then apply the 'fx' to that layer - muck around with Bevel and Emboss, Satin and Drop Shadow :) )
-
That's a thing of beauty, Syko. And when I can free up some funds for experimentation, I definitely want to. Thank you. And I'll be playing around with your Photoshop suggestions, too. ;D
Warning, the remainder of this post has an absurd amount of pictures. Far more than are really necessary. :P
So at 11:30 this morning I opened my door to take 21 year old daughter's boyfriend to work, found something waiting for me on the porch:
(http://i.imgur.com/4evHYpg.jpg) (https://imgur.com/4evHYpg)
I was so excited that it arrived! But kinda irritated, too, since I had to go or Zeb would be late. :laugh:
After I got back...
(http://i.imgur.com/xrFpNDG.jpg) (https://imgur.com/xrFpNDG) (http://i.imgur.com/pNIvjk8.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pNIvjk8) (http://i.imgur.com/t51TW3w.jpg) (https://imgur.com/t51TW3w)
(http://i.imgur.com/Si1IgA9.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Si1IgA9) (http://i.imgur.com/q4Rj6H9.jpg) (https://imgur.com/q4Rj6H9) (http://i.imgur.com/89Vl2Pt.jpg) (https://imgur.com/89Vl2Pt) (http://i.imgur.com/iQQJP2a.jpg) (https://imgur.com/iQQJP2a) (http://i.imgur.com/9mUX0rc.jpg) (https://imgur.com/9mUX0rc) (http://i.imgur.com/aQ8lzPa.jpg) (https://imgur.com/aQ8lzPa)
(http://i.imgur.com/aKga2sf.jpg) (https://imgur.com/aKga2sf)
When I put it on, I didn't take off my glass, just to see if I could leave them on...it slid right on with no problems! There's plenty of room in this beauty. Maybe even enough to have some padding and fans! :laugh:
Sadly, my phone won't stop ringing, so I probably won't be able to do any more with this today. And I have an invasion tomorrow. But I'm hoping that on Sunday I can break out the dremel and start working on this beautiful buy'ce.
Thank you so much, Demon Dog Studios! I'm so excited!
-
Commenting to follow as well! I love your color scheme and can't wait to watch how this build shapes up! ;D
-
Having some serious buy'ce envy, vod!
-
Thanks, Rhysal. ;D And Straka, it's a pretty sweet bucket. If all of Demon Dog's products are this good....order from them. :laugh:
So I got home from a con and decided to fiddle with my bucket a little. First, I cleaned up the extras on the back of the helmet.
(http://i.imgur.com/LUfBBZ4.jpg) (https://imgur.com/LUfBBZ4)
Then I decided to glue the antennae into the ear cap
(http://i.imgur.com/89Vl2Pt.jpg) (https://imgur.com/89Vl2Pt)
and learned something very interesting. You should be careful how much super glue you use, because super glue apparently melts resin. Who knew? Actually, probably lots of you. :laugh:
(http://i.imgur.com/XDbfKsh.jpg) (https://imgur.com/XDbfKsh)
Not sure what exactly I'm going to do with this. Obviously I'm going to use the ear cap and antennae, but I'm not sure how to fix it. This will take some cogitation.
-
A little sanding, a little Bondo... Good as new! ;D
-
That's good to know about the glue. I hope you can fix it. I wonder what you should have use instead? I was totally going to put super glue in mine too.
-
As long as you don't put too much super glue in the receptacle, you should be alright. Or you could try E-6000. It's amazing stuff, but it takes a good 24 hours to cure.
And bondo. Yeah. I've never used bondo. Maybe I can talk the wife into letting me get some. :laugh:
-
Great progress, Have! Looks awesome!
-
Is it possible to turn into a "unique"example of weathering
Looking good so far vod
-
Is it possible to turn into a "unique"example of weathering
Looking good so far vod
I’m kinda with Unknown on this one, I bet you could turn that into some really cool damage/weathering. Just a thought.
-
Commenting to follow, can't wait to see what you come up with for Mk2 Havelock!
-
Havelock, you might want to get bondo "glazing" - you can get it at Wal-Mart or in an auto supply store. It's pre mixed and is a GREAT way to fill small holes and cracks. Might be a good first step into the land of bondo and fiberglass. :)
Had this all gone down before the parade, I coulda brought you some when we came to visit! :-[
I love the plan and can't wait to see it get built!
-
Now that is a nice lid I look forward to seeing what you do with it and your MK2 kit, and I'm Commenting to follow !!
