An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

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An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:44 am

Alright- Anyone who's known me longer than three hours knows that I'm just about the biggest KISS fan this side of America. That said, I was lucky enough to see them LIVE the day after Thanksgiving at the San Diego Sports Aroma :fingers:

Okay, now back to the meat of my post.
As crazy as it sounds, I'm making Gene Simmons' "Destroyer" armor for Bel (Without the spikes, of course) out of either latigo leather or just veg-tan leather. Here's a picture
Image

This is actually the costume he's wearing right now for the "Sonic Boom" tour. It's based on the "Destroyer" costume, but the codpiece is different. Also, the "Destroyer" costume was made from fiberglass, which gave it a dull sheen. whereas this one is actually made from steel.

I've actually got the armor designed out of a few plastic signs my dad brought home from work. I would take some pictures, but my dad forgot to charge his camera.

Anyway, the question within the question is, should I use "baked" leather, or is there some way to harden latigo leather? (Cause I really really like the color)

... And yes, I DO plan to make the epic dragon boots. And the axe.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Derian » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:35 pm

Do not use latigo. To my knowledge, it's impossible to harden using conventional means. Stick with veg-tanned leather, you can dye or paint it to match the color of any latigo - how do you think they get latigo to look like that?
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:01 pm

Yeah, that's what the lady at Tandy told me. So I got a side of Veg tan leather to work with, and work starts tonight. I'll be posting pictures periodically, so check back often!

Quick poll- Should I make a "helm" to strike fear into my enemies? Specifically, one that's just a half mask with Gene's makeup and a cheap wig, perhaps a latigo tongue? Something like.... This?

Image
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:58 pm

Two hours of work has yielded these results

Image

Naturally, I started with a plastic analog (A bunch of signs my dad brought home from work)

Image
Image

Then moved my way up to the veg-tan leather I bought earlier today.

Image

Woodstock is a goofy b*stard

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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Dacian » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:12 am

Why cover up that sexy shirt?

just playin', the armor looks good so far, very clean cuts! It's rare you see a project so clean looking. Hope to see more pics soon, keep it up!
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:51 pm

Alright, put in a few more hours today after about 3 of yard work.

Here's a look at the rather time-consuming lacing I did for the shoulder. Image

Here's a look at the armor from the front/back

Image
Image

Here's a closeup of the edging on the leather
Image

And last, but not least, the beginning of the codpiece, or as I like to call it, The Cod of Thunder [Kudos to whoever catches the joke there]

Image

... Woodstock is still a goofy b*stard
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Big King Jimmy » Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:31 pm

Wow, you look a lot like Mel.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Nish » Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:33 am

only not all fat and stuff :fingers:



Also, that armor looks like it's going to be the ****. However if ever I see a Gene Simmons on a fighting field I am going to do all I can to destroy him!
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Cade » Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:28 am

Hows the arm mobility with that?

Are those shoulder pieces held on with floating straps? or just attached. Can you raise your arm above your head without taking the whole piece with it?

Looks great ether way man.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:34 am

kadis wrote:Hows the arm mobility with that?

Are those shoulder pieces held on with floating straps? or just attached. Can you raise your arm above your head without taking the whole piece with it?

Looks great ether way man.

Thanks, thanks a bunch.

The shoulder pieces will be riveted to the collar pieces (Those mustache-shaped pieces that go on the "sexy shirt") which will be riveted to the "sexy shirt". I am, however, also considering doing a hinge type of deal involving a more flexible piece of leather between the shoulder and the collar, but I'm not quite sure how to do that. Does anyone have a suggestion?
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Cade » Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:55 am

If it were me, i would use a floating strap to connect the shoulder to the rest of the chest piece.

Otherwise, if that thing is just riveted to the main chest piece at the shoulder, every time you raise your arm above your head you will drive the neckline up into your ear. OR you will end up bending the leather.

I would almost harden the individual pieces so they don't bend, specially if you are going to be tooling them up real nice. but its more of a personal choice if you want them to bend or not.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:47 am

kadis wrote:If it were me, i would use a floating strap to connect the shoulder to the rest of the chest piece.


This is pretty much what I meant in my last post regarding the idea about the "hinge", just not in so many words. Looking at some old videos (Had to dig out the VCR) of KISS in concert, this is what Gene Simmons himself did- Or at least, his costume designers.

I don't really plan to "tool" this suit, but since it's somewhat hardened after a few hours in water (Hold it down till the bubbles stop!) and a day of sitting on a form (Just a roll of butcher paper that happened to be almost exactly the same diameter as my shoulders we had lying around), I might take a soldering iron or a wood burning tool and burn Gene's iconic makeup design into the back of the "sexy shirt"

Image

However, for now, I'm taking a break. For once in my life, my grades are not dead in the water, and I'd like to keep it that way. Not only that, but I'm living with my mom this week, so for about a week and a half, I'll be about 40 miles away from my beloved armor :spear:
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:08 pm

Alright, movin' up in the progress....

I took a hammer to my armor and got a really nice pattern
Image
And I riveted the "mustaches" to the "sexy shirt" using a "sliding rivet" technique I just pulled out of the air. The mustaches get about an inch and a half of movement.

