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[Catika]

I've been lurking for 6 years. I guess it's time to build.

My MandoMaker design:


A few things: I have white paint and I also bought an off-white/cream (Krylon's Almond) to try and layer with so it's not so stark-y white. I definitely want a half-cape but I'm not 100% sure on the color yet until I see the other pieces. I want a scarf as well. I may end up nixing the cape to do a loooong scarf. NOT SURE YET

Priming up my Rubies helmet:


I have 6mm sintra on order, so I know this is for real now. My plan is to have it finished by mid-August for a convention.

My sad and short list of things:
Helmet: Rubies helmet, T-visor.com visor on order
Armor: 6mm sintra, mostly cut, mostly shaped
Vest: Duck cloth, done!
Flight suit: Done!
Boots: Done! (Thx Goodwill).
Other soft parts: Grey army belt and a handful of pouches ... so far. And a gold tactical scarf.

My next question is! I was thinking about being a medic. I'm in the medical field and this just sounds like fun! Am I able to submit an application for general Mando Merc acceptance, then apply to be a Medic at a later time? I'm asking because I feel like I'm on a time crunch and I'm not sure I can gather all the Medic reqs before August!

And the thing on my mind right now is: what method to shape my plates with, and how to attach them. I'm female but not incredibly well-endowed so I'd like to go with a more gentle curve for the chest plates. Can I stick the sintra in the oven and mold it from there? Will I need a heat gun?

I've heard of making a duck tape mold of the torso to help shape. Or maybe I'm mixing up my tutorials. I've been on this site all day you guys. 

[Jorad Werde]

Short Sleeve solution: get a second pair of scrub pants, cut off the legs and sew the legs into the short sleeves. 

You have to apply to the general MMCC before applying for the Brigades (which is where the Medic Specilization goes) so to answer your question; yes.  It's what is recomended actually.

Best way to shape your plates is a heat gun and a few friends.  As for attachment, there are a few different methods.  I prefer Velcro (especially for first time costumers) since it allows for adjustment, sew velcro onto your soft parts and then stick velcro to the back of the plates.  The next most common method is Chicago screws (also called post screws) and/or rivets; drill holes in your plates and then punch holes in your soft parts, using either rivets or Chicago screws attach plates to soft parts.  Finally there are magnets, but that's the most expensive and work intensive of the methods.  Glue magnets to your plates, glue magnets to your soft parts...and attach. 

And there is a way to make a duck tape dummy to help with shaping.  You take an old t-shirt and a few rolls of duck tape and have some friends wrap you in it until the tape is thick enough to hold it's own shape. then cut up the back, take it off, stuff it with filler material (old cloths, actual stuffing, scrap fabric, ect) and wallah.
 

[Catika]

AWESOME. Thank you! This is so helpful. I will look into getting a heat gun then. My husband has elected to cut out the pieces with a utility knife, and if he regrets that decision, then I'm going for a hot knife.

And that totally makes sense for the Brigade process--general acceptance first, specialization later.

I'm glad I thought to pick up duck tape today!

[Carid Vhett]

The utility knife is a great method, takes time but it is worth it.

Like the design.

[Lilura Amas]

Hi Cat! As a femmando I wanted to chime in on your build. I love your design, the white plates on dark soft parts is going to look awesome. I actually cut apart a torso mannequin for my chest plates and then used sintra for my other plates. If you are going for subtle curve what I recommend is using a large can..bondo cans are great...and taking a heat gun and laying the sintra over the can and carefully heating it with a heat gun to get the basic curve shape then have a friend help mold it to you.

One other method for plate attachment I didnt see mentioned is snaps. They work well and are not as labor intensive as some of the other methods. I used a combo of velcro and snaps.

Soft parts I like the idea of your vest, just keep in mind that it will get HOT...faux leather doesnt breathe at all.

Boots once you get that far a great site and where I got mine was amieclubwear.com. just keep in mind chunky herls are ok..sthilletos are not. When in doubt always ask either your Ruusalor or an App team member.

Good luck and have fun with it!

