cr4nky

Thanks! Here´s the final mod to the handplates: Still have to wetsand and polish up the edge, but otherwise, I´m really happy with them. All in all (including the return edge) I think they´re about 7-8mm smaller than the original all the way around, maybe even 1cm.

Here's a few pics of how things are fastened on the FX: Thighpiece with velcro on abs glued to the inside: And then I fasten it to the belt with elastic: Butt plate is velcroed to the kidney plate with nylon webbing: I bought some suspenders/bracers from a local store that sells workclothes, I just glued the fasteners to the inside, since I didn't want to cut openings in the top of the ab plate: I attached pairs of snaps from the shoulderstraps (which are reinforced) down to the shoulder bells (I jused a heatgun to reshape the abs piece so it fit the shape of the inside of the bell). Did the same on the bicep and all three sit really well: Hope this helps anyone stuck on how to put some of the pieces together:-)

I haven´t done this mod yet (still waiting on the new iron), but at least ABS melts at around 225 celsius if I remember correctly. I would definately follow the edge as opposed to working up an down it. I would also keep the iron moving constantly to get a smoother edge all the way around. If you do one spot at a time, you might end up with a lot of bumps from spot to spot. When it comes to melted ABS and the finish, it has at least kept the shine when I´ve done similar thing with a heatgun. On that note, I think this mod might be able to do with a heatgun as well. Just my 2 cents.

Hmm... looks like my FX overhaul will start sooner than expected. Just got in touch with RT, so I´ll probably change out the calfs, forearms and biceps from the FX with RT pretty soon. I have a feeling this FX won´t be an FX for long:-) RT sent me measurements for his suit and they look like they´ll fit me great without any shimming whatsoever. So I´m gonna start with changing out those parts from the FX that doesn´t fit me and then gradually change out the rest as well. I guess that´s how this works. Ever changing and evolving. :-)

Hehe...you can't know everything. :-P I'm just thanksful people take the time to check each others builds, so people don't make huge booboo's. That's the spirit of the people doing this, helping each other as best as possible. :-)

I have the ammoboxes on the right thigh and the kneeplate on the left calf. The picture is taken in a mirror:) That's correct, isn't it?

I mentioned earlier using a white plastic bucket, that is probalby the closest I can get. ABS is hard to come by here in the north. I know one company that sells it. 1mm thick, I'd like it to be a bit thinner, but I'm considering trying it out. I can always shape it a bit with a heatgun so it doesen't pull to much on the pieces. I just hope their sheets are big enough. I talked to a company that makes signs, but they asked a ridiculous price for two small sheets. Something liker $90-100. If someone "over there" wants to get rid of some ABS taht's taking up space, hit me with a PM:-)

Sweet, I'll do that then. Since you're here. The gaps between the chest and back, is imitation leather ok to fill it with?

I'll try that this weekend. And yes, I'll do it all in the same photoshoot:) By the way, the holster that comes with the FX-kit. Not accepted for elite, right? If so, I need to get a new one.

I've got a foot in both worlds here. I like symmetrical just because the thought how it "should" have been. But in my mind, if I'm going for idealized I would take it all the way with loads of electronics and whatnot. I currently have the MRCE, but will change it up for an AP to begin with (was going with TE2, but the white paint I've come across so far doesn't match the ABS good enough in my opinion). I like the wonky look mostly because it has some charm and gives the face of the bucket more character (or something like that). It ads a little personality to the face.

This is how I worked with the heatgun to form ABS-pieces, now they fit 100% to the inside of all the parts. Just heated the piece up the set it against the the inside of biceps, shoulder bell etc. and let it set to the shape. Worked like a charm. This is testfit #2 (crappy cellphone pic, but it's just to show the progress. I'll use my good camera when it's done). I got the kneeplate on and the ammo pack, and all the other fun. Still waiting on a belt from firebladejedi and to finish the TD/O2 can, I ran into a problem with the buttplate though... There's always a butt problem somewhere. It kinda rides out up by the kidneyplate (I'll try to show a pic of it later if need be). It doesen't sit flush with the kidneyplate. I'm not sure how to solve this (get a bigger butt to fuill it out maybe...), but I have two ideas. Make the elastic between the cod and butt a little looser, so it doesn't pull as much on the butt, or pad the lower inside of the butt. Ideas and suggestions are welcome!!! I'm, hopefully, not too far away from getting my TK-number and with it, elite status.