;)
Dee
-
Wow, that is a beautiful bucket :o Seriously great work vod, makes me really excited to start work on my kit!! I'll be following this WIP with great interest.
-
I managed to sneak in a little progress today. I didn't get nearly as much done as I would have liked, but I need to pick up a little more paint before I can go much farther anyway, so I guess it worked out. Just like with my first bucket, I didn't get the visor area cut out as perfectly as I would have liked. But I'm much more philosophical about it this time around. :laugh:
(http://i.imgur.com/yM4m0cm.jpg) (https://imgur.com/yM4m0cm)
(http://i.imgur.com/8r4ZR8I.jpg) (https://imgur.com/8r4ZR8I) (http://i.imgur.com/8DpClNo.jpg) (https://imgur.com/8DpClNo)
It was an absolutely beautiful day today. It was about 68 degrees, and the humidity was only about 45%, so after I washed all the dust and scraps off my helmet, and let it dry, I went ahead and started priming. I really love my paint and primer in one. Saves me a step. ;D
(http://i.imgur.com/fKyGZu0.jpg) (https://imgur.com/fKyGZu0) (http://i.imgur.com/gcPNJUF.jpg) (https://imgur.com/gcPNJUF) (http://i.imgur.com/FXlm6CZ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/FXlm6CZ) (http://i.imgur.com/RpxzHYp.jpg) (https://imgur.com/RpxzHYp) (http://i.imgur.com/Y0NhWao.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Y0NhWao)
I was able to get a second coat on before the wife decided we needed to go run some errands. Hopefully the humidity will be low enough tomorrow to let me get a third coat of primer on. And maybe I can pick up the can of paint I need and get started on the main coats. We'll see. Although, looking at these pictures, I think I'll work on smoothing out the visor area a little more.
-
Nice progress, Have. Your buy'ce looks great!
-
Vod, that is an awesome bucket!
-
Aha! Now I get to return the favor and comment on your build! I'll second what was said earlier about fixing the damage to the antenna; a bit of bondo glazing putty will do the job nicely. It's a much better choice for small fixes like that than bondo itself, as you don't have to worry about mixing too much and having a glob of wasted bondo on hand. Something else that also works for smaller fixes is wood filler. I use Elmer's Carpenter Wood Filler for small repairs and in a lot of ways it works as well as glazing putty. I actually used it to touch up the toppers on my new gauntlets.
As to the helmet, I'm not really a fan of the shape of the visor personally, but the lines are all crisp and it looks well constructed. You're certainly off to a good start with the assembly :).
-
Thanks, Jennari, thanks Straka!
Aha! Now I get to return the favor and comment on your build!
....As to the helmet, I'm not really a fan of the shape of the visor personally, but the lines are all crisp and it looks well constructed. You're certainly off to a good start with the assembly :).
I'm always happy to listen to feed back. Thanks for stopping in, Slade, and thanks for the encouragement. :)
I had a pretty productive day today. As much as I love my new bucket, using painter's tape to block off areas for painting with this particular helmet? Even more of a challenge than my standard Fett-style bucket. Grrrr. It'll be worth it, though. Especially if I can get some striping tape or frog tape in the near future. That'll make life easier, for sure.
(http://i.imgur.com/POS5eOX.jpg) (https://imgur.com/POS5eOX) (http://i.imgur.com/KUNI5iR.jpg) (https://imgur.com/KUNI5iR) (http://i.imgur.com/hEl372K.jpg) (https://imgur.com/hEl372K)
First round of painting done. And now to see if the toothpaste worked decently as a masking agent.
(http://i.imgur.com/HG2dZr6.jpg) (https://imgur.com/HG2dZr6) (http://i.imgur.com/37YlAY0.jpg) (https://imgur.com/37YlAY0) (http://i.imgur.com/ipLyHqP.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ipLyHqP) (http://i.imgur.com/kvnldQv.jpg) (https://imgur.com/kvnldQv) (http://i.imgur.com/UoS1u2Z.jpg) (https://imgur.com/UoS1u2Z)
I think so! I think it worked pretty well, actually.
And for anyone wondering why I've apparently decided to flip my color scheme...I haven't. There is, in fact, a method to my madness. ;D
-
Looking sharp!! Those Night Hawks are such gorgeous pieces.
-
Looks good so far, vod. And I swear by toothpaste as a masking agent.
-
Yep, digging toothpaste so far. And, I forgot to mention that I've started the re-working of my Verpine. Added my favorite greeblie, although I've got another bit I have to add after the E6000 cures. Sanded down the rougher bits on the stock, and although it isn't pictured, I took off the greeblies on the other side, apoxied over them, and will be doing something different with that. Plus, and all-new paint job. So yeah, super productive, relaxing day. Very happy.
