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Mkjava's Anovos ANH Stunt Build


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I seem to recall reading in Darth Aloha's build thread (stick in the build thread forum) that the Dritz pliers don't work with the Tandy snaps.

 

I found it helped to take a Philips screwdriver and give a quick whack to the center post, first, which seems to help it spread out and grab easier when the usual tool is used, after. I think there was a tip about that in one of the snap making how-to threads.

Thanks! I had to go check the Darth Aloha thread to read about his troubles with the Dritz tool and Tandy snaps, not good. I'll try the Philips screwdriver trick tomorrow, snap frustration too high to go back in the garage this evening!

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No promises but if I have time tonight perhaps I'll make a couple of snap plates, and shoot a quick video of setting them with the normal tools (and possibly a Philips).

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And on the 2nd day I said let there be snap plates!!

 

0e2040cf93155733a4d24afa6481ac6b.jpg

 

Thank you Kman for the Philips screwdriver trick, that did the job! Of course still a couple of lessons learned in the process. With my first snap plate, the snap post was too tall and when bent down would not go down far enough for the snap to work. I then tried doubling up the nylon strap and that worked, was able to push the post all the way down. Geez though, what a tedious task, sitting on my garage floor pounding on these little snaps with a rubber mallet!

 

 

 

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I notice in UKSWRATH's build that he glues in straps in many places where others recommend snaps. For example, he glues down 3 of the 4 chest to back bridge straps as well as the shoulder bell straps. Any reason to do it one way vs the other besides screen accuracy?

 

 

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I notice in UKSWRATH's build that he glues in straps in many places where others recommend snaps. For example, he glues down 3 of the 4 chest to back bridge straps as well as the shoulder bell straps. Any reason to do it one way vs the other besides screen accuracy?

 

 

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Think it's kind of a convenience thing. Less snaps costs less and gluing right in means it won't unsnap. However, this could be an issue if you want to take your chest and back apart when packing. If you are going to be using a 50 gallon box though, shouldn't be a problem.

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Think it's kind of a convenience thing. Less snaps costs less and gluing right in means it won't unsnap. However, this could be an issue if you want to take your chest and back apart when packing. If you are going to be using a 50 gallon box though, shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks! In that case I think I'll glue the bridge straps on one side and use snaps on the other. That will still allow me to separate the chest and back if necessary while cutting back on snap plates. Will also make life easier in sizing the chest straps and getting them 'just right'.

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A pre-weekend update as I've made it bit more progress with the build.  First off though as I've moved into this new stage of the build, new tools and items have been acquired:

 

IMG_3564_zpswzmvcydv.jpg

 

The black nylon webbing, the soldering iron, and the small Tandy snap setting kit were all Amazon purchases.  You just can't beat Amazon, order something and it magically appears at your door 2 days later!  The white elastic was from Jo-Anne's, the bag of 100 snaps from the Tandy store, and the paint from a fellow member.  The blue doesn't appear to be the French Blue though so I believe I need to swap that one out.

 

As noted in my prior post there was much frustration with learning how to set snaps, but thanks to kman's great advice on using the philips screwdriver first, I was able to move forward in that task.  Below you see my first snap plates in place on the chest piece:

 

IMG_3567_zpszhkadj2t.jpg

 

They may look a little off kilter, but I was very careful to place them with the strap attached to make sure the strap lined up properly.  My plan is to have the snaps on the chest as you see here and the shoulder straps glued in place on the back.  That will give the permanence of glue on the back but the ability to separate the back and chest pieces for storage.

 

In this pic you also get to see my primary work table in all of it's glory!  Apparently having gluing, sanding, cutting, snapping, and all other activities going on at the same time makes for a very messy work area.

 

I'm hoping a fellow trooper can stop by the house this weekend for another set of eyes on my progress (and to hit him up for any spare build parts!).  We'll see if I can get the chest and back together along with the shoulder connections and hopefully more snap plates installed this weekend.

Edited by mkjava
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Jeff (wingnut65) stopped by the house on Saturday and we had a mini armor party (it was not a 'play date' as both of our wives referred to it!!). If you haven't already seen Jeff's build thread 'An ATA for Tampa Bay', I highly recommend it. It has lots of great info for the new builder, very thorough, and all good stuff regardless of the type of TK you're building!

 

Jeff delivered numerous items to help with my build, including different types of snaps and tools, chicago screws, the hard-to-find french blue paint, and more! He also had numerous hints, tips, and lessons learned from his recent build.

 

With that, I've made more progress! The chest and back are now connected with the shoulder straps (glued in the back and snaps on the chest):

 

 

IMG_3571_zpsvi3vjizu.jpg

 

I'm also well into getting most of the back snap plates glued in place (all double snaps based on Jeff's advice):

 

IMG_3574_zpsbllykr5j.jpg

 

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I also installed the 2 snaps to the posterior plate using the small collection that I have that don't have Tandy stamped on them:

 

IMG_3575_zpsbek5p1ht.jpg

 

This is also where I made my first measurement error, made the holes for the 2 snaps much closer together than I planned. Not sure how I messed that up but it is what it is now. You can see in the pic they're right next to each other, closer than what I've seen others do. However they work fine and I see nothing in the CRL that specifies any specific distance between these 2 snaps, only that you can either have 1 or 2. I think I'm fine leaving this 'as is' and it should be cool for any level of certification. Am I right on that?

