mercury26

Ok a few updates,I have been finishing up my snap plates over the last couple days. In addition, I am getting re-acquainted with the work that needs to be done. I am running a couple things in parallel to get this done over the next few weeks. Here is the Ab plate, I did the split rivets on one side though not completely happy as I could not get them to all lay flat. I will work on that over time. I am about to put the externally exposed snap on the right side top. I have marked two locations, #1 and #2. #2 seems the correct place based on the built in "shims" of the NE armor. I need the shims, because I am a big guy (6'3", 225lb). If #2 looks incorrect, then please let me know.

Thanks for moving, thought it was originally in the Build Threads section.

Umm, it is in the Build Threads section.

OK, after a very long hiatus. I am about to get restarted again and (the impossible) try to finish in the next 4 weeks for my 7y/o (soon to be 8) daughters Star Wars themed birthday party. I am going to need a lot of help, but feel that if I can focus my time can get it done. I started a new job at a start-up since I last posted and it has been extremely time consuming. Also in my quest for a Centurion level build, I did something that I was unhappy with. The build will look good, but will lose some comfort (which unfortunately demotivated me). Nonetheless, I am looking forward to getting this going.

Thanks for checking in and definitely want to get trooping soon. I have been fighting some sickness the last three weeks, first a virus then a nasty cold. I will be back up and running this weekend. I have made some progress and will post some pics. My wife wants it done for my (soon to be) 2y/o birthday. Got to get working..!

Yes, I am a bigger trooper. I am 6'3" and around 230lbs (give or take a few pounds). I used some painters tape to test fit sides and the stock material seems like enough to cover my sides. I will be drilling and riveting tonight, thanks for the help. I will relocate my rivet locations, top and bottom will be moved closer to the edge (thinking about 15-20cm from edges).

I am about to rivets in place for the elastic to connect the left side together. I marked with "x" where each of the six rivets will go. I placed them 10mm from the edge and equally spaced them about 4.5cm apart. Does this look correct? If you see my thumb that is the top part of the side. In the other pics, the top rivet looks closer to the top of the side seam but then they are not equally spaced. I am going to be using 1" width elastic.

Very minor progress, trimmed the shoulder "straps" and painted the ab buttons. Here is a pic of the ab buttons, was hoping that my paint job would be a bit cleaner. I need more practice. Pic with and without flash.

Yes, 3 piece helmet but no progress yet. Will probably start working on it in the next week or so. I did drill and file out the teeth on the face plate.

Does it matter which version of E6000 to use for a build? Is their a preference for White or Clear? I purchased white but seeing if folks have a preference.

Thanks for both correcting my incorrect assumption. Glad I put the drill down last night and walked away. Thanks for all your help, most invaluable.

Ok, that makes sense. Good thing I asked first. One more questions, should I could along the green line in picture ONE or the green line in picture TWO. Picture One: Picture Two:

I am working on my Ab plate as part of my build. I have looked at a lot of pictures and from what I see I need to trim the following areas. I will be showing pics with and without a blue line. From the my understanding, I should cut along the blue line and NOT add a return edge. Is this correct? Right Side Thigh area Area to be cut off. Left side thigh area Ab plate inside view above thigh

I am in the process of working on a helmet for AHN Stunt. I had a couple questions which are listed below with pics. Two sets of questions are listed below. If I am doing a stunt helmet with 4 teeth, should I drill and file the area circled in blue. I believe the answer is yes. Next set of questions, how much should be filed cleaned up around the teeth? Is their a requirement for this for EIB or Centurion certification?

I thought it granted access the executive Sith restrooms.

Well, I have been lagging. I just realized that I had not updated my thread in 10 days. THough I have not made much progress, as I have been busy with family and traveling for work. I made some more progress today and got over my hesitation to make my first cut. I figured that I would start with the Ab Button plates to get a feel for cutting the ABS plastic. I have some pics below showing the cut ab button plates which I will probably paint soon. Also, I cut the bottom of cod plate which is shown below. Everything to me looks good so far, but open to opinions. Some questions, the return edge on the ad plate seems too large and was thinking of trimming. Thoughts? Also, the sides have some pointy edges that I thought could use some sanding to round off a bit more. Here are some pics of the cut cod at the bottom. Here are some pics of the ab plate return edges which look a little too wide to me. Should they be trimmed??? Here is a pic of corner edges that I think should be more rounded, rather sharp right now. You can see some of the corner edges above also. Thanks in advance, Chuck

I am working on prepping for my E11 build. I picked up the last DVH kit, definitely excited! 1. What kind of adhesive is best for a PVC muzzle and the DVH pieces? E-6000 or some other adhesive? 2. Where can I source a return spring? Or does anyone know the size (length and width)? Thanks, Chuck