Nice, might hit you up for a pair.

Thanks a lot! Here's a few mor thing done today. I modded the shoulder bells by cutting off a substantioal part at the bottom of them. Then I used a heatgun to reshape them. Here's the before and after with the heat gun: And, since I realized I'd built the chest/back with all weight hanging on the shoulder straps, I decided to reinforce them with loads of glue and imitation leather with the snaps for the shoulders. Here's how that turned out: I've also attached the ammostrip on the thigh and the kneeplate on the calfpiece. I'll see how far I come along tonight, and maybe I'll do a more complete testfit.

alright, thanks. I've emailed him, so I'll eagerly await a reply then:)

Thanks a bunch, mate! :-) That's the way I'm going. Problem solved.

Congrats on ordering your suit. Rt-suits look killer. Does anyone here know if RT sells parts? I'm looking to get forearms, biceps and calfs since he FX ones are way too small and I'd like to avoid shimming as much as possible. Sorry for hijacking a bit:)

I made a little booboo doing this, I glued the straps to both the chest and back plate. Now I ahf to find a smart way to reinforce it I guess :-P Maybe just use a heatgun and form some ABS and then glue it to the underside of both the armor and strap, hmm....

That sounds like something I should have been able to figure out myself. I get tunnelvision whem I'm working...hehe. I'll try that. Got another tip from a co-worker, which I also should have been able to think of myself. Just glue a piece of foamrubber on top of it. Problem solved, no scratches.

I was just wondering what to do with the backside of the rivets. As I understand it, installing them is just to make a hole, put the rivet in there, a washer on the backside and then fasten it with the pliers until the "rod" snaps off. But when doing this you end up with a lump on the backside wich will stick out about 2mm. I did a test where I used a diamond cuttingwheel on the Dremel to shorten it, the result was that the rivet got so hot the ABS melted. So, what do you guys do?!

I'm so bummed I didn't get to see the Rubies when we where there :-P Heard he was wearing black shoes as well. Hehe.

Are you thinking about the corners, to make it more canon? Or trimming the whole length of the bottom part up a bit, to shorten the entire chest? Oh yeah, another thing I was curious about. When filling in the gap between the chest and black plate. I'm having a real hard time getting a hold of ABS sheets, almost no one in Norway wants to sell this, and the ones who do dont't sell big enough sheets. Would pieces from, lets say, a white plastic bucket be approved for Elite status? :-)

Yeah, chesttrimming is in the plans, just need to get everything fitted to see how much. you´re thinking of the bottom right? I just have a little problem with the hobbyiron I bought. It kinda sucks. Tried giving a return edge after trimming the handplates...no luck. Probably have to get a better one.

Here's a quick testfit: Yeah, yeah...the left bicep has twisted around my arm :-) I still have to attach the shoulderbells and the biceps to them. Also need to finish up the connection between the crotch and butt. Other than that, everything seems to sit fairly well. I'll post pics of the things I did today later.

I vote for making them honorary members of some sort and maybe a joint effort in making them something personalized funded through member donation or something. Just a thought.

Pics up after I finish the belt for the thigh pieces (that would be in a couple of hours or so). :-) Wanna show off the belt as well. UPDATE: Ok, here are a few progress pics: My wife sewing a bit for me (thank god): Elastic with ABS and velcro for the thigh: The finished thighsetup: Wearing it: The progress so far: Tomorrow I start work on the ab, kidney and butt parts. Thanks for looking!! :-)