ok so im starting a new cosplay costume,i need sheet metal for the armour but i havent a clue where to get it,
i havent a proper photo of the costume(rather frustrating in the lack of photos)but its plate armour,tenchus Rikimarus samurai/shinobie armour,i already have a good site for the cord(ito used for swords and armour in japan)if anyone knows a good site for painting armour the traditional way it would be of great help too

Buy it online and have it delivered. Even if you must ship it in because steel is bloody expensive.

What you'll want is light, strong, but easily worked steel. I'm guessing cold rolled, 0.2mm thick. Anything more and you will literally be donning armour. 20 Gauge should be about right.

I personally would get in touch with a car bodyshop, ask where they would buy sheet steel from for car body panels. This would give you a good medium to use.

Don't know enough to help you, but your post reminded me of this:

http://www.arador.com/articles/18things.html

Some useful tips to keep in mind!

(The main site http://www.arador.com/index.html has a lot of information on armour construction, maybe you can find articles on painting armour there.)

If you're buying online, and aren't using the armour for LARP/re-enactment/combat, have you considered sheet aluminium intead?

Ouch! And this is why us cosplayers make all of our armour out of craftfoam and paper mache... XD

Haha yes. We could use real metal... but in the end it's just a bad idea. Solid state armour is very painful, even if it's plastic. People don't realise how much pain I put myself through every time I wear my Siegfried costume. I get bruises all down my arms the next day.

As others have said, and more will no doubt follow, consider using alternative materials such a sheet foam (plastazote, foamex, etc). While it may look realistic, hard materials are likely to be painful to put on and wear, as Tab has already testified to.

If you are still determined to use metal, here is a place I found (click) while doing research for a costume. It's mainly small sheet aluminium which may be of some help.

Having worn real Norman and Viking armour I can add to what the others have said and recommend against using metal for costume armour.

Its painful and heavy. If your not used to it it can really mess up your joints. Especially if you plan to wear it for long periods of time.

Craft foam is a great way to go as is Plastazote. Some quite like using Wonderflex.

I personally use Foamlux PVC sheets (used for sign making. Also known as Cintra). However, I wouldn't recommend using it if you've never made armour before.

home made metal armour is also banned from most cons.

Also it's difficult and dangerous to work with.

thank you all
ive found a place that dose sheet metal,thanks for the links and advice too,very helpfull,especially yours Pez im very great-full

Buy it online and have it delivered. Tks```