Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 I totally spaced on probably one of the easiest fixes out there. I've been focusing so hard on making it work I overlooked a simple solution. Thanks Jason! I'll go ahead and start lining up/attaching everything when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 As long as it doesn't protrude farther than the snaps do, it shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Well last night a big brown box came in! I was too excited to get any work done but I did take some pictures! My first Hyperfirm! It was a birthday present to myself and I'm glad i got it! I can't believe how light it is! It's a little long but that's probably because I'm pretty short. I paid extra for the charging handle and I think its worth it. Now to clean it up a bit and add the wires and I'll have a great looking piece to add to my collection. I think my next investment will probably be a Hyperfirm E-11 so i can keep my Phoenix Props as a display piece. Hopefully I can get some more progress done on the belt tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 YESSSS!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 So work has been pretty hectic these last few weeks. Trying to prepare my students for their end of the year/standardized tests which start this week. Luckily last night I was able to finally touch my armor if only for a short time. I made some rough outlines to where I need to trim the shoulder straps. A closer look at some of the projected lines. I can't decide if it would be better to cut from the front in or from behind out. I also gave up on trying to sand off the old paint and decided to buy replacement parts. I caused too much damage to the face plate and figured I might as well replace all of my messed up parts. While I wait for my order to go through I'll focus on some detail work and stuff that needs to be finished soon or later. I know this isn't the thread for it but I'd rather not start a whole new topic for it, but where does the wire on the DLT-19 go? I know it's somewhere but I can't see it on any of the reference pictures. Hope to get some more work done tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 So work has been pretty hectic these last few weeks. Trying to prepare my students for their end of the year/standardized tests which start this week. Luckily last night I was able to finally touch my armor if only for a short time. I made some rough outlines to where I need to trim the shoulder straps. A closer look at some of the projected lines. I can't decide if it would be better to cut from the front in or from behind out. I also gave up on trying to sand off the old paint and decided to buy replacement parts. I caused too much damage to the face plate and figured I might as well replace all of my messed up parts. While I wait for my order to go through I'll focus on some detail work and stuff that needs to be finished soon or later. I know this isn't the thread for it but I'd rather not start a whole new topic for it, but where does the wire on the DLT-19 go? I know it's somewhere but I can't see it on any of the reference pictures. Hope to get some more work done tonight. leave about 1/16" return edge outside of the bump. Wiring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucnak[TK] Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 Your lines look a bit close on those shoulder bridges! Leave some space from the bumps. Check some reference pics! I think if you just straighten your rough cuts, you'll probably be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted April 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2016 Well I couldn't help myself after getting my amazing DLT-19 I just had to get a new E-11! Last night was BBD and I again was too excited and opened the box before I took the pictures. The D-Ring. The barrel/muzzle. It fits great in my holster! A great collage. Both of my Hyperfirms, the DLT-19 and the E-11. I also ordered replacement armor parts that should be arriving soon! Things are starting to get accomplished again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted May 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 Yesterday was Big Brown Box Day part 2! After my painting mishap (and the failures of trying to clean everything up) I decided to just start over on some armor parts! This beautiful box was delivered right as I got home what luck! Scootch is an amazing guy who put up with my constant messages and question! Finally all of my new pieces! New face plate, cap/back, both biceps, both forearms, both shins/knee plate, shoulder bells, and new drop boxes. Plus plastic to make cover strips. I was extremely busy last night finishing over grades for progress reports so I was only able to start one drop box and slightly trimming the knee plate. Everything seems much less daunting now that I've already gone through it once. The only issue with a majority of my previous parts occurred during the paint stage so I should be able to bust out some finished pieces soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted May 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 (edited) So with the school year winding down I'll be able to get back to work on a regular basis. Last night was pretty much spent on prep work. Cleaning all the new pieces (except the shins). I used Acetone diluted with water because the fumes give me a massive headache. I first cleaned up my helmet parts. Then moved on to the biceps. Finally the forearms. I hope to get started again soon! I have a Hard deadline of Halloween 2016 and a soft deadline of end of June/Start of July. Edited May 23, 2016 by Tee-Bowls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted May 23, 2016 Report Share Posted May 23, 2016 Looking good Tyler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted May 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 (edited) Last night I decided it was time to face my fears and get started on the helmet! Now that I've already done a partial helmet build I have more confidence in my cuts. My initial lines before I had the artist of the family (the GF) re draw them. The redrawn lines. After the trim. As of right now the outside edges of the face plate still need to be cleaned up a bit but I don't want to sand/trim too much off yet. So my next step was to get started on the teeth in the frown. I drew out my cuts. Started cutting out the front of the teeth. Up next was trimming the back of the teeth. The left side facing the face plate. The right side facing the face plate. The finished teeth. Up next are the eyes! This is going a lot quicker since I have a good idea of whats going to happen. Edited May 27, 2016 by Tee-Bowls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Today I was able to work a bit on the eyes. Up first was tracing out the mold lines. One eye done. Second eye done. My Cap/Back was already trimmed when I received it. With it already trimmed I figured attaching the two helmet parts would be easy. I added the brow trim for a test fit and something