Zachg56

SO how does this look? Okay, Building questions are all done and over with seeing as how there is nothing left to work on. I have 2 final transportation questions. Seeing as how I am going on a plane to Anime Expo, and as how the blaster is a somewhat essential part of the costume, do you guys recommend that I do or do not bring t he blaster with me on the plane (which would be stored along side the rest of the costume) If you do recommend it, what exactly is the process of making sure it's safe for transportation and so I don't end up in jail because of a crazed TSA Agent? EDIT: I've been told that ab button decals/stickers aren't acceptable anymore, is this true?

Alright drop boxes have been attached, rear plate attached to the kidney plate, so everything is in order asides from the button plates which I am currently waiting to come in. For the holster, how far up can the chicago screws/holes be where they attach the holster to the belt? About one to two inches would you say? I know that there should be an inch gap between the holster itself and the belt, but not the screws themselves

The contico 23 gallon storage locker is airline capable for most flights in case anyone is wondering. 61 inches total

I see...I might end up having to adjust the top straps as well...and tighten the suspenders...that seems like the best idea. Would those Tandy Leather clips are still EIB acceptable though? SO you recommend using the contico storage locker as a storage unit for airplane travel? If it is not acceptable...what else would you recommend I use? I'm tempted to use an old dive back that has decent siding...but then again knowing how rough they are with luggage

Current pictures before adding the holster, rear plate, drop boxes, and buttons... yeah I know the back plate and everything else is at an angle, velcroed it wrong before putting it on, didn't realize the pictures wear being taken then (easy adjustments yaaay), but you guys think it's workable once I get the soft straps inside of it? Not too small not too big in certain areas?

Here's a good question....I plan on going to AX this year, but I've been told it's rather expensive to take the giant chestbox, the STanley Toolbox everyone seems to carry their armor in) along to hold everything in. Any ideas on what to use suitcase-wise as well as how I should store the armor in the suitcase(s)? Before I forget...for EIB, the holster loop has to have a 1 inch gap between the holster and the belt when attaching the two together correct?

I take it the Tandy Leather clip is this one right here? -------------

I see....well that solves one question that was bugging me Now the 1 inch wide metal clips for the o2 cylinder...where exactly can I find those? I tried looking for some at Home Depot and Lowe's...couldn't find any in either place

I found a pair of elastic suspenders from Meijers that will work so I am good in that area of things. The 'upper leg overlap' I'm refereing to is where the two parts are connected together that you see in the front. Here I'll show a current image that has my old torso in it. And yeah, I'm skinny as hell in that FX torso. ----------

Better question, where should the upper leg overlap edge (where the two parts are joined together), line up with the belt section? Should it line up to be in between the two outer boxes or closer to the middle? Also, does anyone know where I can get a Y-strap of sorts? I'm thinking of using that as a suspension system.

K k....now here's a good question, since there is no gap, should I use a minimalistic approach for elastic strapping to just attach the two plates together similar to the rear/kidney straps or, use a more sensible approach and create actual straps for each side?

I just noticed that the drop boxes have to be attached to the out ends of the belt front, this may be a bit of a problem for me to do since the belt is riveted onto the ab plate already, would it be okay to attach it to the ab plate area behind the belt? Essentially they would be floating in the same place, only be attached to the ab instead of the belt itself. Also, I noticed that for EIB standards, there are 3 white boxes that are supposed to be on the belt itself. Are those essentially white plastic squares glued/cemented on or something else entirely? Edit: I had some help in order to see how big the gap is while wearing the black undersuit and TKrestonva, you were right, I don't need the shims. There literally is no gap between the two plates (ok maybe like 1-2 mm), so I bought shims which will be used for other purposes now...I'm currently thinking of using two elastic straps on each side (a top and bottom per se) to attach the plates together. Or would you recommend I do something different?

I might keep what little return edge that there is...I don't have the tools on hand to make a smooth cut in order to get rid of the edge, as well as the fact that I find it helps me line things up. So no need to sand where I glue then? Just glue and clamp down huh?

Do you recommend that I sand the area that I will glue the fabric used for snaps? I currently do not have any white plastics laying around at the moment, not to mention the fact I feel safer working around fabric materials, but the links provided say nothing about whether this is necessary or not.

Funny how the links don't work, and yet the directions do, but the forumn topics don't seem to exist. Should I use a ruler to make sure that the ab and kidney plates are level? if there turns out not to be a gap while wearing an undersuit or to shorten the gap, would bending the kidney plate be a good idea or bad idea? Or would it just bend naturally from the straps? Do you recommend sanding the area where glued fabric would be placed on, or does it not really matter? EDIT: Is the an AP owner in the theater? (Sorry couldn't resist quoting bugs bunny)