BAZINGA

I did some trimming on the butt plate to remove the return edge and take away the inside sharp corner. I used a round file to round it so the cut would go into a curve then a drum sander to take it all to a .25" radius. It doesn't come to a sharp corner anymore. Do I need to further reduce it? I think I could take 1/8 of an inch off the right side to give it more if needed. I think is nice though and there is zero return edge left. Bart

Ok, I can see on this photo better. I knew to keep the top. Was not sure about that vertical part. Rounding that inside corner may be a bit of a challenge too. Basically I can use the same methodology as the thighs then. Tape it to see and remove anything that curves into my butt? I might be able to get through that on my own if I can use the scissors. I feel less out of control with scissors over a dremel. Bart

Does anyone have additional photos that illustrate the return edge trimming on the butt plate? I can't determine if there should be some left on the vertical back part or if it should all be trimmed away. TIA. Bart

That is likely easier to cut them your way over trying to round over a peak on them. Seems you were approved that way! Bart

I now need to revisit this as I'm coming up on making these cuts. I assume the entire return edge should be removed even through the yellow line on the right side seems to indicate not that return edge. I just need to be sure. The back edge stays where it is to mate up with the kidney plate. Correct? Bart

On a roll today. I went through the process of think about it for a week then do it and be amazed how much more quickly it went then the hours I allotted for it. I think this is exactly what you guys are telling me the top of the thighs should end up as. I have to sand of course and finish rounding off the top pointed part. I cut half of one thigh to remove the return edge. Hope it is right as it can't go back on. Not nearly as bad to do as my brain made it out to be (assuming I did it correctly). Bart

These drop boxes are riveted to the elastic too but I can get add glue there easy enough. I know exactly what you mean as the cause. I'm sure I can correct the position and the hang of them in phase 3 of the fitting process or if I feel like squeezing it in sooner. I'll post pictures before doing anything. Notice, I am feeling more positive about all of this with each achievement where my OCD didn't cause a nose bleed! haha. After the return edges are cut from the thighs and butt plate I should be walking on air! Bart

A closer look at the belt tell me that my belt is riveted onto the ab not snapped. I won't be changing that. So, when the time comes I'll take some detailed photos of the drop boxes and see if there is a fix with a permanent belt mounting. It may just be the way it is, but I think I could put a glue dab in there that would move them over to the proper position. Lifting the belt to cover the button just a bit doesn't seem like it is possible either because getting velcro under it isn't feasible if the belt doesn't come off. I started marking and gluing the bicep elastic today and rounded off the corners of the cover strips as suggested. How does this look now? Not sure why it takes me 2 hours to think about 2 minutes of gluing... Bart

Gearing up my brain to remove some return edge on the thighs as recommened here. Had a small brain cramp as I did a test fit with the left one, but picked up the right one to wear. Wondered what was wrong with my body that these were below my knee. Obviously not enough sleep. I decided the best way for me to visualize what I am going to attempt was to tape it along what I consider the return (anything past where it starts to curl over) and where running my finger along the inside tells me it is curled. I came up with this. Am I on the right path here? It would be up to a 3/8 of an inch curl in some spots. I would prefer to do this with the scissors except where the cover strip is on the top because that makes a double thickness. I am shown on this thread to smooth that whole piece over so I would attempt the dremel to cut off the double thick part. I may have some in person help to guide and assist, but I want to be prepared to tackle this myself. This would be the beginning of the end phase for fitting myself. The actual thigh and shin seemed to fit nice as Mark had made some adjustments based on our pre-order discussion in terms of sizing. Thoughts? Bart

I can't take any credit for the return edges on the arms. Mark at AP built all of this. I'm just adjusting the strapping for a good fit for me. There are some additional return edges I will need to attempt to remove on the butt plate and the thighs. I will round off that forearm corner more. So far even removing the belt from doesn't seem possible. It's like the tightest snaps I've ever encountered. I'm taking it that I should go ahead and glue the arm strapping as is? No one is telling me otherwise. Bart

I'm going to hazard a guess that the backs of mine aren't glued and the movement I can see is just as it tries to stretch around the snap. If I can figure out why the snaps are so darn tight that I can't unsnap them then the fix would be super easy. It will get done. By the end of the year I am hoping to be able to have all aspects fitting correctly to me then I can tweak the smaller details. Immediate OCD is to glue or not to glue the arms as shown. Is there a voting method here??? Bart P.S. just ordered the single kit foam because the double set was up to 6 weeks away and I'll want them sooner. Can always order another if need be, but one should fit the arms easily enough and maybe some of the leg area if needed.

Aoutacc Universal Airsoft Helmet Pads, Helmet Replacement Foam Padding Kits Set Accessories Mats for Fast/Mich/ACH/USMC/PASGT Helmet (EVA Foam, Black) : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors is this what you mean for padding? Bart

Happy you understand! I was going to use some of the dense weather stripping that I can stick on but maybe I will try amazon Canada for these pads you speak of instead. If you have a link to the USA Amazon for them that would be helpful. I had no pinches when I bent my arm with the current fitting. I am most concerned about the gaps being within "ideal". I was very happy to see how the moved elastic lined up those cover strips forward so nicely. I did admire that victory for a bit. haha. The belt snaps on this seem to be exceptionally strong. So much that normal force can't unsnap them so I haven't tried to force them off to get a good look how the drop boxes are attached. I don't think the elastic is too long though. I might need to post some video. I'll get those sorted for sure once I get the arms and butt plate done right. I had arranged to help out the local Garrison with a fundraiser tomorrow. I wasn't going to be wearing this armor but I was going to get to watch/learn/be a helper with others armor which would have been very valuable, but this stupid sinus problem and now potential weather problems for travel is going to keep me away. I am not happy about missing it. I'll get the arms done instead which is still a win in one area. Bart

