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Starkiller Dark Lord Armor (Hoth)


btabc

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Ok so I'm FINALLY excited because I can FINALLY say that I've gotten my helmet so I'm one step closer to becoming approved!!!! 

Color Key:

  • Green = Completed/Have
  • Orange = Have materials for and have not started
  • Blue = Started template
  • White = version 1.0 started (will eventually update for better version copy)
  • Red = Do not have mats or have not started in on
  • Purple = Being made by another

 

 

I have the following items now:

  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Boots
  • Skirt
  • Belt buckle & Cod Piece
  • Balaclava
  • Shirt, vest and pants (being made by a local seamstress... who I might add kicks @$$ from what I've seen with her work!
  • Approval Lightsaber

 - Trooping Lightsaber (under construction haha) - one I don't mind having to fix if it should fall/break

 

 - Items still waiting for:

  • NONE!!!!! :tkdance: 

 

Items I'm going to be making/getting  Items Currently Working On:

  • Claws - working copy completed!
  • Bands for the gloves
  • Bands and coverings for the boots - I have this planned out with a few reference images so I can make this better
  • Back piece (triangle middle section) with lights
  • neck piece 
  • Hair Braid
  • Cords for the right arm - still debating on what to use
  • Balaclava (still do not have one even though I'm approved as a TK lol)
  • Finish the shoulder armor 
    1. Carve trenches into Armor
    2. Spray paint a dark/gun metal silver
    3. Weather slightly
    4. Attach to suit

I will start in on this and start uploading pics once I go and get a few more mats! :D

Soon I'll be on my way to becoming approved!!!!!!!

Edited by btabc
Edited List for more accuracy on completed items
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14 hours ago, Bogan said:

Pictures :)

Once I get the suit (should be later this week) then I'll be posting some pics!  Updating more of the original post due to now having a working v.1 model of the hard armor. :D 

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20 hours ago, Malt said:

yeah can't wait to see how it goes :D

 

14 hours ago, Bogan said:

CAn you decribe how u made your Items or from were u have theme..=?

I'm including the images of the armor now.  This is the front and back.  I'm still no where near completion, but for a v1.0 it's not that bad.

Front

eBysRpv.jpg

Back

b1QF2zl.jpg

 

I'm coming up with a few different strapping methods so I'll be experimenting and will get back later.  I have to carve out the groove on the armor, but just a little more cleaning up to do then onto strapping!

 

Now as for the items I'm using it's mostly EVA foam based.  The claws I'm going to make two separate versions for when I go to troops and such so I'm not poking some poor child.  So I'm going to have a "hard copy" and a Foam copy.  The skirt I made myself out of black fabric and there's no pattern to the back.  I'm currently in the process of making the triangle piece on the back and making it light up, but also have the ability to open from the back to replace any battery packs/lights that might need to be replaced down the road.  Boots I got a pair from a online store and making the covers for those and the gloves.  The hair braid I've been debating since it's not a requirement, it wont be tough to do that part at all.  The lightsaber I'm still making the hilt.  Most of the things I'm going to have are going to be hand made so I can always upgrade in the future.  The belt buckle is the same (EVA FOAM), but seeing another thread with a belt has inspired me to do something a little different.  That's a upgrade I can go with later!  I have just have one more thing I have to fix on the belt buckle then it'll be completed.  

Still trying to figure out a configuration for the fans as the helmet area is SOO small!  If anyone has one... please let me know!

 

 

Edited by btabc
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22 minutes ago, btabc said:

Still trying to figure out a configuration for the fans as the helmet area is SOO small!  If anyone has one... please let me know!

I have tried a few different systems, and none of them have worked, there is just not enough space to mount the fans and for the air to move around, plus have my head in it at the same time.

I have for the moment, given up on a fan system for the helmet, as hiding the fans some where else and then running aquarium hose under the Balaclava into the helmet was my only other idea, and that is just going to be a pain in the ass system.

As an alternative to a fan system, to try to prevent fogging, I use the product "Cat Crap", anti fog gel product, works rather well, combined with mounting a rubber face mask in the face section of the Helmet, creating a damn between my nose and mouth and the visor to prevent the visor from fogging up every time I breath out. 

I can deal with the heat, so long as I can see, but over heating and being blind at the same time really takes the fun out of trooping lol.

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32 minutes ago, Yankee71 said:

I have tried a few different systems, and none of them have worked, there is just not enough space to mount the fans and for the air to move around, plus have my head in it at the same time.

I have for the moment, given up on a fan system for the helmet, as hiding the fans some where else and then running aquarium hose under the Balaclava into the helmet was my only other idea, and that is just going to be a pain in the ass system.

