Feedback[TK] Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) So....It was BBB day !!! Lucky enough, I got to pick up my armor directly at Mark's place (AP) since he lives 15 minutes away !!! I setup a table in the basement where I'll be quiet for the next few weeks... Purchased most of my supplies needed but a few loose ends remains... More shopping this weekend. I still have to buy my accessories but the undersuit is on its way from Amazon. A lot of trimming ahead of me... I'd like to upload pictures but I have to figure it out.... Thanks guys !! There we go, BBB !!! Edited July 9, 2015 by TKTBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68Brick[TK] Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Set up a free Photobucket account, upload your pics there and then you can link to them here in the forums. I think there might even be a tutorial somewhere here in FISD. Good luck! And great choice with AP. I'm getting close to wearing mine with no blue painters tape. 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Build pics! We love them!!M 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK bondservnt[501st] Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 buttered corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riddeth Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Hei Pat, good luck with the build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarlon[TK] Posted July 9, 2015 Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 Good luck with the build and don't be shy about asking questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 OK..Day 1..Not much time to work on the armor in the last 2 days but I started this afternoon !! For starters, I'm 6' tall and I weigh #220 so I'm assuming that I will need shims for the kidney plate but I'll tackle that later. So I setup shop in the basement: I'm sharing the space with my daughter that loves painting (as you can see). I did some shopping for basic supplies, Home Depot, Michael's and Rona. I still need to go to Fabricville for the velco,snaps,webbing, etc... Now for the fun part.... Just to get the feel of scoring ABS I started by cutting 15mm strips. After 1 hour I cut enough to do the upper body. I'll cut the 20mm later. I have a question regarding the strips: I was told that 1 outside strip is enough to hold the pieces together, what's your take on this ?? I then tachles 1 forearm, I trimmed the 2 pieces (no left or right for these guys) and fitted them together. I did some sanding after noticing my bloody forearm....lol Here's how it looks. Should I trim to make the edges meet perfectly or the trim will suffice ?? I'm taking a break now, I find it nerve wracking to trim !!! One slip of the blade and it's either my finger or a scrap piece of armor !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2015 OK... back at it !! I trimmed and fitted a bicep. This is how it looks U have the same issue as with the forearm where the edges do not meet perfectly. I am debating if I should trim the at an angle or leave them and the strip will hide them. Comments, suggestions guys ? I'll copy the same dimensions for the othe arm since they are from the same mold. I'll start gluing as soon as I get my magnets.... Shoulder after supper ??? Why not !! Maybe with a nice glass of Old #7...but just one...don't want to screw up...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khazid[TK] Posted July 12, 2015 Report Share Posted July 12, 2015 (edited) Outter strips ate sufficient to hold the armor together. Some (like me) use the interior strips to cover burrs and for some extra strength. That extra flashing on the armor is normal. One you have fit the pieces to you, trim or sand the extra to keep the same lines. Be mindful of return edges that you want to keep (some edges must be removed). Good luck on your build! Edited July 12, 2015 by Khazid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kredal[TK] Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 As Brandon said, outside strips are plenty... I put inside strips to cover up the cuts between pieces that are more likely to dig into skin, as well as provide a little bit more structural support. For the forearms, line up the wrist ends, and trim the elbow ends to line up the inside and outside. I attach them, add on cover strips, then run a Dremel across the joint to get the two sides smooth across the gap. Think of what part of a piece of armor an outside spectator is likely to see the most of. Generally, it's the top end of anything below chest height, and the bottom end of anything higher. (Forearms are a special case because you're pointing them out, when holding a blaster or just waving)... Anyway, once you pick out which end will be seen the most, that's the end that you should make look the best, given the choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 Thanks guys !! I did some more work today, I got the other arm trimmed and I started gluing the outside strips on the forearms and biceps but I ran out of clamps... my magnets should be in in the next couple of days. I also trimmed the butt, kidney and ab plates. I received my undersuit from Amazon...it fits a little too well....lol. I will also need shims since AP is usually for thinner guys ! 4È on each side should do the trick ! The problem is that I don't have strips that are wide enough...ideas ? I guess I can ask Mark when he comes back but would you know if anything is available out there ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kredal[TK] Posted July 13, 2015 Report Share Posted July 13, 2015 Bring a scrap of abs to the hardware store and look for plastic sale signs that come close to the same shade and thickness. Just make sure it's not printed on both sides. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK bondservnt[501st] Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) The forearms should be trimmed without any pointed edges. just follow the natural angle. Cover strip should also follow the angle. I would use for sale sign plastic on the inside of the thighs, forearms and shins. Assemble the forearms one side at a time. you can use scissors or snips to trim with as well, you don't have to use a knife on everything. get some zap a gap glue, it will make things go very fast (use the zip kicker!) I use 2 C clamps and a strip of aluminum to box score and snap my cover strips. I usually start with the arm size first. then I use the remaining strip for a leg if I can. on a strip I cut one long arm strip, then I cut one long leg strip then you might be able to use the remaining scrap on that strip to do the inside of a leg. I also use white duct tape on the inside of an armor part to hold it together, then the outer strip I also tape down to keep it aligned. having clamps all along the cover strip is a must to get a flush fit. Edited July 14, 2015 by TK Bondservnt 2392 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starrfox1 Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Which wetsuit did you get? Was it the NeoSport? I have that one in my crosshairs right now, if it's tight then it will be perfect for me seeing as I have the physical attributes of a 14 year old... