Rocket

Man. There are a lot of options. Since I am getting skinnier, I may put shims behind the cover strip and each side of the thighs with E-6000. I think there is enough I can harvest from an untrimmed shin. That way, as I shrink (theoretically) I could detach and try again. The cover strip would be somewhat cosmetic at the top at the point. I’ll post pics when I come up with something.

Ok, now onto a real actual question. From the time I first trimmed this armor, I've gained about 12-18 pounds. Consequently, the thighs are a little tight. Also, I trimmed them straight, and not tapered. The return edge at the top-rear really bites, and overall the thigh piece barely fits. The photo with the tape is showing where the thigh piece sits while feeling somewhat comfortable. Note the gap (thanks, fat thighs) and the taper. How should I address this situation? I am in process of losing some weight, which is good but takes a while. I could just cram the thighs together with a cover strip, maybe even a wider than standard at first, and just suffer the pain. Over time I could replace that cover strip with the proper width one. Second, I could also trim the return edge on the back of the thigh at the top, which gains me enough room to at least be comfortable. Third, I could shim it, but that might come out weird given that the two surfaces wouldn't be butt joined and not to mention look dumb. My preference is to cram the thighs together, use the proper width trim, and cut the return edge off. That feels like a good compromise. Any other suggestions?

I have to say, this whole process is difficult and frustrating. I hate not being good at stuff, and this whole thing is an exercise in "not being good at stuff." I know now that I should have pulled the belt tighter when I measured and punched holes in it. The fabric part behind the plastic ammo portion is just kind of saggy. It's not terrible or a deal breaker, but man...it's frustrating. I plan on installing the holster with snaps at this point. Overall, I'm ready to start cutting and gluing cover strips, and test fitting for the inevitable "ouch that hurts" parts. I've done so much reading on the build threads, but I feel like for every bit of reading, I'm still coming across several parts that I've never seen before, or just mentally skipped or blocked it out. It's crazy how simple the concept of assembling armor is, but so many details go into accomplishing that. Thanks for reading this post and letting me vent.

I found your post in the thread, below, and now it clicks what you said above. All snaps. Did you find that the female snaps behind the plastic part of the belt made it stand off of the abdomen portion of the armor too far, or was it fine? This method seems way easier and, like you said, gives you an easy opportunity to wash the belt.

Much appreciated. I tried a small rivet gun style rivet at first on the ammo belt without the indents (and the first time I've ever used a rivet gun). Not only was the rivet way too tall out the back, it just pulled right through the fabric. So, I failed. I ordered the rivet set from Trooperbay, which apparently has all the proper rivets needed for the TK. Those are due to arrive in 3 days, and I'll probably reassess the whole belt thing then. Until then, I'm focusing on getting all the buttons, strapping and elastic installed on the rest of the armor.

I think I received two ammo belts in my box. They are slightly different (the boxes in the middle in one). Does everyone concur that these are both ammo belts?

I appreciate the links. I guess I could have found them just the same, but sometimes the obvious isn't obvious when I'm in the thick of things.

Ok, so if not many use the hard hats, I'll probably keep looking. Is the starfish foam insert a popular one?

Ok, I'm stumped on how to attach the hard hat head piece inside the helmet. I don't think I just glue it, and I think these gray brackets should be involved. But beyond that, not a clue. Help!

Well, here we are. It's 2025. As Oscar Martinez, accountant at Dunder Mifflin, once said, "Time is an S.O.B." I never did finish this build. I could come up with a lot of excuses as to why, but a lot of stuff has gone down in my life since then. But life is good. I'm a perfectionist, which doesn't mean I do everything perfect, it sometimes means I don't do things because I can't do them perfectly, and I hate making mistakes. I still have the armor, and I'm actually making a HUGE push to finish this by August 8th. Enough is enough, and I work great under deadlines. I've really been hitting it for the past 10 days. I'm feeling equal parts encouraged and discouraged at the moment. Things I've completed include: Forearms trimmed and glued. Biceps trimmed and glued. Thighs trimmed and glued. Shins trimmed and just need the final gluing to attach them to each other. They still need the velcro on the back. Buttons installed into nylon straps and glued in the abdomen, butt plate, and other various places. Ordered the belt, holster, neck seal from Trooperbay. Got some paint and rivets coming in a second order Bucket is almost done (one ear still needs to be attached, it's a real bugger; bottom seal needs to be put on, and helmet padding added) No trim pieces installed yet, I'm saving that for the end. If I had to sum up my progress to a casual observer, I'd say I have to add a bunch of strapping, then I could test it out for mobility and pinching. I really feel like I'm rounding that last corner and on the cusp of the final stretch run. I'm using two build guides: Navajo Bro's guide is sort of my "main," and Sean's AM 2.0 build is my secondary guide. Both are tremendously helpful. Lastly, I did see that this thread is in a purgatory of sorts, and hopefully I can bail it out and get it reinstated in the main build thread forum.

I am on FB, and I had no idea about that group. Thanks! I'm having trouble finding it, though. Any idea what it's called?

Thanks Mario. That thread helped a bunch. I have to admit, though, it looks like the shins are on backwards with the “curvier” part on the outside. It always looked like that belonged on the inside, where your calf dips in toward the ankle. This will help me get unstuck though.

Hey guys, I’m still alive! I went on major hiatus, but I’m back and pushing at getting my armor done. Anyway, here’s my next trouble spot. I’m not sure what side the lower legs are supposed to be on. I took a picture of what I think it’s supposed to look like, and this pic would be as if you were looking directly at the trooper’s legs from the front. Does the “curvy part” of the lower leg belong on the inside? It seems like it should to me. Also, although it’s difficult to see in the pic, each upper left is higher than the upper right. This seems lopsided, but I really can’t see the legs looking correct any other way.

I'm so glad you mentioned that, it's exactly what I was experiencing. I was even questioning what direction the bicep pieces were supposed to turn. They absolutely do not fit well with the "curvy part" turned in toward your side, and the glued on strip facing forward. Did you do the shaping of the pieces after trimming, or before?

I think I'm probably going to run the strips inside and out for all the pieces. Next up: biceps. I feel like every little piece is giving me trouble. Ugh.