seems off to me. I think I might have either drilled the holes for the screws in the wrong place or my trimmed Cap isn't trimmed all the way. I'll keep trying to adjust it. maybe there isn't anything wrong at all and I'm worrying over nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted May 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2016 After staring at the brow for a few days I decided to re-drill the holes on the left side of the face plate to see if I could get it to line up better and I think it looks even. However the underside where the ears are suppose to attach is completely messed up. The Right side. The Left side. I'm now wondering if I trimmed off too much or not enough. Maybe it's the screw placement? I'll trying and figure it out. On a good note the brow trim looks much better now. I have a heat gun maybe I'll trim/sand then flatten everything out to make it match underneath. That'll be a last resort though. Hopefully it's a simple fix and i'm just overthinking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedwelle94[TK] Posted June 1, 2016 Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 Avoid using a heat gun if at all possible. It's easy to warp the plastic beyond repair if you're not careful. I think you might need to trim the neck opening, but I'd hold off on adjustments until an expert chimes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2016 Yeah Mike, the heat gun is a last resort, so I'm holding off on the helmet right now until I figure out whats going on. I started trimming the left arm last night. I'll be cutting it down since I have shorter arms. Removal of the return edges on the outer left forearm. Removal of the return edges on the inner left forearm. School is officially out today! Woo no more work until next week when I have a conference to go too. I hope to really finish some pieces this month so I can be ready in time for some summer troops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted June 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 So Saturday night I was able to get some more work done. Trimmed the return edges of the inner and outer right forearm. Trimmed the return edges off of the left bicep as well. Trimmed return edges off of the right bicep. Now that the biceps and forearms have been roughly trimmed it's time to size them and get started on making cover strips. I haven't made any progress on the helmet yet for fear of messing it up so if anybody has any ideas as to what went wrong/hoe to fix it let me know. I'll be working on the shoulder bells and possibly the shins soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Looking good Tyler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingYeti Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 One of the best and most useful tools that I purchased for my build was a tabletop belt sander for $60 at Harbor Freight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 One of the best and most useful tools that I purchased for my build was a tabletop belt sander for $60 at Harbor Freight. My tool of choice also, along with an exacto knife and steel straight edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted June 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2016 Well I finally decided to invest in a belt sander! I went down to Harbor Freight tonight and picked up this beauty for around $55! Along with the only sanding belts they have. I'm not sure about these grits and how they will react to the HIPS. If anybody uses a different grit let me know. So the past few days I worked on trimming the remaining parts. First things first the parts were all cleaned up before I did anything. Trimmed off the return edges off of the left shin. Trimmed the return edges off of the right shin. Trimmed the edges of off the shoulder bells. Now the shins, biceps, and forearms are all going to be cut down to fit and hopefully sanded with my new belt sander. If anybody has any tips on how to use it best for armor let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted July 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 Well it's time for another update before I get to work again tonight. I'm still having issues with the helmet. I trimmed the excess off the bottom of the helmets and ended up with weird gaps between the bottom of the face plate and the cap/back. Right side of the helmet Front view Weird gap between the forehead section. The gap from below. I also started working on sizing my shins. Luckily I had my old shins which fit good length wise to measure from. Measured out the inner and outer for both legs. I also decided to line up the shoulder straps to where they need to be sanded down. The cut inner and outer left shin. The cut inner and outer right shin. Finally set up a space in the garage for the sander until I can finish organizing everything. This sander....Just wow! I should've invested in one a long time ago! My shoulder straps look so much cleaner now and it was much easier than trying to hand sand or cut plus this specifc sander is really quiet. I couldn't heqr it running from the outside of my garage. Here are the sanded shoulder straps. I forgot to grab more pics at the time. If need be i can always take more. I decided to try out the knee plate with it's weird shapes. It looks so much better! I'm going to continue working on the helmet and hope to get more use out of the sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted July 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 So after having to replace the water main and an AC unit i was finally able to get some work done! I was determined to get some pieces trimmed and sanded and while the shins were ready to sand I wanted a few more pieces. Up first for a trim was the right bicep. I trimmed all the edges down 1 CM to help with how the pieces fit on me. Up next was the left bicep and the pieces were also trimmed down 1 CM. I then took both sets of biceps and shins out to the garage to get sanded and cleaned up. The sanded biceps. The sanded shins. The left shin. The right shin. A few examples of the cleaned up edges. I plan on starting the forearms today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted July 28, 2016 Report Share Posted July 28, 2016 looking good Tyler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee-Bowls[501st] Posted July 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2016 So I have a trimming question. My forearms are long for me and restrict some movement so I trimmed the outside down to the notches and it still seems a bit long. I recall reading somewhere that the forearms need 11 of the dimples to be approved at a basic level. Is this still the case? I don't see anything about it on the current CRL's but I'd hate to mess up (again). Here are my proposed lines (Rough lines that will be straightened out). I'm not cutting any yet. I've got other pieces I can move onto. Thanks everyone for all the support and help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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