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[Jark'osa Hauza]

Hello all,

Here is a link to my General Spray Painting step-by-step guide:  http://mandalorianmercs.org/forum/index.php?topic=49837.0


This is my overall WIP for my whole kit, from "start" to finish.  I try to include information & photos of how I do things, so you may be able to use it as a reference/guide (of what to do and what NOT to do lol).  The most recent posts will include the "Current Stage".  The earlier posts, including this one, will be towards the beginning of my build-process.

This post includes my entire hard parts kit after significant modifications (trimming, sanding, applying adhesives, etc.), but is just a starting point for all my tweaking.

Am I safe to go ahead and paint?  Or do I need to do some more sanding/cutting/fitting?

NOTE:  A lot of greeblies are lying loose in the photos because they are cylindrical and difficult to paint, so I plan on painting them separate & then attaching them.  I placed them loosely in their places on the armor for photo purposes though.  I also left out some greeblies on purpose.  No pieces have been painted yet, they were all received this way.  I plan on sanding and priming/painting all the pieces for uniformity.

I placed all my photos for the WIP at this link:  http://photobucket.com/unpaintedarmor if it is easier to see/browse.


Backpiece has been molded to my back.  Could not get the tiny bend at the back of the collar out without destroying the fit.  I tried heatmolding it all different ways, but it won't disappear.  Suggestions welcome, but I am ok with how it is now if it's acceptable.






Ab, chest, and collar have been molded to my body shape.  Middle of Chest Diamond was cut out & removed because I like the look better; any problems with this?  If so, I can add thin plastic behind it, but I really like the look.


Shoulders have been fitted.




Thighs have been fitted.




Shins & knees have been fitted.


Boot armor has been fitted


View of the whole kit.


Inside of Right Gauntlet (hinge on one side, hobby lobby 1/2" magnets on other side).  Retractable blade contains magnets also.


Right Gauntlet with blade out.


Right Gauntlet with blade in.






Bottom of Left Gauntlet (flamethrower lid detached with magnets installed)


Bottom of Left Gauntlet


Left Gauntlet






Knees (right side)


Knees (left side)


Knees


Jetpack


Jetpack & Backpiece

[Jark'osa Hauza]

I custom built the rocket and gas block to the gauntlets.  If anyone is having trouble with these parts, I can lend some tips on how to build them with cheap parts from Lowes and Autozone.  Most the other parts were purchased from guys here on the forum & then modified.

[Ohl'd Vart]

For the best critique, you probably need to post some pics wearing it; even if you don't have a flight/jump suit yet, at least we can get an idea of placement and spacing. If you need to make the body attachments first, you may want to hold off painting it for now....for my part, that looks like a 90% Mando, dude....you need to go ahead and put some paint on that baby! 

Rob

[Kebii'tra Verda]

Agreed. As long as the surface of your pieces is smooth to the touch for the most part, you should be good to paint. Just make sure you get the right kind of paint for your plastic. Krylon for plastic works well (for me, but others will disagree) so I would start with the base coat over all the pieces so you can get a uniform surface color to see about any defects. Don't be too particular about those defects, though, especially since this is a custom. (Canon=anal, imho... )

My question is what dd you use for the vent at the bottom of the jetpack? Is that just a small louver from a hardware store? I'm asking because I'm helping Ka'ra Drali with his jp and I saw those vents at ACE this morning and I was wondering how they would look.

dAVid.

[Byrek Avery]

I like what you did to the Mavericks. But I think they still need some modding in the revolving barrel section.

And could I get that assistance on the wrist rocket? 

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Thanks for the feedback all!  It is appreciated!

For the best critique, you probably need to post some pics wearing it; even if you don't have a flight/jump suit yet, at least we can get an idea of placement and spacing. If you need to make the body attachments first, you may want to hold off painting it for now....

I wish I took photos now when I taped the whole kit to my body a couple months ago.  What a pain it was to line up and tape lol, I will post photos of this before final attachment.  Do you recommend attaching snaps/velcro/bolts prior to painting?  If so, could you explain?

I would start with the base coat over all the pieces so you can get a uniform surface color to see about any defects.

My question is what dd you use for the vent at the bottom of the jetpack?

Unfortunately I don't know what was used for the vent, as I purchased the jetpack second-hand.  I can tell you that it is a homemade jetpack, made mostly of bondo and thin wood support.  I believe the vent is either wood or plastic and approximately 2" in diameter.  Hope this helps a little bit.

I like what you did to the Mavericks. But I think they still need some modding in the revolving barrel section.

And could I get that assistance on the wrist rocket? 

I'm glad someone else likes them, lol, I was wondering about those.  I put as much or more time into those than the gauntlets.  I'm like you - I want to do something to the revolving cylinder, but I can't put my finger on it.  I thought about drilling holes or cutting holes.  On the other hand, I've thought about painting a unique pattern on them.  Do you have any suggestions here?

The rest of this post refers to the rocket:
I used a 1" diameter for the main portion, and an overall length of about 8".  Here is a list of the parts I used:

Main body:  2x Clutch Pilot Tools cut & epoxied (I THINK this is the right part #) http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Motormite-Clutch-Pilot-Alignment-Tool/_/N-9xy4z?itemIdentifier=726315_0_0_

I sanded down various 1/2" to 1" PVC pipe fittings for the spacers and rings.  I don't recall exact parts, as I purchased one of each unique fitting (couplers, end-caps, adapters, etc.).  Mostly purchased between 1/2" and 3/4" fittings though.

