SW1 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Looking good mate , i would personly trim some more return edge of the sides and the bottom of the but piece , i would say about another 3-4mm at the mo it looks to much and has no flex and will be prone to crack maybe only a surgestion mate , other than that looks like you have it all in control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 (edited) looking good grant,how exactly did you get the flare on the forearms,its a nice touch? Not my doing mate - TM's sculpt did all the work!!! I just made sure I could get my hand through lol! Looking good mate , i would personly trim some more return edge of the sides and the bottom of the but piece , i would say about another 3-4mm at the mo it looks to much and has no flex and will be prone to crack maybe only a surgestion mate No Stephen any suggestions then fire 'em off - that's a good shout looking at the pic. I'm gonna be dremmelling top rtn edges of all clamshells one they're glued to make sure they match up - I'll put this on the list Edited March 5, 2012 by TK9477 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xaoslord Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Looking good! How did you determine where to place the side rivets? Is there a set distance from the edge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnie_DK[TK] Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Liking the progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Looking good! How did you determine where to place the side rivets? Is there a set distance from the edge? I was wondering the same thing when I started researching the build. On the TM ab section there is an indented line about 10mm from the edge (2nd pic) and a similar line on the other side too (3rd pic) - I checked out other TM builds and the rivets went straight through it so I used it as a 1st reference. I then guessed from other pics the vertical height - looks about 20 mm, did the same at the bottom then measures the middle one dead centre. After that I just place the rivets on the kidney plate to mirror the ab plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 More progress over the weekend...some good some bad Last weekend I painted the buttons for the torso using humbrol 15 & 5. I decided to attach them to the torso using superglue as the plastic was slightly bent & If I used E6000 I'd need a good clamp to keep it flush - which I didn't have. Next up was my first mistake - I was unpclamping a thigh when I saw this... I'd used some pretty old abs goo to add strength (which in hind-sight wasn't really required) to the parts of the thigh that weren't covered bt the internal cover strips... Unfortunately this old goop must have been fully laced with acetone - that coupled with the compression from the clamp distorted the finish to the thigh. After crying in my beer for a little while I realised it was on the right thigh & this section would be covered by the battery pack....stoopid mistake & a bit of a let off Next I started on the td. I figured out the drill holes... Attached the brackets (bought here on FISD)... Fitted the end caps (heat gun as per TMs instruction) and detail (CA glue)... Here was my second mistake - I hat heatgun work and was so pleased to get the end caps on without incident, I forgot to check the spacing & left the gaps between the caps & detail a little thin. The CA glue meant this is here to stay...until it falls on the floor a few times and pings off so I can trim it down.....in the meantime I'll have to live with it. Saturday was reletivley uneventful. I fixed the sniper plate on the left greave.. And the battery pack - this was a bit of a monkey due to it's springy nature and although TM warned about the fiddley nature of fixing it with the correct rivets, I was determined to get it done... Al that was left to do was to paint the rivets white. Next job, the belt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 So, crackin on with the belt... I lined it up to mark out where the poppers will go Banged in poppers Next I marked out the belt for full trim and to line up drill holes Then I just placed on the belt and pooped the holes through. I deceided (very fortunately as it worked out....my belt was too short!!!!!) to use chicago screws to attach the belt & it's cover just incase I felt the need to change the canvas belt at a later date. After drilling the holes in the belt I glued in the female chicago screw so I could gain purchase - tried it out, then cover with the plastic caps. On to fitting the drop boxes - the trick mfor me was watching out for the angle of the dangle - I lined up the top of the box with the bottom of the plastic belt and placed and made sure that the elastic was between the snapper & chicago screw so it doesn't go wandering off when I'm mincing in the public domain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Finally I can get on with the strapping. And this is what I've gone for.....however after a test fit I moved a few of these around as the chest needed lowering as it was sitting onto of the abs rather than just covering it and the butt needed to be tihghter to the kidney. By the way, the double snappers on the chest will not be being used for strapping but I may use them for the speaker system. I've also took a leap of faith and deceided to listen to my more experienced brothers and use the traditional lazzie band to keep the back bridges attached to the back plate I'm still not convinced but I'll give it a try before I get the velcro out Hmmmmmmmn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldrik Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Stick with the lazzie band and forget about the use of velcro! Would have been more screen accurate if you had leveled the snaps on the belt all the same. Are you going for centurion? Then you will need drill out the snaps on the sniper plate and instead use glue for fixing them, also you could have lowered the knee ammo belt a little. For the drop boxes, have you riveted the correct side? My TM drop boxes back needed a more cut down to fit into the front facing drop box half. Could it be that you glued the cover strip on the left thigh (and maybe because off this also on the right) to the wrong side! The open side needs to point to the inside and yours looks like it points to the outside. All things I mentioned are easy to fix and behalf of this your armor looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Stick with the lazzie band and forget about the use of velcro! I'm not sure - but I'll decide after a few troops Would have been more screen accurate if you had leveled the snaps on the belt all the same - not sure what you mean? Are you