Revvek

Been hard to get anything done these last few weeks… my 17 year old cat Daisy died on Jan 9th. (Raised her from 5 weeks old)… my mom died at the end of Jan… and then my dad died end of Feb… but I did get around to doing something more on my armor the other day. I added elastic straps for holding the shoulder bridges down. this is how I did it. aligned the ends stapled together added e6000 heat shrunk over that and they work

I bet the boiled water trick could work on thinner cast parts, but this is very thick. So it would probably take a lot more work to save…. But, Marc sent me a replacement, and it arrived last week. Thanks Marc!

Show progress for life reasons thee last several weeks have kind of sucked… But, it finally got the front snap points attached. I am considering options for strengthening the bridges. I know some glue more plastic in there, but I’m thinking of other options with a bit more flex. We will see…

The boiling didn’t work… I used simple green and a sonic cleaner to remove the paint, then tested with a bit more primer and glossy sticky areas return. (And most of the spot putty patched bubble holes did as well) time to start carving areas out and replacing them, like the bottom with some Milliput

I should have mentioned, I folded the elastic over twice and glued the layers together before adding the holes. (after the first one) adding this to that post now.

I finally got around to adding the finishing touch, the metal side -late I had my brother make for me. (minus the screws, because I need to sort out the holster first) First scuffed up the side of blaster with a small Dremel engraving bit to let the e6000 grab something other than paint. I think it turned out nice!

Made my first snap straps, starting with white 2inch elastic for the shoulders. EDIT- I folded the elastic over twice giving me 3 layers, the then glued the layers together before adding the holes. Had a bit of help getting the size of the straps figured out. Not easy working on such areas alone without a mannequin… But here they are.

Attempting to leach the epoxies or whatever it is in the resin causing paint issues using a technique recommended to me by an expert who works with painted resin prototype things all the time. boil water and poor it over the item with resin mixing issues. we will see how it works when I get it cleaned up and and apply paint again! definitely see something

E6000 causing heat when it touches metal? That’s interesting. I don’t think it heated up… Now I need to check! I clamped the snap because it wanted to sit lopsided otherwise, but I did make sure the edges got more clamps…. Those are going to be more difficult to clamp in some areas, and magnets just wanted to all stick to the snap!

First snaps finally getting glued in place! e6000 in place and let the clamps at it. (They were hungry) am I doing this right?

While considering my paint issue options I started to work on another part. the folding stock. trimmed out the area between the arms, and along the back side fill channel covering the holes. just needs some minor bubble patching and primer. oh, and I'll try to heat bend the one side that looks to need it a bit.

Hmmmm.... Seem to have run into resin vs paint issues on the grip, after applying some black primer. I washed the part and wiped it with IPA as well before paint. I am investigating solutions.

Never did settle on a place for a GO TO thread build logs from different places.

Bottom fixed! Used the back of a drill bit to fill the hole while patching. I’m still considering IF I should install my blastFX in this (it’s configured to be F-11D) If I do, maybe I’ll put a push button power switch in the bottom under the set screw.

Decided this morning to start working on something from my blaster, and the grip seemed like a good place to start. Removed the various seam flashings and vent spots with snips or hobby knife, and the main fill point with a saw. Then sanded things in prep for some spot filler. there are some areas with bubble collections that need cleanup. after drilling out the bottom hole to prep for maybe putting my charging port in there, I decided the area around it was Swiss cheese, so I used a small carving bit to clean it up and get ready to rebuild the area with something more sturdy than spot filler... (Seems I missed some tiny bubbles) BTW, I love this vice!

Found time this morning to start making some snap mounts for my shoulder straps. I cut a bunch of white webbing nuggets, then used 123 blocks to help isolate the edge and sealed them with a torch. Then I marked the hole placement using a template I created and punched holes with a soldering iron. Counted out the snap parts and started to go to town with the crimping tool! This thing works great!

Hmmm… Where would be the best place for a hub topic.

So it would be a system wide change someplace effecting everyone from the sound of it… Maybe not a bad thing? is there some other way you can think of? I guess I could put links in the first post of each of my build logs pointing to others, but then I need to maintain all of them……. hmmmm

How does one get to have more than 5 URL links in their signature? it seems like some people do. I would like to add a link to my new JMC E-11 build log, but I have 5 URL’s already….

Time to open another build log for my ANH TK. follow the TK build here Revvek’s ANOVOS TK upgrades (stunt) I ended up going for a TroopaCoola JMC kit! This is an example photo of one completed. Very nicely detailed! It arrived intact a few weeks ago and I haven’t done anything on it yet, other than unpack it. lots of parts! (I also got some TroopaCoola fans for my bucket) hope to find to go get working on this soon!

Ok, I see how making them a bit forward would help... So, you put the black strap under the white elastic and snap down onto it? Interesting... I like it. is there a good reason the shoulders are elastic and not 2" white webbing? I have been considering just using some webbing. Some use sew on snaps, I'm thinking of gluing some reinforcement around the snap area, and just using holes like the ends. First, I need to figure out how long to make the things. Probably going to start by just making 9" long straps, attaching the snap points on the back plate, then sorting out where to put them on the front and that should tell me how long to make them...

Been a while since I did an update, lots going on with work... I know this isn't the most exiting build log... but maybe it will contain something helpful down the road for someone... The scarping is DONE! found another seam needed to be re glued... It was time to start learning how to do snaps. I got a bunch of Tandy line 24 snaps and the setting tools. first attempts proved that using a hammer and setting tools, don't work so good in soft materials like elastic... got some crazing bending... making one side not remotely aligned with the other in this case... So I bought some snap pliers off Amazon. That made all the difference! (right tool for the job is a thing) I'm going to use webbing for the armor side in most places, not squares of plastic. This 1" black will likely work, but 1.5" wide will give just that bit more glue surface.

I removed it for a second time and walked away for the day... But the next time I had time to work on it I got it installed properly! and applied paint last night! I use a hole punch the same size as the head of the rivet to make my mask. and also a hand torch quickly brushed over the paint to pop any bubbles. I used Testers White Enamel

scrape... scrape... one shin left and I will be done with the glue removal! I finally got around to putting the knee boxes back on! and as I was painting and photographing them I stopped dead... DOH!! @*%#&^* !!! I put it on upside-down AGAIN!!! removing split rivets without damaging the plastic is a ton of work... it was a PAIN the first time, now its my own fault!