(http://i.imgur.com/DZT7tCd.jpg) (https://imgur.com/DZT7tCd)
-
Ooooohh... More Verpine goodness! ;D :laugh:
-
Looking good there mate. As for glue i recommend next chance you get invest in some 2 part epoxy..... all the strength of e 6000 but it only takes around 10 mins to dry. I swear by it. ;)
-
Great job, vod!
-
Ok, I withdraw my dislike of the visor shape; with that paint job, it looks pleasantly mean.
-
That bucket is slick. -watching-
-
Unfortunately I wasn't able to make any progress on my bucket today. I did try to make progress on my verpine, though. It....didn't go so well. :laugh:
I'd gotten it prepped for a coat of primer, checked the humidity - 45% - and was ready to go prime, when my phone started ringing incessantly. Nearly an hour later, I went out and sprayed my verp...without double-checking the humidity first. It had risen to about 80%, so my coat of primer turned out looking like this:
(http://i.imgur.com/MTJV4zc.jpg) (https://imgur.com/MTJV4zc)
Not the end of the world, and honestly a pretty minor fix, but still. Next time, I'll remember to check the humidity again. :laugh:
-
Lol, yeah, an hour or two can make a big difference. At least it's not, say, a whole suit of armor :P. Happened with my lady's first kit; some kind of perfect storm of paint layer combo, humidity and the like. Whole suit spiderwebbed like that.
-
Hhhhmmmm an interesting challenge.... are you going to sand and repaint? Or try turn that into wear and tear? If you're a right hander, the left side would be hitting, rubbing against armour or pouches, if you're a lefties your gauntlet may bump and scratch it too. What type or metal/ material is that area of the verp made from? Could you use it as a base to develop an antique kind of patina?
Here's a link and pic from a one of dha brul's ee-3 kits
http://molonlabestudios.net/?product=mandalorian-sawed-off-ee-3-custom-carbine-blaster-kit
(https://i.imgur.com/kN1SZDz.jpg)
If that pic is hard to see, I tried to get something on my dl44/ power 5
(https://i.imgur.com/8En46J2.jpg)
what will you do vod.....hmmmm yes what will you do ( sorry had a bit of empire yoda going through my mind)
-
Mmmmmmm yes... unpaint you must hurrr :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
-
So I wound up doing both. I sanded it down and re-painted, but there were a couple of spots I couldn't get to sand out properly, so I turned it into wear and tear.
So painted, added some greeblies, painted some more. I've been working on my Verp off and on all week, a few minutes here, a few minutes there. Was able to black wash today. Well, more of a brown wash. Which isn't actually showing up all that well in my photos, sadly.
(http://i.imgur.com/qDpZPiD.jpg) (https://imgur.com/qDpZPiD)
(http://i.imgur.com/kb6GS8d.jpg) (https://imgur.com/kb6GS8d)
Additionally, as I was painting my bucket, I noticed the mandibles and nose area were pretty severely out of line.
(http://i.imgur.com/IMozlO5.jpg) (https://imgur.com/IMozlO5)
So I took about three days to spot heat my helmet and bend and shape it back into place.
(http://i.imgur.com/6GhReDK.jpg) (https://imgur.com/6GhReDK)
I'm pretty happy with the results. Now, I just need to pick up some more black spray paint, and I can proceed with my bucket.
-
Looks pretty good there vod, if you zoom in you can make out the wash. Lots of nice texture on the stock
Greeblies are cool too...the one on the right side reminds me of a skull on its side 🤔 K2so style
-
I’ve really enjoyed reading your WIP, Havelock. It’s great to see the thinking behind photos and choices. The tips, tricks, and what *not* to do.
May mine go so well when I start a bucket!
-
Great progress, Havelock. Glad to see you got some stuff done. And I have to agree with Unknown and Raene. Your thinking and that K2-SO are brilliant!
-
You might want to glue something in the bottom of the helmet, keep it from warping again. Glad you were able to fix that, though. ;D
Also like what you've done with that Verp. I need to get off my shebs and finish Thing Two.
-
The verp is looking nice :D. For the helmet issue, I recommend installing a visor asap, or like Straka mentioned glue in a crossbrace at the bottom of the mandibles until you're ready to do so. It's easy to underestimate how much strength and stability the visor adds to the helmet. My old M-DSB survive a three foot drop right onto the dome and bounced with the visor installed, but my Skirata Arms (later Head Shot Props) legacy bucket with the exact same resin mix (DSB passed on the secret to PJ when he retired from helmet making) cracked after an 18inch fall on the dome with no visor installed.