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Yep, I got the Neosport 1 piece. It's being modified to allow for easier pee breaks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starrfox1 Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Yep, I got the Neosport 1 piece. It's being modified to allow for easier pee breaks... Sick, I just ordered mine... I'm 5'10" and 130lbs.... super slender. I got a Medium, do you think I'll have to get a size larger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 You should be fine ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Day 4 or 5...who's counting !!! By working on my armor an hour here and there I managed to trim and sand the chest plate, back plate, ab plate and split the back in two...(The line is a tiny bit wavy but the belt should hide that...right ?) I also managed to glue my 15mm outer strips on the forearms and biceps. I did only one side since my magnets were in a plane somewhere !! This morning I trimmed the tights and the fit good. After some sanding I'll be ready to glue them. After removing the glue residue from the arm pieces ( a popsicle shaped to a point works great !!) I decided to glue the 2 halves of my first left forearm together. This was a disaster !! There is so much tension in the plastic that the clamps cannot hold everything together... I have to squeeze the 2 halves together !!!! Should I redo it with an inner strip ??? Hairdryer maybe to re-shape the inner forearm (the one without the dimples) so it will not be under tension all the time ?? Ideas and comments are as usual welcome !!!! And then there is that issue that I was thinking to fix with a belt sander so the wrist part would be flush and equal ?? What do you think ? Alright...for now time to head to the garage and sand those thighs and prep them for gluing... I will be using 15mm strips inside and 20mm outside. I should be gluing the 2 inner strips with the 2 halves first (hope I have enough magnets...) and then apply the outer strips after Thanks for your input guys !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 So I managed to finish ALL the trimming !! Tomorrow, sanding and fitting.... All my clamps and magnets are busy right now so that's it on the gluing side.. I'll finish the inner strips for the tighs tomorrow and I'll glue only one side of the forearms and let it cure for 3 days and glue the other side of the forearms after. A lot of parts in the mail.... Neck Seal, Holster, trooperbay, belt and inner boxes so I'm at a standstill on that front..... I forgot, the TD !!! That will keep me busy for a couple of hours. TKTBA signing out for the night... Jack Daniel's time !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 I did a bit of work Sunday and yesterday, finished the sanding and fitting, started gluing the inner strips for the legs. Also engaged in a fight with the %&*(%#$ forearms.... and a constant struggle with those magnets...Geez are they strong !! Any idea to curve the shoulder straps ? I tried boiling water in a pan that I previously taped the straps around the outside but I'm afraid to leave the water too long.. Off to work...Fire Safety doesn't wait... Have a good day guys and gals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 The AP fore arms, in fact, most of the fore arms from various makers are a little misshapen and require some work. I have not put inner strips in my fore arms, and Zapper gap, orr gel CA glue is good to use for a quick bond. All I did was force the halves together and clamp and hold for a while until the glue set. I glued one cover strip on each half first, giving me a good solid surface on each to force the halves together. when you are on the last surface to join, you can push down to make sure the cover strip bonds flat to the opposite half, and you will be good to go. If you are concerned the outward pressure might crack the bond, then look at putting in internal strips, but I have not had the necessity to do so. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Thanks Andrew, I'll give a solid 3 days for the e6000 to cure properly before attempting to glue the second half. If it looks a bit shady, I'll unglue and start again with an inner strip and maybe a 20mm outer strip just to be safe. BTW, I got my holster and neck seal, thanks Darman ! After supper, I'll go work on the armor a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 These days I'm in the gluing process !! Thighs (going well), chins (also goin well), forearms...(constant battle, these pieces need a vacation, they are too stressed !!) I'm scared too glue the shoulder straps... The chest plate being asymetrical doesn't help... I'm trying to set it for 5 small ridges but then the big bottom one ends up sitting on 2 angles and I'm not sure how it will look... I got all my snaps, webbing,velcro and elastics at Fabriville and some 600grit paper. My big problem is the TD clips...1/16" aluminum is hard to find around here... I'm considering using a painted brass strip. Next big tasks: Shims for the kidney plate, bending the shoulder straps (ideas ???) For the shims, it seems to be OK to have 2 seams at the centurion level so I should be fine. Alright, supper time !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feedback[TK] Posted July 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2015 Saturday morning... not much time to work on the armor since we're going camping....and as usual they forecast rain for Sunday.... Got my first E6000 tube emptied yesterday. I also picked up my 1 piece undersuit from the seamstress yesterday and I can open the front zipper from the bottom or top so that should fix the bathroom issue... Also, here are a few pics of my progress so far... Inner strips installed, ready for the 20mm outer ones but I need to buy more glue... This is the result of my fight with the forearms... I had to use roast string but I think I might have won that round !!!! Front inner strip installed on one thigh... Outer strip glued on the left or right shin (I forgot, I'd have to look inside..) Ready for industrial velcro A pile of armor...lol, trimmed and ready for webbing snap installation.... I did about 30 of them yesterday while wathing the movie Major LEague on Netflix.... Chest plate with the outline of the shoulder straps.... Still have to form the straps and glue them... One of the shoulder... My messy work area... you haven't seen the garage... white dust everywhere...lol One finished shin complete with velcro fuzz..... I have to work on that... That Industrial strenght velco is a piece of work !!! Sticks pretty good !! Finished biceps...since about 2 weeks... needs some finishing and sanding. I bought 600 grit but I'll go to Canadian Tire for the 1200.. That's pretty much it for now....still looking for TD clip options... TK71445 signing out....Hopefully this ID will still be free !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABS80 Posted July 25, 2015 Report Share Posted July 25, 2015 (edited) For the front leg parts it would look better if you put the strips flush with the raised edges instead of being exposed that much, you can cheat on the back by putting a wider strips to compensate but the front will look weird. Edited July 25, 2015 by ABS80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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