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[capnsmirk]

Hey all, have been collecting images and ideas on my mando pinterest board for the past few weeks and have slowly been putting thoughts into colours, themes and the potential direction for my first build. One thing is for sure; i am excited!!! i have pretty much been losing sleep over it. AND ITS GREAT! i have gone MENTAL with the mando maker trying to find my colours:



I have no idea what my mando characters name is yet so i'm hoping to discover that along the way with my build. i have been toying with the idea of "Thos Ahhn", but i haven't settled on it. Undoubtedly i will be hitting up the many name gen pages to help me out.

I know i want modern era armour with the possible addition of boot and shin armour(pending opinions and feedback during my build), that i will be cutting my final pieces out of PVC pipe and that i will be attempting to scratch build my bucket....and i plan on semi regular greeblie hunts at the local $2 stores and tip shops!

So i have two ideas for my build:

-OPTION 1-

 "Boarding specialist" who resides in no one place other than his interceptor/freighter/boarding craft aggressively exploring 'interesting' ships. Perhaps he is a bounty hunter who prefers ship to ship assaults to capture his prey? or perhaps he makes his credits relocating ships? not sure yet.

This means greys, silvers, blues/greens for the armour and soft parts. His weapons should be suitable to his preffered style of entry, plasma cutters to the blast doors! Main weapon should be a short barrelled carbine/scatter blaster/stun gun. Secondary should be a heavy blaster pistol, i like the idea of a big hefty barrel with cooling vents, but a fairly compact main body like a giant focussing barrel or some such? He will also have a vibro-hatchet/hand axe. Unintentionally this direction would also parralel with the "urban assault" brigade requirements. Idea pics for this build below:


Not sold on the tan cape here, but thats why there are options in the image at the top of my post.


The pistol i LOVE, but lose the colours traditional black for me and swap the plastic barrel for something more traditional but with the same proportions. The rifle is just coz. i like the weathering and the approximate shape, it seems like a modified E-11?

The small image is from the Star Wars: Uprising wookipedia, which is the base for my redesign sketch.

The catch with this direction is that i have seen many grey themed mandos, don't get me wrong i love them all, i am just unsure if i that will bother me as the build progresses.

-OPTION 2-
"Recon" The one brigade that truly stood out to me was recon. I dont truly know why! What i do know is that i have always enjoyed tan/bone/brown colour shcemes and that cloth textures like heavy canvas and well worn leathers appeal to me and  i can see them working well together overall.

I also found some TFA weapons which i relly felt would be appropriate for a dry/sandy/desolate climate mando. Their shapes are obviously Swarsy imo but different enough to take a second look. I also believe i can create my own versions without too much hassle. This build would also allow me to muck about with the additional kit like Binos, commslinks, bending my brain around a holdout blaster etc.


This version originally had a brown bucket but i prefer the matching bone colour.


These two TFA blasters are the reason my imagination went down the recon path, the rifle may need to be a touch shorter to be recon approved but my giddy aunt, these make me drool!!


This revolver carbine could be a more achievable design than my beloved box blasters, base from toy revolver, pvc barrel, wooden stock, just add greeblies and extra scopes. I'm not opposed to making it and learning from it before i attack the ones i REALLY want to make!


I like the idea of both of these as a beskad, dirty them up a little and maybe add some trophies to the handles and i feel like they could be approvable.

I hesitate around saying this mando works in a desert as i seem to see many desert mandos in the forums, so ill stick to either "Dry-climate" or "my Mando just likes tan aight?!" also the cpaes are very optional on my designs, on the Boarding Mando i just like the way the cape breaks up the greys, this may not work IRL, and i am not certain my Recon Mando would have more than a scrim cape rolled up on his kit? who knows, we'll figure that out later!

