Leo's TK ANH Build [*ATA]

[RampantLion[TK]]

Just a quick update. I have the forearms half way done. I just need some padding and finishing strips on the outside:

 

 

The left thigh is complete:

 

Now off to Dragon*con in Atlanta!

 

****I extended my coverstrips too far on the thighs and had to correct this for Centurion. See here

Edited April 8, 2014 by RampantLion

[bigtrev503]

You are killing this build, Leo! Looking forward to more progress!

[maxsteele[TK]]

I've been reading that the return edge is removed on the forearms from the wrist ends. From these photos, it looks like you removed the return edge at the elbow ends and kept the return edges on the wrist ends.

 

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[RampantLion[TK]]

The return edges are completely removed at the wrist ends. It can be difficult to tell in these pictures without arms inserted. I did remove a lot of edges to cut down on armor bite as well.

[maxsteele[TK]]

The return edges are completely removed at the wrist ends. It can be difficult to tell in these pictures without arms inserted. I did remove a lot of edges to cut down on armor bite as well.

 

Thanks Leo!  I'm just trying to sort it all out before my armor "goes under the knife".  Your build is looking great!

[The5thHorseman[TK]]

Nice job so far, however if you're looking for Centurion you'll need to correct this:

 

The left thigh is complete:

 

On the thighs, the cover strip needs to end just before the knee ridge like on the pic below:

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Keep and eye on the brackets and bolts for cracks, a few members have noticed they are getting some of late, but then they do dance around a lot. If needed you could use a strengthening piece of abs glued behind the brackets

[RampantLion[TK]]

Nice job so far, however if you're looking for Centurion you'll need to correct this:

 

 

On the thighs, the cover strip needs to end just before the knee ridge like on the pic below:

 

 

I was curious about that. I can correct the cover strip on the front of the right thigh as needed but the back of it had a weird spacing issue which I remedied by taking the cover strip all the way to the edge. Do you think I can leave the back like it is? Otherwise I'll have to figure out how to remedy one side being flat and the other side having a large indent for the accent on the bottom. I'm not sure why it's like that

[RampantLion[TK]]

Keep and eye on the brackets and bolts for cracks, a few members have noticed they are getting some of late, but then they do dance around a lot. If needed you could use a strengthening piece of abs glued behind the brackets

 

Good tip. I may go ahead and do that.

[RampantLion[TK]]

Thanks Leo!  I'm just trying to sort it all out before my armor "goes under the knife".  Your build is looking great!

 

Just refer constantly back to those reference pics. I was VERY nervous at the beginning but just do a little bit at a time and post often. As you see I missed the part about the cover strips ending.

[The5thHorseman[TK]]

I was curious about that. I can correct the cover strip on the front of the right thigh as needed but the back of it had a weird spacing issue which I remedied by taking the cover strip all the way to the edge. Do you think I can leave the back like it is? Otherwise I'll have to figure out how to remedy one side being flat and the other side having a large indent for the accent on the bottom. I'm not sure why it's like that

 

I assume you can leave the back like this as your back ridge isn't that big and it looks fine, but yes correct the front cover strip as you will be asked to do it for Centurion (and maybe for EIB too).

 

[RampantLion[TK]]

Recent progress:

 

Fixed right ear (trimmed thickness by a substantial amount and lowered it a touch):

 

The left ear still has more trimming to endure. I'll post pics when it's done.

 

Also completed my biceps:

 

How does this curve look for the knee pack?

 

Still to do:

Correct left ear thickness

Correct the left thigh cover strip on front

Outside cover strips for forearms

Shin trimming, cover strips, elastic & eyelets closure (white velcro if this doesn't work well)

Foam padding to better fit forearms and biceps (I plan on using a cheap mattress topper and utilize velcro for easy removal.)

Sniper knee placement and gluing

Crotch snaps and rivets

Strapping of chest and back armor with split rivets.

Strapping of garter belt and legs

Strapping of biceps and shoulder bells

Belt assembly

Reinforce brackets with ABS strips (I may postpone this until the build is done)

 

 

Wow the list is short enough to write down!   Not too much longer until I can suit up.   There will be plenty of adjusting I'm sure, but it is nice to at least see the finish line in the distance.

 

Questions to research:

Any measurements available for spacing the crotch rivet and snaps?

???

 

Best method to put holes in TKittel's canvas belts?

Answer: Doh, it came with instructions! "Imperial Instruction 10-206 recommends using a leather punch, soldering iron, or drill for creating belt holes."