Thanks! Is it great? At this point my OCD with fitting everything right has exceeded my ability to make a critical decision regarding it. That might not make sense unless another OCD reads it. Or you are just being nice and tired of my OCD? I couldn't blame you. You know, I can't tell you if it felt good or not so I'm going to say it must have been comfortable enough that I didn't take notice of anything uncomfortable so that's a positive. I have to add a bit of padding in the forearm I think just to space it around my arm nicely. I can still make adjustments. Nothing is welded in yet except the strap snaps on the top of the bicep and I can yank those up and move them if need be. Bart

Decision time. I'd like to finish the arms this weekend. This is the best fit yet using the 2" bicep to forearm elastic on the cover strip and inside the cover strip. Do I need to make further adjustments or am I beating a dead horse now? I'm a bit lopsided yet because I can't get both arms on by myself. Things to do yet on the top half of me: 1) Return edges on the butt plate to remove. I think I have arranged some in person help and guidance for that and the thigh return edge removal. 2) Figure out the drop box thing. I think it's just a case of some glue. They slide an inch in either direction. 3) Rotate the shoulders a bit forward. I think 1/2 inches would fix up that gap. 4) You guys tell me, What I've done so far (much to my amazement because I'm out of my wheelhouse here): 1) Dropped the chest over the abs. 2) Dropped the back to the butt plate. 3) Added a right side overlap prevention latch. 4) Got used to removing glued strapping and regluing. Yes, small miracles in my mind. Bart

I also have just about got the back gap to something less wide after adjusting the snap position. I think when both arms are on it will level the rest of it. Clearly the shoulder bells are rotated more back than forward but I am weighing that fix too. I also do not have elastic yet for the shoulder straps, but some hot water got those much better too. I removed the velcro too. And regarding the comment about the drop box alignment. The way they are on the belt seems to give them half an inch movement forward or back so I think I can easily fix that once I get the other areas whipped into shape. Bart

Thanks. The OCD has been very, VERY rough though. If I take it slow the task doesn't get as overwhelming. I have a hard time deciding on what elastic to use though. Tomorrow I'm hoping to put the torso back on and snap in the arm again with these changes then get opinions then get to the glue. Getting the arms right puts me at 75% of the top half being fitted nicely which is a milestone for me. Bart

Feeling much better about the arm progress tonight. I taped in the 2" elastic on the front cover strip so it covers that space and towards the inside arm. The cover strip alignment instantly corrected between the bicep and forearm which was nice. The visible elastic from the other attempt I think would hide nicely with the undersuit in this new position. I'm not 100% sure I would need to use the 2". It would certainly have a big gluing area. Spacing seems better on the forearm top and bottom. Not sure what the camera was trying to focus on, but you get the general idea. Should I proceed with some gluing or still not right? Go with the 2" or the more popular 1" elastic? This stuff is pretty heavy duty. Apparently used to make suspenders. Bart

I was able to score some 2" heavy duty elastic locally. The wide stuff would be preferred and more screen accurate? I'm going to try and size some arms up tonight if possible. Hoping for a better fit now with the planned connection point move. Bart

Ok so I will redo that and move it maybe so the cover strip edge meets the elastic edge on the inside. Does that sound right? Am I understanding the position? I looked at another photo and that seems to be a fair estimate on the position. Bart

So you are saying move the strap to just inside the cover strip? This photo seems to suggest that on the bicep side, but not on the forearm side which seems another width away from centre. This is confusing. I got it with the straps dead centre on the inside elbow side so I just put them in the same place. I've been looking at dozens of photos trying to sort out the forearm centering distance. I'm just trying to hit the spot that keeps it about centred on my forearm. I've been moving the tape around with the elastic to try and find it, but now I'm gathering I have to move the position of it completely on both the bicep and the forearm. Bart

I'm not sure if any of this armor feels good when being worn, however nothing is uncomfortable to the point it is sticking me. I didn't put on the torso tonight as the sinus infection has me a bit dizzy at times and I didn't want to end up falling over in it. I was just after an approximation tonight to ensure I was on the right path. I put the bicep to forearm strap where it would be on the inside of the elbow. That was its original placement when I got the armor. You're saying that is wrong? I have just been using tape for the forearm strap. I'd like to find the happy spot so I could glue it in and move onto the next thing. Bart

Am I making any headway? I dropped the bicep about an inch. It seems right for position. I taped up the forearm to the bicep to get an idea of where to centre it. It's better, but not perfect. Where should I further adjust? Fighting a sinus infection so feel like crap so just making very small adjustments so I feel like I am making progress even if not a lot of it. No padding added yet. I know I will need some padding. Bart

That would be another thing I'd have to find a different solution for. I don't have the ability to make new shoulder elastics to reposition the snaps. I'm hoping after the arms are fitted properly and I can get help to put both on at once the position aligns as it should. Something on this has to work out if for no other reason then the law of averages. Bart

I put in the hooks but have removed the one on the arm I'm currently working on as I don't think it is doing much in terms of where it wants to sit. Tomorrow night the glue will be dry and I will have a bicep that is about an inch lower (like it is in the photo as you can see I unhooked it so that position but held with the snap strap) I'm trying to come up with a way to centre the forearm but think I might just need to tape in the elastic and see how it looks then keep taping and retaping to hit the midway point. I believe the outside elbow edge of the forearm should completely miss touching the bicep when my arm is hanging straight down. I've been looking at a lot of pictures trying to devise a plan. Bart