DadintheFog[TK] Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Been hard to get time to work on this, but finally have the arms assembled. Also managed to get the body pieces trimmed and sanded. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Good job! When you get everything put together and do final fitments, you'll discover areas that you may want to remove more return edge from. Armor bites suck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Finally feel like I'm making progress! Did a trial fitting today for the body pieces. Definitely need to do some more trimming, but pretty happy overall. I actually might finished this by summer! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I haven't been able to get any additional pictures lately, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I bought a new belt from Kittell (and was amazed at how quickly he responded). I purchased the Mr.NoStripes bracket and will be installing these this weekend. I already have my TKBoots! The thighs were a killer, but I finally am pretty happy with the assembly - although it took my 4 times of gluing before I was happy with the alignment on one side. (Thank god I'm using E6000!) The shins continue to vex me -- but I think I've decided to take the plunge and go with ukswrath's suggested assembly (rather than the Anovos). They don't look right to me in either form ... but ukswrath's guidance has not steered me wrong yet. Anovos has finally sent me shipping notification for the gloves and compression suit - exactly 51 weeks after ordering/payment. If all goes well, a couple more weeks of work and I might be able to submit for 501st approval! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 First bracket in!!! Progress!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I spent most of the day drilling and installing my brackets. Made some good headway. I also managed to do some trim work on the legs. I don't think I can comfortably trim the calms down much more. But not unsure if they look too chunky. (I guess that's just the curse of running too much - I have huge calfs.) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 They look great. Just cut away a notch at the top of the calves and/or bottom of the thighs for mobility and you're good to go! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK 2759[501st] Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 From what I can see, I don't think mobility will be an issue, if it is, then I suggest doing the above.... All looks awesome! Great progress! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Today I managed you finish installing the brackets. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, but I am a little worried about the sizing of the chest. I'm doing another fitting this weekend and will decide then. I also got all the snaps in place. Turned out well aside from the two crotch snaps are a little close together. I ended up using the Anovos supplied snaps as they were a little smaller than the Tandy, but they still look a little close together for me. I followed Ukswrath's sizing - or so i thought. I Amy come back later and patch the holes and try it again. I'll cross that bridge later. I'm trying to get a basic build complete so I can apply for 501st membership before the end of April. A couple more good days and I think I'll be there! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Looking good, Garrett!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 (edited) I also got all the snaps in place. Turned out well aside from the two crotch snaps are a little close together. I ended up using the Anovos supplied snaps as they were a little smaller than the Tandy, but they still look a little close together for me. I followed Ukswrath's sizing - or so i thought. I Amy come back later and patch the holes and try it again. I'll cross that bridge later. I followed Ukswrath's measurements, too, and had the same thing happen as you. I think something might be slightly off with his measurements, or he's using smaller snaps. Fortunately, I noticed before I actually crimped them on, so I decided to move the snap closest to the front forward a bit. Just forward enough that the original hole is entirely hidden by the snap base plate (which stops them from overlapping nicely). If you think about the direction the pull will be, on these snaps, it's towards the front, so having less strength on the back of the post really shouldn't be an issue. If you decide you want to change, it shouldn't be an issue to carefully drill out the existing male snap and move yours forward, too. I personally think it looks better moved forward than overlapping. (This pic is just before I crimped it down) Edited April 21, 2016 by kman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK 2759[501st] Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 All looking awesome! Doubt the snaps will be much of an issue... In that location I use one snap on each end.. And it holds just fine, not sure why the double snap... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 I managed to get my big boy pants on today and deconstructed the Anovos belt! Using a Dremel, I drilled out the back of the rivet. The Dremel created enough heat to help loosen the massive amount of pink glue. I'll need to make a a few repairs before reassembly, but not too bad at all. I expect a full recovery! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Anyone have a good tutorial on how to do a pop rivet? I have rivets and the rivet tool ... And am totally lost. Even watched a few YouTube videos and something just doesn't click. Argh! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Anyone have a good tutorial on how to do a pop rivet? I have rivets and the rivet tool ... And am totally lost. Even watched a few YouTube videos and something just doesn't click. Argh! Pop rivets look a bit like a nail with an aluminum cap on the top, that's wider than the "nail" part. The head of the nail is like a little ball that is at the top of the aluminum cap. First you drill a hole in whatever you're riveting that will fit the larger part (the hat), up to the flange/rim. Insert that top part into the hole you prepared (top "ball" end first), then you put the "nail" part into the opening on the tool. Next you squeeze the handles, which makes the mechanism grip the nail part and PULL the ball part (the head of the "nail") into the softer aluminum sleeve. This forces that aluminum cap to spread out, and become wider than the original hole (that's how a rivet works). Release the tool handles to reset the ratchet, then continuing squeezing the handles, repeatedly, which will ratchet the head further as the tool continues to pull it into the cap, all the way to the base. At the end, the tool will automatically cut the "nail" end off, flush with the flange, leaving a relatively smooth bottom, and you're done. This video seems pretty straightforward to me: Edited April 25, 2016 by kman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I didn't know about fully extending the handle at the end. That's probably why I keep having to take a flat head screw driver to pry the inside a part so I can get the nail out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 Thank you, KMan! I think my issue has been trying to pop rivet the belt without enough "stiffness". I'm going to try adding washers on front and back of the belt and see how it goes. I'll report back tonight! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I didn't know about fully extending the handle at the end. That's probably why I keep having to take a flat head screw driver to pry the inside a part so I can get the nail out. Yeah, that was interesting. I don't recall having to do that with mine, but to be fair, it's literally been years (possibly about 10) since I used my riveting gun. I can't find the dang thing! I was debating buying another one but decided I really don't need it anyway. I attached my Anovos ammo belt to the new belt with Chicago screws instead of rivets, so it's removable and I never have to go through the hell of removing those things again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I had to buy one for the helmet and belt. Been using it on my TD pack lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) Tried again last night and realized the rivet tool is broken ... Will buy another one tonight and try again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited April 26, 2016 by DadintheFog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2016 Success! Belt is complete. Letting the rivet caps dry and then I'll get some picture. The Kittel Belt is a thing of beauty compared to the Anovos. So happy I went through the pain to fix it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2016 (edited) Horrible picture... But really happy with how the belt turned out. It rides a little high when snapped on, but I think I'm okay with that. Not sure i want to take it apart again. I was able to get the shoulder straps glued on today. All that's left is to complete the arm strapping and the belt to hold up the thighs. I should be done tonight! Photos are scheduled for Saturday!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited April 28, 2016 by DadintheFog 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DadintheFog[TK] Posted April 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Woohoo! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK 2759[501st] Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Awesome! Congrats on getting all together! Now for getting approval. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kman[TK] Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 (edited) Looking good! Belt is a little high, you'll probably get called to lower that. Tip: It's easier to drill 2 new holes in the ab plate than to re-do the whole belt! (leave the old holes there, or fill them with ABS paste, doesn't matter since they're 100% hidden behind the belt anyway) You should also move the drop boxes out to the very edge of the belt, aligned with the end and snug to the bottom, like this: The elastic can run between the end rivet and the ab snap. Those two fairly easy fixes, and you're looking at an easy pass! Edited May 1, 2016 by kman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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