Edited by mkjava
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Pre Weekend Update:

 

It's been just over 2 months since the BBB arrived at my door and I feel like I've made some pretty good progress.  This week was another milestone as I can now actually suit up in the torso parts of the armor:

 

IMG_3579_zpsaovjei8t.jpg

 

 

I don't have the ab to kidney straps in yet but overall I'm liking the look and feel of things.  Using the Anovos supplied strapping, I created double snap plates to connect the back pieces as shown here:

 

IMG_3576_zps9ousfvos.jpg

 

 

For the chest to ab, I've got snaps on the ab side and went with velcro on the chest side based on some advice from Jeff.  With the snaps he felt there was very little give when he had to turn from side to side and the snaps were prone to popping loose.  With the velcro I feel I'll have a little more flexibility plus the means to adjust the fit if needed.  If it proves to be a problem down the road, I can always add snaps:

 

IMG_3577_zpsjhj7eh9a.jpg

 

So I still have more work to do on the torso.  My goals this weekend and upcoming week are:

 

  • Install the side rivets on the ab and kidney
  • Install the belt snaps on the ab, plus that extra bonus snap that does nothing!
  • Install the snap plates and straps to connect the ab to the kidney
  • Paint and glue on the button plates
  • Install shoulder covers
  • Maybe, just maybe work on the Anovos-to-Kittle belt transplant surgery.

I've noticed now that I have my outside bottom edge kidney snap plates (the ones used for the straps to the posterior) in a position that may give me trouble when installing the kidney to ab snap plates.  I'll have to get creative to work around them a bit but I'm sure I'll figure something out.  

 

As always if anyone sees anything that looks off, please let me know!!

Edited by mkjava
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I just noticed...unless I'm all wrong, you're using the snap pieces incorrectly...cap goes with female part and the other piece goes with the male part. From what I've seen, snap plates are normally male and straps have female snaps. I noticed it in your shoulder strap. One shows caps and the other shows the underside with male parts.

 

I have no idea if this would impact the usability. Just something I noticed.

 

I find it interesting that we did things in very different orders. My final tasks right now are closing the sides and gluing on shoulder bridges, whereas you're doing this part before your legs and all...that may just be me having to comply with Canadian winter and the garage being cold though. Hah.

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I just noticed...unless I'm all wrong, you're using the snap pieces incorrectly...cap goes with female part and the other piece goes with the male part. From what I've seen, snap plates are normally male and straps have female snaps. I noticed it in your shoulder strap. One shows caps and the other shows the underside with male parts.

 

I have no idea if this would impact the usability. Just something I noticed.

 

I find it interesting that we did things in very different orders. My final tasks right now are closing the sides and gluing on shoulder bridges, whereas you're doing this part before your legs and all...that may just be me having to comply with Canadian winter and the garage being cold though. Hah.

 

How interesting on the snaps!  Obviously like many folks this is my first experience with snap setting and I just put the pieces together in the way that I thought looked right to me.  For some reason I put the female snap with the base and the male snap with the cap and continued with that pattern.  I don't think I have any clothing items with snaps, but I'm guessing if I did I'd see what you're saying and that I have them backwards.  Lucky for me they still work fine and there's no CRL requirement on that sort of thing!!  From now on though, I'll switch over on future snap plates.

 

My build order was start with the forearms and then work my way up the arms and down the body, saving the controversial shins for last.  Another bit of my order logic was that I wouldn't know how much to trim off the top of the thighs (if any) unless I had the armor above it complete.  That may not be a valid concern but seemed to make sense to me.  

 

For me it's getting a bit hot out in the garage, would prefer to work in the air conditioned dining room but for some reason my wife frowns upon me gluing and sanding on the dining room table.  Go figure?   ;)

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My build order was start with the forearms and then work my way up the arms and down the body, saving the controversial shins for last.  Another bit of my order logic was that I wouldn't know how much to trim off the top of the thighs (if any) unless I had the armor above it complete.  That may not be a valid concern but seemed to make sense to me.  

 

 

Agreed, that's the order i went as well. One tip on the shins, make sure you measure everything with the undersuit and the boots on.

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Post weekend update:

 

Didn't get a chance to work on things over the weekend, was over at the Disney Dark Side Run doing the 10K. Next year I've got my eye on the Dark Side Challenge!

 

So here's where I'm at, done with arms and torso except for gluing on button plates and working on the belt. Saving that ANOVOS to Kittle belt surgery for last.

 

ef0fff227ab7d850a82be596554c3745.jpg

 

I'm moving on to the legs now starting with the thighs. I think the leg work is a bit intimidating compared to the other parts, we shall see...