-
I finally have an update! The last few months have been - as seems to be usual, when I'm trying to put together a kit :P - rather trying. Family stuff, work, other life stuff, budgetary concerns, etc, etc. So the build was sadly on an involuntary hold for awhile. But....I'm back at it.
Not long ago, Jett sent me a nice care package, all the way from England.
(http://i.imgur.com/ln8VyuI.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ln8VyuI)
Those knees, by the way, are authentic Red Krayt Dragon knees. I'm honored to have a pair, even if I'm only going to be using one of them.
As pretty as the cape was...it needed some attention.
(http://i.imgur.com/1mziZvF.jpg) (https://imgur.com/1mziZvF)
I'm probably going to mistreat it some more. ;D
I got the toe spikes installed. They need to be beat up a little, but walking around will do a lot of that .
(http://i.imgur.com/Dzb3DlA.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Dzb3DlA)
Recently, a new friend suggested we have a guy day and go window shopping for kit supplies. My wife was kind (and enthusiastic) enough to watch the kids and let me go have fun.
Our "window" shopping trip turned in to a buying things shopping trip, thanks to my amazing wife. One of the places we went was a local Home Depot which, currently, stocks 6mm sintra. I was able to pick up 2 sheets of 2'x4'!
(http://i.imgur.com/eXmL9sq.jpg) (https://imgur.com/eXmL9sq)
Over the last couple of weekends, I've made an amazing amount of progress!
Well...
in the grand scheme of things, probably only about 5-10% of the total amount of work I need to put together this new kit. But it feels like amazing progress! :P
At any rate, I like the sizing of my torso plates on my current kit, for the most part. The main thing I don't like is that my collar plate is too wide. Really impacts my mobility.
(http://i.imgur.com/QwsyEgD.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QwsyEgD)
I figured I'd alter the design a little. First, I grabbed some cardboard and traced out the collar plate.
(http://i.imgur.com/863ZEou.jpg) (https://imgur.com/863ZEou)
Then I fiddled with the design and cut out the new template.
(http://i.imgur.com/7ARA2xi.jpg) (https://imgur.com/7ARA2xi)
That wasn't going to be wide enough, though, for the chest plates. So after copying the template to my sintra, I did a little more fiddling. Then I got to work on my chest plates and ab.
(http://i.imgur.com/YsW4ZeN.jpg) (https://imgur.com/YsW4ZeN)
Not sure why, but my camera was on Panorama mode. You get the idea, though.
Yesterday, I got a huge shock. I grabbed my heat gun to start forming my plates when my wife said, "Just put it in the oven." I'd wanted to try using the oven to heat my first set of plates, but she was firmly against it. Then, out of the blue...I can use the oven? Shiny!
I had to memorialize the moment.
(http://i.imgur.com/8Iq2soq.jpg) (https://imgur.com/8Iq2soq)
So 200 degrees for 5 minutes, and the 6mm was so easy to form. Which is my wife's favorite part of my build....I lean up against the wall and she gets to try and squeeze me to death. heh
(http://i.imgur.com/N1h9am2.jpg) (https://imgur.com/N1h9am2)
(http://i.imgur.com/eUodSk0.jpg) (https://imgur.com/eUodSk0)
I also got a bit of painting done on my helmet, but there's a long way to go on that.
And the Mrs and I played with fire while experimenting with weathering and damage techniques.
(http://i.imgur.com/m6NPnjO.jpg) (https://imgur.com/m6NPnjO)
For now, that's where I'm at, although I've been cutting out the trauma plates. Next up, though, is designing my back plate, my thigh plates, my shknee, my shin plate, my calf plates, my flank plates, and my bicep plates. Sheesh, that's a lot. :laugh:
-
That's a shedload of awesome progress right there ner'mate still love the gold toe spikes. ;)
-
Looking great Havelock! I’m really jealous of the toe spikes, and great idea for the collar plate! Keep up the great work and can’t wait to see more :like:
-
Thanks, guys. I'm running out back to our shed/workshop/storage unit between phone calls, cutting out more trauma plates. ;D I need to get cracking on the designs, though.
-
About time, vod! :P :laugh:
Plates look awesome, so far, can't wait to see what else you have in store!
-
SO glad you're making progress, Have! :D :D :D
-
Heehee... commenting to follow. :D Love the helmet.
-
Thanks, vode.
I've been working on my plates some more this week. I cut out my trauma plates and started cementing them in place.
