willeywonka

Thanks! This seems like a pretty easy fix. What do you mean by cut some tube? Are you able to provide a picture? I’m a visual guy haha.

Thanks! I’ll work on the back gap more after basic approval. The thighs are going to be tough to raise more because they’re super tight from over-trimming (see my build thread to learn more about my great thigh debacle), but I’ll see what I can do! For the buttons, is that a “must do” fix for higher levels? The tube stripes are decals. I hope that’s okay! I thought according to the CRL that was acceptable. Mark at AP also mentioned his decals are Centurion acceptable. I appreciate your help!

Thanks Ben! And it’s cool, I appreciate your help. I definitely plan to keep working on the back gap after basic approval. Goal is still centurion!

Just posted to the pre-approval program!

Name: Jameson Willey Height: 5' 11" Weight: 190 lbs Future Garrison: Carolina Garrison Armor maker: AP Helmet maker: AP Cloth belt maker: AP Neck seal maker: Darman Boot maker: Imperial Boots TK type: ANH Stunt Name(s) of any Trooper(s) who significantly helped with your build: Frank75139, Neb Sgird, ABS80, lucnak, wook1138, TheSwede, gmrhodes13, justjoseph63, GilFran007, Twosolitudes (felt like we were working on our builds together at some points!) PHOTOS: FRONT (HELMET OFF) FRONT (HELMET ON) BACK I know the gap between my back and kidney is not ideal. I have tried pulling the ab/cod higher and moving the back lower, but I don't want to move it too low because it will be too far below my neck. I also just noticed some of the thin white elastic slack from the piece used to hold the bridge down is peeking out from my left shoulder so I'll get that trimmed. LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE AB PLATE CLOSE UP HELMET

Sorry for being MIA for awhile, but don't mistake my lessened presence here for a lack of progress. In fact, I am pretty much finished with my armor aside from finishing touches here and there. To sum up: My belt has been placed using Chicago screws instead of snaps. I like how this provides a much more secure hold and will prevent any slipping while still allowing it to be removed if necessary. The two outer screws connect through the ab piece, while the center is only connected on the belt itself. Holster is also placed. Interior view of the screw connection: Drop boxes have also been placed. I have also wrapped up the gloves and added bicep hooks. Shin velcro closures have been placed as well but I forgot to take pictures. Last, I repaired my damaged thighs as best as I could with ABS paste. I think I will probably still get new ones to start from scratch eventually, but I am content with how they turned out for now. I'll try to get my fit perfected over the next couple days and then hope to submit for basic approval once I receive my E11 (supposed to ship by Friday)! Thanks for the help EVERYONE. I love being part of this community and am crossing my fingers for a TK ID soon. Y'all rock!

Thanks Robert. I actually picked this idea up from a couple other build threads I have seen. Works great! Hope your build is going well!

Thanks for the tip! Just one question...what is an ABS V tab? haha

Yeah it’s pretty high up there. Not to the point of being uncomfortable, but just on the border line haha. Also, yes the butt plate is secured, it just doesn’t have a lot of flex on the end where the snaps secure and with me pulling the ab/cod up higher it’s pulling that part of the butt downward.

Alright gents! @Neb Sgird and @TheSwede Here are some updated pictures. Have to hold the thighs because they tend to angle inward right now. I'll fix that eventually with some high density foam on the interior of the outer side to help pull them outward. Not gonna lie, it is an amazing feeling to see myself finally wearing the armor this close to completion. Definitely renews my drive to get this done!

Thanks @Neb Sgird and @TheSwede. That definitely makes sense. I’ll get on it and post some new pics either tonight or tomorrow. Really appreciate your help and guidance with everything!

Over the past few days I have finished my interior torso strapping and my thigh garter system. Here is my slotted scrap ABS connection to keep everything lined up: THIGH GARTERS: Tonight I started working on finishing the connections for my back and chest pieces. However, I have run into a speed bump and I am really hoping you can all provide some advice. Back to my long torso problem. I am having a really hard time with the back piece position. I don't want it too far down below my neck because it just looks weird, but I know I am supposed to have no/minimal gap between the kidney and back piece. I think my chest piece is positioned well. I know I could raise it up a touch more, but if I do then the back piece looks like it's too low beneath my neck. I think I am going to have to settle for about a 1 inch gap between my back piece and my kidney piece. Just FYI, the blue tape connecting my chest and pack pieces is cut to the length of the ridged, ABS should straps. Here are some pictures for reference. Pardon the blank, soulless expression. The tedious nature of this process was wearing on me at this point haha. Also, I just noticed that the lady on the tv behind me looks like Lord Voldemort... Any thoughts? As I have mentioned previously, I am shooting for Centurion, so I am hoping I can still make it with this issue. Thanks in advance!