As an alternative to a fan system, to try to prevent fogging, I use the product "Cat Crap", anti fog gel product, works rather well, combined with mounting a rubber face mask in the face section of the Helmet, creating a damn between my nose and mouth and the visor to prevent the visor from fogging up every time I breath out. 

I can deal with the heat, so long as I can see, but over heating and being blind at the same time really takes the fun out of trooping lol.

Interesting concept about the face mask... I never thought about somehow creating a damn -_-.  I have yet to try cat crap and have used ivory soap (which goes on easily, but you have to rub it clear), and that helps, but after a while it STILL gets a little foggy.  I'll have to go and get some cat crap... it sounds so wrong when I type it down lol.  Heat isn't a problem for me either lol, but I agree, I went trooping in 95 degree heat and had LITTLE ventilation and fogged up so bad the only thing I could see was the Jedi's Lightsaber in front of me (that was changing colors).  I just followed that lol

 

Other than that, how's it looking so far, sir?

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3 hours ago, btabc said:

Update... here's the helmet from Wicked Armor... must say that artistically it's stunning and weathering is fantastic!

xL6OYH3.jpg

Im looking at that helm and looking at my helm right next to me, and I am noticing some small differences in the 2. Looks like he did a better job with the blending of the armor on yours as compared to mine, where the ridge is, on the side by the cheekbone. Yours look better than mine. Also the grill in the front is slightly different than mine, the bottom 2 on your grill is a lot thinner than mine and a bit wider than mine.

The weathering on yours is also different than mine, must have made a new mold.

Edit: Furthermore the cheek bone ridge on yours go to the outer fin, mine goes up near the visor.

Well be happy as yours looks better than mine, he has made a better version of the helm in the last 2 years I guess.

Edited by Yankee71
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1 hour ago, Yankee71 said:

Im looking at that helm and looking at my helm right next to me, and I am noticing some small differences in the 2. Looks like he did a better job with the blending of the armor on yours as compared to mine, where the ridge is, on the side by the cheekbone. Yours look better than mine. Also the grill in the front is slightly different than mine, the bottom 2 on your grill is a lot thinner than mine and a bit wider than mine.

The weathering on yours is also different than mine, must have made a new mold.

Edit: Furthermore the cheek bone ridge on yours go to the outer fin, mine goes up near the visor.

Well be happy as yours looks better than mine, he has made a better version of the helm in the last 2 years I guess.

I know that right after this, he was expressing an interest in ABS rather than the resin, but either way, Rob's stuff looks FANTASTIC!  I was extremely happy with the end results, even if I had to wait a little bit.  He has sparked my interest to saving up for a better pair of hard armor for the future :D;).  

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On 1/31/2018 at 12:51 PM, Yankee71 said:

I was happy with my stuff as well, till i saw yours lol

LOL that frequently happens with designs (as you know)!  Just look at yours as an original design, and mine is the younger brother! ;) You can always get a updated version if you want to spend the money for it!

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Ok so another update!  I have gotten my suit and vest and it's AMAZING!!!!!

 

BkMd9dg.jpg

 

A little tightening down to do around the waist, but other than that,  this has turned out WAY better than I could have imagined :D

As well to having the suit finished, I was able to solve a problem I had with trying to attach the armor I'm making, so two birds with one stone!!!!  :tkdance: 

Key:

  • Template Made
  • Still need
  • Sewing then complete

 

So all that's left is the following:

Claws (will be modeling mine off of @Yankee71, so thank you sir!) - Template Made

Boot covers - Template made

Glove covers with cords - I have an idea for this, but will be needing assistance for it as I'll have to reinforce the spots in the arm so it prevents pulling and such.

Lightsaber (thinking I might actually buy this rather than making a cheaper version)

Skirt (fixing the back panel and tattering them slightly) - EASY fix, just gotta sew and then it's done 

Back Neck Piece - Again, Template made, but this'll more than likely be for approval ONLY and not for trooping

Hair Braid 

And Shoulder Armor (along with middle Triangle Piece) - Template already made

Edited by btabc
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11 minutes ago, Yankee71 said:

What is the suit made out of? it is very shiny.

Maybe it will look more accurate with the shoulder armor added to it, and a Balaclava.

Vest could be sitting a bit higher up.

keep at it.

Vest is actually made out of a pleather.  The only reason it looks shiny is because of the direct overhead lights and the background (white cabinets) which make the highlights more pronounced.  Having the shoulder armor on actually brought the "shine" down.  I'll be sure to make adjustments to the vest as well, grazie!

