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Paper Mache Armor

#1 2008-05-26 16:11:47

Palantir
Member
Registered: 2008-05-26
Posts: 2

Paper Mache Armor

I am curious about making paper mache armor.  I wanted to fashon it after some of the armor seen in the game World of Warcraft.  The particular armor has spikes, curves, and some other sculpting needed.  I was thinking of using a chicken wire templates molded to fit my shoulders, wrists, shins, and head.  What I wanted to know is how to maintain flexibility.  I wanted to use string to secure the shoulder pads, wrists, and shin guards.  Also need to add fabric.  Just wanted some suggestions and strategies.

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#2 2008-05-26 23:48:48

foamcutter
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From: Ireland
Registered: 2008-02-14
Posts: 17
Website

Re: Paper Mache Armor

Not familiar with World of Warcraft but seeing your message about armor reminded me of this site I came across some time ago. http://www.trooperarmor.com/
It's totally unrelated to PM, but just a DIY way to creating a Star Wars trooper uniform. It might be possible to use PM for a mold if you have lots of armor to make? It also may have tips on how to fix the guards to your body.

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#3 2008-05-27 19:54:27

CatPerson
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From: Washington State, U.S.A.
Registered: 2006-01-09
Posts: 1314

Re: Paper Mache Armor

I read about a PM method a few years ago that I have never tried.

This person needed a curved base for PM. They said they softened regular corrugated cardboard by rolling it in tight rolls, both with and against the grain. This softened the cardboard so it was more like leather. Then they cut Vs into it, removed the inside of the V, and taped the two cut ends together (not overlapping). Then they PM'd over it.

At the time, I wondered if you could get the same effect if you soaked a sheet of cardboard with water, then drained it and let it sit until just damp, then molded and formed it to your idea. The only problem with this is, how to fasten it? What on earth would stick to damp cardboard?

Your chicken wire might do, but those cut ends tend to be difficult to work with. If your perimeters are clear, you could probably cover them with tape, but I usually just fight the wire.

To hold the armor on your body, maybe wide elastic would fit, or Velcro.

Sue

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#4 2008-06-02 12:16:22

dopapier
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From: UK
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 754

Re: Paper Mache Armor

I think Sue (Catperson)'s suggestion about the cardboard would work well but of course you couldn't stick anything to the damp cardboard.
However, it should mold well;  hold it in place with pegs and/or string bound round until it dries.  Then you can laminate. 
If you want two layers of corrugated card, paint PVA over the inner surface.  As the whole dries, so will the glue.
If you use corrugated card, it might help to surface it with cereal packet card, which will give a smooth but strong surface before final laminating.
DavidO


I'm a PM addict

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#5 2008-06-02 16:08:19

Palantir
Member
Registered: 2008-05-26
Posts: 2

Re: Paper Mache Armor

I think I have figured it out.  I am going to mold the chicken wire to my body first to get the rough shape I need.  Then I am going to use strips of damp cardboard around the edges.  Next I am going to layer more cardboard over the top to get more definition in the shape.  The chest piece is going to be the toughest but i think that if i mold it just right I will be able to use velcro to tighten the sides to fit my body better.  I will just use wire to attach the shoulders to the chest piece.  If this message works I will post a link with the pictures of my final product. Thank you all for the ideas.

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#6 2008-06-08 14:31:27

dopapier
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From: UK
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 754

Re: Paper Mache Armor

It sounds very sensible.  We look forward to reading (and seeing!) how you get on.  It's lovely to be able to learn from other people's successes (and mistakes).
DavidO


I'm a PM addict

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#7 2008-10-27 21:30:30

wolfdoctor
Member
Registered: 2008-10-27
Posts: 1

Re: Paper Mache Armor

i use chicken wire to make historical-style armor. it works well so far, BUT you must be very meticulous and draw out a design before you start. if you want flexibility you can do this by attaching pieces of the armor with string (that looks tacky though, something like leather bucklers would look cooler) and thereby keeping it strong, but flexible. SYMMETRY is VERY important. i've been making a greek hoplite-style helmet today actually, and i have a design for a chest-armor piece which is almost fail proof. a lot of it is trial and error, though, so just try it and be detail-oriented. draw it out before you do it that will help a lot.
oh for bracers.. remember that its the TOP of your arm and the part that faces outside (from your pinky down to your elbow) that actually "needs protection" you can make a paper-mache part for that and sow it to leather straps or cloth and it will still also look quite cool.
to get rid of "spiky" parts of the chicken wire, either bend it inward so its harmless or triple-quadruple reinforce those parts with paper mache.
your chest piece should be made out of multiple parts, or you can't even bend forward to pick something up at all or even lean forward. i know cuz i made a chest piece out of solid paper mache once.. it provided very limited movement.

remember..you want armor that's flexible for you and cool looking. the combo is a hard one, but worth the work!

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#8 2008-10-28 13:05:35

dopapier
Moderator
From: UK
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 754

Re: Paper Mache Armor

Do you have a gallery Wolfdoctor?  That was great advice.
DavidO


I'm a PM addict

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#9 2008-11-01 02:20:18

carlyse_09
Member
Registered: 2008-11-01
Posts: 3
Website

Re: Paper Mache Armor

I'm very much impressed with the artistic creation and people within that artistry.Well done.

Last edited by carlyse_09 (2012-10-23 05:54:42)

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#10 2008-11-01 17:20:40

CatPerson
Moderator
From: Washington State, U.S.A.
Registered: 2006-01-09
Posts: 1314

Re: Paper Mache Armor

Carlyse_09, I think David was referring to the galleries here.  Go up to the top of this page to the black bar, 'galleries' is toward the right end.  There are many artistic people who have posted their work in the gallery.

Sue

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#11 2008-11-03 18:40:22

dopapier
Moderator
From: UK
Registered: 2004-12-04
Posts: 754

Re: Paper Mache Armor

I think with Carlyse_09 we have a humorist.  Long life to you!

If you want to find a gallery wolfdoctor, ask Red Riding Hood.
DavidO


I'm a PM addict

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