going for centurion? Nope For the drop boxes, have you riveted the correct side? My TM drop boxes back needed a more cut down to fit into the front facing drop box half - yes, the back (smaller tab)...that's right isn't it? Could it be that you glued the cover strip on the left thigh (and maybe because off this also on the right) to the wrong side! The open side needs to point to the inside and yours looks like it points to the outside. - not sure what you mean here, I have cover strips on both thighs...front, back, inside & outside All things I mentioned are easy to fix and behalf of this your armor looks good Edited March 26, 2012 by TK9477 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 He means you have put the cover strip at the back on the wrong side. They should be fixed to the outer half and not the inner like you have done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldrik Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Stick with the lazzie band and forget about the use of velcro! I'm not sure - but I'll decide after a few troops Would have been more screen accurate if you had leveled the snaps on the belt all the same - not sure what you mean? -------------- the snaps that holds the canvas belt to the armor and the snaps thats holds the canvas belt to the ammo belt should be centered in the middle of the belt all in one line. -------------- Are you going for centurion? Nope For the drop boxes, have you riveted the correct side? My TM drop boxes back needed a more cut down to fit into the front facing drop box half - yes, the back (smaller tab)...that's right isn't it? -------------- if it is the smaller side of the drop boxes then all is fine. -------------- Could it be that you glued the cover strip on the left thigh (and maybe because off this also on the right) to the wrong side! The open side needs to point to the inside and yours looks like it points to the outside. - not sure what you mean here, I have cover strips on both thighs...front, back, inside & outside ------------- sorry i do mean the open cover strip on your shin with the sniper plate and not your thighs, those open sides should point to the inside. ------------- All things I mentioned are easy to fix and behalf of this your armor looks good Edit: Paul is much to fast with his answers Edited March 26, 2012 by Eldrik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 I just think it's funny that Jens said "lazzie bands". He'll be "fiddlin' de lechy" next. Di do do dat dere dough don't di dough! Ian Rush says dat if Jens doesn't drinch enough milch, when he grows up, he'll only be good enough to play for Ach-rinten Stanley! Sorry for the hijack, as you were, ladies and gents ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Ey ey! Calm down! Calm down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 :laugh1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted March 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Di do do dat dere dough don't di dough! Dee-do dee-do....that pic reminds me to get booked in for a new perm Edited March 26, 2012 by TK9477 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted March 26, 2012 Report Share Posted March 26, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Okay back on the road after a replacement belt.... As I've two blasters I need to holsters that can be interchangeable - so I went for the popper method....however.....the leather was a bit thick.... So I had to counter-bore the hole to thin it out a bit & hey presto, it worked!!!! It was just then a matter of riveting the male snappers onthe indide of the belt. Next was to strap the arms... And finally I wanted to add the screws where the original brackets where fixed into the suit - purley for asthetics (like the side rivets) rather than for practical purposes..not in all the places just the real visible ones. And so finally with baited breath I present you with TK9477 Please all feedback from you experts on how this baby looks? My issues - does the helmet sit a little high? I can reduce the padding Big issue - the top of the right calve REALLY digs in to my knee...any tips? Is there room on the length of the calves to trim off an inch? Cheers all Edited May 21, 2012 by TK9477 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locitus[Admin] Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Looking good! I did the same thing with my holster. Riveted poppers to the belt and counter sunk the female snap because of the strap thickness. Yeah, your helmet does look like it's sitting a bit high. Yes, if you need to trim it, go ahead. Is it digging in at the front or back of the knee? You might just need to do the v-shaped cutout in the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Looking very nice there Grant! I agree with Mathias. The helmet does look a bit too high on your head so reduce the padding if possible. I can see your knee cap on the top of the shin in one of the photos so you might want to reduce the length a bit. You don't have to take an inch off though. I would start with half an inch first and see how that feels. If you look at some of the original trooper ankles you can see these have been cut short and don't have the original shape to them. If you do cut them, I would do it in a curved way rather than try and keep the original shape. I'll see if I can find a good photo to show you what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Here we go. Thanks to meanders for the photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich330[TK] Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Never picked up on that bit of trimming before. I know Steve (SW1) always trims his shins at the bottom so he'll be able to chip in with some pointers no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 I can see your knee cap on the top of the shin in one of the photos so you might want to reduce the length a bit. That's the one - front, inside right.....thanks for the help on this. Bucket padding will be reduced. Anything else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troopermaster Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 (edited) Did you move the rear cover strip on the left shin from the inner to the outer part? It looks as though it is still on the inner part. Edited May 21, 2012 by troopermaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK9477 Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Did you move the rear cover strip on the left shin from the inner to the outer part? It looks as though it is still on the inner part. Okay eagle-eyes!!! I got lazy on that one.......more homework lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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