WIP: Krayt Dragon Armor

[Hondo Karr]

one idea that may work would be after the plates are sanded and formed, put a thin even layer of bondo on the plate, make sure you drill anchor holes!, then press the tabs into the bondo before it sets. that could give a cool scaled effect. i would test it on a piece of scrap first though it case it looks rubbish.

[Orionx42]

Love the idea! I thought about that once... using soda tops that is. I can't wait to see what up come up with. That bondo idea sound like it could be cool. I'd definitely leave them on long enough to coat the plate with some spray paint. Worst case you just paint it again. If you did them like a sort of chain mail I think It could look cool so long as you changed the ones at the bottom that way people might not recognize them. Good luck!

[Li'Wind Tak'mui]

another idea might be to try and cover those pop tops with something and put them on completely cover and it would give the scaled effect. Another way to do it, but would require a lot of bondo or what ever you use. Cover the pop tops in bondo and completely fill them with it and from the bondo around them. This method will take a lot of time and a lot of material but it's an idea. Or another way to do it is, find a picture of a scale and print it out then use some heavy duty card stock and cut a sheb load of them out and it should have the desired effect.  But before you actually make a million of them to completely cover your armor make 3 or 4 of them and lay them out on your armor don't attach them but simply lay them there. Once that is done step away from the project and go have dinner or something. Then come back to it. Think about it for a little bit and do the same with the other methods.

When you do this, it takes your mind of the project and puts it on something else. That way when you get back to it your looking at it with new eyes. Honestly the longer you look at it, the better. I've had to do this with my armor that i have so far. Make the part then set it down and continue to look at it for about a week before deciding that i either want it or not. The longer you hold off it will tell you weather or not you really like the idea. If you still like it a week after you make the sample then i'd say go for it.

[A'den Naas]

I like all those ideas! Work has kept me busy this weekend because I'm going down to an armor party Friday so I haven't had time to work on it at all. I've got some extra bondo that I'm going to use to try out A'den's method first. A guy from the Mississippi Mandos suggested this http://www.plasticlamellar.com/ so I might look into using that for scales.

[Athin Ordo]

A guy from the Mississippi Mandos...

FYI:  I was over here, before I was over there.   

[Rokeim Gekla]

why not just get a small bag of scale mail, and use those as a pattern instead of pop tops ?

[A'den Naas]

Okay so i'm back on my armor and I think I fixed the ab plate. What do you guys think? Is it good or do I just need to redo it? Oh and I ordered a pack of the plates so I'm going to see how that works

[Racin Kyram]

Hi there.  Simple and cheap scales: Craft Foam (from Michael's).  They are easy to cut with scissors into any shape or size.  Hot glue them in place...and then use Plasti-Dip (thinned down) to apply as an over coat.  I'm making Samurai armor in that fashion at the moment.  PM me with your e-mail and I will send you pix.

Ick

[Lucas McCoy]

er...

too much to say 

why do the plates look like they were cut with dull scissors? they're really rough

[E'nam Atreuh]

hmmm... you beat me to it Mccoy

[A'den Naas]

Haha so I guess a recut is in order. Yeah it was my first attempt at anything like this.

[Mar'eyce]

No need to recut or start over. What you need to do is spend some time on smoothing out the edges. You can dremel off the really rough parts and burrs, and sand the rest by hand until it looks good. Building armor takes a lot of patience, but you really do need to take your time.

[A'den Naas]

Hey i know its been a while but i have updates sorta. I cut my shoulder armor out and all I have left to do for the upper body is collar armor. In the pictures I have my template taped on my shirt. Is it the right size or do I need to make it smaller/bigger? Also what is a good way to bend the plastic?

[Solus Kyr]

I know this isnt easy and I hope your persistent...
I hope you dont mind I make a few suggestions?

1. Collar needs to be trimmed down "on the sides" about 1/2-3/4's of an inch.
2. Cut the plates so the edges are sharp and the lines are straight "no jagged edges"
3. "hint" You can modify the plates so they work for your body type. I had to make things narrow.
4. When your modifying plates put your arms straight out in front of you, asses what happens and modify accordingly "does that make sense" You need to be able to move "think tactical."
5. The scaling thing may work but I would go with a good paint job and stay far away from the soda thing. "I like your creative thinking" maybe you could find something else instead.
6. Shaping is done with a heat gun or an oven "I prefer a heat gun" dont forget to use a good pair of gloves.

Stay focused and see the big picture/end result, you will make an outstanding Kit if you work for it that you and everyone will love.

Keep up the good work Vod.

[A'den Naas]

I don't mind at all and I encourage suggestions! Thank you I'm going to start back on it after the holiday. I am going back with my dermal and shape it up. Also I need to attack it with sandpaper. Do you have any hints on bending the plastic?