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[Raestin Ke'Varek]

Ok, finally got some time to start on my armor pieces.  I work for a plumbing supplier, so I have pvc pipe in abundance.     

This is my latest mock-up in mandomaker.  I really like the red/green plates & earth toned soft parts.  It's bound to change once the painting stage gets closer, so I'll update the thread if it changes.


Here's what I started with.  One 10' section of 6" pvc pipe.  I used 6" so that I could get the entire back plate. Plus it was free...so why not right? 


** Unfortunately, I skipped a few steps with my camera.  I downloaded the WOF templates for BF and JF over on TDH.  I can't imagine the work that went into making these templates.  Fortunately he made templates for just about everyone.  I'm kind of short, so I used the 5'6" templates.  Once I finally got the "scale page" printed, it was smooth sailing from there.  I then cut them all out and traced them onto the pvc pipe. 

I used an angle grinder with a 4" diamond blade to make all of the rough cuts, and a dremel cut off wheel for the smaller cuts. You can see that I still have to do the knee pieces.





Here are the pieces after hours of cleaning them up.  I don't have a belt sander, so all of this was done with a dremel sanding drum attachment.  I'm extremely happy with the way they turned out!!  I beveled all of the pieces by hand, but it was worth the time & effort.  I'm thinking of scaling down the thigh and boot pieces, they feel a bit large, I dunno...





That's it so far!!  I'll keep this post updated with pics of the process.

[Havelock]

Looks like a great start.  And I love your colors.

[Bowfanny]

Lol Sintra is PVC Vod plates are looking great. Same ole suggestion that everyone gives applys here unless you're working with someone already is to tape up your patterns and let us see the fit for suggestions on adjustment blah blah blah   
By the by I enjoy your color scheme and look foreword to seeing your progress!

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

I'll definitely post some taped up pics for critiques.  Our clan is supposed to have an armor party soon, so I'm hoping we can get them all sorted out then, if we don't all have heat strokes.....  And you're right about the pvc/sintra thing Vod.  I should have said that I prefer pvc pipe due to the wall thickness, versus the thinner sintra I see here a lot. 

[Bowfanny]

That Sintra is usually the 3mm thick stuff, the 6mm is less often used as it's slightly more difficult to shape but still around the thickness that thick walled PVC pipe is.
I hear you on the heat stroke part as I held an ap in my clan area a couple weeks ago during some of our higher temp weather, and it wasn't very nice.

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

A few updates from this weekend.  Started shaping some pieces.  Let me know what you think.

Here's the chest/ab/collar.  I kind of feel like I may have gotten the scale wrong on the two chest pieces.  I used the correct templates for my height, but I think I should have gone bigger to accommodate my body type... I know I should have posted the paper templates on here to double check the sizing, but unfortunately I forgot all about it, and skipped an important step. Typical noob mistake I guess...   


A few of the other pieced I got shaped.  They all turned out great.  I also got the shoulders, back belt & boots shaped, but I must have forgotten to snap a picture. 




Here's my duct tape dummy.  Helped a lot!

[Bowfanny]

Just a random piece of advice if you want to add some width to your chest plates while simultaneously giving a bit more depth while using them even if they are too small, add a larger layer underneath the plates even if it's just a 1 inch wide strip that only shows 1/2 of an inch along the outside edges it will look like trauma plating(extra protection/heavier duty plates) which are a very nice detail in a kit. However if you do that I'd say to keep the kit looking natural by doing that to each piece in some way!

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

That's a really cool idea!!  I was already thinking of adding some detail layers to the top with some 3mm sintra anyway. Your idea would give me a similar effect, while enlarging my plates at the same time.  Thanks!!   

[Bowfanny]

Oya Vod! It's a simple solution that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing!

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

Trying out some new chest/ab templates.  Seems to be a bit better.  Even with the extra length, the ab plate doesn't reach my belly button though... It's maybe an inch above it. 

Tell me what you guys think?

[Danto]

I think that's looking better, you can give yourself a thumb with between chest and ab plates, might pull it a bit lower. Your vest should be ending about your navel so your plates will probably fit nicely.

[Havelock]

The sizing looks good.  The spacing between the collar and chest is spot on.  The spacing between the chest and abs looks a bit tight.  Good spot, Danto. 

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

Thanks guys!!

[Raestin Ke'Varek]

Small update.  Added some apoxie sculpt to my shins and cod.  I'll be sanding it down smooth tonight.

[Modan Kordo]

Looking sharp, Raestin! I'm impressed with your shaping, especially your backplate! Mine's 3mm Sintra, which is quite soft when heated, and it was a bear to shape!! My brother (Balou34) used 4" PVC pipe, which is slightly thinner than 6" pipe and shaping it was a monstrous job! So, kudos to you, mate!! Yours looks fantastic!

I'll second what Bowfanny says about the trauma plating effect. It looks really sharp and adds a lot of dimensional character. Plus it gives you sturdier edges to gouge and bang up during weathering!

You've definitely got things off to a rocking start. Definitely going to watch your progress with great interest!!