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Quick update.  As I am a stubborn person... I have been looking into actually MAKING another lightsaber while debating if I should go the route of purchasing one.  I know there are ways of assembling/gutting a older lightsaber and reusing those circuits while upgrading certain components of it.  I'm leaning towards that route so I'll be posting a few pics of the lightsaber build... coming soon (tm)

 

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Yay, another update!!!  

So I have gotten a "trooping" lightsaber created with the lighting of a weaker saber that I was able to scrounge together (embracing my inner Jawa and Trooper with this part), came out with a few burns, shocks and MINOR blood shed... but I was successful in getting the darned thing to operate!  I have also ordered a "approval" saber from Ultra Sabers and it'll be here within the next few weeks!!!!!!

 

So as for the list of things for myself:

Key:

  • Template Made
  • Still need
  • Sewing then complete
  • Have Bought, just waiting on delivery

 

Completed:

  • Lightsaber (thinking I might actually buy this rather than making a cheaper version) - Have multiple versions

 

Templates Made:

  1. Claws (will be modeling mine off of @Yankee71, so thank you sir!) - Template Made
  2. Boot covers - Template made
  3. And Shoulder Armor (along with middle Triangle Piece) - Template already made
  4. Back Neck Piece - Again, Template made, but this'll more than likely be for approval ONLY and not for trooping
  5. Trooping Lightsaber - just have to piece together

Still Needing:

  • Glove covers with cords - I have an idea for this, but will be needing assistance for it as I'll have to reinforce the spots in the arm so it prevents pulling and such.
  • Hair Braid 

Easy Fix/complete:

  • Skirt (fixing the back panel and tattering them slightly) - EASY fix, just gotta sew and then it's done 

 

 

 

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Great to see your Progress so far.... :D

Iam really interested how your Foam Armor will fit ( iam struggling with mine at the moment :?)

 

As Yankee71 mentiond, the Vest has to be higher and more pointed.

 

And iam not shure if the Stiching is a bit to round in the Angles.

The Lines should be more pointed than round.

xfJs70p.png

 

 

Edited by Bogan
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5 hours ago, Bogan said:

Great to see your Progress so far.... :D

Iam really interested how your Foam Armor will fit ( iam struggling with mine at the moment :?)

 

As Yankee71 mentiond, the Vest has to be higher and more pointed.

 

And iam not shure if the Stiching is a bit to round in the Angles.

The Lines should be more pointed than round.

xfJs70p.png

 

 

Well that is a good side by side comparison to talk about. Keep in mind, I find the vest the hardest part of this costume to get correct, and I made 5 or 6 versions of the vest myself, till I got the look down to the correct look. Compare the size of the top strip. In the middle it starts off double the width of the 2nd strip. Then it quickly reduces in size as it goes down the body, and becomes rather skinny. The front peak is very high, and the sides are quite low. So there is a great and dramatic change in the size of the vest as it goes down the body. Having everything stay the same proportions as it goes down the body will not achieve the correct look.

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On 2/22/2018 at 2:05 AM, Yankee71 said:

Well that is a good side by side comparison to talk about. Keep in mind, I find the vest the hardest part of this costume to get correct, and I made 5 or 6 versions of the vest myself, till I got the look down to the correct look. Compare the size of the top strip. In the middle it starts off double the width of the 2nd strip. Then it quickly reduces in size as it goes down the body, and becomes rather skinny. The front peak is very high, and the sides are quite low. So there is a great and dramatic change in the size of the vest as it goes down the body. Having everything stay the same proportions as it goes down the body will not achieve the correct look.

 

On 2/21/2018 at 8:10 PM, Bogan said:

Great to see your Progress so far.... :D

Iam really interested how your Foam Armor will fit ( iam struggling with mine at the moment :?)

 

As Yankee71 mentiond, the Vest has to be higher and more pointed.

 

And iam not shure if the Stiching is a bit to round in the Angles.

The Lines should be more pointed than round.

xfJs70p.png

 

 

Thank you both for your input!  I'm extremely pleased with what the local seamstress did  and this should be able to be raised once I get the shoulder pieces on.  I was able to get this raised about a inch in a half and possibly more IF it comes to that, however I'm just trying to get the overall "feel" of the costume as everybody is a different size and I ran into similar problems with my TK and the thighs.  I have a wider chest and shoulders so that's probably another reason that the vest looks off, as well as NOT have the armor pieces attached (found a solution to this issue while working on the claws).

 

Now the pleasing news!  I have made yet MORE progress on my EVA foam armor and the BOOTS!!!!!

The boots are 95% completed and all I need do do is the design on the tops as well as the heel guard then they're finished!

The EVA foam armor I have done SEVERAL mock-ups of and I have come to a conclusion of attaching straps to them to hold them to my body (around my neck and arms as back up for if the velcro does not hold which I have already encountered on the EVA foam).  That being said I have a working mock-up of the back piece and how I'm going to attach it to the others and with what material.  Also I have a solution to the color of the armor as I have experimented with this on my belt buckle v1.0

So here's an updated list on what I need to do now:

Key:

Updated Info

Sewing then complete

Completed

Optional

 

Completed:

Lightsaber 

 

Claws (will be modeling mine off of @Yankee71, so thank you sir!) - All made, ready to paint

Boot covers - Just have to do the tops of the boots and heel guards

And Shoulder Armor (along with middle Triangle Piece) - Created, cut and carve, then paint

 

Glove covers with cords - I have several ideas for the covers, but obtaining more images so I can stick to ONE image and model from that to turn in.  I have several cords (tubing) as well as several ways of attaching them

Hair Braid 

Back Neck Piece - Again, Template made, but this'll more than likely be for approval ONLY and not for trooping

Trooping Lightsaber - just have to piece together

 

Skirt (fixing the back panel and tattering them slightly) - EASY fix, just gotta sew and then it's done 

Overall my costume only needs a few things to be fixed and then it's finished!  I was recently approved as a Jawa so I was working like crazy as well as keeping up with my art I do for a website... I'm a busy man haha.  Can  you say "Glutton for Punishment"?!

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Ok so FINALLY more progress completed!  I have been slowly making progress on the items that I needed to fix with a few things that have arisen (that I was not anticipating). 

KEY:

Completed

Updated/finalized copy

Undecided/probably not going to do

 

Claws  - All made, ready to paint - Completed!

 

  • Boot aesthetics - Just have to do the tops of the boots and heel guards - altered to make this less confusing.  I have a few things that I'm thinking about doing so I'll keep at it for the time being.
  • And Shoulder Armor (along with middle Triangle Piece) - Created, cut and carve, then paint - Sadly I have to redo the back triangle piece as I made the wrong shape, but this new one is the correct shape so it should work just fine!  Now just to do a little more carving and gluing to make it to where I can change the lights and such.

                 -     My shoulder armor that I made out of EVA Foam would not hold it's shape for the life of me so I added some interior support (that holds it shape VERY well) and glued it to that and it's finished!

  • Glove covers with cords - All I have to do for the gloves are to make the covers with the snaps and then attach the cords.  Then finished!
  • Hair Braid - I'm going to be making this as the CRL does not list this as being "optional".  So better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it... right?!

Back Neck Piece - Again, Template made, but this'll more than likely be for approval ONLY and not for trooping - feelings have not changed on this matter... probably not going to make this one lol.

Trooping Lightsaber - just have to piece together - I have the pieces and will make later on after I get approved!

 

Now the unfortunate thing is that most of my stuff is/will be hand made until I'm able to get better items, but that's more of the reason I love what I'm doing.  It might not be the prettiest thing out there, but we all start out somewhere.  And when I have a limited resource pool (no leather shops around me and such) I have to get a little creative... which I hope doesn't backfire on me... 

 

Overall my progress has been coming to a slow end.  And since the EVA foam is already a darker grey I'll hit it with a mist of blue-grey (for the gun-metal) followed by a mist of silver... sounds easier when I type it this way haha.  So if I had to give a "progress" on this... I would say I'm closer to 80-82% completed.  The toughest things for me are the gloves, but those are 75% completed  so that's the toughest hurtle for me!  Almost complete with the gloves! :tkdance:

 

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Ok so as luck seems to have struck... I was able to get the claws and the armor for this piece!!!!  A little fixing needed to be done, but I can now set aside the EVA foam stuff and focus on the things that I need now!!!!! There really wasn't much wrong with what I got and after replacing a few of the straps, I LOVE this armor so much!!!! (more than likely found my new trooping favorite haha)

I'll be posting pics soon, but so far this is all I have left... and then the prized approval steps!!!!

 

Things left to work on in order from most involved to least involved...

  1. the glove straps and the hoses
  2. the covers for the tops of the boots and the heel guard
  3. Attach the Lightsabers to the belt... I have mine on a quick clip system
  4. Attaching the Hair Braid to the helmet - this will be removable as I don't want this to be too heavy right now.  I must admit that threading the hair through the tubing I was expecting to be FAR more troublesome, but thankfully it wasn't too bad!

 

I'm so excited that this is FINALLY all I have left to do!  With this new addition, it's sped up my progress so much!

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