Don't like ads? Help support the Mercs by becoming a Supporter or Auxiliary Member today! (You will need to be logged into the store)
Official Members also get to use the forum ad-free - so kit up and join us!

 The courier - WIP first build

  • 38 Replies
  • 7050 Views

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
The courier - WIP first build
« on: May 26, 2020, 11:21 AM »
Howdy folks! I'm making my first set for myself- made two for my girls a few years ago, but time to go for OM. The idea is that this mando is a courier, delivering messages where others won't go. Kinda silly in a universe with galaxy-spanning communications systems, but humor me.  :laugh:

From my concept post- postman blue for the flightsuit, navy blue for the flak vest, then army or hunter green for the armor. Unsure right now on the accent color to use- either a brown, other green, or some wilder color. It'll definitely be matte/flat for the armor vs a gloss finish. The lighter color on the soft parts will definitely make weathering more fun- I definitely want this kit to look lived in vs pristine.

I've decided (for now) to do a loincloth instead of codpiece. I've got a PM out for a helmet, and I've started some work on the armor.

For knees, I'm going to try Bearded Mando's amazing coffee can trick. We'll see how it goes. http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=164442.0

For vambraces I'm going to try something and hopefully it'll work. I was at Joann fabrics the other day and saw these cemetery flower holders.


I scraped out the weird stuff in the middle, cut off the bottom 2" and they look OK.



They do cover more than 2/3 of my forearm so we're good there.


They'll need some stuff on top to look more like functional bracers vs armor, and I may need to cut them down a bit more. But it's a start!

I was thinking of building some sort of rifle, but then realized I had 2 sets of Westar 34s from a few years ago, so felt I needed to work with what I'd already paid for. Rifle coming later, but for now I'm working on how to build a holster out of some leather mag pouches I picked up.


Kurz


    *
  • *
  • *
  • 706
  • Awards Donated during Quarter 4 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 3 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 2 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 1 of 2023.
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2020, 06:15 PM »
Howdy folks! I'm making my first set for myself- made two for my girls a few years ago, but time to go for OM. The idea is that this mando is a courier, delivering messages where others won't go. Kinda silly in a universe with galaxy-spanning communications systems, but humor me.  :laugh:
Well, it's not even that silly if you think about it. In one episode of "Rebels", comms are shut down and the empire uses droids to deliver messages. You might go on a wild planet with no comm infrastructure, or you can deliver death  :laugh:
"the Hutts send their regards". A hitman, code name "the courier".

"They sent a mandalorian to deliver a message, it must be important"
"It is."
*blast*

« Last Edit: May 26, 2020, 06:19 PM by Kurz » Logged
OM #2524
Cabur Akaata (Protector Battalion) #133
Oribru Akaata (Emergency Battalion) #31
M.V.S. #89
L.O.B. #66

jethroskull


    *
  • *
  • 1181
  • Haat Gai
  • Awards Donated during Quarter 4 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 3 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 2 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 1 of 2023.
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2020, 06:32 PM »
"the Hutts send their regards". A hitman, code name "the courier".

"They sent a mandalorian to deliver a message, it must be important"
"It is."
*blast*
Yesss!

Logged

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2020, 06:42 PM »
"the Hutts send their regards". A hitman, code name "the courier".

"They sent a mandalorian to deliver a message, it must be important"
"It is."
*blast*

Love this! Officially canon for my backstory now  :laugh:

REX

Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2020, 07:33 PM »
Can’t wait to see how you progress with this!

Logged
“No, you move.”

Kurz


    *
  • *
  • *
  • 706
  • Awards Donated during Quarter 4 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 3 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 2 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 1 of 2023.
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2020, 05:09 PM »
Love this! Officially canon for my backstory now  :laugh:

Glad you liked it  :laugh: i think a good back story is as important as a good kit  :laugh:

Logged
OM #2524
Cabur Akaata (Protector Battalion) #133
Oribru Akaata (Emergency Battalion) #31
M.V.S. #89
L.O.B. #66

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2020, 06:24 PM »
Looking for feedback on if these vambraces look long enough. Measurement wise I think they work, but I don't want to spend a bunch of time working these, only for them to not meet specs.

under view


top view

Kurz


    *
  • *
  • *
  • 706
  • Awards Donated during Quarter 4 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 3 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 2 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 1 of 2023.
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2020, 06:40 PM »
I'm no app team nor OM, so take what I'm saying just as a personal opinion. Staff members are much more qualified to answer.
First of all, awesome find. I like how they end, it's very peculiar.  :like:
Second, according CRLs
Quote
Full or half/bracer-style hard shell gauntlets that cover at least 2/3 of the length of the forearm from wrist to elbow and at least half of the circumference.
I didn't do the math, but I guess that's more like 1/2 than 2/3 maybe? Not 100% sure.
If I'm right that's an easy fix though. Just glue pipe with a slightly larger diameter on top of the wrist portion or form some sintra and glue it on top.