[Rylan Mar'kra]

I used a dremel tool to cut out the plates.  For the initial shaping, I heated in the oven.  Turned the oven to 200, put the plate in while preheating.  When oven dinged at temp, plate was good to shape.  A heat gun is great for shaping more specific areas (like a corner).  I also used Chicago rivets that I purchased from Tandy leather.  There's one on the west side of Indy.  Depending on your vest material (I used duck cloth), I supported my hole punch with a rubber washer from Lowes to prevent tearing.  Shouldn't be necessary if you're using leather. Good luck!!

[Carid Vhett]

Watch this.

[Fettski]

For 6mm Sintra, I personally use my Jigsaw.  It works extremely well.  Using a utility knife can slip and if you are lucky, can simply scratch your part and add weathering and at the worst,  cut you and cause nerve damage.  I would also avoid putting plastics in my oven, if you forget about it and it melts onto the elements it can cause a big mess and ruin the taste of food for awhile and possibly contaminate foods with chemicals that are not safe.  If you want to use Chicgao screws also known as binding posts, Mcmaster carr is a good source.  I reinforce my vest with eyelets or grommets to prevent tearing.  Washers on the inside of the vest can help as well. 
That video that Carid posted has some great info in it.  I do not recommend using tape to mount plates.

[Catika]

All so helpful!!

I told my husband about cutting himself with the knife... even though he's an Eagle Scout we may go the hot knife or dremel route.

Lilura, why do you tempt me with such cute shoes?! I found a pair, and of course there's a limited time sale going on... Gah!! I will look nearby tomorrow and decide if I want to order. I have no use for stilettos, luckily, because I'd just fall over or ask to be carried everywhere.   

I think I may be in for getting a heat gun too because the place we rent has a vintage, half-sized Chambers stove that I'm a little scared may heat the plastic all funky.

I will look into rivets too... although I've nixed using my old faux leather jacket. 1) it had a fake sweatshirt lining that would make it even HOTTER, and 2) I still kind of like the jacket. But yesterday I was ready to destroy things I love. FOR MANDA 

Okay, I will cut the chatter and get to work tomorrow so I will actually have progress to show! (And watch the 55min informative video that looks amazing.)

[Carid Vhett]

When our Mand'alor talks, with the PO officer about armour, all should listen.

[darthmayhem]

youve already gotten alot of awesome pointers here. i would only add welcome to the building process, and i too am a medic so further questions or possibly needed gear i may be able to assist.

[Catika]

I watched the video! So many good tips. Maybe I can shape all of my pieces in 45 minutes? Haha jk.

I bought a heat gun, rotary tool, safety glasses (!!), and sandpaper today at... Harbor Freight! That place was the best.

I tapered the legs of my scrubs because they were soooo baggy I looked like I was in a music video from the 90s. They look so much better now! I have my second pair to make long sleeves out of, but I think I'm done sewing for now.


Sorry for the dorky weird picture, but we're all friends here, right?

My helmet now has blue paint on the visor, ears, and antenna!


"Violent, you're turning VIOLET!" idk

A question I found today: What kind of velcro would you guys recommend for attachment? There's iron-on (which I guess wouldn't work for the plates), industrial strength (which said "don't use on plastics" but I don't always follow the rules), and I think some sort of generic stickyback regular kind.

Oh, yeah.. MY SINTRA ARRIVES TOMORROW! 

[YourMaster]

I hear most people use industrial strength when they use velcro. I just used some stuff bought from local fabric store didnt sya industrial or anything and it works great. Make sure u use extra glue if u use the stuff that has its own sticky on the back. An make sure you use non sticky back stuff for the peace on your flack vest it will screw up the needle on any sowing machine if it sticky backed.

[darthmayhem]

yea depends how you wanna do it i hand sew sticky back, it ruins the needle but extra hold to the industrial velcro. i like pop rivets myself. but that looks like a great start on everything. you painted your visor?

[Natan Vizsla]

I have sew-on fuzzy velcro glued onto my flak with E6000 (found in Walmart's craft aisle and numerous other places I'm sure). I use industrial strength scratchy velcro on my plates.

I'm pretty sure she hasn't cut out the visor area yet or that looks like tape over it.