(http://i.imgur.com/tWI5jvW.jpg) (https://imgur.com/tWI5jvW)
(http://i.imgur.com/P67YUPi.jpg) (https://imgur.com/P67YUPi)
And while the cement was drying, I worked on my back plate design. This was the first draft:
(http://i.imgur.com/12I5pEu.jpg) (https://imgur.com/12I5pEu)
It turned out, though, that, despite taking careful measurements, that one was waaaaaay too wide. So, after some trimming, I got this to work:
(http://i.imgur.com/aQACdij.jpg) (https://imgur.com/aQACdij)
I'm pretty satisfied with this, so I went ahead and cut it out of sintra.
(http://i.imgur.com/Z869p5Q.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Z869p5Q)
Meanwhile, I took a look at my collar plate, and noticed that I'd messed up with gluing the trauma plates in place, so I cut out a new one, and new trauma plates, and got those shaped and cemented earlier today.
So at this point, here's where I'm at:
(http://i.imgur.com/53qv3oJ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/53qv3oJ)
(http://i.imgur.com/AJ7mv4q.jpg) (https://imgur.com/AJ7mv4q)
I need to pick up some 3mm sintra for the rest of my trauma plating. And I still have some design work to do. And I'll be spending most of Saturday getting the rest of my bucket painted.
Overall, I'm really pleased, though, with the progress I've been making.
-
Looking good :) Love your backplate concept!
-
Hmm... trauma plating. Now that’s an idea.
-
Mmmmmmm CHUNKY!!!! :D
-
Mmmmmmm CHUNKY!!!! :D
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I'm planning on "armored like a tank." So...chunky is gooooooood. :P
Hopefully I can figure out a design for my thigh plates in the next few days.
-
Looking really good! :like: :like:
Trauma plates for the thighs.... maybe do a set that mimics your stripes.
-
I'm not sure about trauma plates for the thigh plates. They'll already have integral holsters, so trauma plates may be too busy. I'll have to see. Once I get the basic design worked out. :laugh:
In the meantime, my wife was eager to get my back plate shaped, so away we go.
(http://i.imgur.com/RYJMDqZ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/RYJMDqZ)
(http://i.imgur.com/yXZxUTv.jpg) (https://imgur.com/yXZxUTv)
(http://i.imgur.com/fqgqyxq.jpg) (https://imgur.com/fqgqyxq)
(http://i.imgur.com/SuTex22.jpg) (https://imgur.com/SuTex22)
They need a little fine tuning as far as shaping is concerned, and the outsides of that top plate look way too wide. And the space for my neck isn't large enough, so I need to do some trimming on it. But overall, I'm really happy with the design. Plus....it's more kit work, which makes me happy. ;D
-
Looks good.
-
I happen to be a big fan of the segmented backplate! :P
Great design and I’m loving the trauma plates!!!
-
Thanks, guys. ;D
-
Alright, so the torso plates are - for the moment - done! Kits being how they are, I'm sure I'll have to do a few more tweaks here and there.
(http://i.imgur.com/gJtjQcV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/gJtjQcV)
And I definitely had to adjust the back plate a bit. It was too wide and was all pokey. :P So, a few quick passes with my box cutter, and...
(http://i.imgur.com/oVLFiAQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/oVLFiAQ)
I'm hoping I can get more painting done on my bucket this week.
-
Hmm... trauma plating. Now that’s an idea.
Looking pretty great Havelock and do you really need trauma plates though, it's like you are planning ahead to get shot. Just don't get shot? lol :P
-
Nice progress, Have!
-
GOOoood GOOOOOOD. Give in to the trauma plate side. :D Keep it up Havelock! :D
(https://i.imgur.com/SufKqnV.jpg)
-
Real life has been...irritating lately, and preventing me from doing much kit work. I did, however finally manage to finish off my new bucket.
Hours and hours and hours of taping and masking, followed by more hours and hours of taping and masking. :P
(http://i.imgur.com/8PhjjgW.jpg) (https://imgur.com/8PhjjgW)
(http://i.imgur.com/md3CVRD.jpg) (https://imgur.com/md3CVRD)
(http://i.imgur.com/MPCu2cP.jpg) (https://imgur.com/MPCu2cP)
(http://i.imgur.com/38ZEITs.jpg) (https://imgur.com/38ZEITs)
(http://i.imgur.com/0jV3cdt.jpg) (https://imgur.com/0jV3cdt)
(http://i.imgur.com/zAIL7Jk.jpg) (https://imgur.com/zAIL7Jk)
(http://i.imgur.com/5p0eIFl.jpg) (https://imgur.com/5p0eIFl)
-
Kandosii, ner vod! Looks badshebs :like: :like:
-
Yaaaay progress!!!!
