BobbyFromBUF Posted May 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 I'm off to see the Amazing Spiderman 2, but I might do a little work when I get home.... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm Batman[501st] Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 I would like to attach the snap plates to the chest and back for the shoulder strapping system, but I'm not sure of the exact best placement... I have been performing forum searches all morning without being able to find an exact photo or explanation that will give me the confidence to move forward. Any advice? Should I tape the chest and upper back together, and see how that fits? Also, in my strapping kit there were 2 white velcro straps included. Should these be used on the shoulders under the bridges? I see some troopers on the FISD using black strapping in this area... I would like to do this area "right" as it is highly visible, and being near the helmet will end up being a focal point for onlookers... That's how I did mine - taped the 2 together first to get a good fit, then made the elastic straps to measure. Once that was hanging good, glued the plastic should bridges on to make sure they covered the elastic White velcro straps included would either be the shoulder (generally 2inch), or to hang the drop boxes (generally 1inch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Now that you mention it, those white velcro pieces are almost certainly for the drop boxes. I stopped by our 24 hour Walmart after the movie and was able to pick up some 1" nylon webbing in white and black. As well as some Dritz 1.5" Non-roll Elastic. I'm not certain this is what I'll want to use, but how do you argue with $2.77? As for the sizing. Your concept to work from the Cod up makes so much sense. Off course, I didn't re-read your suggestion until after I had done a bit of taping. So, just for fun, here are some pics of my chest and back taped together. IMAG5148 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5157 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5156 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5149 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr More work (and hopefully updates) tomorrow. Goodnight friends... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 So, after a more proper fitting (thanks for the tips Maxsteele), I have come to realize that the shape of my upper back is not suitable for my frame without a bit of reshaping. It may be difficult to see in this photo, but the top of the upper back (where the shoulder bridges would cover) curve too soon and dig into my shoulder blades. I will do some searching through the forums for someone who has encountered this issue before, but I will also post some pics here hoping it will get some "eyes on it"... If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated... IMAG5178 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5177 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5174 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr I hope this isn't a "deal breaker" for this set of armor. I hope I can make a mod that will keep it 501st worthy... :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 I should add the pictures showing how I arrived at this location for the upper back piece. The armor has been rough sized from the "cod up" to ensure proper coverage.... IMAG5171 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5172 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 So, I see from other builds that everyone with the NE is trimming the cod and under side of the butt plate down, but I'm not sure how they are arriving at the measurements for a proper trim. I read in one build thread that the cod should be trimmed to be even with the joint where the kidney and ab plate meet. Based on this I am planning on trimming to the pencil line. Does this seem right? IMAG5182 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Also, when everything is fitted together on me the underside of the butt plate is no where near the end of where I think the cod should be. Any advice, or a link to a tutorial on bringing these parts closer together would be appreciated. Thanks! IMAG5181 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Finally, it seems like I should trim out the cod and the kidney plate where this pencil mark is. Does this seem right? IMAG5183 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxsteele[TK] Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 (edited) I eyeballed how others have cut the cod and butt plate. I also posted here with my cut marks to get opinions. After people said what they thought was good, I cut on the lines I drew. Here's my cutting. Here's how much I cut on the cod piece: Here's how much I cut off the butt plate: And here's how I cut the top and bottom sides of the ab: The bottom doesn't really line up between the ab and the cod. That doesn't matter too much. Make the top line up. That's where it counts. Edited May 5, 2014 by maxsteele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Thanks Maxsteele! That is exactly the reassurance I was looking for. Did you need to reshape the butt? Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Do you have a pic of your cod and butt connected? I'm curious about what ballpark is accurate there - 2"? 3"? 4"? Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Is this pencil line looking pretty good? Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxsteele[TK] Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 I haven't connected my cod and butt yet. Here are the two lines I had drawn originally, and when asked, I had the suggestion of cutting between the two lines. I had cut the bottom line, but then I cut between the two: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 I haven't connected my cod and butt yet. Here are the two lines I had drawn originally, and when asked, I had the suggestion of cutting between the two lines. I had cut the bottom line, but then I cut between the two: Awesome, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 A few progress pics. Happy Cinco De Mayo! Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 So, I learned a big lesson. Never use the snaps from Hobby Lobby. They do not hold very well. As a result the inside of my armor now has a ton of unusable snap plates. The snaps were just popping open with almost no tension.... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxsteele[TK] Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Did you heat bend your butt plate? It's wrapping around your body nicely. I'd like mine to sit that way. The spacing in the back looks good too. You'll want to black out that undersuit logo on the back. Also - try some pics with your arms up on the left and right side so we can see how the ab and kidney plates join together. You can take off the flashing on either side of the chest piece: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Did you heat bend your butt plate? It's wrapping around your body nicely. I'd like mine to sit that way. The spacing in the back looks good too. You'll want to black out that undersuit logo on the back. Also - try some pics with your arms up on the left and right side so we can see how the ab and kidney plates join together. You can take off the flashing on either side of the chest piece: Thanks for checking in on me! I have some pics with my arms raised. I'll post them in a few minutes. As for that flashing, that goes? Hmmm, what's worse, leaving the flashing or having the chest end that much further forward? I was sort of liking where it is ending right now. However, if it's just plain wrong to have that flashing there, then I will obviously lose it :-) Max, thank goodness for you. You've really been helping me push through these last few things. I really appreciate it! I need to head back to your thread and see if you've got any updates. I always look forward to those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 As for the butt plate, I'm just lucky. Didn't do anything, except remove the flashing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 As you wish, sir.... Here are the arms raised shots. I actually left the flashing on the ab and kidney plates as well. I see that most people remove those, but I was thinking I might leave them. If I am reading the CRL correctly, it doesn't really say that they need to be removed. The language is more about there being little or no gap. Leaving them helps with this as I am a little chubby in that region... What do you think? Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Tomorrow I will start working on my thighs. The search function wasn't working for me, so I gave up and went to bed. Maxsteele, you mentioned that you thought the butt plate was a good shape. I feel like it should curve under more. Look at how mis-aligned the cod and butt are... Any thoughts? Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 For me it's clearly worse to leave the flashing than to remove it. Other than that, it's looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyFromBUF Posted May 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Well, that settles its. I've got a bad feeling about that flashing... Haha... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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