Iron TK

I’m thinking of trimming at the wrist to make a curved line that make the two halves join cleanly at the wrist. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Okay so I got up the nerve to start making cuts. First picture shows the two halves at the elbow end with the symmetrical cuts so each half is roughly equal in size. It also shows the return of 1/8" - 3/16" that I haven't sanded yet. Second picture shows the trace where the two halves are not the same length; if I want to maintain the return at the elbow, then I need to align those ends and trim at the wrist, which has no return. I propose trimming in an arc to even the ends after assembling the halves. Thoughts? PS -- Am I supposed to use links to post photos? I have found that when this is done in other threads and the links expire, the pics are disintegrated. EDIT -- Deleted attached pictures.

Here are two photos to help illustrate; the questions asked more clearly: Is there a return edge on the elbow side at all (BLUE)? Also, is the extended part (PURPLE) of the outer half (the part with the molded detail) left intact or is that also removed at the wrist and elbow side? The piece that has no detail is the inner half. Are the two halves supposed to be cut to equal size, necessitating trimming both pieces, or is the featureless (inner) half the only piece that gets trimmed? Easy's build seems to show this method, while AJ's shows both parts getting cut as does Frank's markup of my earlier photo. One cut has been made from the inner part (GREEN, taped side) and the second cut proposed cut (YELLOW) as per Easy's build thread or do I cut the outer part (RED) to maintain all curves? Regarding the length, it seems to fit okay lengthwise, but if I have to shorten the piece at either end, then my other questions about edge trimming become irrelevant, yes? EDIT -- Attachments removed.

ARMOR ASSEMBLY I'm starting on the armor. Resources I'm using in this build are primarily these two threads: Easy's AM ANH Stunt Build (highly recommended for documentation of each step) https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/profile/35091-easy/. AJ's OF AM 2.0 ANH Stunt Build (incredibly detailed with hints and hacks for using tools and preparing parts) https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/profile/30895-aj-hamler/. Following this made me realize I may not have a 4.5, and wouldn't recognize it if I did but not sure how to edit the thread topic. I also would love to have a workshop. FOREARM ASSEMBLY I started with the forearms and already ran into a bit of trouble trimming. Compared to snips, I can say nothing beats a good straight blade at your side. I am going to avoid any tools that shear the ABS as I can easily crack the material at the edge. As I don't have a workshop, I can't catch the shavings (for ABS paste) if I use a Dremel outside, so I am using three different blades depending on the cut so I can keep the chips/shavings: Standard workshop cutter for thicker or longer cuts A Blade of Exact-Zero for standard trimming A scalpel with a curved blade (typically used for miniature and model work) for surgical precision (naturally) At the wrist, the edges should have ideally no return if I read the CRL correctly. I trimmed the the shears first (not doing that again) then cleanly with an X-ACTO blade. I little sanding and it seemed ready. QUESTIONS What is the return, if any, at the elbow-end of the forearms? Are all trims made to the piece that has no detail, as stated in Easy's thread? If so, I will end up trimming a lot from both sides of that piece. I want to be assured that is correct. I intend to have an inner strip as well as an outer strip and want to confirm that both halves are assembled edge-to-edge. Correct? EDIT -- Attachments removed.

Touched up the frown as suggested: removed paint from gum, extended frown on each side. EDIT -- Attachments removed.

Thank you, I appreciate all the expert advice and hard-won experience here.

None of these helmets is symmetrical. Lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Thank you! I’ve been advised to extend the frown in grey to a last point. Some photos have a white gap between the last tooth and the end of the frown but this classic reference seems to have a black gap (as a tooth hole but too small to practically cut and screen). Which is it? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for that — I went back and forth on this as the teeth curve into the gum and finding that sweet spot is an effort. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi everybody. I am a cadet in Garrison Carida (Eastern PA) and I have pictures of my first AM TK helmet build. I found this build to be equally trying as it was satisfying. The asymmetry of these helmets is charming but for a perfectionist like me very frustrating. I had to find a way to balance overall look with a hand-crafted and imperfect piece. I hope I was able to do so. Some feedback I had gotten from members of the AM Costuming Group on Facebook suggested to extend the frown. At some point I may convert the decals I used for the tube stripes to painted. I look forward to starting on the armor parts next! EDIT -- Attachments removed.