BrinkHouse

I guess the thread should be called a RE-build, instead of a build, as I picked up the set of RT-mod armor from TB5K (TK #55321) second hand. Most of the kit is assembled apart from some small elements such as TD, snaps needing installed, etc. he was shorter and a slightly larger build than I am, so some resizing/modifying of certain pieces will be necessary. Luckily it's mostly put together with e6000 and snaps so hopefully that won't be a nightmare! I'm super excited to get started on this, just seeing it on my living room floor makes me so happy! This is my absolute first time doing any of this and so while I've spent many a night reading over the build threads here, there is still a LOT I'm unsure about. I'd love your guys' experience and guidance. Here is a quick to do list after talking with TB5K and trying on the armor as is. I'll start posting more photos tomorrow with some specific questions I have. Things I'm Not Worried About: • left shoulder bell needs snap • biceps need hooks • trim belt to proper length and restitch • install snaps on new belt (kit came with a khaki toned belt with snaps already aligned to ab plate, but he also included a new white belt which I'm thinking I'll use but it needs trimmed/snaps) • replace elastic straps on hand armor with Velcro (is this acceptable?) •build TD from kit (all the parts are there, just needs assembling) Things I Am Worried About: • trim kindey/ab plate. [it's currently too big around for me, and I probably need to take off a few inches to fit my narrow frame. Is it as straight forward as disconnecting the two sides and taking off some material from front and back, or should all the material be removed from the kidney, for example?] • thighs, forearms and biceps all need slight trimming, the thighs are the worst offenders. • currently the back piece has no connection to the kidney plate, need to figure that out. • need to assess how the cod and butt connect as well as how those connect to the kidney and ab plates • need to adjust the front and back plate spacing [they are sitting slightly off my body. Maybe adjustable via shoulder straps, need to investigate tomorrow.] • wondering if chest plate needs more secure connection to ab plate [currently just two elastic snaps holding it down to ab plate] Photos will come tomorrow, wrote this on my iPad and apparently this forum hates that idea.

Glad you guys are digging it!

Any updates on this? Also interested in going this path but would love to hear some examples before I make the leap!

Badass so far. Keep it up!

Just ordered one of these blasters and can't wait to get it in hand to start chopping it up!

Oh... and MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! ---------

Hey guys! So excited to join this group of passionate and imaginative people, the stuff some of you guys are doing is super inspiring. I decided after some searching around to give making my own neck seal a try, I think it came out okay, considering the whole thing costs about $10 to make. Please let me know what you think, I'd love any feedback. First I went to Home Depot and picked up a package of this stuff: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-E-O-5-16-in-x-1-4-in-x-17-ft-Black-EPDM-Cellular-Rubber-Weatherstrip-Tape-V25BK/202844545 It's great because it's got two round 'tubes' per strip, with adhesive on the back. I then went on a half day long search for a black turtleneck, to no avail. Who knew finding turtlenecks was actually really difficult? Hmmh. So then I had the idea that maybe the arm of a T-shirt would fit over my head! Turns out a 2XL worked pretty damn well. So I cut the sleeve off from the shirt, leaving some material that I could tuck inside my compression shirt later. Once I had the weatherstrip and the shirt material, I simply removed the adhesive backing and started applying the strips in rows to the sleeve. Surprisingly the weatherstrip stuck really well to the shirt and I didn't have to use additional adhesive. I butted the rows up against each other and cut them with a razor blade. I decided to do four strips, giving me eight tubes. For me this fit nicely up against my chin, and gave me enough room around my neck that it didn't choke or rub against my adams apple. You could adjust this to your preference, obviously. Once I had all the strips installed and trimmed, I cut a slit down the sleeve where the tubes met. This is necessary so you can actually get your head through. Go down only as far as you need to get your head through. Then I e6000'd velcro pieces over the ends of the tubes, which both cleaned up the edges and mated the strips to the fabric, keeping them from separating over time. I wasn't sure how this would look but if you look at some photos of Han in ANH, you can clearly see a velcro or similar closure on his seal. For now it's okay, I may revisit/clean this up eventually. My only little gripe is that maybe the tubes themselves are a little too thick, I'm currently looking for a thinner version of this weatherstrip. What do you guys think? All in all this seal took about an hour to make, and again cost about $10 so even despite some minor issues I think it's a worthwhile build.

I'd like to think I'm a pretty crafty and resourceful individual, and I'm wondering, with mods and changes made, if the EFX ANH helmet is an okay investment, at least for the short term? I was thinking of getting on a waiting list for ATA or RT-Mods for one of their helmets but would be good to have something in the mean time, even if it means I have to modify it/fix some things like fill the seam under frown, add screws to ears, raise brow, replace lenses, etc. Thoughts?