Armour Material.

[SpartanJames87]

Hi. I'm new and was wondering about a material that I can use for making some MJOLNIR armour. It has to be durable but also easy to shape and sculpt. I'm not looking on making any molds or anything first. I just wanna sculpt the final product out of this material. It also has to be inexpensive...my wallet isn't too deep. Any ideas?

 

[Redsleighdown]

Welcome James. If you look around the boards you will see that several people have made successful suits out of materials like paper mache and cardboard.

 

[SpartanJames87]

That's a good suggestion. But I wouldn't wanna use paper mache or cardboard. I would wanna actually sculpt it from something solid. But I probably should have made that known.

 

[link4044]

try foam...then you can coat it with another material

 

[WanderingRon1n]

so im going to try and start with a layer of foam and the add onto that with other foam and then use some sort of material. polystyrene maybe. whats a material that would be good to paint on? i tired using cardboard but it seems like its too stiff and doesnt like to bend. i tried constructing the bracers and yea, i go sad after that and then i figured that foam would be better. so PM with ideas of things to put ontop of the foam plz it would be good to have a nice hard plstic layer over it if anyone knows of a polystyrene tutorial send me the link plz

 

[SpartanJames87]

so im going to try and start with a layer of foam and the add onto that with other foam and then use some sort of material. polystyrene maybe. whats a material that would be good to paint on? i tired using cardboard but it seems like its too stiff and doesnt like to bend. i tried constructing the bracers and yea, i go sad after that and then i figured that foam would be better. so PM with ideas of things to put ontop of the foam plz it would be good to have a nice hard plstic layer over it if anyone knows of a polystyrene tutorial send me the link plz

Well I was thinking of using styrofoam but after sculpting it I would need some sort of resin since styrofoam on it own isn't exactly durable. And isn't polystyrene just a fancy word for styrofoam. Maybe I will use foam but then does anyone have suggestions for something I could use to cover it that will harden like plastic. (link please)

 

[WanderingRon1n]

polystyrene is a plastic like material and it does come in a foam form but it also comes in sheets or at least thats what ive read and seen

 

[SpartanJames87]

OK I have a main material for my armour and someone on the forum is even helping me. But I need some sort of undergarment for the armour. I've seen Under Armour and I went to Dicks but it can cost up to $150 and as I said my wallet isn't too deep. I was thinking Spandex and then just attaching the material I'm using for the main armour for details. I've heard of knock off Under Armour but I haven't been able to find it. Can anyone help me out? If not I'll use the spandex it's a hell of a lot cheaper, and it seems like it'll work.

 

[Redsleighdown]

spandex could work. plus, i've found UA to be shiny anyways. Even just a tight cotton longsleeve turtleneck would work just find on a budget.

 

[link4044]

you might want to try this stuff http://www.demandhotwire.com/coatings02.html
i never use this stuff it seems like it might work on foam, plus look throw the site for foam stuff too

 

[WanderingRon1n]

so i figured out what i am going to be doing now, im starting put making foam patterns for every part. then tracing and cutting them out of cardboard and covering that with fiberglass

 

[link4044]

sounds good so far

 

[WanderingRon1n]

hey james ill updaye you on how much mine costs if thats any help so PM if you have any questions

 

[WanderingRon1n]

does anyone know where to go to buy all the strapping stuff for holding the suit together? PM me or just post something here.

 

[link4044]

a fibric store like joan-anns its a nylon straping comes in 1"-2"

 

[WanderingRon1n]

ok thanks did you use and clips on ur suit or does it basically just velcro to your undersuit?

 

[link4044]

i used velcro and plastic buckles, something like theses
http://www.umei.com/buckles-plastic/plastic-buckles-1.htm

 

[sawtooth 360]

You could try foam board. i havent heard of it until today when i went down to hobby lobby looking for mat board. I saw foamboard. it is thick and extremely flexible

 

[link4044]

you can try it but it well break easy so you have to back with something else the fiberglass well melt the foam (resin heats up)

 

[SpartanJames87]

What are some of the things one can do to make the visor so that you can see out of it but others can't see in?