bearings[TK] Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 I kind of have legs now, so time for some test fitting! Notes: Sniper plate isn't fully attached on the sides Boots need some paint on the fabric sides I don't have a belt yet or neck seal yet, but I bought fabric for both.. so that should be soon! Having a belt will help close up the gap on my side easily No shoulder bridges attached yet Shins aren't closed properly in the back Back/bottom of thighs need to be cut out a bit for comfort I'm wearing my ATA helmet in the pics, which has too much padding and seems slightly shorter than the AP one. Shouldn't look as weird with the AP helmet I hope! My AP helmet isn't painted yet. Thinking about loosening/lengthening the elastic on my shoulders to allow the back/chest to hang a bit lower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Very solid work so far! Keep on like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pencap510 Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Echo that- your fit is looking good so far - keep up the work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusken RTT Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Looking great! That duct tape man is just too cool. Are there two holes punched on your butt plate, at the top corners of each side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Are there two holes punched on your butt plate, at the top corners of each side? Just the unpainted heads of the original brackets Ben used to strap his armor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 Just the unpainted heads of the original brackets Ben used to strap his armor. Yep! They'll get painted white and some covered by the belt as well. I like the original strapping so far, need to make some small adjustments in the elastic length on the kidney/butt so it's not so tight. I shortened them because they hung too low causing a big gap, but I think I might come back the other way just a little bit. Might need to adjust the kidney/back elastic as well to close that gap a little bit more. Thanks for all the feedback, let me know where if I goofed anything up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 It's pretty fun now that I have most of the right strapping in place, the forearm to bicep elastic and the "han hooks" really help keep things where they're supposed to be. I made a garter belt out of webbing and attached it to the thighs via black elastic, as per the originals as well (as far as I know!). I can move around most ways fairly easily, but bending over and looking down makes the chest hit my neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polar Posted January 6, 2015 Report Share Posted January 6, 2015 sweet! Cant wait to troop with you soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 So, I wasn't super happy with my AP TD and was considering buying one from Troopermaster. Then I saw one in the for sale section and jumped on it! (Thanks Reza). I'll still finish the one that came with my AP kit, but man the TM one looks so much better. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 (edited) I agree with you, the AP detonator is kinda poor. Good call changing it. ... but man the TM one looks so much better. And yet, i believe that's an old version of his Thermal Detonator! Edited February 25, 2015 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I'm totally happy with the one I got, but I'm curious about the new one and what it looks like. Any pics of that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 (edited) Edit: Just realized i've been wrong all the way. You indeed have the newer version of TM's thermal detonator. That version replicates the sharp pulls the original molds were doing before they deteriorate. Edited February 25, 2015 by The5thHorseman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Ah, I see now why he wanted to update them! Very helpful, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Today I finally started on my belt, using some white denim 4 layers thick + some interfacing for a little added regidity. Started with the correct length (48" x 12") cut out. Folded over so that there were 4 layers, 3" wide each. Ironed everything smooth. Watched my wife sew things. She let me sew on the velcro at least, all done with that part! Applied some heat to get a better natural bend. Attached snaps to connect to ab plate (also attached snaps to ab plate). Riveted cloth belt to plastic ammo belt. Currently have my rivet covers and drop boxes glued and curing. I ordered some extra parts from Mark/AP so that I can make a second belt, I want to be able to swap between ANH and ESB looks sorta easily. My AP helmet is still unpainted, so I think I'll end up going ESB style on that one. ESB decals are on the way from trooper bay. What's the best source for ESB style hand plates, since there aren't any available from AP? Edited January 24, 2015 by bearings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Following roughly along with Pandatrooper's Neckseal tutorial (http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/8402-howto-create-a-neckseal/) I bought some "headliner" material and through some trial and error, I ended up with an ok looking neck seal. I had to use some interfacing on the side parts, otherwise the inner material was too sticky to go through the machine without bunching up and getting weird. I cut a piece twice as tall as I needed, folded over at the top and sewed up the sides, then flipped the whole thing inside out to hide the interfacing. Lots of straight lines were sewed and then I attached to an old black t-shirt to create the bib. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Next thing on my list was to finish up the sniper plate attachment. I recently discovered Sugru, which is stuff that you can mold like putty and then after 24 hours it cures into rubber. It sticks really well to ABS plastic too! So, I figured I'd jam some Sugru into the sniper plate gap to make it hold better. As you can see, I'm also getting my shin hooks glued in place today. Another great place I found to use Sugru is attaching the green lenses to the inside of the helmet. It's not pretty, but I think this will work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Neat job, as always. Have you found someone for the ESB handguards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) Looking good so far You'll need another holster if you do a ESB version too, black looped straps on the right side Edited January 24, 2015 by gmrhodes13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 Looking good so far You'll need another holster if you do a ESB version too, black looped straps on the right side Yep, thanks for the heads up Q! I got a holster with black loops with my AP kit that I plan to use for the ESB version. Neat job, as always. Have you found someone for the ESB handguards? Not yet, but I understand that ATA and TM might have them. I'm going to do my best to focus on the ANH build first, very close now! Speaking of that, my plan was to do the AP helmet in ESB style.. but I'm not sure the ATA helmet looks right on me with armor on. I guess I have a long neck, but I don't want to look like a bobble head if I can help it.. seems that the AP helmet looks better. Here are 2 pics for comparison, unpainted is AP and the painted one is ATA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The5thHorseman[TK] Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 Do you have any padding on top of your head? If so, try to remove it completely. You don't really need padding here and it will bring the helmet down on you.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted January 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 Do you have any padding on top of your head? If so, try to remove it completely. You don't really need padding here and it will bring the helmet down on you.. Nope, no padding at all right now.. I'll see if I can work on improving my posture or shortening my neck I just finished re-doing my shin elastics, this time with size 3 hook-and-eyes instead of size 2. I had a hell of a time trying to get them on and off with size 2.. this should be better. I also think I'm going to make some inner elastic stirrups to keep my shins from popping off of my boots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polar Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 looking great! now hurry up! lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted February 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 looking great! now hurry up! lol! I'm slow, I know.. I know. Almost there.. I think I might be ready to send in my application after today. If we had a CRL for the Darth Aloha style trooper-in-shorts I'd be all over it! Perfect for hot days in Florida: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuumantroop[TK] Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Looking good trooper! Ya have the helmet pre assembled with holes and trimmed ears right out of the box as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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