bearings[TK] Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Received my armor, gaskets and soft parts. The fun begins this weekend! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JODOKAST[TK] Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barcoder[TK] Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 AWESOME!!!! Let the fun begin!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Looking forward to the progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted October 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Trimming all the things, so far I've rough trimmed most of the legs and arms. Not much to report except for sore fingers! I have a question about the chest "wings". When I was reading the threads about increased accuracy, it wasn't obvious to me that the chest piece already had lines for this area at all. Is the mod people are doing just to increase the visibility of the lines by cutting them out? Mine's got the lines, so just wondering if this is updated or if they've always been like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pencap510 Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Always good to see another joining the TFA journey!! To answer your question- they all come with the lines mentioned - true mod is to make them much sharper. It's not required (to my knowledge, but it does add accuracy. Also highly recommend a dremel for trimming. It will save those fingers for sure- and you'll need them later 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted October 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Always good to see another joining the TFA journey!! To answer your question- they all come with the lines mentioned - true mod is to make them much sharper. It's not required (to my knowledge, but it does add accuracy. Also highly recommend a dremel for trimming. It will save those fingers for sure- and you'll need them later What bit do you use when using your dremel to trim? I did try my dremel at first, but the plastic cutting wheel I was using made the plastic get kinda melty. All it took was one little glob to fly off burn my leg to make me stop and go back to scoring and snapping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pencap510 Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Not sure the exact name, but that's what it is.. Just a cutting disc. Get that Dremel up there in rpms so it rips right through. A few scraps will get you occasionally but it shouldn't be that bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashmann[501st] Posted November 1, 2015 Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 You'll want to get the Dremel EZ Lock mandrel and 1 1/2" diamond cutting wheels. Starter Kit: http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=EZ406-02 Go ahead and use the wheels it comes with, but also buy the diamond wheel at the same time. After the original wheels break and fly apart (you're wearing eye protection, right?!?), then you'll have the metal diamond cutting wheel ready to go. The kerf is pretty narrow, and the metal base will never fly apart http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Accessories/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=EZ545 I use a full face shield so the plastic bits don't burn my baby face, and it helps reduce the direct inhalation of dust http://www.amazon.com/3M-90028-Face-Shield/dp/B000BO6RIE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1446344140&sr=8-4&keywords=polycarbonate+face+shield Or, if you want to go all Breaking Bad: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Respirator-6900-Respiratory-Protection/dp/B007QY8WTY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446344307&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+6900 Charlie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted November 1, 2015 Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 Sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted November 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 Nice, thanks for the info! I'm almost done with rough trimming all the parts, but I'm going to pick up some of those cutting wheels for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted November 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 Rough trimming done.. Using the belt sander as recommended by ukswrath, super handy for parts like this Starting to glue some things, starting with arms first.. going slowly: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 1, 2015 Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 Looking forward to seeing more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Boring update, but I'm gluing things! Basic construction of forearms, biceps, thighs, shins and shoulders are done. Starting to work out the back/yoke situation, kind of a tricky piece. Looking maybe a little too far ahead to painting, but I'm considering getting it done professionally. Any idea what I can expect that to cost vs doing it myself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Plugging along.. trying some pieces on for fun! The large pieces are assembled, minus the TD and all the many little boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Nice work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camprandall Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Looks great! Just make sure not to make any sizing decisions without the gaskets on. They make a huge difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 I haven't started on the gaskets yet, but I guess it's inevitable soon enough More progress pics coming after I get back home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Updates from today! So I decided to go ahead and do the chest greeblie, cutting this out was painful. I used zap-a-gap to fill in the gaps, now I’m working on sanding and bondoing.. TD assembly I trimmed this part incorrectly at first.. Should be more like this Better! Forearm boxes Shin boxes Thigh holster part Getting more assembled parts in my armor bin, getting closer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted April 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 I guess I should update this build thread too! I don’t use my laptop as much, so it’s rough posting photos here. Here’s the super abbreviated version of my build, since it’s already done! If you want to see more detailed pics of anything, let me know. There was much bondoing, sanding, and tears: But it turned out nicely: Primer and paint: Epic painting failures included repainting the chest at least 3 times. It was a learning experience: It’s not all bad: Ab box attachments: Belt assembly: Inside the chest looks gross after all the mods and tape/fabric/velcro: I attached the shoulders to the back/yoke like so: I really couldn’t stand the rubber gaskets that came with the kit, so after several tries my wife and I came up with this set of gaskets using headliner and some super shiny/stretchy fabric we found at Jo-Ann: The back has two 2” strips of elastic sewn in, so you just put on the arms one at a time like a coat: Ready to try on for real now: And then, trooping! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haribon72[TK] Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Wonderful journey Ben! I like the progress from kit to trooping. Well done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 EXCELLENT! Very nice Ben. I was looking at the build pics and saying wow that assembly looks familiar. lol Trooping pics are awesome also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearings[TK] Posted April 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 EXCELLENT! Very nice Ben. I was looking at the build pics and saying wow that assembly looks familiar. lol Trooping pics are awesome also. Thanks Tony! Could not have done this build without the excellent reference that was your build thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Thanks Tony! Could not have done this build without the excellent reference that was your build thread! My pleasure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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