Image

Now it fits much, much better

Image

And for those of you who are wondering... Yes. I am still a goofy *.

Image
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Cade » Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:47 pm

Very nice man. I'm diggin the texture.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:46 pm

Alright, it's been a while since I've posted, so here's some more eye-candy for you!

Image
As you can see, my armor is nearing completion.

Image
The Gene Simmons influence is obvious, but somehow a little Paul Stanley got worked in there...

Image
This is my kidney belt. It was the most time-consuming piece of the whole suit. My ex-girlfriend thinks I should get into bondage stuff, so maybe I'll ask Sieglatan how to get into that.
Image
Here's a closer look at the buckle detail. I know they look gold from that angle, but I assure you they're nothin' but chrome.

For those of you who ask "Where are the shoulder-bowls?", I decided to scrap those. They made the shoulders uncomfortable, bulky, and a hair heavier.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Iorek » Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:21 pm

looks good dude. I know I'm getting a bit nit picky but you do realize you mounted the buckles in the wrong place? (The strap is supposed to be attached to the center bar) I'm only pointing it out because I did the same thing on my first suit of armor =P
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Tobia Blackthorn » Wed Feb 10, 2010 4:38 pm

Yeah, I was going to point that out too, but didn't feel like it at t he time.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Wed Feb 10, 2010 4:54 pm

Iorek wrote:looks good dude. I know I'm getting a bit nit picky but you do realize you mounted the buckles in the wrong place? (The strap is supposed to be attached to the center bar) I'm only pointing it out because I did the same thing on my first suit of armor =P


.... Too late now :D
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Wraithraven » Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:26 pm

Looks good, but I'm scared to see that groin piece...
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:50 pm

Wraithraven wrote:Looks good, but I'm scared to see that groin piece...


That was actually scrapped. I'm just gonna go for a "battle kilt" kinda deal. Less reason for people to "test out it's durability and protection", if you catch my drift.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Cade » Wed Feb 17, 2010 7:09 am

Woodstock wrote:
Wraithraven wrote:Looks good, but I'm scared to see that groin piece...


That was actually scrapped. I'm just gonna go for a "battle kilt" kinda deal. Less reason for people to "test out it's durability and protection", if you catch my drift.


Unless your scottish and actually have a family tartan and whatnot, i recommend utilikilts. They are durable, thick, and pretty secure as far as blows to that region. I'm not saying you won't double over in pain if your speared there, but it protects against the errant blind backhand swing.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Sieglatan » Thu Feb 18, 2010 11:20 pm

Woodstock wrote:This is my kidney belt. It was the most time-consuming piece of the whole suit. My ex-girlfriend thinks I should get into bondage stuff, so maybe I'll ask Sieglatan how to get into that.

Ha ha! Thanks! I'm flattered, really! Let me know ahead of time when you are going to Andor practices, so I'll know when to bring down some foam smithing stuff. I think I may have some scrap fiberglass rods laying about...
It's a shame you had to ditch the fancy pauldrons and codpiece- but I understand- functionality over aesthetics...
Can't wait to see the whole thing done in person! Looks great so far!
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Sat Feb 20, 2010 1:44 am

kadis wrote:
Unless your scottish and actually have a family tartan and whatnot, i recommend utilikilts. They are durable, thick, and pretty secure as far as blows to that region. I'm not saying you won't double over in pain if your speared there, but it protects against the errant blind backhand swing.


We of the Rutherford Clan actually do have a tartan, believe it or not!
For those of you who don't believe, BEHOLD! The ancient arms of Rutherford!
Image

Sieglatan wrote:I think I may have some scrap fiberglass rods laying about...
It's a shame you had to ditch the fancy pauldrons and codpiece- but I understand- functionality over aesthetics...
Can't wait to see the whole thing done in person! Looks great so far!


I've made a few weapons already, so your donations are not necessary. I apperciate your offer, though ("Apperciate" as in "I shoor dew apperciate yer lettin' me sleep with your dawter!") As of right now, the only problem I have with weapons is form, though I'm not sure who to ask for help from for that.

As for the codpiece, I still have it, but my main worry is not having enough protection there. What I might do is mold a bit of leather into the shape of an athletic cup and rivet it onto the codpiece itself. Another reason I ditched the codpiece was the fact that I plan to wear the armor to a school function in which I'm supposed to be a Gene Simmons look-a-like (I play bass and sometimes guitar for a garage band) where there has to be a certain amount of decorum (Decorum meaning nothing above rated G). The school principal won't even let girls wear short-shorts :(
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Mephisto » Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:52 am

Hey you gotta show me this armor sometime! i like your newest one the red one that u showed me not too long ago
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Woodstock » Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:12 pm

Come out to the park on Saturday around 1. It's an Amtgard event, but I'm bringing all of my armor out. We should be just up the hill from Bel. My number is 1 760 672 3796'.
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Mephisto » Sun Feb 06, 2011 12:05 am

haha soz I didnt get to go today
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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Todo » Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:23 am

Woodstock wrote:. My number is 1 760 672 3796'.



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Re: An Ambitious Project for an Ambitious Woodstock

Postby Mephisto » Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:40 am

haha that number probly isnt a good idea, i'll pm u my house phone #
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