Dap and OD's dual ANH build [TM] (Beginners.. advice wanted)

[dapradiel[TK]]

Hello FISD!

 

After procrastinating way too long, we're finally starting our builds! We have two Troopermaster 1.5 mm kits and plan to build one Stunt and one Hero. We want Centurion at some point, so we'll be going for that from the start - no point in doing things twice, right?

 

We want to use this thread to document what we do, keep track of our progress and motivate ourselves - and probably ask hundreds of newbie questions Our goal is to have both kits done and approved before Episode VII.

 

Question: We plan to start trimming some parts. The TM parts have an edge already, but is this enough for a return edge? What angle should return edges be? Should the plastic fold back on itself? (Pictures in post 3 on this page.)

 

 

REFERENCE

COVERING STRIPS

- Biceps and forearms: 15 mm

- Thighs and shins: 20 mm

 

 

SHOPPING LIST

COMPONENTS

[x] Boots - Imperial Boots TK Boots

[ ] Neck Seal

[ ] Holster

[ ] Belt

[/] Gloves

[ ] Undersuit

[ ] Voice electronics

[ ] Fan electronics

[/] Blaster

 

TOOLS

[ ] Dremel/rotary tool

[ ] Straight lexan scissors

[x] Curved lexan scissors

[ ] Snap setting tool

[x] Clamps

[x] Files

[ ] Sanding paper

[x] Sanding sponges

[/] Magnets

[x] Exacto knife

[x] Metal ruler

[x] Painter's tape

[ ] Brushes

 

SUPPLIES

[x] E-6000 glue

[ ] Snaps

[/] Split rivets

[x] Speed rivets

[/] Chicago screws

[/] Black 1" elastic

[/] Black 3" elastic

[/] White 1/4" elastic

[/] White 1" elastic

[/] White 2" elastic

[/] Black 1" nylon strapping

[/] White velcro

[ ] Wire/fiberglass mesh

[/] Paint: Humbrol #5 Admiral grey, #15 Midnight blue

Edited September 23, 2015 by dapradiel

[Kredal[TK]]

Without seeing pictures of the return edge, there's no way anyone (except for maybe TM) to tell you how much you can keep or if it's the right angle or anything.  

 

How are you planning to strap it together?  With snap plates and straps, or elastic loops and piano wire brackets? Or velcro? (:

 

Any return edges that you end up keeping should be at roughly a 90 degree angle from the main plate surface.  Your limb armor should have very little return edge, and your core segments should have a little bit more, and if you're doing the loops and brackets for strapping, you need a little more return edge.

 

But really, pictures!

[dapradiel[TK]]

It begins! Finally!

 

Excited, we got our kits, laid it all out, looked at it for a while... then checked out a bunch of pictures and videos online, made a few small cuts, and packed it all back up.

 

Building these kits feels like a mountain climb right now, but although we didn't do any actual climbing to speak of, at least we've set up base camp.

 

Still excited and motivated, just need to figure a few things out before we really get going

 

 

Pictures!

 

This is how the parts came, we haven't done anything to them yet. Should the return edge bend in more than this, or can we just cut off the excess plastic and sand it?

 

We'll be using snap plates and straps

Kidney - the edge is at a nearly 90 degree angle and about 10 mm wide.

 

 

Ab - edge is between 45 and 90 degrees at different places, width also varies:

 

Is this about right for the cut?

Edited September 23, 2015 by dapradiel

[dapradiel[TK]]

-

Edited August 30, 2015 by dapradiel

[Kredal[TK]]

Looks like you already have this figured out. Yes, cut on that red line for the ab/cod plate. You can take off more return edge there later if it bothers you when you put it on. <br><br>

For the kidney, cut off the flashing at the notch, then keep trimming the return edge all the way around to that depth (looks like about 5mm or so). Since you'r strapping with snap plates, any return edge is just for show to give the illusion of thick armor. You don't need to keep as much.

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

After trying it on for fitment and just walking around your house, you'll quickly find the pinch points and will need to make adjustments. 

[dapradiel[TK]]

Got something done, though not a lot and it took hours.. :S

 

Started with the bicep and cut away the flash with curved scissors, then sanded with sanding paper. Quite happy with how it turned out:

 

But of course, issues: The parts don't line up. I guess sanding down the middle is the easiest solution here? 15 mm strip for scale.

 

Proof of work done.

Edited September 23, 2015 by dapradiel

[dapradiel[TK]]

In other news.. How I trimmed my TD endcaps:

 

 

I adjusted the pen to where the tip was 20 mm (~.75") above the table and taped it down.

 

Rotating the endcap, I made a line all the way around.

 

I then held my knife steady at an angle between the table and the cap and rotated the cap again.

 

After a few rotations I made 10-20 mm wide cuts in the excess plastic and snapped it off piece by piece.

 

A tiny bit of sanding and they came out surprisingly even.

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

That's a nice tip! I think I used a soda bottle cap or something to do my shoulder bells. Cool seeing someone document it

[dapradiel[TK]]

How did you use the soda bottle cap?

[Airborne Trooper[501st]]

I placed my pencil on top and basically did the same thing you did with the piece of wood. I think I was able to use my exacto knife in the same manner to do my scoring on my shoulder bells too. 

[dapradiel[TK]]

Nice I think I will use this method for my drop boxes as well.