TX-8687[501st] Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 hi everyone i'm really new, and i am expecting to get my first ever FX armor kit soon!!!!! what tools will i need to putting it together and where can i find good prices on accessories ie. underarmor, neck seal, gloves, etc????? thanks!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 You'll need several tubes of Devcon plastic welder, white and black industrial velcro, lots of clamps, and patience. Also painters tape is great for test fitting and using as a guide if you need to make a cut. If you don't have a dremel you should really consider one, it'll save alot of headache. The rest of the accessories are well discussed om the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 There are as many opinions on adhesive as there are troopers. I prefer ABS cement. Clamps, lots of clamps. You'll also need 1" black elastic strap to make straps with. Also, lots of snaps and a snap pliers. You'll need a rivet gun sooner or later and some white aluminum rivets w/washers. At the least you'll probably rivet on the sniper plate and right thigh ammo belt. But trust us, you'll find more reasons to use it. If you get a dremel do invest in a good cutting wheel (link around here somewhere). As mentioned for the rest of the items...take a deep breath, get a cup of coffee, and prepare to spend several hours (days?) doing research on this site. There are literally thousands of posts made by members over the past few years, and it's not possible to soak up all that knowledge in a short period of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogue4ngel Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I've been lurking on the site for a few weeks now, but really started reading a lot of the posts this last week. I haven't recieved my armor yet, but I want to be ready when I do. It's a great resource (and some entertaining reading if you find this stuff fascinating). I've already ordered some 'extra's myself; custom buttons custom hovi's with speakers custom lenses (I always liked the emerald look) I'm still looking around for a good canvas belt and some under armor wear (still not sure if Wyatt is starting up production again any time soon). It has been a great community, and everyone has been wonderfully helpful. Be sure to get in touch with your local 501st as well. They were invaluable in getting me started on the right track. I'm looking forward to trooping with them once I get my kit and get it together, but I'm definitley not in a rush. Enjoying the process; even if I haven't done any real 'work' yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX-8687[501st] Posted May 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 thanks for the opinions and info. however, i am totally clueless when it comes to tools and names....i know what a dremmel is, but as for as other things, let's keep it to lamen terms....lol!!!!! i really want to put together great armor, and it's actually TX armor, i've posted in the special ops forum but nothing yet.....thanks for all the info and PLEASE keep it coming!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Actually everything posted is lamen terms. You can ask for it at most any Walmart, Jo-Ann, or Lowes and they will show you exactly what has been posted by name. But don't get industrial velcro at Jo-ann, it's way over priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray1134[501st] Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Expect to spend a lot of time at Wal-Mart, your local hardware store, Jo-Ann Fabrics, local hobby shops, and of course Here! There is a TON of great information on here. Spend some time, do some research and have fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8114[TK] Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Let me give you a gist of all the tools i have bought in the last week for this project: Hot Glue Gun Hot Glue Devcon Plastic Welder Dremel stylus Dremel attachment kit Rivet gun White 1/8"x1/8" rivets Rivet Washers Light, Medium, & Heavy sandpaper sponges tailor's tape measure blue masking tape 4 each of small, med, & large clamps roll of fiberglass screen pack of thick air conditioner foam stripping And for modding my hasbro blaster, I have: Hammered Silver Rustoleum Plastic spray paint Rustoleum Primer spray paint Satin Black spray paint Matte coat spray paint Small can of Bondo (hasbro mod kit is in the mail) A few more things I need to pick up: Egg timer (you only have a few minutes to work with the Devcon Welder, so the timer helps.) Ind. Velcro (white especially, but you might want both white and black) Crayons (for marking cuts and such) Xacto knife (if I can't track mine down) Thin weather stripping for where armor pieces hit other armor pieces to cut down on "clacking" You're also going to need a drill bit. You can probably get away with using your dremel with the right attachment. You might also want to consider jewelers files for the "teeth" on the helmet. I'm going to try to get away with just using my Dremel with the filing attachment on low. If you want, I can take some pictures of what tools I have (I need to do that for the blog anyways). I probably wont be able to get to that until tomorrow night though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I'm not sure why you need fiberglass screen? Also I'm not a fan of sanding sponges, because of the curves of the armor I prefer regular sandpaper. FX armor comes trimmed, so painters tap will double for marking the few cut lines you will need to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8114[TK] Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I'm not sure why you need fiberglass screen? for the frown and vent holes when I cut them. It was DIRT cheap for the roll on clearance and its not rough like aluminum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironclaw Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 All I used for my FX armor when I got it was the stuff that came with the kit + masking tape and a power drill..... NO clamps.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 for the frown and vent holes when I cut them. It was DIRT cheap for the roll on clearance and its not rough like aluminum. I know what your talking about. Yes you do need it, but I doubt it's made of fiberglass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 All I used for my FX armor when I got it was the stuff that came with the kit + masking tape and a power drill..... NO clamps.... If you used the velcro that came with the kit, you need to replace it with industrial velcro. The kit velcro is garbage (literally). Also it really improves the look to trim the thighs down, and improve the taper towards the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FIVE[501st] Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Who is in your area that could come help you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK8114[TK] Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I know what your talking about. Yes you do need it, but I doubt it's made of fiberglass. Says so right on the wrapper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daetrin[Admin] Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Not debating, but do you really want to be breathing through fiberglass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX-8687[501st] Posted May 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2008 well, i know TK-409....he's a good friend and lives like 10 min. away from me, he goes to my church....lol!!!!! so i'm gonna see if he can hook me up, maybe some peeps from the carolina garrison too!!!!!! i'm in raleigh, so we'll see!!!!!!thanks everyone!!!! i'm hoping to get it in 2 weeks!!!!!!! so i want to have everything before hand!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cr4nky Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 I'm waiting on my first kit and have never, ever done any form of costuming or anything relating to it. That and the fact that my native tongue ain't english, kinda make it hard to understand what all the stuff is. I probably know the Norwegian names for it though. Hehe. Some pics of tools of the trade would help me out a lot, so I can start buying it. (Yeah I know, I could ask my local garrison and get it in Norwegian, but it seems there's a bit more traffic on this forum and the replies come a bit faster). Kudos for a great well of information though!! Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkamino Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 For assembling, I prefer IPS Weld on ABS cement (for ABS of course) Gotta have a Dremel Tin or Aviator Snips Utility Knife Sand paper - 100, 150, 200 grit (400 if you are painting surfaces) and sanding blocks for straight edges Tape both Duct and Painters Rivet Gun Drill/Screw Gun Clamps - Spring, bar, "c", magnets and weights work well too All six episodes of Star Wars on DVD to watch while assembling your armor Heat gun or hair dryer Extra ABS or Styrene Button/Heavy Duty Snap Tool Scissors Velcros, elastic, and all the other expendables Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaleel Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Not debating, but do you really want to be breathing through fiberglass? Breathing through woven fiberglass screen should be just fine. Its bound well enough that splinters won't be coming off. If it were unbound mineral wool you were breathing through then you'd have a problem... ...I used to work for Johns Manville, kind of a fiberglass nerd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX-8687[501st] Posted June 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 where does the rivet gun come in???? i know the snap/fastener system....but rivets???? i just got my armor and i'm going to have TK-409 help me assemble...but i at least want some progress done!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapstertee Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 I think the rivets are for the abdomen piece, connected to the side/back piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray1134[501st] Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Rivets help with your knees too. The sniper plate and ammo canisters. Also, some people (myself included) use them on the helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TX-8687[501st] Posted June 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 pics????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nice-biscuit Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 strong magnets for those hard to reach clamping situations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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