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[SamuelFett]

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to say I've made progress...I think...I hope.  So, no more waiting.  Here they are.





Okay, after putting it together, observing it as a prop, and observing myself wearing it, here is the following:

What I like

• This is the first scratch build armor I've attempted, and I think I did good for a first time.
• I made numerous cuts and edging to make the templates as even as possible; the perfectionist in me.
• While I'm sure there are things wrong with it, I think the back came out better than I thought.

Now, unfortunately, what I don't like

• The front appears...well...not good.  The chest appears to be too big, and the abs too short.  Disappointing.
• While I like it, the back was...forgive my stressing...ABSOLUTELY ANNOYING!  In fact, I may just wear an open front vest for the sole reason of not having to wear back armor.  Last time I check, as long as an open vest/cape covered the entire back, that was acceptable

At any rate, what do y'all like/don't like?  What is good/needs fixing?

Before I forget, two things:

1) Thank you Bowfanny, as I've tried to follow your thread as a guide.
2) Thank you Ohld Vart for the templates.
3) To Zerxus Dral, I do plan on going to July's armor party, so I can def learn more there [/list][/list]

[Straka Zulu]

You could go that route, hiding the back under a cloak or long coat.  Had to do that with mine, but I still have a back plate, hideous as it may be.

[Bowfanny]

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to say I've made progress...I think...I hope.  So, no more waiting.  Here they are.





Okay, after putting it together, observing it as a prop, and observing myself wearing it, here is the following:

What I like

• This is the first scratch build armor I've attempted, and I think I did good for a first time.
• I made numerous cuts and edging to make the templates as even as possible; the perfectionist in me.
• While I'm sure there are things wrong with it, I think the back came out better than I thought.

Now, unfortunately, what I don't like

• The front appears...well...not good.  The chest appears to be too big, and the abs too short.  Disappointing.
• While I like it, the back was...forgive my stressing...ABSOLUTELY ANNOYING!  In fact, I may just wear an open front vest for the sole reason of not having to wear back armor.  Last time I check, as long as an open vest/cape covered the entire back, that was acceptable

At any rate, what do y'all like/don't like?  What is good/needs fixing?

Before I forget, two things:

1) Thank you Bowfanny, as I've tried to follow your thread as a guide.
2) Thank you Ohld Vart for the templates.
3) To Zerxus Dral, I do plan on going to July's armor party, so I can def learn more there [/list][/list]

Oya Vod,
You can probably trim the chest plate down on the edge and still be fine; however, I would heat form the plates before I trimmed so that you know where you need to trim and where you need to attach your straps,  also your length looks like it's hitting in the right spot right near your belly button but if you're not happy you can always add in another plate at the bottom. Just remember that you'll still have belts and things that go around your waist so too many plates can get restrictive. The backplate looks fine and all just needs that shape so it fits you like it should.
If these are just your templates then I'd say trim down the chest plate so that the edges line up with your collar plate and make that armor distinctly your own as modifications to standard patterns are often very nice. I'll be updating my strapping thread with more photos and things in hopes it makes it easier to understand in the future you're doing great and keep at it!

[Ohl'd Vart]

Looking good so far, Mike....like Bowfanny said, these patterns pretty much have to be customized to every user, as everyone has a different body shape and/or style, and unfortunately, "one size does not fit all", lol.

Making your templates from poster board first is always a good idea, so you can trim them to the correct size. For instance, you can always take a strip off down the center of the breastplate (where the diamond goes) to narrow it up a bit, if you don't want to trim the edges. Also, keep in mid you will be shaping those plates to a certain degree, so they will not be maintaining a "flat" look...they need to fit your chest/pecs a little, anyway.

The backplate is a matter of taste; I've seen them large to cover the back completely, and I've seen them small, just to cover the spine...personally, I use a cape and not a backplate, so I haven't had to deal with it. 

Keep up the good work! 

Rob

[SamuelFett]

Just a quick update and question.

Update: Trimmed the templates a bit, and I think they're going to be good. I haven't really gotten to work on anything else because I got a small case of the flu. I can put some work in next week.

Question: Whenever I look up PVC Sintra, it only appears on certain websites I can only order online from. But, whenever I look up PVC foam, it shows that Home Depot has it.  Please tell me PVC foam = PVC Sintra.

[Demor Kodiko]

I'm not sure if it is the same. Try searching Expanded cell PVC.

[Bowfanny]

Sintra is expanded Foam Board. Suntra is a brand name, it's also called Foamex or simply expanded Foam Board. You can also find it at sign shops.

[SamuelFett]

Thank you! 

[Zerxus Dral]

You do not want the foam cored PVC though Because it won't heat up evenly and will distort as you try and shape it. I highly reccomend buying it from a local sign shop,if you don't want to buy a whole sheet, ask them for expanded PVC. Most shops will sell you their scraps of you tell them it's for a costume.

[SamuelFett]

Hola mi amigos!  Switching up the greeting style today    I have a few updates and a few questions, so let's get started:

1) Legacy Armor update.  Went to Krango Seragon's armor party this weekend, and he helped a lot!  Here's what got accomplished:



    Now what I have to do next is strap the armor pieces together.  I've been told Nylon strapping, e6000 glue, and velcro will get the job done, so I'll give that a shot.  After I do that, I plan on making templates for shoulders, knees, and boots (no shin armor, not a fan really).

2) Color scheme update.  It's official that Prussia Blue is the primiary color with a red visor, but I'm torn between a secondary color scheme.  Silver or black?  I'm leaning towards silver, so long as I could find a good silver color/primer.



3) This is a forum question.  I've seen others update the title in their original forum post, but every time I try, it does not work.  Anyone know how?

4) Because of my house circumstance, I really can't do a whole lot of strapping, painting, etc.  Does anyone know of a place in Gwinnett where you can just take stuff to a public workshop (or something similar) and just do work there?

[Bowfanny]

Hola mi amigos!  Switching up the greeting style today    I have a few updates and a few questions, so let's get started:

1) Legacy Armor update.  Went to Krango Seragon's armor party this weekend, and he helped a lot!  Here's what got accomplished:



    Now what I have to do next is strap the armor pieces together.  I've been told Nylon strapping, e6000 glue, and velcro will get the job done, so I'll give that a shot.  After I do that, I plan on making templates for shoulders, knees, and boots (no shin armor, not a fan really).

2) Color scheme update.  It's official that Prussia Blue is the primiary color with a red visor, but I'm torn between a secondary color scheme.  Silver or black?  I'm leaning towards silver, so long as I could find a good silver color/primer.



3) This is a forum question.  I've seen others update the title in their original forum post, but every time I try, it does not work.  Anyone know how?

4) Because of my house circumstance, I really can't do a whole lot of strapping, painting, etc.  Does anyone know of a place in Gwinnett where you can just take stuff to a public workshop (or something similar) and just do work there?

Firstly I dig the silver on blue but battle damaged black showing silver is smexy too.
The forum title can be updated by modifying the first post and simply changing the subject line to reflect the update.
I'm not privy to the location you're in but I personally use nylon strapping and parachute buckles for my kit to make it fit snug. I've even got a "how I strap my armor" thread to see how I do mine.