ukswrath

Wow I though my return edges were minimal Looking good kirk

Thanks sir. I think people don't realize how easy earth magnets are to deploy and collect. I keep them in stacks of 20. Deploying I slide the end magnet off with one hand and with the other grabbing it placing it where it needs to go. Collection is even easier, once you have a stack of 2 or more place the stack on the magnet to be removed like a tool to detach. When removing one side the other falls off in my hand or is attracted to the next closest. When disassembling the yoke for example, even with all those magnets it literally took me less than a 30 seconds.

Well we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your lead. Thank you

Assembly cont.... Shoulder and back (Yoke) As you will notice in this first section here I used E6000 prior to knowing that wasn't a good idea because it flexes too much. The good news is I used a boat load, let it set for a full month and everything else around it was glued with Devcon. BTW, this is the first section of armor I assembled. Besides the belt boxes nothing else on the armor will be assembled with E6000. Connecting place to front plate. Apply Devcon glue to connecting plate as seen here and attache back plate. As mentioned in other build threads there is a weakness in the shoulders that causes the armor to crack at the location where the connecting plate meets the front plate. My solution was to take a piece of scrap and create a brace between the two to give the area some support. My hope is I didn't transfer the stress to a weaker section. Here's the support. Glued with Devcon and lathered the area a bit to give additional support. NOTE: the scrap was from the shoulder. NOTE 12//1/15: Procedure updated. Due to the shoulder bell support update, illustrated later in this build, I suggest skipping this crack update. The shoulder bell update utilizes a larger bracket that will greatly support the area mentioned here eliminating the need for this smaller one. If you DO NOT plan on performing the bell support update then continue on. Test fit Apply Devcon glue to the following areas and install braces. Let dry. Finished, before filler

Assembly cont... Thermal Detonator I highly recommend assembling the components with magnets first to ensure everything will line up. The next few pictures will give you a idea of what it will look like assembled but not glued. The sections. Tube bottom Tube top Cap right (short). Cap left (long) Back plate Mount 1) Start by trimming the end caps to the following specs. Right side cap (short) 15mm. Left side end cap (large) 38mm. 2) Assemble the bottom and top tube sections, using magnets to hold together. From the inside slide the left and right side caps. NOTE: The left side cap will extend outside of the tube section. The right side will reside inside the tube section. Apply small amounts of CA glue on seems throughout the inside of the tube section. This is a temporary hold for additional test fitting to come. Test fit on back plate. Once satisfied with the test fit, apply Devcon glue along the inside of tube and caps seams. Wearing gloves evenly spread out the glue. Let dry. Prepare to glue tube to back plate. Apply Devcon to tube mount. Assemble to back plate. Clamp both sections together or place semi heavy object on top of tube assembly. Let dry 45 minutes. Remove clamp Install mount. After trimming, one side of the mount will be longer and tapered compared to the other side. The tapered side will be glued to the back plate. Clamp together. Let dry. Remove clamps Finished, prior to applying filler.

Did you make the hooks yourself?

great questions Tim. 1) 40 2) Yes, I will try to illustrate that tonight 3) I will update my tool and materials list tonight EDIT: Yes

Yes, link please, this is sweet!

Ditto!

Lookin good Tyler

So true regarding trimming and trim lines. It wasn't by accident I took time off from the TFA to build a TK for a garrison mate. Though I was building something else I was watching TFA build threads intensely, learning, studying and hoping to avoid some of the obstacles they had to overcome. It's one thing to illustrate cut lines, it's another to see what it's supposed to look like after the trimming. Myself along with other builders are doing our best to document each process to make it easier and less frustrating for the next gen. As each build is started, documented and completed the process is refined. Soon you'll be leading the next gen, and so on. Thanks for the Kudos brother. Six hours, if that. It's all about prep work (armor, game plan), proper tools and material. Once the assembly started it was actually a joy to do. The glue I have to say made it as simple as installing cover strips on a TK, glue and clamp. Once I figured out how to streamline the gluing, coupled with 45 minute cure times, the process was like that of an assembly line. As mentioned, if I'd had more magnets I could have easily cut the time in half. Tonight I'm hoping to have most of the assembly posted here. BTW, I have yet to hear from any veterans. If any of you are reading this and see anything I've overlooked please chime in.

I couldn't find the file or a template in my kit either, I just measured and cut strips. I figured it wan't rocket science right ?

Tim, WOW! These are awesome. See you on the other side. Just be advised I may be calling on your photo service for my TFA.

EDIT: 1) Identify pieces and outline sections to trim 2) Everything else lol You got it Walter, whatever you need brother.

That's one damn good looking set of armor Peter

Awesome, a shiny new kit waiting to be put together.

Hey Stein looking good sir Judging by the very nice build you have going on I have a suggestion about your TD clips. Notice the placement of your mounting screws compared the reference pic I've provided. Though where yours are mounted won't effect any approvals it will definitely be suggested as something to change for accuracy sake.

what is the angle on this? i'm not quite sure how much i should be taking off. sent from my iphone using tapatalk Here's some reference pics you cab draw your own conclusion regarding cover chamfer angles.

On the last AM builld I had to remove just over 1" to get the clearance needed.

Trim the lower shin if you can't get the thigh any higher. Edit: How much have you taken off the shin so far?

Check and recheck

My bad, "CANVAS" should have been the key word for me... doe! Again, no I didn't heat it, but that's me.

Ammo belt, I did not heat. Once all my measurements and mounting points were set I drilled the holes in the ammo belt upper corners. Starting on one side of the thigh (left or inner in my case) I positioned, marked than drilled the hole in the thigh. Installed the rivet securing the belt to the thigh. Stretched ammo belt around the front of the thigh. If your measurements are correct the center ammo box will be aligned with the outer cover strip. Align ammo belt with thigh (right or outer), mark and drill hole. Install rivet.

Yea the Canon bracket system has always confused me. In my observations the sections are tied together at the edges. Gravity alone wants to pull the two apart causing a gap. Using less material is supposed to remedy this issue, I guess if your 5'10 or so that makes sense. At those heights your chest plate would naturally hang over the ab however, if your a taller trooper that theory probably won't work as intended. That's where a bit of improvisation comes is. Not the best option but it gets the job done. Looking good