REAPERofDAISYS

Finally back at it after a week away. Then that is what I’ll do. Now I just need to ABS paste this into oblivion. Another point of concern. Will this discoloration in the ABS paste affect approval? I made the mistake of sanding without taking the tape all off and some of the tape color seems to have absorbed into the paste. It’s not super noticeable but I still am beating myself up over it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m having a similar issue with my shin. And I’m in the middle of shimming it out to get some more room. Not an easy route but mine was bad enough it was my only option. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sounds like a plan. ABS paste it is. I’m really not getting any better at using this stuff. So my next issue is since I won’t be cutting the swoop out of the shins. I don’t know what do do with this spot? The other side doesn’t bump out like that so it’s just a simple crack to fill with ABS paste just like the first picture. My plan is to just ABS paste it and transition it down. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any pictures will help. Also the CRL should give you an idea about how much (if any) modifications will be required for approval.

Easy fix. Just undid the sewing and shortened about 5mm. So my next plan with the shins (always problems with these) I want to cut the top out. Also for the bottom edge. Should I cut it straight across or a small curve? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That sounds like a better long term idea. Now I’m onto the belt drop boxes. Unfortunately as with everything I seem to do. They didn’t match up perfectly. One has about no space between the belt and ammo box. The other has the smallest gap. With the belt on it’s almost impossible to tell. But I’m pretty OCD about this stuff so I want to change them to match. Would you recommend dropping the one or tightening the other? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ok so here is a new problem. My shoulder snap pulled out from the elastic. (Genius me didn’t double it up) so I’m trying to decide what is the best way to fix this? I was able to push the snap back into the elastic easy enough. But obviously any stress will just pop it back out. Currently my idea is to remove both snaps and sew a patch of elastic on it then put new snaps in. That or leave them where they are and sew on the patch with E6000 between the layers. My only reason to use the E6000 method is I am out of Tandy snaps. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. Hopefully this will be the last setback with this shin. And I did find some other screws for the TD. Do these look correct? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here is one with it on. The top moved after I put it on, otherwise it would have been more centered. So now my plan is to cut along the pencil line here and add basically the same amount to the other side. ABS paste where the Velcro and coverstrip won’t hide. Then Obi Wan is my only hope, that nothing else is wrong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh wow... thanks for pointing that out. I just made a lot more work for myself. Looks like I’m going to have to trim the shim I just put on about 12mm and add that to the other side. Is how it’s sitting now good for a target spot? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Put down a few layers of ABS paste, sanding each time and reapplying. Does anyone have a better way to apply the paste? I’m using a finger because I can’t find something else seems that works. But then maybe my paste is too thick? It’s about the consistency of toothpaste, maybe a little thinner. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. I was completely lost how to get this shiny again Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome! I hope it doesn’t come to that. But I’m really on the fence of how this will turn out. Also found out that apparently the shins are a different thickness then the ABS sent with. So now I get to do more ABS paste and sanding. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That helps. And I do agree it would look a lot better with those removed. Unfortunately hind-site is 20/20. I will plan to leave them as is until I get basic approval then get into the fine tuning once I have that. And thanks everyone for all the input and quick replies. Still hoping these cursed shins don't put an end to my TK build.

Thanks for the input. The other part that was brought up is these flat spots near the butt joints. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If the rear tab is optional I’ll leave it for now. Always easy to remove later. My concern with removing the flat parts is that I cannot do it with all the pieces. For instance my thighs would be easy to remove and still have room. Pretty sure I can even get my forearms removed and still fit. But there is no way I could make my biceps any smaller. And obviously with having to shim my shins I can make the smaller either. So if I’m requested to remove all the flat section will not being able to do those pieces restrict me from L2 and L3? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I have a lot to do. Now is when I wish I didn’t build it so well. Gonna be a nightmare taking this apart. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Finished the Thermal Detonator today. Pretty happy with how it turned out. The screws were a beast to track down. Sits centered on the belt nicely. Also with this finished I’m ready to cut the belt to length and sew the Velcro on. Had to use some pan head screws and paint them. Everything is philips nowadays. Also went ahead and threw some sticky back Velcro (the soft side) on the clips to prevent scraping the armor. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Made some more progress with the left shin. I apparently didn’t put enough E6000 on the bottom edge so it wasn’t holding well. So I decided to use some super glue to secure it. Other than that I did put most of the suit on to get an idea what needs work. Right away I can tell the shoulders will need adjusting. I might tighten up the forearms a bit too. The right shin was glued up at this point, so that is why it isn’t pictured. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

New shins or boots will be a big bummer. Especially because that will probably mean I won’t get this done for a much longer time. But so far I’m thinking this will work. I played around with it today and it seemed to fit ok. And I have a couple ideas that I could use if I still have some fitting issues with the boots. While I wait for some more of that to dry I did get the buttons placed (not glued yet) Was wondering how these looked for size? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point. Backing is drying. Appreciate the advice. I’m thinking the bottom might be the only part that may need a brace at all. Since it does extend much farther. But tomorrow I’ll get the shim on and after that I’ll have a pretty good idea how well it will hold. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like that idea a lot actually! And I also agree with lucnak that it will need to be very strong to keep from breaking due to the stress. So this is the idea I put together. Basically using a full back behind the shim. Then adding braces in a few spots that go around about half the shin to add extra strength. The only part I haven’t decided yet is if I should use ABS for the brace or maybe find something a little stronger. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the quick replies. Without any alternative I have begun the shim on the shin. Here is my rough cut of the shim fit in place. I think I can take a few mm off it and still get a good fit. But overall it will be this size. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I cannot. It closes until about the bottom 5in And even then that causes the boot to bulge out which to me means it needs more room than that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hope these help show what’s going on. Here is just the boot on. As you said CableGuy these boots are on the larger opening side of things. Here are a couple with just the shin on ( I only did the left because it’s the far worse one) As you can see these are already sitting pretty tight around my ankle with nothing else on. And here is with the boot on. The inside half fits pretty tight but is formed pretty well with the shape of the boot. But the outside is much too short. Although I do think now I can go with a triangle shim, wider at the bottom and tapering up. Unless that would make it look out of balance? As always any input is appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk