TK Monkus

I also marked up where the new holes should go and would like to just double check they are correct this time so I do not have to do this again...ever. The dots would be where the hole is drilled following this guide. Once I paired the Ab and Kidney I noticed in order to line them up, I may need to trim the corner off the top. Is that ok to do? See pictures below and red line about where I would trim. Thanks, M

I made my ABS paste and filled in the holes following @kman tutorial on how to make it, @Morgi tutorial about how to apply it, and this link by @Ensi about how to shine. Thanks guys! I am not 100% happy, although pretty happy as I thought this would be a total disaster, with the result as you can still see rings where the holes were. Should I paint over that with white paint? I tested the paint on a piece of scrap and the colors are slightly different as the armor is more of a cream. I did multiple layers of ABS paste and sanding and every time I sanded the rings came back. Do I just need to do even more layers? Thanks, M

Thanks Luca! That link is very helpful

I was able to remove all the ab rivets and even managed to save one to use. Now I will sand the back down and need to head to the store to get some acetone to make some ABS paste. Should I fill where the indentation is on the front with paste as well? Question: I am guessing I will need to move the kidney rivets as well? I did these at the same time but thankfully the kidney had not been attached yet so I can pull the rivets out easily. Thanks, M

Hey Scott, Thanks for that. I think I will try a mixture of yours and using Kmans paste tutorial. I don't think I have a tool that I can cut out the circles with so may just do as Glen mentioned and secure a small piece of ABS onto the back and fill the hole with the paste. Thanks, M

Thanks Glen. As I am shooting for Centurion I should make those changes now, so thank you for the heads up. Do you think I can I pry the current rivets open and re use them or do I need to find some new ones?

Made some progress on the strapping and rivets. Thanks to @gmrhodes13 I was able to find a tool that worked to set my snaps. I use the Phillips head to split and then the snap tool for the rest, as Glen mentioned, and it works great. I added the 3 rivets to the side of the ab with the straps and added the holes to the side of the kidney, but decided to get my strapping set before attaching the rivets to the kidney. I also added the cod rivet and strap. And have the strap bases drying on the kidney and butt plate with the straps waiting to be attached. I am not using elastic as I hope this will help to pull the sides of the butt plate in as they looked like they were flaring out, although that was just with tape, when test fitting. Once those are dry I will get the strapping on for the back and kidney connection. If anyone see's anything that looks off please let me know. Thanks again Glen for the tip on the tool, very helpful. Thanks, M

Thanks Glen. I will check around and see if I can find one locally otherwise will try and order one.

Hey Guys, I am trying to make the strapping pieces and having trouble with the snaps. I am following @justjoseph63 tutorial and doing the double snap method. See below what tools I have, maybe I just need different ones? I am using line 24snaps. I saw @gmrhodes13 thread as well about setting them using a screw driver and I tried that way and still isn't really working, although that was the only way I was able to get to where I am at now. I used a Philips screw driver to try and open them up then tried using the tools I had, which did nothing, so tried using a bolt that fit inside to flatten everything and while one looks ok, the rest didn't really turn out (see pic). I can sometimes get one of them to snap together, but don't think it should require that much effort to snap them so I think I am either doing something wrong, or need some different tools. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks, M

Thank you Glen! I think I will leave off the screws for now and just do those that you mentioned need to be on there. M

Thank you, that is helpful. I think I will just go the route of the double snap without adding the original strapping. If I need to in the future I can always go back and add what I need. Thanks, M

I glued on my sniper plate and so with that the legs are complete! (minus painting the ammo belt rivets) On to the torso and getting the strapping set. I am going to go with the double snap method I think even though it may be a bit easier to follow the RS video and do it that way. Question: I know there are certain rivets and screws that need to go in even if they are not "functional" if I am doing the double snap. I think it is just the 3 rivets on the Left side of the torso and kidney, and then the 3 screws on the top and bottom of the chest and torso in the front? Am I missing any others? Is it worth just following the original strapping method and then going back after and adding in double snaps in certain areas? Here are pics of the legs. Thanks, M

I adjusted the arm straps and they are currently drying. I will post a pic tomorrow. I am about ready to glue the sniper plate on to the shin. Want to make sure placement looks good before I do though. Anyone see any issues? Is the small gap under the front ok? I can place big magnets to make that a bit smaller if so. Thanks, M

Thanks Glen. See where the elastics are in red in the pic below. I will try and adjust the right side so it is more straight and sits along those cover strips and just adjust that forearm as needed for it to sit properly. Thanks, M

Thank you!

Thanks James. I see you are in the socal garrison, where about in socal are you?

Hey Guys, I have had a little bit of time and am getting my arm strapping set up. I think I have things almost where they need to go but want to make sure before I glue the straps in place. My right arm could probably use a forearm rotation a bit more forward? See pics below. Questions: I would like to align the dimpled ridge of the forearm with the raised edge of the bicep as much as I can. In order to do that I need to glue the elastic strip at a bit of an angle though. Is that ok? How perfectly aligned do they need to be, or is it more personal preference? I don't really see anything in the checklist pertaining to that. R arm L arm Thanks, M

There wasn't really much additional bend. It felt like the normal amount. I did think of the overcorrection and tried that, but still no difference. Maybe I will boil water and just try pouring it over the pieces? Thanks, M

I tried the hot water bath for the shins but either didn't leave them in long enough or maybe the water wasn't hot enough? Due to the size of the shins I couldn't boil water so I turned the bath as hot as it would go, which is hot enough you can't leave your hand in the water for more than a fraction of a second, and let them sit in there for about 15 min, then tried holding them in position. They didn't take. I am really just trying to bring the top so it is even. Right now one side sits slightly above the other on both the left and right. Maybe it is such a small distance that a hot water bath isn't enough? Or should they sit in longer? Any tips would be helpful. I did add the cover strips on to my forearms. I think one of them wasn't trimmed properly and so sits a bit oddly on my arm, but can maybe be fixed with foam inside. They were one of the first pieces I started trimming and so was still pretty new to the whole process. See pics below (not on my arm). Thanks, M

Thanks Glen! I will try the hot water bath and keep that in mind when adding the cover strip. M

Thanks Glen.

Hey Guys, It has been a while as work has been kicking my butt. I have the cover strips on my forearms, but realize one side isn't long enough so am going to amend that before I post. Question about my shins: The backside tops don't align perfectly, but will the strapping be enough to pull those even or will that be to much strain? Want to make any adjustments before adding the back cover strips. I am going to be using the 3 small hook method by the way. Thanks, M

I trimmed out the return edges of my shoulder bells as well as added my thigh ammo pack which means the thighs are ready for strapping! I do still need to paint the rivets white, but am thinking of just doing that all at once when I have the torso completed as well. Shoulder Bells Thigh Ammo Pack Thanks, M

I also trimmed down my shoulder bells. I am going to trim out the rest of that return edge in red. Thanks, M

Cut the thigh ammo belt to size and it is ready to be mounted. I made small ABS chips for the fronts of the thighs for a little extra strength. Once those dry I will mount the thigh ammo belt. Thanks, M