Ditch

So, for basic approval it is ok to have this gap?

So I've been working on my AP TK armor and have an issue with the sides from the kidney plate and the front ab section. I am 5' 11" 205 lbs. so a bit bigger then a Trooper that it was designed for. The gap between these two is larger then all the screen shots and other 501st members pics that I have seen. Is there a certain tolerance in these two sections? should I get a large piece of white elastic to cover this section? Or is just using black elastic like most do acceptable? Thanks for any input.

So I got the ab buttons attached and some strapping on the kidney/butt plate done today.

Here is a pic of what Tim and I got done today. I already had most of the bucket done. The biggest concern I had was painting the vocoder, and Tim said no problem. Lets knock it out. So after the paint has dried, I installed the green acetate lens material that came with the kit from AP. I know it should be darker, I will address this issue later when I get ready for 501st approval. Then there are the biceps and fore arms that we got sized and the inside reinforcing strip glues on with E600. Tomorrow I will get the finishing strips on and I will start to enclose them with a secret trick that I was given by Tim. But I will have to visit Home Depot first . More to come later.

I want to give a shout out to Trooper Tim for coming over today and helping me get started on my AP build. I was hesitant at first to start gluing, but with his guidance and assistance I can see this will go smooth. I hope to get my TK number within the next month or so. Again Tim, A big thanks for your help.

Here is where I am at as of today. Still needs some minor cosmetic things including the charging handle. But I'm liking it.

Not with the seam on the front.

I know I've read it somewhere here. But can't be 100% sure. The finishing strips on the front of all the armor seams, is it 7/8"?

After some modifications to the supplied aerator tips, I think they cam out nice. Painted the inside base white. Difficult to see. And then painted the outside to get rid of the chrome edges. Also removed one of the screens to make it more see through.

The TD is done.

Thanks for the info. I think to start I may just go with the supplied tips to get approved. Then once I've trooped a few times I will upgrade. But I do think they need to have some paint work on them to get rid of the chrome finish around the rim.

Another question. Are the aerator tips that are provided by AP 501st approved? Or should they be updated to Hovi mic tips?

Just a couple more of where I am at.

I've been playing around with the ears all morning and have a concern. Is this gap acceptable on the right ear? I can't seem to get it to close any more.

That is so true..

Thanks for the info guys. Here is a mock up of the bucket without the ears. Just wanted to make sure I had the holes in the right spot.

1st question, what grey is used on the TD? Is it gloss or a satin finish? I have the PVC tube, but not sure how the finish is supposed to be. Also, is there a certain grey paint number for it? Just like the ab buttons?

The box arrived today from AP. Thanks guys for the work you did. That was the longest 3 months I have had to endure. But now that I have opened the box and let that wonderful plastic smell out, I am in awe. But I had my friend Tom the Trooper help me out on unpacking. Now starts the journey and tons of questions to come in the future. Tom on top of the world. Helping me unpack all the plastic What have I gotten myself into? More to come later.

So I didn't get much done today. All I did was experiment with a bolt carrier and try to weather/distress it the best I could. But here is a dry fit for the bolt carrier and spring.

So I got bored tonight and decided to do a bit more work. I attached the bayonet lug to the barrel, and glued the collapsible stock together. After the stock cured I bondoed it. I will sand it in the morning. I forgot how much I hate CA glue, I got it all over my fingers and have been soaking them in WD-40 for a while now to release it.

Yeah, but I didn't want to attach them and then have them up to far up, or to low on the glove. So I felt it better to wait and not get ahead of myself.

Thanks. Here is what I got done tonight. I sanded all the resin parts. Got the D-Ring glued on the end cap. The trigger, trigger guard and firing selector switch glued on to the pistol grip. And then the magazine/magazine receiver, magazine release button and power cell fuse block attached. I think I will head off to Home Depot tomorrow to get some allen head screws, and drill out the ones on the pistol grip and the muzzle break and attach them. Ohhh yeah, thanks gmrhodes13 for the link.

The one thing I can't seem to locate are the dimensions of the scope rail. I know I have seen them somewhere, but can't find them now. Could someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks.

I got some black silicon adhesive yesterday. But after sitting there for about an hour thinking about placement, I figured it would be best to hold off till I get my armor so I can have an accurate fitting with the fore arms on.