PGHtrooper21

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?

Last evening I trimmed out the cod, drop boxes, end cap to the thermal detonator, ab buttons, hand pieces, and the buttons for the belt. I used scoring method with an xacto blade and two types of kitchen sicssors that was bought from QVC. The scissors did a VERY GOOD JOB of cutting through the abs. I took pictures and I will post them up soon. I finished up after midnight. I took my time and studied the cut lines and went at it. I also cut a piece of card board for the center ab buttons for the right measurement. I read how if you cut the center piece with out measuring it will not fit. I measured a bunch of times and made it a little bigher for the rough trim. After sanding, it should fit. Andy

I want to share this intresteing news. Last night at the Pengun game I met "Chef Duff and Mary Alice" fron Food Network show "Ace of Cakes". If you had not already know Chef Duff and his staff are huge Star Wars fans. They have made alot of Star Wars cakes. Starwars.com has an article and pictures of some of the cakes. While I was talking about Star Wars to Chef Duff he mention that in his upcoming book, he is going to show all the Star Wars Cakes that they made. Both are very down to earth. It made my day. He also talked to my Mom which made her day as well. Which was ironic was when he was talking to her, Mom and my neice were playing "Star Wars Lego" on Wii. She even mentione it. Andy

Thanks for the support. Hopefully this week I will find the time to begin the build. I will be using this thread as a detailed journal with notes and photos. I am looking forward to sharing my progress and hearing back with feedback. Here are some of the accessories that I will be using on this build. I am doing this to help others who are going to be building in the future. 2 tubes of E6000 Industrial Strength, Medium Viscosity, Clear 3.7 oz. Do I need more and is Medium Viscosity strong enough? 3 bottles of Testors 1138 Grey 1 bottle of Testors 8804 decal set 1 Testors Paint brush 1-1/4 Wide 3 Xacto Knife's. No.1 precision Knife, No.2 Medium Weight Precision Knife, and No. 3 Precision Pen Knife. Also various knife blades. 8 Nylon Spring 4 inch Red Clamps. 33 Darice Super Heavy Duty Craft Magnets 1 "11 by 17" inch cutting mat I am looking for the right color shade of Testors blue. I have to get curved plastic scissors, a couple of bottles of plastic welder, and sandpaper. Also, down the road I am going to pick up Correct aerators, ribbed neck seal, gloves and boots.

The other pics did not post.

Here are more. I would like to have a detailed build and post updates on the way. I will be using this site as the main reference as the builds here are like they just walked of the set of movie. All of you who have created your armor from scratch or built it from a kit are the trail blazers. You are the experts in the field. I tip my hat to all of you for inspiring and leading the way. I know I will be asking for advice on the way when I get stuck. I know and I feel confident enough to do it. I am going to take my time, keep a journal, take pictures and keep everybody posted, and have a good time when building. I think what helped is reading all the threads, doing research, visiting sites and paying attention to the tips that I picked up on the way. Hopefully when I am finish my build can be a reference to "new builders" to help them with their AP build.

What a surprise to my eyes when I came home and what was in the room? My Armor finally arrived!!!! Woohoo!!!!

When my AP sets comes in. Do I need both E6000 and ABS plastic welder? I have seen posts where people use both. Can I get buy with just E6000. Also, in a local hobby shop I have seen a abs plastic welder that comes in a bottle with a swab like applicator. The name escapes me for the momment. Can any abs plastic welder that you see in hobby shops do the trick? Thanks. Andy

Hello, I have my first set of ap armor on its way. I need help to mod it to my frame. I am 5'5 and about 190 pounds. I am going to lose 10 more pounds. Do I concentrate on the shins and thighs? Andy