I Need Help With Darth Vader Armor

LtCmdData

New Member
I have been beginning to build Vaders chest/shoulder armor. I have a pretty good start for never working with foam before. My question is how do i get the foam to slope down from the neck to the shoulder instead of it just sticking straight out?
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Just made a dummy to help mold my armor. Still trying to figure out how to mold it though.
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I have never made foam armor or anything like that and this is simply a quick thought of what could potentially be done. Hopefully someone more skilled with making foam armor can chime in.

Cut it down the middle in an upside down narrow V-shape and glue the bits back together after making sure it hangs better on your shoulders.
 
How do I get the foam to slope down from the neck to the shoulder instead of it just sticking straight out?
This is why I rely on templates.Unless you're familiar with creating complex shapes,you won't be able to duplicate them.You'll end up wasting expensive foam on a dream project that has the potential to turn into a nightmare.Take it from the guy who invested,tried and failed.

Have a look at this file in Pepakura Designer (I highly recommend downloading this free software if you already hadn't):
https://www.pepakura.eu/star-wars-lord-vader-shoulder/
 
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This is why I rely on templates.Unless you're familiar with creating complex shapes,you won't be able to duplicate them.You'll end up wasting expensive foam on a dream project that has the potential to turn into a nightmare.Take it from the guy who invested,tried and failed.

Have a look at this file in Pepakura Designer (I highly recommend downloading this free software if you already hadn't):
https://www.pepakura.eu/star-wars-lord-vader-shoulder/
I had been looking and looking for a templet for awhile and couldn't find anything which is why i just started on my own. Thank you so much this is exactly what i needed.

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So im comming along pretty well I think. Please let me know what you guys think. I know there are some inaccuracies but this is the first time i have ever done anything like this.
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Looking good so far.Shoulders are better now.Did you use the templates at all,or just as a reference?
I used the template as a reference to make the shape look better and to correctly (or as correct as i got them) get the details on it.

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looking better, i would have to agree with vader45 on the front being a tad short though. did you fit/try the paper templates to yourself before transferring unto foam? ;)
 
looking better, i would have to agree with vader45 on the front being a tad short though. did you fit/try the paper templates to yourself before transferring unto foam? ;)
I did, but my beer belly was in the way thats why its a tad shorter than it probably should be...

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Looks good so far.. I did mine from 1/8" black sintra. It's alot more durable than foam, but does take a little more pressure and manipulation skills to bend and shape it as desired. Good luck with the build. Can't wait to see how this turns out! :D
 
Quick update, i cleaned up the edges a bit, added the ridge in the center and then put a slight angle at the bottom based on one of the armor pics i have. I then applied the first coat of epoxy resin. I think it looks good so far and will suit my needs well.
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Today i added metal plumbers tape to the under side of the armor to i can better bend and hold the shape im looking for. Once all this drys im going to epoxy the whole underside to better seal it.
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Well Crap! Little bit of a set back. I epoxy coated the underside of the armor and well it ran off the edges and i didnt notice it and it cured to the cardboard it was sitting on and i also now have runs on the front side. Can i sand all this down to get rid of the runs and the spots it stuck? I have never worked with epoxy before and not sure how it will react to sandpaper...
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