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[Vercopaanir]

You can have segmented, a solid piece, or pieces that are separated (just make sure the spacing is the same as your front plates). Totally up to you!

Thanks!

Update:

I started my adventures into heat forming my pieces.  Shoulders, collar and hand plates all went well...then I reached the chest piece...going to have to try again with that one.

[Kryamla Redalur]

Chest plates can be tricky! I’d recommended asking a friend you trust to help an extra pair of hands will definitely help!

[Vercopaanir]

Chest plates can be tricky! I’d recommended asking a friend you trust to help an extra pair of hands will definitely help!

Thanks, I may end up having my sister help me. 

I got some work done over the weekend on my war skirt...armored kama and soft cod 



The armor pieces still need sanding and a bit of heat forming.


I haven't decided on attchment either.  Since this will take a bit of abuse, sitting down etc..., I would like to make the pieces 'replaceable'.  I was originally thinking magnets, I am just afraid that I might lose one that way as well.  Looking for suggestions about do's and don'ts here.  What works for you guys and what hasn't?

[Ajoliveira]

Hi Vercopaanir, how are you doing?

I haven't decided on attchment either.  Since this will take a bit of abuse, sitting down etc..., I would like to make the pieces 'replaceable'.  I was originally thinking magnets, I am just afraid that I might lose one that way as well.  Looking for suggestions about do's and don'ts here.  What works for you guys and what hasn't?

Well, humbly IMO, you have several options to consider: industrial velcro, magnets, snaps, etc. Althgough I don't have a armored kama, I do use snaps and industrial velcro and didn't ever had any prob in 3y... so far 

Have a nice day, regards,

AJ

[Kryamla Redalur]

The armored loin cloth and kama is looking really neat! (I should have been more clear earlier to just make sure that they remain separate pieces, not an actual skirt)

[Vercopaanir]

Hi Vercopaanir, how are you doing?

Well, humbly IMO, you have several options to consider: industrial velcro, magnets, snaps, etc. Althgough I don't have a armored kama, I do use snaps and industrial velcro and didn't ever had any prob in 3y... so far 

Have a nice day, regards,

AJ

Thanks AJ!  I am doing well thanks for asking.
I am thinking that I might do a combo of Velcro and chicago screws  just to see which one I like better.  I am not sold on the whole snaps idea as I've messed with snaps before with success but not with pleasure (aka I hated adding them to anything). 

And no worries Kryamla Redalur I understood what you meant by armored karma and loin cloth as being two separate items.  I also really appreciate your prompt feed back on my WIP.
 

The armored loin cloth and kama is looking really neat! (I should have been more clear earlier to just make sure that they remain separate pieces, not an actual skirt)

Update:
I have gotten most of the armor pieces sanded down, there's just a few left to go.

[Kryamla Redalur]

That’s looking really fantastic can’t wait to see it all together!

[Vercopaanir]

So I have nearly finished my armored kama and soft cod.  A few photos of my progress.





I have also purchased my first few cans of paint...now to learn how to weather.

[Awall]

Happy weathering!  I love this part of it... your creating back story here.  One thing I thought about while weathering... random... random... random.... and embrace your mistakes and make them damage.  Not all your damage will be the same size and form 45 degree angles.  Looking forward to your weathering posts! 

[Vercopaanir]

Thanks Awall you gave me something to think about....what is my story?  Just discovered the writers bloc...completely enthralled with the tales of Mando awesomeness.

Update:
SO I finally worked up the courage to try again with the chest piece...couldn't bribe any one to help me but I am much more pleased with the results this time.




Please ignore the popping off collar the tape came loose as I was taking the photos and my photographer had already left before I looked at them so I couldn't take more by myself.  Just asking for a check on the fit of the chest piece and the ab plate.. I think I may need to slim down the top part of the chest plate ...its a little big when I put my arms up and forward.

So input on fit and sizing would be great at this point.  I want it formed and sized properly before I even put on one layer of paint.

Speaking of paint, I have begun experimenting on some scraps that I had left over from cutting out my kama plates.




Testing the two different attachment possibilities I decided I would try...leaning toward velcro at this point.

I also did some heat forming on my kama and soft cod plates...when the weather cooperates I start painting them with primer.

[Slade Kel]

Nifty looking design there, overall and good execution so far! I really like that armored kama/loin combo you have going on there.

[Vercopaanir]

Thanks Slade Kel for the encouragement.


The weather was so nice when I got home today that I just had to get at least one layer of paint in.  So...first layer of primer and sanding done!




I made sure to take a bunch of pictures at this stage cuz this is where I learn the natural high points of my armor that I will use to help direct some of my weathering.

I also did a little more experimenting with weathering and colors on my scrap bits...thinking I like the effect so far.

[Ohl'd Vart]

That's some seriously awesome work!

Rob

[Vercopaanir]

That's some seriously awesome work!

Rob

Thanks Rob

Today I got a my second coat of primer, sanding and third coat of primer on my pieces.  I also did a little detail work on the shoulders and attached the layers to both the shoulders and the hand armor bits.





Going to learn how to use bondo next to fill in some of the gaps and smooth it out a touch.

[Slade Kel]

You're certainly not wasting any time! Bondo is a lot easier than it might seem at first. The best advice I can give is make small amounts at a time (it hardens quick, especially if you accidentally overdo it with the hardening cream) and put thin layers at a time. There's nothing worse than putting too much on and spending hours sanding.