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THMAustin

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Posts posted by THMAustin

  1. 1 hour ago, 11b30b4 said:

    Big Deal, Thank you for the input. If the flex- seal does not work out, I will look into other options.

     

    Ok, Update…

    First, I knew the bicep armor was tight but I realized that I would only have about ¼” overlap for the application of Velcro and that is when my arms are hanging down. If I bent my arm or raised it (flexing my bicep) it would really test the hold ability of the Velcro. So, I decided to add a ½” shim. In this picture I am using thick piece of HIPS as the shim and it is backed with a 1” wide piece of thinner HIPS. Everything is adhered together with PC-7. Once the PC-7 is cured, it will all get sanded flush. I will probably add another layer of PC-7 on the inside to make sure the HIPS is welded to the bicep armor and provides a smooth transition.

     

    WRtRg8L.jpg

     

    Next, the sniper knew came out great.

     

    kcKmbvK.jpg

     

    ewG7Eob.jpg

     

    Next, I think the Velcro method will be the best method to properly hold the shoulder straps in place so I sewed some ½”x 1 ½” pieces of Velcro to the elastic shoulder straps that connect the back plate to the chest plate. Doing this in pieces rather than one big piece of Velcro insures that the elastic and still stretch.

     

    BHF3CAg.jpg

     

    Next, I added some hard Velcro to the bottom of the shoulder straps. I will probably use white Velcro here after everything is painted.

     

    Izafh1P.jpg

     

    Lastly, I went ahead and cut out the underside of the shoulder strap boxes on the chest plate and added some PC-7 on a slope to provide a flat mounting surface for the Velcro (yellow circles). I also picked up some white liquid flex seal and painted a small area (red circle) in the center of the chest plate to test it out.

     

    wiEVKLn.jpg

     

    And that is the update, thanks for the interest.

    Great thread!  I used spray Flex-Seal in my Jimmi R1 TK last summer and it has worked well.  Definitely cuts down on the inching and for some pieces appears to strengthen the integrity.  I'm curious how you find the liquid application.

  2. I can just about with the forearms.  However, they’re held together with a simpler overlap so I can glue one side and Velcro the other, the flex is minimal.
     
    sorry to highjack your thread THM, as someone who has completed their build did you have this issue?


    No problem. I don’t have the problem only because I wasn’t as successful closing the gap at the right knee as you so I don’t have horizontal stress you describe. I also seem to have more flexibility in the material than you describe because I’m able to slide my foot in without issue.


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  3. What did you use to trim your shins?  Can you cut the fibreglass with lexan scissors like you do abs or does it need a dremel and cutting wheel or similar?

    Sorry for delayed response. The flexible fiberglass is easy to cut. I've even made cuts with large scissors for upper thigh adjustments.


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  4. [mention=30731]THMAustin[/mention] would you be willing to make me a strapping kit for R1 armor like you made for yourself?
     
    Troopermaster used to (maybe still does) sell kits for the ANH / ESB / ROTJ armor.
    I always just bought those. They came with all the straps pre-cut, snaps included, all taped into little "sets" and labeled.
     
    If you would be willing to do something like that I would totally pay you for it... supplies + time. Whatever you thought was fair.

    In fact, you might consider selling them / doing runs of them for people.
    I know quite a few people are looking at how to do the strapping and yours looks like the best I've seen.
     
    Think about it...

    I think my wife would kill me if I decided to mass produce kits but I'd be happy to provide advice and a shopping list to create suspenders, snap points and straps.


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    • Like 1
  5. The Jim Tripon backarmor is a little more weighted than the front, so it pulls the chest armor up and into my neck, making it uncomfortable. You seem to have managed it pretty well, but it probably helps that you didn't trim the shoulder straps. I ended up trimming mine, but now think that that probably wasn't the best idea.

    In the end I did trim the straps but I don't experience the problem because my breast plate is weighted down by a speaker and battery I use with the TK TALKIE system.


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  6. A few more

    Do you put this on over your head or step into it? Does it open a little at the back, and then you snap it shut? I need to take a little off of my Abdomen armour, but I wasn't sure if it would need to still fit over my shoulders or have my butt squeeze through. And that back plate is just glued to one side?
     
    Will the "slash" on the sides just get painted black? I sort of thought this might be elastic, but it looks like on your build and on Jimmi's it just gets painted?
     
    Thanks in advance.
     
     

    No problem, glad to help. If you magnify the picture you’ll see at the 12 o’clock position there is a gap at the back that is hidden by the back plate that attaches as final step. Before I step into it and raise it up over my big butt by the suspender straps.

    Unlike the original trilogy costumes where you had an abdominal and back pieces connecting at sides with elastic or strapping, the R1 screen suites and Jimmi’s suites have a combined front and back as single cylinder as you see in the pic. The slash is not functional and my guess is included as a decorative element.


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  7. Thats a great pic, thank you. 
    I guess I was also asking though, are people strapping that way because they know it works (from looking at OT TKs) or because thats how it was also done for Rogue One?  If possible I'd like to strap mine the same way as the screen used ones were.
    I can't answer whether this method is indeed screen accurate, however due to fact the R1 suit's torso piece must hang from something internally i can't image the screen method could be that different. It seems to me that if the heavy flexible fiberglass torso hung from breast and back plates the weight would be distributed to the connection straps which at least in my build would be uncomfortable and make it more difficult to suit up.

