snub999

Given what I've seen, I don't know if I believe that. Great work, the attention to detail is jaw dropping.

Really very nicely done, a work of art.

I know you're going for realism, but any thoughts about simply taking the floorplate release button from a rifle magazine (not necessarily a sterling, but something close to the right shape) and using that? It would even be correctly functional as well (since I'm sure the green stuff housing would be strong enough for any spring-loaded resistance). I feel silly posting a suggestion like that in a thread with so much attention to detail and quality work. I look forward to seeing everything all finished up.

If you're confident, you could do with an xacto knife too, but the file is more forgiving. Remember, it's always easier to take material off than it is to put it back on. Agreed, I'm really impressed. After seeing my own bucket and thinking I did a good job, I'm getting more and more critical of my own work seeing other people's buckets. For small silver details (like the scuffing on the mic tips), I like using a silver metallic sharpie. Works great, easy to handle and permanent. I've been using them for years (all three metal colors) to add small details to model ships, but found the silver works perfectly here.

Of course. I'm going to be wearing it in about a week (got some major repairs to make, it was in my tote sitting in my garage which isn't insulated and the Arizona summer happened to it.) Pics will happen at that time. The left knee isn't so noticeable (the knee plate covers part of the gap), but my right leg has a giant space (at least 3-5") between the bottom of the thigh plate and the top of the shin. Probably not noticeable to the public, but it bothers me.

So I was curious if there's anyone who's dealt with this issue. I bought armor initially when I was about 20 and I've trooped in it regularly since that time (over a decade now). The issue I'm having is I continued growing taller and now my thigh armor is noticeably too short (it's the correct size when compared to other troopers, but my gaps between hard parts, especially in my legs is much larger that other troopers). The parts of the cod are shorter than I'd like them to be as well with me being too tall. Has anyone tried getting lengthening any parts to get them to fit better? Do you think it would look strange to see a TK with thigh armor that 2-3" longer than everyone elses? Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but I'd like to get some feedback if anyone else has experienced this. Thanks!

I was going to do the same thing with the foam covering. I've got a bunch of EVA foam from making prop rifles that I was planning on covering the rough parts of the back with. I was even strongly consider using the same foam for the details (vent flaps, radio facing etc.) Once you blast the foam with a heat gun (which melts it and closes the cells) it's very tough and durable (and paintable, especially with some plastidip on it). I actually found a part at walmart that I'm going to try for the siphon. It's in their craft section as a "cemetery vase" and it's the correct shape/length (including dimensions) and was less than $5. I like it because it's one piece. I can paint it up and simply add rivets or do it the foam rifle way. Most people use the googly eyes that are the right size to simulate rivets/screws, glue them on and paint over them. I was honestly considering doing the same thing with the boxes that have screws on the corners of them too. Thank you for the reply.

I'm curious how you mounted your parts to the pack itself? From some of the photos I've seen, it looks like you just drove screws into them from inside the pan. I'm sure you glued stuff too, but I'm just curious. I inadvertently bought the same drip pan you have. I was able to attach the 2' tube using 1" bolts and washers with some gorilla glue between the tank and pipe for good measure. I've got more of them and was planning on using them to mount the other items as well. I found at Walmart that the jewelry storage boxes (with the little compartments) are like $3-4 each and are near the perfect size. The compartment dividers increase the tensile strength too. I'll post pictures of my pack as it gets further along. Right now it's an antenna tube bolted to a mauled oil drip pan.