Need tips and tricks for making armor

[Hansolo227]

Hi i've joined recently and i am planning on starting my armor. Does anybody have some tips and tricks for making scratch armor.i would apreciate anything to help me get started,thanks.

Edited February 15, 2017 by Hansolo227

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Hello and welcome, not a lot of guys make armor from scratch it's a lot of work, most purchase ABS plastic kits, lots of info in the Getting Started Section.

 

Those that do make their own in various ways, one is from pepakura files, then you have to coat in resin and bondo, lots can be found on the RPF, here's a helmet build http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=122443

 

Some even sculpt their own plugs and vacform themselves, it's also a very time consuming process and can be costly

Edited February 15, 2017 by gmrhodes13

[tydirium1[TK]]

It can be very very time consuming. You have to ask yourself if you are in for the enjoyment of making the armor and wearing it. Or do you just want to have some armor to wear. If you are looking for the cheaper way to attain armor, then just buy some. By the time you finish building everything you need to form your own armor. You could have bought some for less.<br><br>

However, if you are really into building your own then welcome to the club. I'm currently looking for some detailed dimensions for armor. Trying to do it by looking at pics is a lot of trial and error. Lucky for me I already have the tools necessary for building the molds. Getting them to look exactly like the real thing is not easy.

[Hansolo227]

yeah i have plenty of free time and enjoy making things. Also thanks for the link to the file gmrhodes i'll probably use it

.

Edited February 15, 2017 by Hansolo227

[tkrestonva[TK]]

Nowadays it seems that 3D printing is a popular option. Basically you develop your own set of files using commonly-available modeling software, and go from there.

[Hansolo227]

Yeah but i don't have one or can easily abtain a good one

[Ripper_L[Admin]]

At my home town there is a electronics shop where you can let your stuff be 3d printed. they charge per printing hour. Maybe this is a option? Don't know if there is something similar, where you live.

 

I also recommend to read through some topics of "The Foundry" - it's the FISD section especially created for armor makers. Not buyers.

 

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/65-the-foundry-armor-and-prop-making/

If you really want to do that, the best way is to begin with the vac table. there is a good tutorial on how to build a cheap functioning vac table here:

 

http://mynocksden.com/diy-vacuum-former/tools-for-the-job.html