Can something made out of plaster bandages take heat well?

[Armatage]

Sorry for long post. 1st/last peragraphs most importent if you want to skip why I'm asking. *

For example, using a heat gun to shape polycarbonate around it?

I'm looking at making my first set of sci-fi/futuristic body armor and am trying to think up cheaper ways to do it. (I know, i know, we all are!)
My idea is to put on a 3mm wetsuit, wrap some cellophane around my torso (just one time around or until neck to bellow waist is covered), then to take small strips of ducktape and start layering over the cellophane. Doing front first, then onther day do the back.
Once I have a lot of layers holding the ducktape into the right form, I'll cut the cellophane along my sides/neck and remove the new ducktape "mold".
I know there will be wrinkles from the cellophane, so*I'll try to use some wax to even them out.
Then I'll use the plaster bandages (some cut into smaller, easier to place peaces), *and line the inside of the mold. Just a layer or two or three so it dries out solid enouph not to warp when removed from the ducktape mold. Once removed, adding a couple more layers for over all strength.
I won't need a massive amount of perfect body detail. Just rough outline to heat and bend 1/8" thick polycarbonate sheets over to form the armor plates. I figure the 3mm wetsuit should give me the right amount of space for the harness and padding I'll wear under the plates.
Base outfit will probobly be under armor "fitted" black shirt/pants, with padding glued under armor plates here and there for comfort. (shoulders, sides, front/back of chest, etc.)
Under armor should help keep me cool in the armor.

Oh yeah, I can't use the stove, so vacume forming is out. Most of the work will be done on a 4'x6' balcony. And I can't use any toxic chemicals. (wife would murder me in my sleep if I accedentaly kill one of her cats.)

Will the plaster bandages hold up to the heat/pressure?
Will I have to coat them with something to increase strength or heat resistance?


~Armatage

 

[HobbyistPrime]

you should have no issues with that amount of heat as long as you keep the gun moving to soften the plastic evenly. I made a custom piece a few years ago in a similar fashion only using fiberglass sheets and marine repair resin from the hardware store and it heats up considerably more when curing.

 

[Darth Mule]

You'll melt the duct tape before you do any damage to the bandages.

Duct tape is a poor choice. It stretches. I mad e duct tape dummy to fit my size 38/40 frame about 3 years ago. It now measures 43.5...

Paper tape is the preferred tape for this. Its the stuff that you have to wet to activate the glue. It will also hold a shape better than the duct tape, which won't hold shape on its own very well, and will likely get all warped while you lay in your plaster bandages.

Instead of cellophane, use am old undershirt. Get a friend to help wrap you up and do your whole torso at once, then cut straight up the back, through the shirt to get you out. Tutorial:

http://www.jejune.net/bits/2008/09/paper-tape-dressform/

 

[mdb]

So long as the heat gun doesn't stay in one place directly over the plaster you should be fine in regards to the plaster. Plaster will burn eventually and the heat from a heat gun on high will burn most materials if it isn't moved about a lot.

I haven't used that particular plastic with a heat gun but had little success getting nice non buckled pieces using styrene and a heat gun. It heats well in boiling water for pieces curved in one direction though

 

[Armatage]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Darth Mule, that's a cool link. I think I'll go that route instead of the duck tape, though I'll still use celophane over the wetsuit so that the wet plaster bandages don't warp the papper tape before they harden. I'll need the plaster since it can take the heat. (don't think the papper tape would survive the heat of a hot air gun while shapping plastic on it.)

just to make sure I'm clear: wet papper tape to make first "mold"... Using the inside of that to create a plaster bandage "body double". Sepperate the plaster from papper, and shape plastic on the plaster body double.

Easy! Yeah, right. But it will be fun!

~Armatage