rwmead10

One complete set of arms. I found the thicker outer cover strips pull the forearms out a little. Probably still needs a little shaping but not as drastic as before. Thigh trimming begins tomorrow.

I was going to do the hot water bath before putting the outer cover strips but was delaying too long so I am going to come back to them when I am fitting everything. One set of outer cover strips curing and I will continue with the thigh sizing. I also ordered the magnets for the calf closures so they should be here soon and the real fun will begin.

Here is the edge line I made to measure for my 25mm cover strip. See how the ridge edge bows out at the bottom so my line doesn’t follow the actual ridge? Is that normal? Or should I measure 12.5mm from the original cut line in?

I am going to remove the return edge on the top of the thighs but what about the bottom? Should the return edge be removed there too? Also the outside thigh has a sharp curve to it. Is it better to measure in from the original cut lines or try my straight edge method I used before? I assume there will be some ridge showing towards the bottom either way.

Biceps are done! I am going to measure the leg cover strips for 25mm in front and 30mm in back and see how that fits after removing all of the upper return edge on the thighs.

What about the cover strip size? 25 or 30mm?

This would be on the back. I guess my thighs taper a lot so I have enough at the bottom and not at the top. I will be trimming all of the return edge on the top to get a better fit.

I have a question on the leg cover strips. Looks like I need the full 40mm on the thighs with some space still needed at the top of the back and can get 20mm on the calves. Since my arms are 20mm should I go for 25 or 30mm on the legs and shim the backs of the thighs for more space similar to the picture below from justjoseph? I will try and get pictures soon.

Bicep outer cover strips are glued and curing for 24 hrs. Next up is forearm reshaping and begin on the legs.

Anyone have a video on this? If I press on either side of the forearm will it leave finger prints where I press? I have a test piece that is finishing drying so I can try it out first.

Inner cover strips are dry and the forearms and biceps are assembled! I will continue to make 20mm outer cover strips. Forearms need a little reshaping but I am finally making progress. Two month old babies definitely cut into hobby time.

Did you glue on the outer strips and then give it a hot water bath?

Will a hot water bath remove the glue?

Any pointers? Just boil water and hold the end in the water for 40 seconds, hold into new shape and then run under cold water for it to set? Am I missing something critical?

First forearm closed! However the shape is a bit off. It is more of and oval and is causing pinch points and the arm wants to shift the wrong way. Is it possible to do a hot water bath to ease this tension and make the shape a little more round?

I agree. The 20mm looks better. I will test 17/18mm for fun but I’m leaning towards 20mm.

Here is a better picture of where the 20mm cover strips sit compared to a 15mm strip.

I had to leave 20mm to fit my arms and I cut the cover strip so that no ridge is showing. I may cut a 15mm cover strip to see what it looks like.

While I’m waiting on glue to dry, I began cutting my outer cover strips. I made sure to score and snap on the “rough side” of the cover strip to avoid the slight ridges created by the blade. This gives a clean finished side. Also made sure to sand the non-finished side so I can keep it straight which side gets glued. I have it resting here as a reference. 20mm strips with no overhang.

Making progress on the forearms. As the last inner strip was drying, I combined one side of the two halves together and applied with mini trigger clamps and magnets. Once this cured for 24 hours, I moved the magnets to the right forearm, giving the left forearm another 24 hours to cure. Just closed the left forearm and used almost every magnet I had to make it a strong seam. I will wait 24 hours and hope it holds. Lots of waiting...I should have quadrupled the amount of magnets and clamps, especially the trigger clamps.

I was able to glue 3 of the 4 forearm inner cover strips but ran out of clamps. Biceps are done drying and ready for cleanup and outer cover strips!

Yes forgot to mention. I roughed up each side with 220 grit sandpaper and spread thin layers of e6000 with a tongue depressor prior to clamping together. When I removed the clamps after 12 hours the bond was strong. You should have seen my wife’s face when I spent an entire night making the magnet sachets lol. I am going to attempt crickets shin closures so I picked up that tip from her tutorial.

Inner strips for the biceps were glued and clamped on each side and cured for 12 hours. After 12 hours I closed the biceps and used clamps and magnets to hold everything together. This will cure for 24 hours for full cure time. Next up are the forearms.

Got the 20mm inner cover strips done from scrap material. They are thinner than the outer cover strips which I like. I will begin gluing this weekend.

Is it a pain to trim the scoop portion after the forearm is glued together?