DarthMel[TK] Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 That's a lot of velcro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho[TK] Posted May 10, 2015 Report Share Posted May 10, 2015 i'm thinking about trying to add snaps on the gaskets instead of velcro. easier to swap out gasket types and still pretty strong connection, depending on the quality of the snaps of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2015 i'm thinking about trying to add snaps on the gaskets instead of velcro. easier to swap out gasket types and still pretty strong connection, depending on the quality of the snaps of course. Functionally, I think snaps are solid enough, especially if each tab had two, but my problem is that it's hard to have the gaskets be in an inflexible position. You have to get them perfectly aligned and spaced with snaps whereas with velcro there is some adjustment. Of course, one you glue your velcro, it doesn't make that much difference either way, but snaps have to be figured out a bit in advance. I can't wait for my latex gaskets to arrive and see how they work! I love everything else about the suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svache[TK] Posted May 11, 2015 Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 One thing we noticed with snaps and the gaskets was that you will have to be very careful when you want to take them off, the snaps seem to be sliding through the rubber gaskets quite easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2015 One thing we noticed with snaps and the gaskets was that you will have to be very careful when you want to take them off, the snaps seem to be sliding through the rubber gaskets quite easily. Yeah, I saw that too on the shoulder pieces. I used pretty large washers as you can see in my pics because otherwise it was very easy to pull them through. My latex gaskets are on the way so I'll be sure to post some pics and feedback soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kme1682[TK] Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 Hey there, Chiming in on the knee gaskets. When we get to modifying the gaskets (again), we're going to follow the route of velcro the knee gaskets to the armour. I just have to double-check that I actually have a knee when doing that, or if it looks like one column/tube of armour and rubber. If so, I really will look like robby the robot! -krista 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Just received my new gaskets from Wyatt today! Can't wait to get them fitted and see the difference. They look nice! Pictures will be soon to follow. I'm gluing and sewing velcro tonight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) Ok, here is some progress to report. I immediately noticed one significant difference with the shape of these in that they are tapered and the knee and elbow gaskets are the same size. This means I kept the full gasket for the knees, which are a bit tight, but had well more than enough for the elbows. I ended up cutting about two inches off the elbows to fit it properly. Elbow piece with the end cut off. This means I don't have a glue flap, but it's easy enough to use a scrap. Because the cut off flap would have added extra thickness, I had to raise the other side up with a piece of scrap latex so that the ridges were much closer in height. Gluing! Piece I removed (after gluing) Here's a shoulder and elbow with velcro. I cut out notches so that the elbow gasket and shoulder fit together a bit like tetris, leaving less overlap of rubber inside the armor. And now what you really care about. Here's my elbow flexibility with the new gaskets! The armor itself is still limiting as the forearms digs into my hand still, but the flexibility and room inside is much better in both the shoulder and elbow. I suspect it won't be quite as hot, although it's still rubber. I can't wait to have the whole torso finished later so I can see what the real flexibility is since that chest/back piece limits you quite a bit regardless of the gaskets. Edited May 17, 2015 by camprandall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 And another! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) While I work on the other arm, this is the leg tightness I was referring to. It fits, but barely. I will definitely have to velcro it to the undersuit because there's no way it will stretch far enough to velcro to the front and back of the thigh. I'm 175 - 180 so anyone bigger might find it too uncomfortable. Edited May 17, 2015 by camprandall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) Ok, got the upper body done. Whew! So here's some feedback and then some pics. 1) The flexibility is considerably better. I used to have to strain until I heard cracking to even touch my head and I can do it much easier now. Taking the helmet on and off is no problem! 2) The whole suit still feels stuffy, but it's really nice having that flexibility and a bit more breathability in the joints. Even just walking around feels nicer because my arms feel less like stuffed sausages. 3) Getting them on is just as difficult for me because the very flexible latex catches my undersuit and wants to pull. It's not as tight, which is great, but still awkward. Overall, this was well worth the time and money because I feel like I can last longer in a troop and it's going to be much more comfortable moving around. I also like that I can easily adjust my helmet and remove when I want without pain/strain. Overall, this is just a compressed stuffy suit and the forearms still dig into my wrists because they're too long, but the new gaskets have greatly improved the comfort! Nice job Wyatt! Edited May 17, 2015 by camprandall 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Nice - great to hear good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK6682[TK] Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 HAHA! I love it! You can put your own helmet on? HAHAHAH! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plushie[TK] Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 SHOW OFF! LOL Thanks for the display! I can't wait for the fabric gaskets and the new latex ones! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 HAHA! I love it! You can put your own helmet on? HAHAHAH! Yeah Mike, it's amazing how you can really appreciate the simple things! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkrestonva[TK] Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Haha, nice photos! As for the leg tightness, I agree - now I know what women go through in trying to get a set of pantyhose on that are just a bit too small. I'm actually considering greasing up my legs with baby oil before putting these on next time. Still, the good news in that is that (1) I have plenty of coverage at the knees with these longer gaskets (I'm 6'1"), (2) I don't require Velcro (or any other means) to keep the leg gaskets in place, and (3) even with the knee plates attached (I use Chicago screws that attach to the inside of the knee armor via nylon snap plates) I can still slip in and out of the thigh armor - which makes getting dressed MUCH simpler than having to put on the thigh armor first, then the knee gaskets with the knee plates attached. I'm also going to try wearing bike shorts as opposed to full-on tights and see if that helps, since you really only need the undersuit coverage at the hips. But I couldn't agree more - it was money well spent. Hopefully all of the TFA troopers can get their hands on a set of these. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 Yeah, I've been debating whether or not to attach some kind of velcro to keep the knee gasket attached to the underarmor because I'm not sure if it would eventually slide down while walking around. It certainly doesn't feel like it. As for assembly, yeah I was putting the whole legs on as a sleeve since it takes forever for me to re-attach the gaskets where I want them to the armor pieces. Now for the legs I'll probably just slide on the gaskets, then slide into the thighs and pop on the shins. It probably also means that we might have to worry about the direction of the shins if they aren't attached to anything, but maybe the boots will take care of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I can't wait to see pix. Pix Col. Robinson, svp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) Ok, got the knees done last night. I found that after a few minutes of walking, they started to slide down so I added a small velcro tab to the top to keep it from doing that, but otherwise it's not connected to the armor. I also added padding inside the armor in the front and back to keep the armor from jiggling since the older gaskets were thicker. Edited May 20, 2015 by camprandall 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted May 20, 2015 Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 This will definitely be one of my go-to build threads when mine arrives. Great job to you and your crew. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 This will definitely be one of my go-to build threads when mine arrives. Great job to you and your crew. Glad to be of help! It's one of the saving graces of that crazy rushed chaotic build process. Being able to help others is a good silver lining because I've avoided a lot of problems myself on other suits because of people's build threads. Troopers helping troopers! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2015 Here is a better shot of a knee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svache[TK] Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 Hmm with my thin legs, I'm not sure I should go that route.. it would remove the idea/impression of having the same width legs/arms as other TFA troopers if I did. I think I'll have to simply continue to stick it to the armor instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted May 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 Hmm with my thin legs, I'm not sure I should go that route.. it would remove the idea/impression of having the same width legs/arms as other TFA troopers if I did. I think I'll have to simply continue to stick it to the armor instead. You probably won't be able to stick it to the armor because it's not big enough around. I've got it at max size and there's still a sizeable gap all the way around and they're tight on my knees. I think they need to be made longer (to create a bigger diameter) to correct that issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svache[TK] Posted May 21, 2015 Report Share Posted May 21, 2015 So basically be made wider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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