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  8. How are people strapping their Rogue One TKs?

    This is my first TK build, so while I’ve seen the way ANH TKs are setup (using webbing and snaps) is this the way that the screen used ones for Rogue One were done?



    If you take a look at my build thread you can see pics of my suspender, webbing and snap combo in my Jimmie kit. Ping me if you have follow-up question. Good luck!

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  9. Good job Todd! Do you have more pictures in full armor?
    I'll upload more after I make dinner alterations which include:
    - harvest tears from Black Series helmet to more closely match R1 screen
    - replace elastic straps attaching cod and butt with nylon to torso to minimize movement and gaps I excited in first wear
    - add more snaps and elastic straps to close torso (or go on a diet)
    - trim shins length. I bought Jimm's tall version but despite being 6 feet 1inch I only have 32 inseam which makes shins rise too high above my knees. Kit isn't really made for this alteration so I'll tread lightly.
    - watch more YouTube painting tutorials and try again.

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    • Like 1
  10. I'll echo what others said, when there are small kids around you really need a minder.
    Interested to hear about the hearing assist system. Where did you place the microphones?
    I learned first hand the need for an mindset.

    Below you'll see I drilled out a channel to interior where the mold has an indention. There I used abs to create a bracket bridging the indention, drilled hole and fitted mics suspended so they didn't directly touch exterior and pick up vibrations. a7e054c2c6356e4dc1abd7cd3994239e.jpg

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  11. It looks like you did a really good job.
     
    Any chance of seeing the torso on without the shoulders or chest plate. I'd like to see how it hangs. 
     
    And it looks like a velcro strip on the forearms - are the shins the same?
     
    One last thing - did the lens come with the helmet or did you order that separately?
    The torso hangs off the suspenders via snaps front and back. Yes, Velcro used to close forearms and shins which proved to be more than adequate. Finally, yes Jimm includes a green lens that I cut down.

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  12. 1 minute ago, Bluey said:

    Looks great man!!

    I love the strapping you did... did you make it all yourself or use a kit from someone?

     

    As far as kids kicking you and all — yes. It's why we (speaking in a general sense) don't do birthday parties and never do anything with kids around without handlers. You'll learn to play the part though as time goes on; meaning you'll learn to let yourself be intimidating to kids and scare the Rebel out of them. haha

    Thanks Bluey.  I appreciate the compliments and especially the advice.  NO MORE BDAY PARTIES. 

     

    I bought a lot of nylon strapping and snaps then glued with E600 which slightly melts the Flex Seal that I sprayed on the interior for a better hold.  The held up to 45min at 93 degrees and 80% humidity.  They held up better than me in fact.  Two more "troops" in that weather and I'll be down to goal weight. ;)

  13. Quick update on my build. I had a deadline mid-month for a neighbor kid's b-day.

    First, I have come to the conclusion that in a bad painter especially with a deadline. As a result a went with a slightly weathered look using water and preferred powdered graphite to hide my many mistakes. Simply mist water and and blow graphite into pooled crevices. Rub into areas for more written look. Original in went heavier but pics below 95% has been removed with rough sponge. I like the look so much I'll probably apply again after another, hopefully better, paint job.

    I dont have the time to ask each kid's parent for permission to upload their pics here so that is only croppable photo I have.

    7c6b287487d9cd09d7775ced345b5e57.jpg

    Weathered helmet with some borrowed posts from Black Series.

    75d3a9bcc0db7a9946b57ec99602925f.jpg3f3e0eb8b59e74b646618213275f9767.jpg937562c238f419ba4edc23725c7d5eb1.jpg

    Bits and pieces
    658e6cc127646d575d5f23f7be231602.jpg1a490837a66a3b7dc7c0c36a5ad2f530.jpg4cd281c57353853ece46cda3a8849a43.jpg58461525845caf0a6458b45321c71c64.jpg

    Torso strapping with suspenders.
    c202242853cd964a04af0d430b474242.jpg

    Final note. I'm not yet a member of 501st and this was my first attempt at something approximating a troop. Wow I was unprepared for the reaction from some children. Some pulled at my E-11 and TD and a few punched and kicked me. Apart from this being an example of bad parenting in Texas, has anyone else had similar experience?

    In general I found it difficult to converse with the little ones because I'd lose them in the blind spot below me. Thank goodness for Ukwrath's HA system. I heard the kid sneaking up behind me with a tree branch whispering "I'm going to kill the evil Stormtrooper" before he had chance to hit me. I really meant it when I yelled "HALT".

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  14. Unfortunately no, I got really close though. Sorry I haven't been updating this post but I have been busy with work and with the armor. I will post pictures after I get back from DragonCon. 
    No worries, have fun at Dragon Con

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  15. Chris, I'm curious if you met your goal to complete your build in time for DragonCon? I'm sure others are as interested as I am to see your progress.  I hope to complete my painting and begin strapping over labor day before I have to go to india.  Regardless, I'll get my updated pics posted before I leave.

  16. Same, but I need to have mine done by the end of the month if I can so hopefully we can all learn from each other and get it done quick.
    You'll definitely pass me, I'm home only 4 days by end of month. I'll be watching your progress.

    BTW, really like your idea of using different color primer between coats, I'll have to give that a try.

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