JTKenobi

I have not yet installed/glued them. Still preparing. My pictures are poor but I think it shows what I am talking about. The extra strip is 15 mm but the 'molded seam' on the armor is about 23 mm. I understand that I will have to cut down the original seams on each side, but if I cut them down by half (12.5 mm) on each side, I still have a 23 mm molded 'bump' over which I will glue the 15 extra strip. Won't the 15 mm strip look too small? I am hoping I can see some other AP armor with this style of seam. ---------

I thought it would be helpful to have a place to ask for photos as they relate to building our armor. It was either this or make a new thread just to request what I am hoping someone can provide me photos of. Anyway, I'd like to see if any one has an AP kit with arm and leg seams done with the separate strips of ABS for the more accurate ANH look. In particular I'd like to see close-up photos of the forearms' seams (both top and bottom) including the ends. If you could mention the width of the strips used, that would be helpful. I cut 15mm strips for my forearms but they look so thin when compared to the molded seam.

curious what was in the PM. i need all the help i can get on my AP. the 'directions' are sad. Curtis' thread is very good, but more help would be appreciated.

I too am trimming my ears and I actually screwed the ear pcs into place last night. Looks like crap! Because there is not a snug fit.....from the front you can see the rear helmet pc and when viewing from the back there is a HUGE gap between the ear and the helmet on the curved part..especially on the right side (when viewing from the back). Don't know how that large of a gap will be made to fit. BTW, what did you guys to do do test fits? I can't imagine you kept screwing the ear pcs off and on every time to check progress of sanding for a snug/hugging fit. Or did you just attach the faceplate to the rear helmet pc with nuts and bolts to hold in place and test fit against that as you sanded the ears to fit? Anyone know what i am talking about???

That is fantastic work there, Paul. Looks GREAT! And very 'accurate'.....well, as accurate any pint-size trooper could be. What a lucky kid!

Can someone with an AP kit that has done their seams like this post some photos of your work? Since the seams are already molded into the armor, I'd like to see how far people cut back the edge and if you can see the original seam at all. Close-ups would be awesome! I'd also like to see how wide you cut your strips of ABS. I alreay cut mine per Troopermaster's suggestions so I hope that works for the AP!!!! Patiently crosses fingers and waits for pics

Thank you Alain and Curtis. I will make sure the fronts line up and then go from there. Sounds good to me. TK0084 - I like the idea of these 'nylon screws' you mentioned though I had never heard of them. I imagine you get them at Home Depot or some place like that, yeah?

Curtis, Can you tell me how the heck you got both the front and back molded edges at the top of the left calve to match up because mine don't line up at all. You can see in the photo below that if you match up the front lipped-edge, then the back will be way off. If you line up the back, the front will be way off. I asked on the RPF and everyone said that the sniper-plate will cover it up. That may be true but I see from your pics that you got them to match up perfectly. Can you help here? Thanks a lot, John

That's good news because I already drilled mine and I like the look you got. I was talking to another guy who drilled the pre-marked holes but then couldn't get the 'stunt' look on the forehead trim as he wanted it so he said he was forced to drill a few new holes. He had said putting it together in the pre-marked holes resulted in a look a bit too 'hero' for him with the trim right above the eyes. You can't see the additional holes in the helmet because the ear caps cover them but still the idea of drilling unneeded holes in my bucket is not a pleasant one.

Curtis, Looks great. Just curious...did you drill the 8 pre-marked holes (3 around each 'ear' and 1 by the neck at the bottom of the ear piece) or did you place/drill your own holes. If so, how did you do it? Also for the mic tips, did you drill in the pre-marked area? thanks, JT

Looks great! Where do you get this 'E6000' and does it dry clear? I like the method of gluing elastic to the plastic for certain connections. I would like it even better if it actually dries clear. I hear that you can still pull the elastic of strapping free (albeit with a lot of effort) when using Devcon plastic welder. The only drawback is the not-so-attractive color it dries as. If the E6000 functions the same but clear, I may want to try that. Please let me know!!

Paul (and anyone else ), I was told yesterday by someone at our armor party that if you assemble the calves this way, there is a good chance that the plastic will break over time due to the stress of being pulled apart over and over when putting them on. Has anyone heard of this and is it true?? Thanks, John

Can you elaborate? I'd like to see the way you are referring to. The more options the better! Thanks, jt

I used to have a 32" waist but now I am a 34" Is it even necessary to close the sides with elastic/strapping, etc. if you have a suspender-type system as well as strapping connecting the but and cod? The belt should also help keep things in place I would think. Sigh. More research to do ....Trooper research

I do too. It's beautiful...and inspiring! Unfortunately for me I took my ad and kidney pcs today and put them around my lower-back and belly and I have a good 2-3 inches on both sides where black will be showing through. I imagine this is quite common for the 30+ somethings. Gonna have to find a way to work on that. Anyone who has some tips on that please PM me with some advice or a good link. jt

Hi Paul.I am John. Can you clarify what you mean by your statement above? In the AP directions, it suggests cutting down 1/2 the width of the seams on either side and then glue the (15mm?) strip over the seams which are butted together. Any concerns about doing this with the AP kit as far as you know? Also, I plan on using this 'seamless' method for the front of the forearms, biceps, thighs and calves with velcro at the back. Then if I decide later to mod the backs of these parts to 'seamless' style, will this be possible or will it be too hard to do this after the fact? Thanks, John

First attempt....

I know I must be the only one who has never done this but photos are going to be key for me to be able to explain certain things about my questions on assembling my armor. Can someone please explain how to post photos in threads and in PMs? Please pretend you are explaining it to a 2-year-old as this is about the extent of my computer knowledge. I basically need to get a photo on my computer (yes, I can do that) onto a reply to a thread or a PM. Thanks to anyone who can explain this. I could not find this on the help topics. John

Hey TK. Not to get off topic but can you post some pics of the inside of your SDS armor (ab, chest kidney and back-plates) ? I would like to see the system they came up with for wearing it whether it's snaps, suspenders, velcro, etc. Also, I am curious what you think of it. Those are beautiful and it sounds like you have the build to wear it well!

I guess I'll go that route as I don't like the idea of gluing. It does look very nice with the fronts glued down. Too bad there is no 'temporary' gluing method that I am aware of that one could use and somehow undo without the possibility of mangling the armor. Elmer's glue perhaps? Anyone ever tried that?

OK, so on all those pics, are people gluing the strap to the front pc? I see the back will be velcroed on and the strap won't be used for actual support, but how are you attaching the strip to the chest plate? Thanks, JT