« Last Edit: May 30, 2020, 06:44 PM by Kurz » Logged
OM #2524
Cabur Akaata (Protector Battalion) #133
Oribru Akaata (Emergency Battalion) #31
M.V.S. #89
L.O.B. #66

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2020, 07:21 PM »
I didn't do the math, but I guess that's more like 1/2 than 2/3 maybe? Not 100% sure.
If I'm right that's an easy fix though. Just glue pipe with a slightly larger diameter on top of the wrist portion or form some sintra and glue it on top.

I think you're right - I've been measuring the % based on the inside crook of my elbow, but in re-reading I think the intent might be to the true elbow itself- like where the bones connect. It's fairly snug at the wrist, so I might not be able to add anything there. But I'll play around with it and see what I can figure out.

EDITED TO ADD:
I think I figured out an elegant solution! If I stack them, I still get the flared bit at the end that I like, and it creates a cool effect. I'll have to go get 2 more, but I think this could work.


Then, to stack some greeblies and make this sucker operational! (just some ideas, nothing certain yet).

Straka Zulu


    *
  • *
  • *
  • 7589
  • Ke nu'chayaiki ni, gar kar'tayli ner bora...
  • Awards Hard Contact - Clan with the most recorded invasions Awarded to individuals with at least 40 hours recorded of Invasion service in a 6 or more Education Points in a single year. Award for 25 official invasions. 11+ Invasion Report Appearances
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2020, 11:28 AM »
You're headed in the right direction.  That's pretty close to what my first gauntlets were made from: a toilet brush holder.

Logged
MMCC # 1126, W.B. #000 (founder), MAJIC #152, M5SP #19, L.O.B. #5, S.O.S. #007, MIB #13, QMU Support #44, Draluram #006

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #10 on: Jun 06, 2020, 11:48 AM »
OK, cut out templates, and taped them on. Can I get some thoughts on size overall? I feel like the collar might be too wide- maybe cut some out of the middle? But the tape square on my left shoulder is 2" and that seems roughly aligned with where the shoulder bells should start.



The painters tape is 1" wide, so this is roughly aligned with where I'd place them, but want to get confirmation on size before I do cardboard versions for better placement. I don't have my flak vest yet, so can't really finalize final placement.

The + sign of tape is on my bellybutton. The armor is not all sideways, my daughter is just not the world's greatest photographer.









Kurz


    *
  • *
  • *
  • 706
  • Awards Donated during Quarter 4 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 3 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 2 of 2023. Donated during Quarter 1 of 2023.
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #11 on: Jun 06, 2020, 01:51 PM »
I'm no app team, but i'd say everything looks a bit on the large side. Also I think I see a little misplacement on the collar patterns.

Don't know if I was able to explain myself. Those two corners should overlap i guess.
This way the collar should be less side, but I'd go with spalle templates anyway.

« Last Edit: Jun 06, 2020, 01:54 PM by Kurz » Logged
OM #2524
Cabur Akaata (Protector Battalion) #133
Oribru Akaata (Emergency Battalion) #31
M.V.S. #89
L.O.B. #66

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #12 on: Jun 06, 2020, 01:55 PM »
I'm no app team, but i'd say everything looks a bit on the large side. Also I think I see a little misplacement on the collar patterns.

Don't know if I was able to explain myself. The "underlined" part should be overlapping the same portion on the right.
This way the collar should be less side, but I'd go with spalle templates anyway.

OK, that makes a ton of sense, that explains why the collar felt so wide on me. I can fix that easily.

I can see what you mean about the overall size. I think I'm just so scared of cutting all the plates and having them be too small and having to start over. But if I try smaller for the cardboard cutout, that should help me determine.

Thanks again!

Kurshi BeJahaal


    *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • 4844
  • I don't roll on Shabbos. ב"ה
  • Awards Donated during Quarter 4 of 2023. Celebration Anaheim 2022 6 or more Education Points in a single year. Order of the Ori'Ramikad Special Operations Brigade Member
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #13 on: Jun 18, 2020, 11:54 PM »
Okay! Found this thread and commenting to watch your build!

I'll agree that everything looks a touch on the big side. But bigger is always better than smaller. You can always trim to get it where you need it. :)

Logged

MMCC #1484¦¦64 Career Invasions¦¦Rancor Clan
Helmet Scratch Build||Beskar||Privateer||Protector

GraniteDad


    *
  • 231
  • Choruk Buir
Re: The courier - WIP first build
« Reply #14 on: Jun 19, 2020, 03:51 PM »
I tried the smaller templates and I really think this is the right fit. Do folks agree that these look sized OK? Again, the spacing isn't perfect, but the painters tape is 1" wide, so I feel like it's generally solid.






 


Don't like ads? Help support the Mercs by becoming a Supporter or Auxiliary Member today! (You will need to be logged into the store)
Official Members also get to use the forum ad-free - so kit up and join us!




Powered by EzPortal