OK, I started looking starting some trimming and test assembly. Based on some opinions from others, sounds like the ab and kidney plate might be a good place to start. As with my other posts with pics, I have questions inline with the pictures. Looking at the ab plate, the cod cover seems way too long front to back. I drew a blue line where it might seem prudent to cut. Any thoughts? Similar question on butt plate portion of the armor, the lower part seems too long from back to front. The blue line shows where I am thinking of cutting. Now for the Ab button plates, my thinking is the I trim the outer edge around the blue part and then glue to part highlighted in orange (in pic 2). Is that correct? Same thing for the button plate on the left side. Cut around the blue and glue to the area highlighted in orange. Correct? Last set of pics for doing some trimming, is the border highlighted in blue seem to make sense for trimming. I looked at a lot of pics and seems to be the right area to trim. Thanks in advance for any help, Chuck

One other quick question, how wide should I make the ABS strip to connect two parts together? Is their a recommended guideline or requirement? Thanks, Chuck

OK, did some test fitting of pieces. Ignore the lower arms in this picture, I made some changes that will be closer to what I need (shown in later pics). Lots of pics, but I am a visual guy and helps me for reference. I have some questions inline with the pics, as you scroll through. One initial question, do I keep the rounded (return edges??) or should they be cut flush with edge (removing rounded in part)? Here are the legs, looks like some trimming. My assumption is trim the edges with the blue tape to narrow gap for fit. I will have some examples of gap on later pics. Side view of legs. Ab Plate, first question here. I have a plate the has the five buttons. Any thoughts on how to trim it to fit? Do I cut out the inner most part of the loose button plate (shown in second and third pic below)? I am thinking that I cut it out, so it slides in the recessed portion of the existing area on the Ab plate. BTW, I know the plate oreientation is wrong in the pics, the single button is in the upper left corner. I am just curious how to trim it to fit. Right Arm Lower portion, another question. I am assuming that I just cut around wrist area to fit. Also, I have some pics of gap later on. Upper Left arm part, does this look correct? Or does it require trimming? Upper right arm, does this require any trimming? Here is the lower right arm portion, I am assuming this needs trimming up near the top (elbow side). Is that correct? Should the upper contours match the left arm (see pics above)? Here is the right leg lower gap, how tight should this be on the leg? Lower left leg, same gap question, how much? Left Arm gap, once again how much gap is acceptable? Right arm gap, once again how much gap should I have? (sorry if the question is getting redundant) Right arm pieces, upper contour seems wrong compared to left arm (pic 2 below).

On the E-11, I meant the 1-1/2" PVC pipe that is used as the barrel of the gun. Do I paint the PVC or just use the native black PVC color? Also, so matte black for vocoder on helmet and hovis? Got it!

Please note I posted a very similar thread on another section of the forum, though this particular section seemed better for tracking my build. I am a new member to the forum and about to embark on my first ever build. I went with the NE Full Kit, as it appeared to be one of the better kits for my build (6'3", 235lb) and it was readily available (a lot of kits do not seem available). I received the kit last Thursday and started going through it tonight. Everything was VERY nicely packed and very complete kit, though the helmet faceplate had a small crack near the right eye. The seller is working on getting me a new faceplate, waiting for the tracking number. I haver been ordering most of the extras from here and there (mostly from here), will outline where I am buying things very soon. I am trying to figure out where to start, torso, legs, arms, etc. Any advice? I will also add some pics tomorrow of the overall kit, but not much to see Look forward to the build and apologize in advance for a lot of questions. Also, I have joined my local garrison's forum to get to know folks local. A couple questions: 1. Is it better to use E6000 adhesive or ABS adhesive? I heard E6000 is more forgiving for mistakes but worry about overall strength. 2. What is the best tool for cutting or trimming to fit? Dremel? Snips? If so, any recommendations on type of snips? 3. What is the best paint color for the Hovi mics? 4. While not related to the armor, what is the best paint color for the E-11 ABS Barrel? I will have many more to come when I get into the build. Thanks, Chuck

I am going to do a ANH Stunt build with my set. On the helmet build, is the proper method to drill out the mouth holes? Then paint the others? Or to keep them filled in and then alternate paint?

I am a new member to the forum and about to embark on my first ever build. I went with the NE Full Kit, as it appeared to be one of the better kits for my build (6'3", 235lb) and it was readily available (a lot of kits do not seem available). I received the kit last Thursday and started going through it tonight. Everything was VERY nicely packed and very complete kit, though the helmet faceplate had a small crack near the right eye. I contacted the seller tonight, so I am hoping to get a replacement. I haver been ordering most of the extras from here and there (mostly from here), will outline where I am buying things very soon. I am trying to figure out where to start, torso, legs, arms, etc. Any advice? I will also add some pics tomorrow, but I have to get to bed right now. Look forward to the build and apologize in advance for a lot of questions. Also, I have joined my local garrison's forum to get to know folks local.