Edited September 13, 2013 by Leo

[A Master Builder]

Its Looking Great Mate!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Coming along nicely

[RampantLion[TK]]

I added foam to my storage chest. I used a $10 mattress topper from Walmart. I added velcro to the backs of the foam so that it can be removed for cleaning or replacing.

 

 

I also decided to glue my handguards to nomex gloves for trooping comfort. I'll get another set for rubber gloves for centurion when I'm ready. As mention in the forums Loctite works beautifully for this.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Leo

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Nice work

[RampantLion[TK]]

My strapping so far. The right kidney strap is still gluing with magnets in place. The right side has the rivets in place in the back but only screws and nuts for the front straps. I will complete the rivets once I verify my fit and take some pics for comments.



The cod snaps/rivet


Back strapping:


Front strapping:


Front of armor:


Right ab snap:

Back of armor:


Shoulder bell and bicep strapping. The bicep is currently attached via velcro/elastic to the bell.

****I recommend only doing this temporarily to get the position right and then going back and gluing the strap directly onto the bells. I also did fasten my biceps to my forearms to keep them in place. See here.


Forearm padding attached via velcro so it can be removed for replacement, cleaning, or resizing:



Thighs. The right thigh cover strip has been corrected from the improper placement I had before.

**** I also recommend using e6000 on the ammo belt on the thigh at the top of it to prevent it from pivoting down and getting in the way/ being very awkward looking.


Cap rivet in knee ammo belt:



Webbing belt harness for thighs using wide black elastic and snaps:

**** Once I had things situated I added a drop of e6000 in the snaps to keep them from coming undone. Super glue was used to attach velcro to the straps and belt so that it would stay in place on my belt. This made things much easier.


Shins:


Belt with holster:

**** I also used e6000 on the snaps attaching my plastic to the belt to prevent it from popping off and moved the ammo boxes a bit more to be even with the very edge of the plastic on the belt. See here.



interior view of belt. I riveted the white elastic straps and then super glued the box backings. Velcro holds the boxes in place on the belt. Chicago screws were used on the holster to allow removal for events not allowing weapons (Schools etc.). I also corrected the length of Darman's holster to 15.5". I used a soldering iron to burn holes through the belt, leather straps on holster, and elastic straps.

****If the rivets/chicago screws happen to tear/pop though the belt from your holster strap you can insert a washer into the fabric of the belt to prevent it from tearing/popping through. I will make a tutorial on this later.

Edited April 8, 2014 by RampantLion

[RampantLion[TK]]

Here is a Halloween pic from work. I will get an updated pic soon (once the glue dries) for comments. The obvious flaws in the pic (which have been corrected) are the non trimmed and non fastened sides, high biceps, and the belt is low/ unattached to armor.

 

[RampantLion[TK]]

Here are the latest pics. I really need to work on my left calf closure in the back. It ended up too loose. Also I think my bells need to be an inch tighter. What do you think? The biceps I can reposition as needed. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

Edited November 15, 2013 by Leo

[RampantLion[TK]]

So besides the calf problem and my last 3 rivets does it look good for submission?

[RampantLion[TK]]

I fixed the calf and the rivets are in place.

Garrison = Georgia Garrison

Armor = ATA

Helmet= ATA

Blaster= Hyperfirm

Height = 6’0â€

Weight = 170 lbs

Boots = TK Boots

Canvas belt = TKittell

Hand Plates = Sonnenschein

Electronics = Evilboy's dual fan helmet kit

Neck Seal = Darman

Holster = Darman

 

 

Side rivets:

 

 

[The5thHorseman[TK]]

It should do the job for basic approval but i would try to fix your elbow gap before submitting for EIB. it's better to have a wrist gap than an elbow gap.

To do so, you can add strapping between the biceps and the forearms:

 

Or and instead of fitting the biceps inside the shoulder bells, you can place them one on the other:

 

Also, it would be good if you could close your shoulder bells more in the front. The closer, the better  !

[RampantLion[TK]]

Thank you for the advice. I will try moving things around first and see if I can fix the gap. For the forearm strapping do you recommend the straps be on the inside or the outside of the arm?

 

Thanks again.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Leo

[The5thHorseman[TK]]

Make it on the inside. There's a good tutorial about how to do it on this thread:

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/21390-geaux-saints-anh-stunt-build-tm/page-7

[RampantLion[TK]]

  I'm now official!

 

http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=16479&costumeID=124

 

I also opted for a new nickname in the forums. I am now "RampantLion".

 

Thanks everyone who has helped guide me on this build.