-
Looks good!
-
Woo-hoo! Love it! Go, Have!
-
Loving that helmet, and the segmented back plate looks great! Not sure how I feel about the trauma plates yet, I'll reserve judgment until they're painted :P. I pointedly did not like the helmet design until you had it painted up all pretty-like, so the front torso plates might grow on me when you're finished :).
-
Thanks, Slade. I'm glad you like it, vod.
-
.....have I really not commetned yet? Man, I really have been slacking.
ANYWAY! Great progress, keep it up, yadda-yadda. :P
-
The kit is coming along amazingly Havelock!!! You are a wizard sir and can’t wait to see it all together!
-
Thanks, guys. Hoping to make some additional progress this weekend. We'll see if the wife and kids leave me any spare time for kit work. ;D
-
Eager to see more! :like:
-
If there’s love, there’s time for kit work .... I think I’ve heard something like that
-
Here and there over the past couple of months I've been able to make some progress. Finally got my thigh plates designed and cut out, ready for shaping. Got my shknee, my shin plate, and my holsters. Need to shape the shin plates to my boots so I can template the calf armor and get that cut and formed. Also need to template my boot armor. I've decided I'm not a huge fan of the Jango-style boot plates, so I'll see what I can figure out.
(http://i.imgur.com/pfgK7NS.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pfgK7NS)
(http://i.imgur.com/dmXv0ue.jpg) (https://imgur.com/dmXv0ue)
(http://i.imgur.com/0TdEMz8.jpg) (https://imgur.com/0TdEMz8)
(http://i.imgur.com/aBTsjOh.jpg) (https://imgur.com/aBTsjOh)
(http://i.imgur.com/4Xc3iFQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/4Xc3iFQ)
(http://i.imgur.com/NhSw3E7.jpg) (https://imgur.com/NhSw3E7)
(http://i.imgur.com/E2h0rMQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/E2h0rMQ)
(http://i.imgur.com/2c7KZh3.jpg) (https://imgur.com/2c7KZh3)
Hopefully I can get my flight suit stuff ordered next week, and hopefully my wife can finish my flak vest soon. Then I'll be able to start putting everything together.
-
SWEET!!
I'm using a slightly boxy style for my new boot plates. I'll share some pics once I get them formed.
-
"MONSTER COD" :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
-
About time you updated this. 75 day!
-
Nice progress, Have!
-
Thanks, guys. Hoping to have more progress to post later this week or early next week. Assuming my newest kid doesn't decide to arrive early. :P
-
Your upgrades continue to look awesome! Good luck with baby timing :D
-
Thanks, everybody!
I'm definitely under the gun - my first kit isn't wearable without some serious effort, and I'm not quite done with this new one. And I've got a Mando wedding in May. I've got to get this done. So no sleep for me, right? :P
-
What happened to your first kit?
-
I wore it too much. :laugh: I can make it tip-top again, or I can work on my new one. I don't have the time to do both. And I really want my new kit! :laugh:
-
Good luck, ner vod! I have faith in you. :like:
-
Well, you know the solution
New kit, go!
-
Go for the new one!
:porg2: :porg2:
-
No question about that. New kit is absolutely a go...as soon as I can order a couple more things. :laugh:
-
Managed to get a little more work done.
(http://i.imgur.com/4tyblG8.jpg) (https://imgur.com/4tyblG8)
(http://i.imgur.com/T4X3Gzx.jpg) (https://imgur.com/T4X3Gzx)
(http://i.imgur.com/XmHUMVy.jpg) (https://imgur.com/XmHUMVy)
(http://i.imgur.com/k3eUKel.jpg) (https://imgur.com/k3eUKel)
Next up is the calf plates and boot plates. Then pretty much all that's left is my soft parts and paint/weathering.
-
:like: :like:
-
Yay!
-
Oh, and this:
(http://i.imgur.com/YvrcpQl.jpg) (https://imgur.com/YvrcpQl)
-
oooh that looks swexy. :D :D :D
-
Very nice!
-
Looks good, but how does it feel when you walk? Want to Watch for rubbing on your kneecap. Speaking from experience...
-
As long as I don't try to lock my knee, it feels fine. Does't rub or anything. Unfortunately, I think the RKD knee that I was going to use that Jett sent me is just too big. I have skinny legs, and it's just oversized. I may have to do a custom knee for my other leg for now and try to figure out something with the RKD knee later.
-
have you put the insert in it?
