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[GraniteDad]

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. 

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]

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. 

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 
"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*

[jethroskull]

"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!

[GraniteDad]

"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 

[REX]

Can’t wait to see how you progress with this!

[Kurz]

Love this! Officially canon for my backstory now 

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

[GraniteDad]

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]

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. 
Second, according CRLs

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.

[GraniteDad]

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]

You're headed in the right direction.  That's pretty close to what my first gauntlets were made from: a toilet brush holder.

[GraniteDad]

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]

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.

[GraniteDad]

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]

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.

[GraniteDad]

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.