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[megabyte264]

Hello! I'm Jacob. I have about a year till I'm 18, but that just means I have plenty of time to build my kit. First step, my bucket! It's a model A7R that I got from http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=121897.0.

[Cornutt895]

Neat design! You gonna make a mold or is this just to see what it looks like?

[Wolfin Sylvermane]

Great start!  Looking forward to watching the progress.

[The Dragon Slayer]

Hey, I'm using the same bucket. Mine's a little small though, lol. Yours looks good so far. Keep up the good work.

[megabyte264]

Update: Well... I may have overestimated my fiberglassing skills. From a distance, it looks ok, but basically, all the detail was covered up and there are some spots I didn't get. I do not have enough fiberglass to fix I, so I think I need to scrap it. I've got a new bucket in progress. I'll post some pics when I take them. For now, here is the concept art I drew.

The name is at the top, with the Mando'a translation underneath. I want the color scheme to be black with dark red highlights and yellow detailing.
Oh, I almost forgot I had this. I'm basing the color scheme to match this nerf gun I painted a year ago. I checked the rules and I think it's ok, but a second opinion would be great. I sanded off the logo, filled in all the screw holes, and I plan to remove the clip. (The mechanism to release the clip broke when I was taking out the innards)

[Fenris Claddanna]

Your helmet has an interesting concept. I'd suggest running it by the App Team to make sure that those side cuts are going to be approvable. I'd hate for you to sink a ton of work into it only to be told at the end that something about it won't fly.

As to the Nerf Gun, it's going to take a lot more than simply removing the magazine to get it to an approvable state. Basically, we need to not be able to look at it and go "That's a Nerf Gun." Chop it up , get rid of the triangle patterns, the rails, and all the other Nerf-y looking bits, add Greeblies and other bits and bobs to make it look more SWarzy. If you habven't already, take a look through The Weapons Armoury and browse through some of the threads there to get an idea of what it takes to mod a Nerf Gun into something that will pass muster for the Mercs.

[megabyte264]

Did quite a bit of work last night and this morning. Last night I got this much done:



This morning I cut the visor outline and had a tough time gluing it on, but I finally got it.

Due to some mis-measurement, the vertical part of the T is a little weird, but I think it looks good. If it doesn't pass, it won't be too hard to replace it.

Chop it up, get rid of the triangle patterns, the rails, and all the other Nerf-y looking bits, add Greeblies and other bits and bobs to make it look more SWarzy.

Do you have any specific suggestions? I already cut up quite a bit. Here is the original:

[Sep Ho'ban]

Before you move to the bondo stage --hot glue the inside of the joints and scrape/peal the hot glue off the outside of th joints.  It'll make your life a lot easier, promise promise.

Good luck with your bucket  from a bucket!

[megabyte264]

Thanks for the tip, will do!

[megabyte264]

I am starting to think of my armor now. I want to try making it out of Sintra, but I'm open for suggestions. I want to limit weight and cost most of all.

[Sep Ho'ban]

Sintra is cheaper than most of the alternatives, pretty easy/forgiving to work with and pretty light for size.  (Be sure to buy a heat gun.  They can be had cheaply at harbor freight, but for not much more at other places)   You can cut it with everything from an exacto knife to a dremel to a bandsaw. 

[megabyte264]

Thanks for the input. I volunteer building costumes at the local theater, and they have a heat gun. I might be able to borrow it. Any suggestions on where to find Sintra?

[Sep Ho'ban]

You can buy it on Amazon.  I buy mine from a local plastics supplier (cheaper).  Your clan should have a local supplier.  Looks like your in Haaranovor territory, so check out their subforum.  You'd have to drive pretty far to get to my supplier in Dallas. 

[Wolfin Sylvermane]

I know a place in Montgomery that gives really good prices.   That being said I have some 3mm left in stock from the last Montgomery AP.  30"x 48" for 8 bucks.

[megabyte264]

You'd have to drive pretty far to get to my supplier in Dallas. 

Yeah that's a little out of my range. I'm gonna check with my local sign making store first.

I feel like I should probably move this to the armor construction thread. Should I?

[Kris Jasra]

I feel like I should probably move this to the armor construction thread. Should I?

If you're onto starting your armour and want it moving, just report your own thread and in the box just ask the mods to move it to the construction board and they'll sort it.

[megabyte264]

Just stopped by my local sign store and they gave me all I need for free. I would like to get my helmet approved before I start bondoing it. How would I go about doing that?

[Kris Jasra]

I would like to get my helmet approved before I start bondoing it. How would I go about doing that?

Best way to get the undivided attention of the helmet makers - start a thread in here: http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?board=8.0

[megabyte264]

Alright, it's been a while since my last post, so it's time for a status update.

First, I have cut and shaped my armor plates.

So, yay, that's done. Still trying to figure out the flak vest thing.

Next, I have my gauntlets and knee armor.


I'm gonna need to do some more shaping of the gauntlets. I want to do something totally crazy for the weapons on the gauntlets. The left one will have a hidden knife (plastic and blunt) that can pop out with the push of a button hidden in the gloves. The right one will have a pair of blasters that pop out and fire off a few shots before retracting.

Then the main weapons.

I realized just how much modding that nerf gun was gonna need, so I am just gonna leave that out. Instead I made matching pistols. I left out the triggers, is that ok?

I also added some stuff to the side of my helmet.

Still trying to figure out if I like it, so they may be temporary.

[Kris Jasra]

Do make sure before reinforcing the helmet (if you've not already done so) to see if you can get the section below the horizontal eye opening to sit at the same level as the top rim. If they're uneven you'll have lots of trouble getting a visor to sit flush.

[megabyte264]

Thanks for the input. I have been worried about that, but due to the nature of five-gallon bucket material, it bends out quite easily. When I bondo it, I will reinforce it so that the plastic lines up.

As for the flak vest, I have been looking all over for a quilted vest and I cannot find one. But I recently obtained a lot of various fabrics. This is one that I think might be duck cloth, but I don't really know. Input from someone knowledgeable in this area would be very much appreciated.


That being said, does anyone know where to find a decent flak vest pattern?

[Wolfin Sylvermane]

The fabric looks right.   It should be named duck cloth or canvas.   I know Wal-mart, Joannes, and Hobby Lobby keep a small selection of colors. 

There are a couple of good tutorials here on the boards.  I used a pattern from a pull over sweatshirt and modified it fit tighter and have side closure.   

[megabyte264]

Update: Started the bondo process on the helmet.


Started painting the armor plating.


And I created a pair of holsters for my pistols.


Opinions and constructive criticism are welcome.

[Sep Ho'ban]

With bondo -- thinner coats = less overall sanding.  You'll hate yourself a lot less and you may still end up with the same number of coats anway, as you have to sand out all the highs before your next coat. Holsters and plates look like good progress.

[megabyte264]

Indeed. I discovered last night how tedious the sanding is.

On the subject of a flight suit, I have a black turtleneck and a pair of black athletic pants that I think match well. A second opinion would be great.