This is where i'll leave it for now, rest assured i have begun collecting items for my weapons and have scouted out my local hardware stores for my initial supplies. I will be seperating the components to their particular forums once i have begun their builds. I have downloded some bucket templates and will be printing 2 copies of those at work this weekend, i may even sneak in some armour templates too! Now to not blow my whole paycheck on mando gear next week haha

[Havelock]

These are two great concepts, vod.  The Boarding Specialist, or Pirate Mando - Arrrrrrrr! - is pretty original in my experience.  And I love the rifle.  It's pretty awesome.  The pistol - it looks cool, but for some reason when I see it, it doesn't seem particularly "swarzy" to me, and I really have no idea why.  But I really dig this concept.  You'd probably want to make sure that your helmet had an air hose in case of decompression.

That being said, if Recon is what's really calling to you, go for it.  There's plenty of desert mandos in the MMCC, sure, but it's a big galaxy.  If Recon is what you're really wanting to do, don't let anything stop you, vod.

Either way, I'm really looking forward to seeing where you go with this.

[capnsmirk]

Thanks Vod! The "Pirate" build was my first concept, then as i explored brigades and colour schemes the "recon' concept came about. Funny that you say that the pirate build is relatively original because i did wonder how a Mando version of Jack Sparrow would work!

Which pistol were you refferring to btw? Because i totally get where you are coming from with both options. My version of the plastic barrel pistol would lose colours and replace the plastic with an oversized heat guard instead, do you think that would help its non swarzy-ness? and so far as my version of the box blaster goes it wouldn't have the bones and would probably be scoped, because thats how you swarxy things right? haha

Got my Helmet templates printed today too, going to do a paper version to understand how to bucket before i really try and bucket haha WIP thread here http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=107507.0

[capnsmirk]

Dowloaded a .zip file of Boba armour from TDH and printed the templates this afternoon. Could someone confirm for me that the number codes on the files refer to height and are scaled as such?



I really hope so because i printed the 5-9 file under this assumption. I am actually on the tall side of 5' 11" but am lightly built at 75kg #skinnywhiteguy haha anyway i'm guessing the slightly smaller armour will be more suitable. Won't know until i cut out the templates and/or get some feedback.

Cheers all.

[Havelock]

Yep, those are height guides.  And I was referring to the big plastic-barreled pistol.  What kind of heat guard did you want to put on it.  Got a picture?

[Kal Revik]

All those concepts are awesome! do you plan to get approved first then do the brigade kit? I too have a recon kit...can't wait to see another recon professional join the ranks! I can't wait to see more of your build.

[capnsmirk]

Yep, those are height guides.  And I was referring to the big plastic-barreled pistol.  What kind of heat guard did you want to put on it.  Got a picture?

Something like this:


I also think it would be relatively easy to mark out some stencils to build it, the frame could be 5mm MDF then just sintra and bondo all the way from there. thoughts?

I'm about to cut out the chest armour sections, let's see if this set will be the right size. I am concerned that i've not printed it with the correct printer settings and it's come out too wide. Pics will go up soon enough.

All those concepts are awesome! do you plan to get approved first then do the brigade kit? I too have a recon kit...can't wait to see another recon professional join the ranks! I can't wait to see more of your build.

Thanks Vod!! My plan is to build the Kitbash as well as i am able, then seek approval if the community deems it appropriate, i'm not 100% sold on either of my concepts just yet tbh, i think i'm probably just going go have to make both in the end!! haha

[capnsmirk]

No epic write up this time, just pics and a question...Are these close to the right size?? Apologies for the white on white setup, i have a vague plan to make my vest using a no sew tutorial and that shirt is the size i would opt for.

Sizing seems ok on here, perhaps the neck section needs to go higher?


Naval reference finger activated. This one makes me think the plates need to drop slightly?


Now with paper bucket.


I know the chest and neck plates look like they need seperating a fair bit, i used the tip of my finger to roughly space everything evenly while the shirt was laying flat, so i think that's where that has come from.

Looking forward to hearing any of your suggestions

[Havelock]

First, be careful to not double post.  If it's been less than a couple of days, just modify your last post.  Second, the length on those looks pretty good, but they look too wide.  You'll want to trim a bit off the sides of the chest plates and collar.  And the bottom points on the collar should line up with the outside upper edges of the chest plates.  Which can be easily fixed by adjusting the spacing.  And your spacing looks a bit tight. 

