Best build order - where to start?

[Millar007[501st]]

Hi guys - big brown box arrived, and thanks to all the awesome support & threads here I have a great equipment/tools list to buy and am relatively confident...however, where to start? My plan was to do the "little" things first (paint ab plate, build thermal det and the belt) to gain confidence, and go from there (I copped out and bought a completed bucket with my kit, so helmet is good).<br>

So - thoughts/experience preference on build order?

[tkrestonva[TK]]

I usually build in the following order:

Biceps
Forearms
Thighs
Shins
Ab / butt / lower back
Chest / upper back
Belt & thermal detonator
Shoulders
Detailed parts (sniper plate, ab button plate, etc).
Paint
Internal strapping

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

Here's my list

 

Cut finishing strips for arms and legs to proper widths

Use for sale sign plastic cut for inner strips on arms and legs.

Assemble snap plates and sort inner harness and thigh belt.

cut elastics to prep for fitting, install one side of caps snaps (leave one side for final fitting)

 

Trim, sand and fit shin fronts together align from top, add inner strip to fronts on one side. clamp along edge.

add rear finishing strip at the same time as adding inner strips.

 

Trim torso parts and add snap plates to all locations.

cut trim and fit biceps, add inner strip to 1/2 of the parts

cut trim and fit forearms, adding inner strip to 1/2.

 

cut and strap shoulder bells

trim sand and cut plastic belts drop boxes and handplates

drill rivet and measure white elastic for drop boxes and assemble to belt

paint T Det tube w primer 2x

 

paint any parts on helmet, ears, frown, vocoder and ab buttons.

Attach straps to torso, fit elastics, install split rivets, install mini anorak snaps to belt, AB and install mini snaps to butt plate and rivet elastic to cod.

Heat bend, glue shoulder straps to chest while aligning back plate.  (set an even distance )  use 4-5 ribs not including the large tab.  cut off rear large tab and fit chest straps.

 

install chest to ab strapping, install velcro for harness at top of AB, cut and assemble harness from a back support belt, and add velcro to top of kidney.

assemble shin fronts with inner strips.

assemble thighs with inner strips

assemble biceps forearms with inner strips.

 

add bicep hooks, assemble shoulder bells, add elastic to top of bicep rear.

add finishing strips for biceps and forearms.

add elastic to inside of elbow at forearm, leave enough for a velcro tab riveted down.

add velcro to inside of biceps for forearm attachments.

 

assemble arms, polish.

add finishing strips to thighs, polish and glue down wide elastic in front (add long fuzzy velcro loop to top of strap, rivet/washer

create thigh belt using webbing, rivets and plastic buckle.  pass thigh belt though velcro loops.

add thigh pack and sniper knee to legs

add velcro to shins and back of thighs. ( or glue thigh backs after final fitting )

 

Paint T det tube proper color, glue control panel to T det  cut metal strips and drill and attach to tube.

add end caps

assemble belt drop boxes and holster to canvas belt.  align mini anorak snaps to AB locations.  Add plastic belt to canvas belt with 1/8 anvil punch. chicago screws.  glue down caps.

 

cut faceplate, cap n back and ears.  drill and bolt together helmet with brow trim in place

cut chinstraps add snaps and install to ear screws with additional bolt.

cut star foam to shape.  cut lens material to shape and add velcro to each side ( velcro lenses are easy to clean!)

cut frown mesh and install with white duct tape for a clean look

 

add hovie tips and S trim to helmet, paint ear screws white

add decals or paint