Best way to make armour? (Stoormtrooper)

[Darth Storm]

Re: Best way to make armor? (Stoormtrooper)

Boxing would help but it is better to fill it with a more solid material (like plaster) or just resin and figerglass the crap out of it to make it strong than to use foam. Foam, by its nature, is mostly air and will collapse in a vacuum.

I prefer the MDF and bondo method since the master bucks last quite a while and can be modified if you need to tweek a detail or two. If you do go that route it will not really save you any money over buying a pre-formed kit suit. The vacuum table (I made mine for about $100), the HIPS or ABS plastic, the bondo, the MDF and then the various little things (tools and such) quickly add up to what an OK kit would cost. Plus it would take you months longer to make.

The only real reason to vacuum form is to make multiple suits. If that is your goal, then rock on! If you just want one suit for yourself, I would buy a kit or do a resin/fiberglass/pep suit as a cheaper alternative.

Thanks Psicorp7

The idea is still in my head, but I will have to wait a while until i get home to crack on with my bucket and then I shall see how I feel about tackling the rest of the armor.

Thanks again for the advice. I knew the rpf was the place to ask.

 

[Darth Storm]

I was searching ebay and came across this suit.

Before bidding I thought I'd let you guys check it out and see if you think it's good quality etc.

STAR WARS PROFESSIONAL QUALITY STORMTROOPER ARMOR COSTUME KIT NEW | eBay

You guys are the experts so why not.

Cheers Guys

 

[KaanE]

FX armour. Stay away. It's not accurate by any means.

 

[CadetTK2386]

Cheers Widescreen

But is it possible to vacuum form straight over pepakura?

Actually, this does work. It's how I made my vac-formed Halo armor:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/my-red-vs-blue-caboose-armor-halo-134789/

 

[Darth Storm]

FX armour. Stay away. It's not accurate by any means.

Would you be able to tell me what's not accurate about it?

I don't really have the cash to splash out.

Cheers

 

[Darth Storm]

Actually, this does work. It's how I made my vac-formed Halo armor:
http://www.therpf.com/f24/my-red-vs-blue-caboose-armor-halo-134789/

I shall have a look. Cheers CadetTK2366

 

[OldKen]

Go to white armor.net and or keep checking the junkyard section here for a used accurate set!

Or find a reputable seller of accurate armor (again, white armor.net)

You will end up upgrading, the accuracy bug WILL bite you!!! LOL!!!

That, and FX armor is hideous. See my sig! Here is FX (inaccurate fan sculpt) http://starwarshelmets.com/imperialfanFX.htm

Here are some sets that have been made through the years. Some like AP and RS props are still available! RS is WAY more accurate, AP is cheaper. AP is a little cleaned up etc. But both come from REAL screen used suits!!! Here is an old favorite: http://starwarshelmets.com/imperialfanCRP.htm

Here is AP: http://starwarshelmets.com/ap_helmet_and_armour.htm

Here is an awesome thread about the origins/lineage of the RS-props/Si-man armor and helmets! http://www.therpf.com/f45/original-1977-anh-stormtrooper-armor-helmet-95954/

If you can't see the difference in the FX.... Go home and watch Star Wars and ESB about 20,000 more times... And get back to us! (what's sad is most of us old timers here have prob actually seen em that many times!!! LOL!!!)

You will spend more money sculpting, making a good enough vac setup, and buying styrene or ABS (both are more than you would think...) And if it's your first time... Your gonna end up messing up or just getting bad luck on a few (or lots of) bad pulls. (it's tricky getting the plasic hot enough yet not over cooking it! Timing even with the perfect heat can be REALLY tricky... Etc etc etc.

Not wanting to discourage you... Just tryin to give you the facts in terms of accuracy! Really hope this is of some help to you! Good luck!