Mando Mercs Costume Club
Mandalorian Armor => Equipment & Accessories => Jetpacks/Backpacks => Topic started by: Tier on Oct 14, 2014, 09:55 PM
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Well, it's high time I posted a new thread so why not chronicle the fabrication of my backpack? Since, I'm an about the town kind of guy, I need a pack that will hold all my dets, rope, loot and other essentials to get me through my merc day and what better way than a surplus clone backpack? ... My thoughts exactly.
Let's start with a tried and true pep file, cut and prefolded:
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps800dfdc4.jpg?t=1413337975)
I used 110lb card stock, scored all of the folds and will be using elmer's glue sticks to bond.
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Looking forward to this. Since I'll be making the same one. :laugh:
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Can't wait to see how this turns out!
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Tabs were glued, progress was made, all while watching the the It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown:
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps134f3457.jpg?t=1413467712)
Let's see if I can finish pepping before the weekend...
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That's coming together nicely.
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Looks good to me! I am going to leave the bottom flat for now and accessorize it later. Now on to resin (sometime in November :( )
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1152_zps7eecee27.jpg?t=1413756905)
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Looks good to me! I am going to leave the bottom flat for now and accessorize it later. Now on to resin (sometime in November :( )
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1152_zps7eecee27.jpg?t=1413756905)
I'm at the same place. 8) I put the bottom on mine, but I'm considering removing it. Its just taped on so I can do that.
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Looks great! I used a pep file as a foam template and then coated it with smooth on 65d but I think I scaled mine a little small. What did you scale yours too?
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I scaled my pack to fit my back plate, it is 10" wide by 14" (17" with the bottom part attached). I do not know the scale since I just measured and entered the mm conversion. Hope this helps!
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Are you planning to use this as a load bearing backpack, and if so, do you have any ideas as to how to accomplish this!
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Are you planning to use this as a load bearing backpack, and if so, do you have any ideas as to how to accomplish this!
Yes, it will bear a load. I am planning to incorporate a sound system, camel pack bladder and some internal to hold stuff. I am still brainstorming a bit on the attachment mechanism... I may end up cutting my back plate similar to a jet pack setup and then use a harness that I would wear under my vest, but I am not keen on cutting it. I may end up using an external harness attached to my ammo belt... need to think on all this a bit more!
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I decided that on mine I was going to go with shoulder straps. I'll make those out of nylon webbing and rivet to the pack.
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Finally got around to comparing and I scaled mine a bit smaller. The sideshow figures that have these packs just have shoulder straps like so
(https://www.sideshowtoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1002063-product-feature-740x448.jpg)
Also any updates on this? Would love some motivation to finish mine lol
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If you make it nice and sturdy you could bolt it directly onto the back plate with removable bolts, then fix on some straps that go over the shoulders and attach to your belt (kinda like those old military braces (Americans call them suspenders) to give them some extra support.
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I just finished putting resin on the outside last night. Today i am going to Rondo the inside... probably twice. I will post photos later.
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Nice cant wait to see it. Idky but i love these backpacks lol
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Looks Great! How big is it next to your backplate?
I know they normally have a cloth or soft top, but does the 3d file offer any hard top versions?
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Hooray! Progress was made, all be it small. The outside is now resined and the inside it rondoed. Even with the rondo application, I still feel there is too much flex at the corners and joints. I am now going in and adding a layer of fiber glass mat. Unfortunately this may make it a bit heavy, especially with all the stuff I am planning to add (to be revealed later). I still have to find a pattern for the cover. I have some cow hides with the hair still attached for this, should look rustic. ;D
I have been thinking about the attachment mechanism. I believe I will use hard driver magnets in tandem with some leather straps that will attach to either my back plate or vest. I'm not 100% on what I want to do. I would like to have the option to not wear the pack and no one be able to tell... and I would prefer not to build a harness, thought it would solve the problem.
Anyway, I'm going to finish up the inside this weekend (hopefully), add a final touch up resin coating on the outside and start priming it for modification.
Photos with back plate for size comparison:
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1351_zps6af776ac.jpg?t=1417781777)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1350_zpsb195f1b4.jpg?t=1417781774)
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my suggestion would be to add one side of those 3 prong clip things that are on back packs (I have no idea what they're called) to the shoulders of your flight suit, perhaps just under the sweep backs of your collar plate, and then add a strap to the back of the backpack with the other side of the clip. Size the strap so that it is long enough to let the back pack hang along your back....I'm really hoping I'm explaing this is a way that makes sense. Look at Stargate Atlantis (It's on netflix), they use the same method on the military vests they wear. You may have to browse a few episodes before you see one of them take a backpack off on screen, but I know it happens fairly often
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What about 4 adjustable straps at the four points of the pack that attach to the four corners of the back plate? I have nice flat edges for a clip assembly. I am fairly certain it will take the weight. I have marine grade snaps holding the plate to my vest.
similar to this:
(http://i21.geccdn.net/site/images/large/KC6_463021.jpg)
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That could work too, however taking it off would be a bit more difficult. And as you said, your attachments will have to withstand the weight.
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They're called parachute clips (or snaps). My thoughts would be to have straps come from behind the back plate to clip onto the backpack. The clips would be able to be tucked behind the back plate, but that depends on how you have your back plate attached and what it's made out of, which I believe you said or alluded to that it's metal. Another thought is to do a similar thing, but have it come from under the front collar plate and have it able to tuck under the back plate. I think that would probably be the better of the two.
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Progress!
Well we're back at it again! Fiber glassed, filled and sanded. Now to cut the holes for the speakers...
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1423_zps93e2ea61.jpg?t=1420986560)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1425_zps2a20ea39.jpg?t=1420986637)
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Can you put it up to your backplate for scale?