-
Yep. And it's still huge. *shrug* I can make it work, but it's still going to look big. And I'm running out of time, so I'll probably just come back to it later.
-
commenting to follow
-
Looks great. Who made your toe spikes? Also how are you attaching your armor? Do you use Velcro or snaps on chest and back? Ive been doing searches on forums for elastic straps for knee and elbow to no real avail.
-
Thanks. I'm not sure who made the toe spikes - Jett sent them to me. :laugh: As for attachment, I'm using magnets. 10mm disc, 2mm thick. I used velcro for my first kit. It holds the plates pretty well, but putting it back on once you've taken it off is a pain. You have to fiddle with it a lot. With magnets, putting the armor back in the correct place will be super easy. With elastic for the knees, it's pretty easy. Just run the elastic behind your knee and affix it to the plates. You can hide them with a sleeve for the elastic, or you can try to match the color as much as possible. Using velcro elsewhere, though, other than a Boba thong, you'll have to hide the elastic.
-
:laugh: figures. The only metal ones I found are on Etsy for $65 :rolleyes:
For the magnet attachments, do you glue them directly on vest and armor? About how many did you use per plate? I guess the Velcro is a pain because it’s tough to get it Perfect again? I can’t see removing my plates too often. I would think if you make an outline in Velcro you always know where to put them. My worry is crunching sound with every moment.
I have heard of this Boba Thong but can’t find anything on it. Well... what I find doesn’t seem MMCC approvable. Nice to look at though. :laugh:
-
A Boba thong runs from the point of the cod up to the belt in back, so that the plate doesn't lift when he bends or kneels. I need to add one when I make my new cod plate.
And speaking from experience, sew a pouch or use duct tape to hold the magnets in place. With the way mine is set up, right now, they will leap from one section to another with the slightest movement.
-
Ladiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeees and Gentlemeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen, I present to you, the
Boba Thooooooong!
(http://i.imgur.com/dy5zkvN.jpg) (https://imgur.com/dy5zkvN)
(http://i.imgur.com/5fBeVLj.jpg) (https://imgur.com/5fBeVLj)
And yep, that's my plan - get the placement of the plates correct, then sew the magnets into place. Create a little pocket for them. Right now I'm using around 4 to 5 magnets per plate. Which is, frankly, more than I need to hold them in place. But I just want to make sure that they stay where I put them until I'm ready to take them off. *shrug*
-
That *shrug* could cost you a magnet! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Mine need 4-5, otherwise, they'll shift like crazy. #MetalMandoProblems
-
Now I need to find where to purchase a thong :laugh: never thought I’d say that.
And pouches will be tough with a leather vest. Need to figure out another method. Maybe double sided tape or Velcro just for magnets.
-
My clan calls a boba thong a bro-strap. Because to hook it up you need a bro. I set a snap in my flightsuit at the right spot and glued the other part to my cod to get the same result without a strap. As for buying a boba thong, usually people make them themselves. 90% of our stuff is usually homemade in fact. For the boba thong just attach a buckle to the backside of your cod, sew a loop big enough to fit around your belt in one end of a piece of elastic, cut the elastic a little shorter then the distance between the cod and belt going between your legs, and put the other part of the buckle on the free end of the elastic. It isn't comfortable but it works.
-
Commenting to see this build. I'm in the same boat, rush for a certain mandos wedding in may, plus trauma plates and having bronze in my colour scheme.
Eager to watch the rest of your build.
-
Still working on the kit, but my 4th ad'ika is ready.
(http://i.imgur.com/IHDHlLf.jpg) (https://imgur.com/IHDHlLf)
(http://i.imgur.com/4TtBrfH.jpg) (https://imgur.com/4TtBrfH)
-
That is the coolest pic ever!!! :like: :like: :like:
-
Awwww. :<3:
-
AWWWWWWEEEEE!!!! ;D ;D ;D He's so little! I'm so sad I missed the photo shoot.
-
Starting them young. Very mandalorian.
-
Congratulations vod!
-
Taking after his buir already. :<3: :like:
-
Nice and warm and safe! Possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Parenting done right Sir!
-
Nice and warm and safe! Possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Parenting done right Sir!
Agreed! :like:
-
It's been far too long since I had any progress to report, but here's a mini-update. The gloves that I was really wanting for my new kit showed up on Tuesday, and my new flight suit pants came in today, so I did I quick and very rough placement test.
(http://i.imgur.com/cxzHIbH.jpg) (https://imgur.com/cxzHIbH)
(http://i.imgur.com/yLCgG3C.jpg) (https://imgur.com/yLCgG3C)
(http://i.imgur.com/bTvw3Vq.jpg) (https://imgur.com/bTvw3Vq)
(http://i.imgur.com/zsHaY3W.jpg) (https://imgur.com/zsHaY3W)
One step closer. Need to order my half-chaps, and get my Pheyla to finish m flak vest, new kama, and loin cloth and the soft parts will be either done, or en route. ;D
-
yaaaay…... new stuff !!!
-
Loving it.
-
About time for an update!! Good to see you're still at it!
-
Absolutely! I've just been held back by budgetary concerns. But the last of my soft part stuff that my wife isn't making should be ordered and hopefully arrive this week! I'm so excited!
-
Glad to see more progress man! Hope you, Cody, and the family are doing well! :like:
-
Try putting those boot spikes on the Chinese riding boots ( thongs....or flipflops) :laugh: :laugh:
-
:laugh:
Yeah. Great, as always, to see you making progress, ner vod. Proud of you, Have. :D
-
Looking good. Those gloves are pretty slick. Are you planning on wearing them full length over the flight suit or what's your plan there? Also digging the shin and thigh plates. Have you tested the mobility with how the thighs are currently cut to see if it stabs into the tender regions? lol
-
Looking good! I'm excited to see this all completed.
-
I dig the shnee design! #Upgrades indeed :D
-
Cody and the family are doing, great, Kol. Thanks. ;D Not sure about the toe spikes on the flip flops :laugh:
Thanks, everybody! I've waited a lot longer to make progress on this kit than I ever wanted to, but now that I've got some forward motion again, I'm stupidly excited to get this baby done!
Looking good. Those gloves are pretty slick. Are you planning on wearing them full length over the flight suit or what's your plan there? Also digging the shin and thigh plates. Have you tested the mobility with how the thighs are currently cut to see if it stabs into the tender regions? lol
Yep. I'll slide the gloves on as-is and put my gaunts/vambraces right atop them. I haven't done a full-up test with the thigh plates because I have to wait on my wife to sew some magnets in place, but as best I can tell without them attached, they allow me pretty good mobility without poking anything.
So far. :P
I'm not very good with designs, but I'm surprisingly pretty happy with how the shknee came out. Now to solve the riddle of my right knee....
-
How's the helmet? His asks eagerly.
-
It is (hopefully) being printed as we speak. Once I have it in my grubby little hands rest assured I'll be posting pics! :laugh:
-
So excited.
-
Another mini-update:
(http://i.imgur.com/QKAcKg7.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QKAcKg7)
These came in today. Next to arrive will be my new boots...but since those are coming from Finland, I'm not sure when they'll actually arrive. :laugh:
-
Nice! Those look awesome! :like:
-
Question about your Gaiters. Where did you get them and do you have to hide the zipper? They look awesome.
-
Thanks, Jennari!
Sov, I ordered these from this site (https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Riding_Half_Chaps/catpage-HALFCHAPS.html). The ones I got are the Dublin Easy-Care Wave Silicone Grip Half Chaps. They have quite a few options to choose from, and really good prices. I'm very happy with them thus far.
As for the zippers, yeah, I'll have to hide those, since they're not on the inside of my leg. I could wear them so that the zippers are on the inside, but the way they're built, they look and feel weird if I do that. So, I'll just make sure the zippers and logos are hidden. And thanks!
Also, my boots arrived, and they're great. Unfortunately, the leather is thicker than I was expecting, and the chaps make them pinch painfully.
(http://i.imgur.com/h2Y2VDZ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/h2Y2VDZ)
(http://i.imgur.com/DyEmn2A.jpg) (https://imgur.com/DyEmn2A)
(http://i.imgur.com/BUl8OuC.jpg) (https://imgur.com/BUl8OuC)
After I stopped grumbling that I might not be able to use these boots, I put the chaps on over the shoes I was wearing.
(http://i.imgur.com/sl7NVV8.jpg) (https://imgur.com/sl7NVV8)
(http://i.imgur.com/9eAkeRi.jpg) (https://imgur.com/9eAkeRi)
(http://i.imgur.com/q8GcYUM.jpg) (https://imgur.com/q8GcYUM)
(http://i.imgur.com/3rHhC9g.jpg) (https://imgur.com/3rHhC9g)
Overall, not bad! This might actually work. I'll need to get some shoes with black soles so they don't look like tennis shoes, but I think I might just use shoes for now, instead of boots.
Happily, I'm pretty sure I can use the boots for other costumes, so it's not wasted money. ;D
-
Nice work! Everything looks awesome. :like:
-
Low-top boots, maybe?