Hey All, Still a bit of time on my AP armor, but I figure I'd start up a thread as my stuff comes in. I'm a total noob at this stuff, and not particularly handy with tools, so this will all be a huge learning experience for me. I'm going to post as much of the process as I can so maybe others can learn from my inevitable mistakes and get some info along the way ----- Now that my build is mostly done, I've decided to try and detail everything here in the OP for quick navigation, as well as provide links for purchase to things that helped me a lot. Trooper Information: Height - 5' 8" Weight - 125lb Build - Thin as a rail Feet - Huge Here's a rough list of what I purchased for this project... Armor Components:
AP Armor Kit (Trimmed) + Prebuilt Helmet
Rubber Gloves (Centurion) from Mark
Holster from Mark
Canvas Belt from Mark
TD Clips from Mark
Rubber Hand Guards from Mark
Nomex Gloves for Trooping
Silk Glove Liners for Rubber Gloves
Neckseal from Veedox
Boots from Imperial Boots
Undersuit
White Pauldron from Trooperbay
Electronics:
Throat Mic
iComm and Amp
Helmet Fans by ukswrath
Weapons:
SE-14r Pistol from Shawn Morgan
E-11 from QuestDesignCanada
DLT-19 from Hyperfirm
Supplies:
E6000 - About 75% of a bigger tube.
1" width Black Elastic - This is for all the strapping. You'll need a lot of it.
2" wide White Elastic - for shoulder connections. You'll need maybe two feet of it at most... I bought a lot so let me know if you need some
1" Nylon - For garter belt making.
White Velcro - back of shins. Boots.
Black Velcro - Various uses
Tandy's Line 24 Snaps (about a billion of them)
Split Eye Rivets from Joseph
Plasti-Dip Spray (optional)
Fine mesh from Home Depot (optional)
Tools:
Husky Razor + Replacement Blades
Needlenose Pliers
Snap Setter + Anvil - Useful if you're good with a hammer, can make a racket, and have patience. Didn't work well for me.
Snap Setting Pliers - These were very helpful and cheap, but I had to fiddle with cutting the female post. They don't work very great so you gotta hammer the studs down after...
Gold Star Snap Press - Wish I bought this to begin with. Sets them perfectly, no fussing around, no loud noise, and works great on the ab snaps for belt/etc. You want the Die Set for Ring Snaps (double cap) 24 Ligne/15m set.
Tin snippers
Hammer - setting split rivets.
Power drill
Soldering Iron - Used for searing holes in nylon, elastic, etc. Might want to get a plug-in one next time around. Careful they get very hot.
Storage:
Storage Bin from Target. ~50gal and it has wheels :3
The story thus far: Test fitting Thermal Detonator Chest/Back snap plates and arm construction. Forearm part 1 Forearm part 2 Completed arms + back/kidney/butt strapping. Test fitting #2 Shin construction + shoulder coverstraps Helmet improvements part 1 Helmet improvements part 2 Drop box construction Shins test fitting with boots Thighs construction and ammo belt attachment Butt snaps and rod rivet Left side rivet installation (w/ details) Helmet S-Trim installation (centurion requirement) Rubber gloves and rubber guard installation (centurion requirement) Fitting the kidneys and the butt plate to my tiny frame Overlap stopper Completion and first full wear 501st Membership Submission Submission Review Thighs refitting Reshaping the butt plate Shoulder and Bicep adjustments Belt Assembly Part 1: Belt Face & Holster Belt Assembly Part 2: Attaching the Belt Belt Assembly Part 3: Drop Boxes