Mine came with my AP kit as part of the accessory add on.

Sorry, I am just now seeing this for some reason. They came with my AP kit. I paid extra for an accessory package.

Your post with advice for noobs is awesome! Wish I would have found it sooner...haha. Thanks for chiming in on this as well.

Yeah I definitely see what you're saying, I would just rather risk having to replace some faulty nylon strapping/snaps because of the duct tape than risk having permanently disfigured armor. It's much cheaper and easier to fix strapping/snaps. I'm probably being overly cautious, but I am okay with that lol.

Last night I had another streak of productivity. Right side ab plate snap has been placed and I am working on a scrap ABS connection system to help keep the kidney/ab connection lined up properly: I also started making my nylon webbing snap bases for the armor using my snap press from Hobby Lobby (only $25 btw and it makes it SO easy). I also found a pretty inexpensive snap kit on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BNR9XY1/ref=asc_df_B06XJYHJ7L5438234/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B06XJYHJ7L&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167119535166&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=872727615649838682&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010522&hvtargid=pla-304071937667&th=1. I was a bit concerned with the quality since they are so inexpensive, but they seem to snap together and hold well. They do bend somewhat easily if you don't get everything centered properly, but for the price I would say they're worth it! Of course, they are the first snaps I have ever worked with meaning I don't have much of a baseline for an opinion, so take it or leave it. Next I used the reamer that came with my Lexan scissors to make the holes for my cod/butt connection. As a sidenote, I have found that a reamer is MUCH less anxiety-inducing than using a drill. I went ahead and placed the snaps in the butt piece, and before you freak out, the split rivet is only showing in the cod picture because I did a placement test for it. I haven't actually installed it yet. Last, I placed some of my nylon webbing snap bases on the upper section of the butt piece. I first placed a small strip of duct tape over the exposed metal of the snaps on the glue side because I have seen enough horror stories of the demonic reaction between E6000 and metal warping armor. I also only placed glue on either side of the snap and not directly on the duct tape.

Thanks! I noticed that as well, after I had already glued it of course haha, but then I realized there doesn’t seem to be much room available to cut it down to size without removing some of the buttons themselves or at least having the edge be flush against the buttons. I’m not sure if this is unique to AP armor? I’ll have to check some other AP threads to see what others have done.

Thanks I’ll have to give that a try with the rest of my drilling. I have been using a soldering iron to make the holes in my strapping and sear the cut ends to prevent fraying. As for the belt snaps, I found a $25 snap press tool at Hobby Lobby that works with Line 24 snaps. I’m thinking I can use it to place the snaps instead of the anvil because I agree with you, it would be an awkward angle! If it doesn’t work I might use your glued strapping method and/or industrial Velcro.

Thanks! And no worries, I appreciate the tip for future reference. My only concern would be that the additional layer of strapping would give the rivet less length to bend and create a strong hold, but I think it probably would work. Good news is if I need to do it in the future it’s a pretty easy fix. As a side note, putting holes in your armor is nightmare fuel lol.

More progress! Ab/kidney connections have been completed. The drill bit slipped just slightly on the middle ab hole so it is just a hair higher than the outside holes, but it's not bad at all in my opinion. Just need to finish with some white paint.

Just did that moments ago. Also got all the screw heads on the helmet painted white too, along with the mic tips. Thanks!

Does anyone have any advice on how to attach the silicone handguards to the rubber gloves? I have tried E6000 and adhevisive velcro strips. Neither have even come remotely close to sticking to the silicone.

Since I ended up botching my thighs a bit I had to go with about an inch width (24-25 mm) instead of the canon 20 mm width so that they would fit properly (I have tree trunk thighs). I am hoping to eventually order some more from Mark at AP to redo them entirely since they are still a bit tight on me. The shins are 20 mm in the front and an inch in the back to allow me to attach the velcro. Also, I got my thigh ammo belt attached yesterday . I made sure to attach it on the ridge.

Still working on wrapping up my thighs. In the mean time, I went ahead and installed my sniper knee plate. Through my research I became aware of the fact that this can be one of the most frustrating parts of the build and I found that to be entirely accurate lol. The sniper plate just did not seem to want to fit perfectly no matter how I tried it. After a lot of finagling I got it into the position I thought worked best overall, but it's not perfect. Also here is a test fit with my thigh. This week has been busier than I expected so I still haven't gotten to go on a supply run and get my acetone for the ABS paste to fix the back of my thighs yet. Happy Friday to all!