Looks Great!
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(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1350_zpsb195f1b4.jpg?t=1417781774)
It's pretty big... should fit water, electronics and con stuff "comfortably".
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Looking cool man! That's a great idea to have for all the neat stuff you'll buy at C7! I would love to have something similar for that reason lol but the pack wouldn't fit the look of my kit.
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Painting complete:
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1442_zpsfe714fbb.jpg?t=1421590316)
I was desperately trying to avoid being attacked by the dreaded three clawed monster but to get into beast hunters I had to do it.
Next up: Rigging and strapping.
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Here is what you could do. do a two claw hit, right on the edge. then have a Three clawed trophy hanging right next to it. It hit me but, type of thing. Kill that thing finally.
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Oh man it's pretty! I think I'm gonna have to get mine back out and actually finish it!
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Ok my Mando brothers and sisters I need your help with some ideas. I have a 15 switch remote controlled relay controlling my sound effects board. 11/15 are currently taken for the board leaving me 4 open switches that need to do something cool. I was thinking of a retractable "long range" antenna for two of the spots. Any ideas?
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Well like i said last night, you could do the antenna and maybe have a little battery next to it that you could wire in some LEDS. That'd be my guess.
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I am definitely going to have a panel with indicator LEDs. That way I won't laeve it on all night once I take it off (hopefully).
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This, is freaking awesome! solves my con merch problem and my grenade carrying problem! Can't wait to get the pep file and start on it!
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I LOVE that! wish there was a place to get building material like that here.
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What building material, specifically? I might be able to help you out on that.
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Sintra or any other sort of plastic board. Cant find it anywhere.
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I found this:
http://www.signsnowspokane.com/
I don't know for sure if they sell Sintra or not, but there's a sign place similar to that one here in Norfolk that sells sintra too, presumably to make your own signs. If they don't have it, these guys have PVC. Sintra is PVC, but since they specifically said PVC and not Sintra, I'd ask.
http://www.lairdplastics.com/
Here's another sign maker that came up. Again, I'd ask to see if they have any.
http://www.bpcolor.com/
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you can also get 'expanded cell PVC board' on Amazon. make sure to search it as expanded cell PVC or you may not get what you're looking for.
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Interesting. I think I'll use that if I make a second kit. Or third.
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Interesting. I think I'll use that if I make a second kit. Or third.
It's basically sintra. The only difference is sintra is a brand name. and expended cell PVC foam board is the name of the material.
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Yeah, I kinda figured when I looked it up on Amazon. In fact, I think Sintra was one of the hits.
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An update:
Leather straps are installed and connected from the pack to my girth belt (awesome mando suspenders engage!). I went with a V cross in the back so the straps will curve around my body and hug the armor (rather than falling off my collar plate). The sound system is operational with all of the audio files optimized and the controller has been integrated into a nifty fore grip for my carbine. Good progress in my book!
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/IMG_2791JPG_zps1bef1733.jpg?t=1423174259[)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/IMG_2795JPG_zps55c1fdf4.jpg?t=1423174265)
Remaining items:
-Pack cover (design, cut and sewn)
-Speaker covers (weather and install)
-Volume knob integration (3d print housing, paint, weather and install)
-False bottom (cut and supports install)
-Pack geeblies (straps, tools, lights etc.)
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Nice work man. Almost didn't recognize you without the beard :P
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Aaaaand we're finished... for now. I want to add some loops for items and such but that will come later. The camp roll really balanced out the pack and i like the way the fur turned out.
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1514_zps3b3246fb.jpg?t=1424011051)
For while I have been struggling with what to do with my knives (disregard righty, he's being repaired). I had been sticking them in my boots but they get uncomfortable after a while so I decided to mount them under the pack for a "quick draw" effect. Thanks to the curved blade, the leather loops hold them snug enough that they don't fall out but can be drawn when needed.
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/textileian/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_1512_zps590b98d1.jpg?t=1424011049)
I know I promised a video of the trigger effects but I want to kit up to do it soooo March 22nd it is!
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It's. So. Beautiful.
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Nice work man! You did a good job with it!
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(http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m330/zechs36/Clapping_zpsec292826.gif)
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Very nice.
How did you do you weathering ? I really like the muddy grunge look.
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Very nice.
How did you do you weathering ? I really like the muddy grunge look.
Thanks!
To attain this level of filth, I do not recommend using washes...
I used latex masking fluid for the base layers of spray paint and then weathered it with black and brown acrylic paint in a plate... and my fingers. I apply liberally and then rub away what I don't want. For the nooks and crannies, I use a cotton swab. The more texture you have left over, the more patina the result. I tied to plan the mud, more along the creases and the bottom of the pack so it would look like it had be set in the mud often. For 3D mud I have used wood filler in the past for other costumes... works well (and it's essentially permanent).
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Duuude! Way more than what I would think to put into something like that!
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Duuude! Way more than what I would think to put into something like that!
Thanks?
My philosophy is if it looks good at 12" it will look great at 12'.
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Thats basically what I do. I never thought about using wood filler as mud. Ill have to try that.
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I've been up for god only knows how long, so I'll apologize if someone already asked this but where did you get that file?
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absolutly amazing im looking at doing something similiar, great job!!
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Holy moses that's awesome. I'd love to make something like this myself, but I'd have no idea where to start.
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Holy moses that's awesome. I'd love to make something like this myself, but I'd have no idea where to start.
I'm going to use the pepekura to cut chloroplast sheets and hot glue them together for my build and probably gut a goodwill pack for the straps.
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Thanks all for the complements! I'm happy to help in any way I can... just PM me.
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I like it! Where's mine?
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Where can I get that clone backpack templates? I'm trying to make one.