PGHtrooper21

That is what I was going to do. The abs strips that AP supplied is going to be used for the outside strips. The question is the bonding of Styrene and Abs. I saw the signs at "Harbor Freight Tools for under $2.00. Also "Harbor Freight Tools" is a good place to pick up supplies. I picked up a set of diamond files to file out my AP lid for a $1.93. A heat gun for $10.00. A good tip if you need tools if you are on a budget.

After a break. I am inspired to continue on with my AP build. I have enclosed pictures below. Right now I am stuck with the forearms. I am going to "Butseam" them. When trying to put the pieces together, I have a few questions and I need advice. Also, I know that I need to do do some trimming. Especially around the wrist and elbow. The questions that I have are .... 1. Should I line up the pieces from the back or the front? When I do one of the edges stick out. Was this a problem with other troopers who have assembled AP Kits? 2. When trimming out the wrist and elbow how far should I go to the edge? 3. I have a Hobby modeling Iron. After trimming. Should I iron the pieces before or after gluing? 4. Can I use a plastic sign ie, a "Beware of the dog" "For Sale" that you see in stores to cut up small strips to make the "Butseam"? The reason I want to save the trim strips for snaps and front trim. 5. If so which glue would you recomend? E6000, Plastic Weld or abs weld that you find in home improvement stores? Thanks. Andy

I found mine at Wal Mart in the Home cleaning section. By where Hardware, Paints, Ladders, Staining supplies are. Not in the section where Bleach, and laundry cleaner are. They are Rubbermaid Gloves. Andy

I ordered my today. I will take my $89.00 DSW boots back. Andy

How do they fit? Do they run big? I am a 8 1/2 U.S. So I need to know if I should go with a 8 or 9? Andy

I saw this at the store today. Do not know if anyone else knows about it. They are made by Uncle Milton. ---------

I am planning to order a Triktoys neckseal. I have a couple of questions. 1. How do they wash when cleaning? 2. Do they shrink? If so by how much? The reason is so I can give them a bigger size to allow shrinkage. Also, I would like the opinion of fellow troopers who wear it. Andy

I picked these up at DSW Shoes, over the weekend. I wear between 8-8.5 U.S.. I saw the $89.00 ones I picked the $59.00 ones for the price. The difference is that the $59.00 ones are shorter around the ankle. Caboots does not have my size. Some of the places that are mentioned are not near where I live and some you can not order online. Also, I would like to try them on instead of ordering and sending them back for fit. ----------

I got it now. Thank you! Inserting pics was driving me crazy! (img)http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/pghtrooper21/?action=view&current=57.jpg)

I have a modeling iron to level the sides. The front part where the two sides meet. The top to bottom where it splits out. Should I trim some off and make a but seam to get the front to match up?

Before I do any more trimming I just need some input.

Here is an update of what I have done so far. On this past Saturday evening I sanded the armor pieces. I was it it for 4 hours. I have to do some minor trimming and sanding touch ups. http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=1.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=2.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=3.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=4.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=5.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=6.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=7.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=8.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...p;current=9.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=10.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=11.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=12.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=13.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=14.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=15.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=16.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=17.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=18.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=19.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=24.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=25.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=26.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=27.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=28.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=29.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=30.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=31.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=32.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=33.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=34.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=35.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=36.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=37.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=38.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=39.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=40.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=41.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=42.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=43.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=44.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=45.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=46.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=47.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=48.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=49.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=50.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=51.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=52.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=53.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=54.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=55.jpg http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/p...;current=57.jpg

I am finished with the cutting and sanding of the armor. I do have to do some minor trimming touch ups. I have a couple of questions. I know about the differences in the shins. After trimming you can put two sides of the shins on top of each other while the other two you can tell the difference. 1. When lining up the shins I notice that the bottom fans out. I have been reading up on Stukatroopers bulid and others. Should I put a but seam on the shin halves to help it or just trim to leave 10mm on both sides? Or do both trim a little more and do a but seam? Also E6000 or abs weld for joining the two shin halves together? 2. Forearms. On one side of the arms I noticed there was not a cut line avaliable. I tried to my best and envision one. I do belive it turned out good. When assembling do I try to line them up and but seal them or do I try to have the sides flap over each outher like when you put velcro on? 3. Biceps. It is normal to have one side piece higher than normal. When trimming I noticed that the trim lines are off. I have a modeling iron to help shape the pieces like Stulkatrooper. I am 5.3 - 5.4 feet tall. I was going to assemble and thry on the armor to see if I have to trim it dowm for movement. Is it good to trim it first or afterward to get a fit for movement when moving about? I am at work. I will post pictures of the shins later when I get home. Andy

--------- These look promising!

I found these Timberland boots while surfing for "Jodpur boots". I was thinking of picking them up and dying them white. They have a black sole. It is hard to find "Jodpur boots" here in America in a size 8 1/2. -------

Here is a link to my build. ----------

I have made my rough cut on my AP armor. Next step is to sand and do more touch up trimming. I have some questions on trim strips and gluing both ends of the pieces. 1. Do I need to put the ANH trim strips on both of the front and back of the thighs and shins or only on the front? 2. Is it better to "glue\abs weld"on one side of the forearms, thighs and shins and Industrial Strength velcro on the other side? Or is it better to "glue\abs weld" both sides together. What I am getting at is over time does opening and closing the velcro weaken the glue side? 3. I am about 5.4 or 5.5 feet tall. Do I need to trim the thighs before gluing or can I make adjustments later? Thanks. Andy

I am having problems uploading pictures. Use the photobucket link to view my pictures and let me know of my progress. http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/pghtrooper21/ Andy

Forearms2.

Forearms.

I have finished the rough cut of the armor. The helmet will be after I finish the armor. Also, I did not trim the sniper plate. I will trim that when I attach it to the knee plate. The rough cut was an experience. I tried to used difference threads as a reference. I had a problem finding the score marks on the forearms. On the end and the part that does not have the indentions. The next step is to begin sanding so to try to make the ends meet. I am enclosing pictures of my rough cut. I need some advice on how I did. There are some input I need. On my backplate, on the lower corner after sanding will it turn out good? Also on the forearms and the biceps how much more trimming needs to be done. The pictures will be added next. Andy

Sorry for the delay. After reading and studying builds on the this forum, I got motivated to make progress on my ap build. For 17 hours over the weekend I cut away. I switched to a utility blade with a lot of spare blades and works gloves with a strong rubber grip for gripping and protecting my fingers. Thank God for the gloves. The gloves save my fingers many trips to the ER. I will post my progress in a few days. Andy

Is this a major problem? Hopefully I can fix it. Andy

http://s567.photobucket.com/albums/ss117/pghtrooper21/ Here is an update of my build. This is my first time using photo bucket. I am using scoring with a xacto knife and bending and using a utility scissors that was purchased from QVC. Also I measured the ab center piece and made a template so the ab buttons would fit. i have to do sanding to make a proper fit. I have more pictures to upload. Andy

I finised doing a rugh cut of the cod and but and lower back piece. I trimmed along the cut lines It looks at first it does not line up right? Is it me or is it the kit? I know ap is tricky?