Images are still being a pain, not doing the thumbnails you can click for larger view, so I just wrapped the link for the actual attachment in IMG tags and here we go, full size images that I don't have to host myself:
This shows the heat gun I used to heat up the foam, I put some wrenches on it to keep the foam from curling since this test piece was already cut. You don't have use anything to weigh it down, I didn't on my next run. The yellow chunk of foam is what I used to press the heated foam down to the form with:
Here is a shot showing the foam board template I cut, which was used to form the foam:
Here is a shot of the end result of the test, I just rough cut it out with scissors and did some stitching to see how it would look. It is black from one quick coat of black plasti-dip. This look satisfied me that this method would work on the "real" pieces, so this is the method I will be using.
Note: You need to put something on the back of the formed foam to keep it from being floppy, I started with cutting each of the two shapes in more foam, and gluing them inside to fill the shapes. Will put something even more rigid behind that as well.
Yesterday I was frustrated from not being able to find some stuff that should have been easy to find for the vest (2 inch webbing, black 1" elastic, etc.) so I made this duct tape torso form to at least feel like I was doing something. Not sure how useful it will be for this project, but I have it if I need it. I have to tape up the cut in the back and stuff it and hopefully make a cheap PVC stand for it.
I've ordered a female badge with my last name plus an ANDERSON plate to swap out on it, a breaching mine and belt buckle. I like ordering the smaller more detailed stuff and making the larger more expensive stuff myself. The air dart gun I mentioned ordering should be in on Monday. I will be ordering an unfinished helmet cast in resin on Wednesday and have been told it may be ready and shipped on Friday.
I lucked out and actually already own a can of spray paint that is the same color as the breaching mine I am getting, so I will be painted my gas grenade body that color to match.
I found out Anderson doesn't have any stun grenades on her belt in the movie, so I am going to forgo the holder and stun grenades for a Halloween ready build. I am however adding 1" buckles to the upper armor that can't be seen on the female armor in the movie.
I hope to finish the back panels and front panels this week.
