My First Beskar'gam - WIP - Approved! 10/1/2012

[Battlerager]

Hmm, I need to check the visor out then - to make sure.  Indoors it is very dark, you really can't see any details - might have been the way the sun was hitting it?  Regardless I can darken it for approval   (Thanks for the tip!)

Can't work on this armor for about another week, but it's giving me time to come up with some more ideas...

[A'den Kote]

Epic kit vod! Looking forward to seeing it all done!

[Battlerager]

Okay, back from vacation...which ended up being more of a "help clean up the house and move stuff", than an actual vacation.  But we all <3 family!

Here's the next part of my project, I may start a separate thread once it nears completion in the gauntlet forum - I've finally decided what to do with my gauntlets, I'm going with some sort of medic build.



These are the bare parts, with limited work done to them, but I'm going to fill the cylinder with some dyed acrylic water to give it the appearance of containing bacta without actually having any liquid, and secure the tubing assembly from that to the "launcher".  The old phone is going to be heavily modified to be a medical scanner, I'm going to file off the "earth stuff" and get some Mando'a on that thing - but I really like the way it flips.

I'm modifying some small dowel rods to use as bacta "pellets" for lack of better term; the thought is that the pellets get loaded in the launcher, the bacta from the cylinder gets inserted into them, and then they are fired at the target needing healing.  I could probably drop the bacta cylinder/tube itself, but it'll look cool...I think.

Additionally I'm modifying a nice tactical drop holster I picked up - looks like it'll fit great with a Westar, and also go around my right thigh to fill in some space.

[Sarsk]

I fear that cylinder is a little too flexible and thin to be a good base for a bacta canister. I use those for work and a little bit of pressure will cause them to crack and spill out everywhere. I think a clear acrylic tube (not hose) would work best. You should be able to find something good at hobby lobby.

[Battlerager]

Hmm...never thought of that possibility, I'll check it out. (for the bacta container)

Made some more progress today, putting the final touches on spacing/arrangement so I can finish snaps and sew the velcro in place. Need to also complete the straps for my shins (but I may end up going with a light armor style), and complete some paint touch-ups.

Some of the plates shift a bit when I move, because the velcro is still only sticky-back, none of it is sewn into place, that's happening this week.







[forgive the orange-tipped Westar, I'll take care of that!]



edit:

Added this picture mainly because I really like it - even though it highlights a few flaws which I shall fix!



As always, comments, concerns, feedback is always appreciated.  The advice I get on these forums has been great - again, I'm not done yet...but a little progress can lead to great results. 

This week:
- sew velcro onto vest/flightsuit spots
- remove visible zippers
- complete some paint touch-ups around shins, backplate, and some additional weathering

[Vindar Falco]

wow! this my friend looks awesome!  good work

[Niabi]

Looking Good Vod

a few alignment issues but sounds like you have that sorted

Top Tip

Do NOT sew the sticky back Velcro on. get  normal Velcro to sew on or you will mess up (and poss brake) the sewing machine.

[Battlerager]

Do NOT sew the sticky back Velcro on. get  normal Velcro to sew on or you will mess up (and poss brake) the sewing machine.

I've heard some horror stories of sticky back velcro and sewing machines...I will NOT be making this mistake.  Getting some chalk outlines of my plates on my vest to ensure the velcro goes where it needs too...I tend to micro-manage things like that.

Hope to have final "pre-submittal" pics up this week for feedback.

[Battlerager]

Quick question:

I'm not thrilled with one of my pieces of armor...I'd like to repaint.  From any of you veterans, would you recommend sanding down the paint completely to original base color, or just priming over the current colors?  I've heard mixed opinions...

Many thanks!

[Tal'galar Shryke]

Which plate is it?

[Sarsk]

Sand it down, don't have to go down to the plastic, but you want to take a decent bit off.

[Hondo Karr]

If youre going to have a layered weathering effect with blackashes, you can just paint over it. If youre going with a clean look or/and no blackwash, sand it.

[Battlerager]

Made quite a bit more progress today, all velcro is properly sewed, with some snap attachments at strategic areas...completed some blackwashing to tone down the yellow (may make another pass) and completed my cape.

Cape isn't weathered, yet, some natural weathering will be taking place soon!  You can sort of see my flightsuit weathering, which is being done a little at a time - don't want to finish it till I am confident with spacing, position, and overall look of the armor.

As always, advice, suggestions, and even concerns are welcome.









(this is my fiancee trying to help me get the spacing right...helmet is slightly too big for her, her build is coming up soon)

[Byrek Avery]

I actually used the same cylinder for my bacta tank. Mine was smaller, but the same thing.



Mine was filled with some sort of chemical concoction that had the consistency of flarp. But my girlfriend is a chemist, so she made it for me. It holds up fine. but I'd recommend Jolly Rancher soda. It has the deep blue that you'll need, and is dirt cheap. You can probably get it at a Wal Mart, but I work at Kmart and I know we sell it.

[Sarsk]

Bring up the cod piece to where its under the belt.

Other than that, you could add something to the boots, like a knife, and thigh pouches since you are classified as light armor.