bigtrev503 Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) I have been a full time lurker since about Halloween '11 I have posted a little here and there but really wanted to research thoroughly. I got an ATA ABS kit and have been cutting on it for about a month. I have made decent progress, but would like to get the butt joins cut and taped for test fitting before posting an official ongoing build thread. I do use the search function when trying to figure out how to do things and it has helped until now, but I have specific questions that I just can't seem to find the answers to. How can I get the butt joined parts and the strips cut? Supplies I have are as follows: curved lexan scissors x-acto knife w/ extra blades heavy box knife w/ extra blades 18 inch flexible metal ruler w/ cork like backing (nice one) frog tape crappy dollar tree off white masking tape sandpaper varying from 100 grit to 320 How do I make this work guys? Admittedly, I have avoided anything that has to do with measuring and have eyeballed everything up to this point where I am forced to deal with numbers (I hate math) I'm mostly weary of trying to convert the mm into inches so I can use my ruler. Plus, I have been forseeing myself not making a straight line and cutting the butt join edges into a V and creating a lot of work to correct or just plain ruining my armor... Help please??!! Edited May 2, 2012 by bigtrev503 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NastyNoah[TK] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I clamped my ruler down to the plastic then scored several times with an exacto knife . Bend, snap then sand if you need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtrev503 Posted May 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) Is that referring to the curvy armor parts that require straight lines or the strips? I'm more worried about the armor than the strips. Edited May 2, 2012 by bigtrev503 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK1636[TK] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 What i did was get a mm and inches ruler and used the mm to measure how much to cut of of the arms and legs. I am 5'10 and 180 so i cut my arms so the strip was 15 mm and the legs where 20 mm, i measured from the straightedge of the plastic out, so on each side for the arms i had 7.5 mm and the legs 10. so if you add them both up it is 15 mm for the arms and 20 mm for the legs. I just followed whatever piece i was measuring at the time from the top to the bottem so it would be uniform measurement all the way down, then once i cut that part i would use a piece of sand paper on a flat piece of wood and sand the part i just cut, So once you are done with lets say your forearm on both side i would cut a inside piece and then glue one side on, then once it dried i would glue the other side on and keep this up until you are done. Just be careful if you are a bigger or smaller guy these measurements might not work. Always cut a little off at a time and always tape the two pieces together and check the fit on your body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK bondservnt[501st] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 clamping a strip of metal to the legs to cut them works great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solcar23[TK] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I'll second that! I used the leftover rail from my E-11. Worked perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskunky Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I tend to just free hand score a line down the parts that need trimming , bend and snap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkrestonva[TK] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I use a flexible metal ruler of the appropriate length, clamp and/or tape it in place so that it can't move, and score several times along the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I used my finish/cover strip. I knew that was a straight edge. I cut my finishing strips on my table saw. I clamped the finishing strip onto the thigh or shin or forearm; wherever I wanted to make my line, traced the edge, and placed tape along that line to give my eye something to follow when cutting. When the tape was in place, I removed the clamps and cut along the tape line. But like everone else says: score it with utility knife and snap it! Make sure you have a new or VERY sharp blade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray[TK] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I just used a metal ruler long enough for my cut and clamped it to the plastic and scored and snapped it off. It comes out pretty clean right off the bat but you can sand to smooth the edges a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtrev503 Posted May 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Great advice guys, thanks! So, my flexible ruler and clamps is all I really need? Then either mark the line with a pencil or score right along the ruler? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sskunky Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 I've got a great idea. Why don't you use a metal ruler and clamp it to the side and score a line and snap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtrev503 Posted May 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Have the mm measurements ever been converted to inches? Does that work? If not, where do I find a ruler with mm on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locitus[Admin] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 One inch is 25.4 mm. Don't you guys ever use the metric system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NastyNoah[TK] Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Have the mm measurements ever been converted to inches? Does that work? If not, where do I find a ruler with mm on it? Most rulers have millimeters and centimeters as well as inches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john danter Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Long metal ruler, magnets to clamp down, score slightly, score again, score again. You can start to put more pressure on now as you've made a wee little line. Take the ruler off, bend with hands or pliers if small and then wire wool the cut section. It's easier to do this with the inside of the plastic, not the high gloss cap part. But...it's harder to form a line inside the parts sadly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtrev503 Posted May 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) Thank you all! I will begin cutting straight lines this afternoon and will begin my official build thread either tomorrow or the next day. Speaking of perfectly straight lines; how about the belt and knee ammo? Should I use the score and snap method or just draw a guideline and follow it with my scissors? Edited May 2, 2012 by bigtrev503 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtrev503 Posted May 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2012 Can anyone tell me what the "side B" means on the ATA cover strip sheet? I'm assuming it is the non shiny side, hence why it is marked with a marker, but wanted to check to be sure before cutting. Also, I have had to store my unfinished parts in the same box it came in and the sheets were at the bottom. Now, when I pulled them out for the first time in some months, they have been scratched to heck by the raw edges of the other pieces clanging around in there. Should I sand and polish the sheets now, or wait until they are cut and attached? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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