For the large cone, I sanded down a Pull chain for a ceiling fan from Home Depot:  http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Fans-Ceiling-Fan-Accessories-Pulls-Pull-Chains/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbvn1/R-203077862/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051  The angle was too difficult to drill holes in, so I cut slits instead.

For the small cone, I used a 1/2" x 1/2" (at widest points) bronze nozzle that I found in Lowes' Plumbing section (with the small plastic tubing & clamps).  I used parts from this section of the store for attaching my Right gauntlet's tubes also.

The orange plastic inside that cone was cut from some spare plastic lying around. I had to place something here because the the nozzle mentioned above was too wide open.  Wood dowel would have worked.

The tip was a spare steel pin, which I had cut off of a heatsink. A thick paperclip or sturdy metal could probably be used. Make sure it isn't sharp.

The opposite end of the rocket was some PVC fittings glued side by side.  On the end is the skinny portion of the Clutch Alignment/Pilot Tool, with a PVC fitting cut to slide over it.

Don't rush when sanding or gluing, or it could end up crooked.  The pilot tool doesn't adhere well to regular clear epoxy; I found this out the hard way when I took the Exacto knife to the splines.  It does fine if you cake it on there, but the splines are tough.  I'd recommend trying the Plastix epoxy.  I used the clear one because it runs and fills cracks better, so I thought it'd be easier clean-up on the splines.

[Hagen Nor'ak]

On the retractable blade, are you planning on putting in some kind of lever to assist with deploying the blade? Or are you just going to pull it by the tip? Either way, I'd say your kits looking good.

Only thing I'd recomend at this point if make sure you clean off your plates and gaunts with some mild dish soap and water. Then let air dry before you start to paint. It will clean off any of the dust and what not from cutting and assembling then, so you don't have any issues when you start painting.

Have a good one,
Hagen

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Following up on the Maverick barrel modification:  I think I'll just paint it differently.  Since I'm installing a motor in it (that I have tested on the cylinder), I'm afraid any holes may cause unwanted noise.  I'll look at it closer still.

On the retractable blade, are you planning on putting in some kind of lever to assist with deploying the blade? Or are you just going to pull it by the tip?

Only thing I'd recomend at this point if make sure you clean off your plates and gaunts with some mild dish soap and water.

Thanks for the tip & feedback, Hagen!  I'll go over it all again with some 200-ish grit sandpaper to ensure everything is smooth, then follow-up with some soap/water & a good air dry.

Right now, the retractable blade is just moved by the blade.  The lever is a great idea; I didn't even think about that b/c I was so excited to get it to fit & working with the magnets lol.  Can't think of too many ways to implement a lever without a spring.  I could attach a rod perpendicular to the blade so I can slide it by the rod instead of the blade itself.  Not sure if it'd add "TOO MUCH" to the gauntlet, as it's getting close to it's max loadout IMHO.

[Kel Toi]

Looking good mate, cant say more than the others have though. Up to you which attachment method you use, but i rekon Velcro is easiest to do. Industrial adhesive hook side for the plates and normal sew on fuzzy side for the vest etc.

[Jark'osa Hauza]

Looking good mate, cant say more than the others have though. Up to you which attachment method you use, but i rekon Velcro is easiest to do. Industrial adhesive hook side for the plates and normal sew on fuzzy side for the vest etc.

Thanks, Kel!  I'm currently undecided on velcro, snaps, or nut & bolt.  I notice some people prefer snaps & bolts because it makes less noise.  Do you use Velcro?  If so, what armor pieces make the most noise?

[Kel Toi]

All of my armour is attached by velcro mate, apart from the chest plates which are rivetted on. Ive never noticed any noise from them bud

[Hagen Nor'ak]

I could attach a rod perpendicular to the blade so I can slide it by the rod instead of the blade itself.  Not sure if it'd add "TOO MUCH" to the gauntlet, as it's getting close to it's max loadout IMHO.

Yeah a lever wouldn't be a good idea, but you mentioned what my intent was. I'd make a slit in the side of the gaunt right in the  midle of the flat panel right below the orange tube you have there. Use a small pin that would connect into the end of the blade like the ones one would use for the warhammer or 40K models. The what ever greebie you wanted to hide the pin (like a switch lever ). Then you wouldn't have to worry about some little one (or someone with the mentality of a little one) grabbing and running off with your blade.

Anyways like I said your well on your way and I need to stop posting when I'm half asleep from work last night

Have a good one,
Hagen

[Ni'ka]

Looks good so far! I agree with everyone about putting the plates back on so we can give you advice on the spacing.

Replaced internals with LED, sound, & motor.

I think you need to give a light show so we can see what it looks like 

[Jark'osa Hauza]

I think you need to give a light show so we can see what it looks like 

Lol, I failed to mention that I haven't hardwired it yet, just got it working on a breadboard.    I'll post a video up when I hardwire it all, but it is very cool!

I am using red Luxeon Star LEDs (like the lightsabers).  It shines across the room like a bright flashlight, lol!

[Ni'ka]

nice! looking forward to seeing it when you have it hardwired!