Overall, though, pretty good, vod.

[Kitala-Enby]

Are those blases edged vod? If so you will need to leave them off the kit. you can't be carrying about something as dangerous as that.

I like the idea of both of these as a beskad, dirty them up a little and maybe add some trophies to the handles and i feel like they could be approvable.

[Jorad Werde]

as Kitala said, be careful with bladed weapons, most people will tell you to avoid using metal for the blade at all, even if it's safety dulled because it's just a bit too close to a real weapon to be allowed at cons and other events.  Use sintra, or wood and paint it to look like metal.

As for your plates, you're right, the bottom of the ab plate should be just above the navel, and looking at your pics moving the abb plate down, and the chest plates down a bit, will also fix the spacing issue you have (about a thumbs width between plates).  I'd also try a size smaller on the plates, they don't need to wrap around you like you have them doing.  You'll end up poking yourself in the arm pit anytime you reach across your body if you keep them at the size they are now.  Look at some pics of Jango and Boba, the plate coverage is surprisingly sparse.

[capnsmirk]

First, be careful to not double post.  If it's been less than a couple of days, just modify your last post.  Second, the length on those looks pretty good, but they look too wide.  You'll want to trim a bit off the sides of the chest plates and collar.  And the bottom points on the collar should line up with the outside upper edges of the chest plates.  Which can be easily fixed by adjusting the spacing.  And your spacing looks a bit tight. 

Overall, though, pretty good, vod.

Thanks for the feedback, it hadn't occurred to me to modify the posts for that reason. Re: sizing, i agree that the width needs to come down quite a bit, i wouldn't be able to cross my arms comfortably with the sizing as is. Thanks again Vod!

**UPDATES**

The general consensus for my plates seems to have been Trim the width maintain the height. I have a sizing thread on the Sandhawk forum of which most have concurred with your sizing suggestions.

I want to say thank you all for putting up with my enthusiasm thus far, i happen to have the perfect week to start this journey and am just trying to avoid losing any momentum. Once i'm back at work properly i won't have nearly as much energy or time as i do right now!


I had two runs at trimming the templates, first the bigger adjustments.

Excuse my morning face/hair i had only caffeinated myself once at this stage haha
ADJUSTMENTS MADE: 1/2" off the width of the collar. 1/2" off the width of the belly. 3/4" off the width of the chest, 1/4" inside 1/2" outside.
There was something that still didn't quite sit right however so i re-read what you all had commented and made further adjustments.


And now you'll have to excuse my hat hair, i had been out shopping/de-cluttering my garage.
AJUSTMENTS MADE: 1/4" inch off the collar, 1/8" inside and out. 1/4" off the chest, again 1/8" inside and out. 1/4" off the belly width and height.
The belly and collar height adjustments made me a touch nervous as i am aiming to maintain as much height as possible BUT i think they are the two cuts that have brought it all together.

I think i'm ready to go, knowing i will likely have to adjust the PVC armour when i get there, but will wait a general confirmation before i make that call.

[Jorad Werde]

Those look better

[Kris Jasra]

Aye, that second picture is looking good to me.

[Havelock]

Yep.  Much better.

[capnsmirk]

Those look better

Aye, that second picture is looking good to me.

Yep.  Much better.

Thanks heaps Vode!! I went on ahead and covered the templates with masking tape to give them some longevity given everyone seems happy with the sizing and proportions.



Thats just a little logo concept i'm working on to the left there, it's a bit of a nod to my Roller Derby team. More on that another time though.

Going to start work on putting together my buy'ce tomorrow so please hit up my WIP thread for updates and feedback.

Will be working on the armour plates between stages on the bucket. Check my WIP thread for major updates there, will be giving this thread sporadic updates but concentrating on those.

Thanks for all your support and please keep an eye on this thread as i get closer to settling on my colours and theme in the coming weeks

[Havelock]

Looking forward to it.

[capnsmirk]

Been a whole lot longer between updates than i had planned but life has kicked off at full steam ahead this year! Looking like this derby season will be full of trips away and fun times, and work certainly hasn't pulled any punches the last few days! Our entire storeroom flooded on Wednesday so that was fun...

BUT ON TO THE GOOD NEWS!! I have had some serious luck on while out hunting for greebs today, my pics will explain it all!

This is the majority of todays haul, mostly intended as blaster/weapons parts.


Fairly self explanatory but because i'm excited i'm going to talk about a couple of things:

- Top left is a water pistol set, the pistol itself will be scrapped for greebs, but the 3 belt clip canisters are the true heroes of that purchase. Grenades, chem canisters, who knows?? total of $5 well spent.
- The two toy revolvers I intend to be the base for a blaster pistol and a carbine. I'm not entirely sure what they will look like in the end but design ques will be pulled from all over the galaxy to make it happen! The grips are a touch too wide for my taste and feel quite weak so they will probably be filled in BUT they also house the speaker for their PEW PEW noises, which i might like to keep? Will tackle that when i get around to it. A solid start for $3 a piece.
- I got myself 2x 15m lengths of cotton rope for $6 total. These are for a girth belt, i'm gonna try my hand at one of the hot glue/velcro tutorials from on the forums. There is also and Orange martial arts belt....no idea what that will be good for but it was only $3.50 so who knows??
- Everything else is just greebs, barrel options, couplers etc the fluro pistol in the middle MAY be ok for a holdout blaster...maybe

Here's the absolute JACKPOT of todays hunt....









$8 FLIGHTSUIT!!! *contains super dynamic posing and hand gestures*


Making a decision about the flightsuit has been killing me. I didn't want to risk purchasing something that wasn't exactly right for my build etc so that ruled out many cheap ebay options. I have been equally concerned with the fit as i've spotted quite a few recruits with the skinny man problems i have with an oversized suit which then need to be tailored to buggery just to fit, i don't have the sewing skills to make that happen nor do i want to spend the cash to have it done by a seamstress...enter $8 flight suit.

This thing is just about a perfect fit, its a long cut so the legs are too long for me but i am handy enough with a pair of scissors and some iron on hemming tape. The body is probably a half size too short as it puts a reasonable amount of pressure onto the cod area and i think gives a slight wedgey...but for the price i'll take it! haha

And then there is this:



Utas is the local University and O-week(big giant party where people sign up to societies in exchange for cheap drinks) has just happened so i gather that this was a costume for that event. So i'll need a way to try and attack these spray paint stains.

I do plan on trying to re-dye the entire suit, this product is readily available and has a good rep, has anyone ever used it? Will it attack the paint as well as the orange dye?


Presuming the colour remover does its job but doesn't attack the paint i'm sure some weathering will go a long way to covering up the stains. While i would like to stick to my original colours of either Tan or Grey, i am happy to take advantage of this lucky find and adapt my colours around it...but not if it's orange, that's not gonna work for me haha

Thanks for keeping up with my progress Vode!

P.S. work on my bucket is still progressing, see my WIP thread, i'm probably one days work away from cutting my armour plates and i';m slowly but surely getting closer to finding my Mando name. WATCH THIS SPACE!

[capnsmirk]

**MAJOR UPDATE**

After a run of the Rit colour remover the orange was only just reduced, i resorted to a 24hr bleach bath which also only JUST made the flight suit faded orange. I decided just to go with it and figure something out and figure something out i did! I have also finished my first attempt at a girth belt and i am supremely happy with it. All that is left is some precautionary sewing on the right hand join just to make sure the hot glue doesn't fail.

I will be posting my full write up in my Soft parts WIP momentarily. Any comments and feedback are always welcome ner vode!

Flight suit BEFORE:


Flight suit AFTER:


With girth belt:


Girth belt rear closure with old belt for reference:


I will be pausing my soft parts work for now and moving back onto to my bucket and armour plates as i originally intended. I will also be revisiting my colour planning over the next few days as brown was not one of my two preferred suit colours. Oh well, the Kitbash is progressing and that's what is important!