 

 

 

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Coming along nicely! Everything looks as though it's fitting good- might have to heat benson that butt plate to wrap you a little better, but don't make any adjustments like that until fully strapped. Things tend to shift a little

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Congrats on the run and Nice Work on the progress. Shoulder straps look right on! :duim:

 

One note of something that caught me... On my EIB App, my back shot had too much gap between my shoulder bells and back plate. OK, it wasn't a gap, more like a ravine.  When you get further along with the suit and you are not taking the picture, check to see that you have a reasonable gap on the front and back at your shoulders.

 

Sorry I'm late to the party, but I'd like to cover thoughts on two previous topics...

 

Snaps - When I started collecting tools and parts, I bought the Dritz snaps from Wally World. I know they say to avoid them, but being anxious to get started, I bought them.  Turns out for that cheap price, they come with the setting tool and backing plate thingy. Those tools are what I used to pound all my snaps into place.  As for the actual snaps, since they did not have anything written on the back plate, those are the ones I used for the three visible rivets on the Ab and Butt plates. The remainder of the snaps I used for my strapping were from lunchtime trips to Tandy.   

 

Here is my snap setting workspace:  Yes, I also used the phillips screwdriver trick to start the snaps...

HgvuvRe.jpg

 

5zXLY4Q.jpg

 

Shoulder Straps - The CRL calls for `white fabric or preferably elastic strap' only for Centurion. As I worked on my build, I read where someone else started with 2" elastic across the shoulders until after a few troops, the elastic stretched so much that the chest and back plates were uncomfortably sagging.  Since the CRL would allow it, I went with the 2" nylon strap across the shoulders to assure I wouldn't have that issue.

 

The only shoulder strapping issue I had was my shoulder bell-to-shoulder strap snaps kept coming unsnapped. Multiple times in a troop I'd need a handler to fix me. I have since sewed white industrial strength Velcro over these snaps and have had no issues since. The Velcro also gives flexibility to adjust shoulder bell placement to eliminate gaps.

 

I know this is a little late, but hopefully it can help someone along the way.

 

Let me know if you need any help with the ANOVOS/Kittle surgery...

Edited by wingnut65
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Hey Jeff, trust me I've used much of your advice from your build thread and when you stopped by to get as far as I have! 

 

On the back, from my limited view via the mirror I think it looks good, but once I get everything assembled with the belt in place, I'll have Frances take a picture so I can really see how things are looking back there.  On those shoulder bells, I've got snaps connecting the shoulder bell straps to the elastic bridge strap but like you said, that may have to change in time.  I do have Velcro connections on the strap to shoulder bell side which allows flexibility on where the bells sit on my shoulders.

 

My snaps are all Tandy snaps and I do have a small set that don't say Tandy on the back that I've used for all visible snaps.  You saw my snap setting tool set and combined with what you brought over, I've gotten pretty good at creating the snaps.  They are definitely a pain in the butt getting snapped the first few times though, seems like you need to have the Incredible Hulk help out to button those things up!

 

Ty, I noticed the 'butt wing' thing going on back there on the posterior plate as well.  I'm not going to touch that though until I get everything assembled and see if perhaps the belt helps to pull that in.  We shall see.  Looking forward to catching up with you on Thursday to get the thigh garter.

 

While I'm in the office, I've got glue drying on a thigh cover strip at home right now, exciting times!  ;)

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You are right on track!

 

My snaps are all Tandy snaps and I do have a small set that don't say Tandy on the back that I've used for all visible snaps.  You saw my snap setting tool set and combined with what you brought over, I've gotten pretty good at creating the snaps.  They are definitely a pain in the butt getting snapped the first few times though, seems like you need to have the Incredible Hulk help out to button those things up!
 

 

I hear ya. At Eric's B-Day, I even had a Wookiee catch my back snaps! 

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I posted this in the FB group but I'll ask here as well. No problem with the right thigh but I've got this situation with the left one:

 

f325e93bc5a651e03d14c0878384fd0a.jpg

 

Can't get the edges to meet easily the length of the thigh with return edges trimmed the way they're supposed to be. I get bowing at either the top or bottom. What am I missing here?

 

 

 

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Waiting for Glue to Dry!

 

As exciting as that headline sounds, I decided to turn my attention to the helmet as I wait for the glue to dry on my thigh cover strips.  I made a couple of purchases as you can see:

 

IMG_3625_zpsjexzt7vz.jpg

 

The helmet pads I found on Amazon and the fan setup is from eqdizzle here on the FISD.  I'm new to the whole 'personal head cooling' world, but I'm pretty impressed with this fan setup.  They're extremely light, and best of all they have 2 power options.  There's the standard AA battery box that I see all the time on trooper's helmets, but there's also a very slim rechargeable L-Ion battery as well and they're easily interchangeable.  I figure I'll use the rechargeable battery as my primary with the AA box with me as a backup if needed.  Here's the install of the pads and the fans (with the L-Ion battery in place):

 

IMG_3628_zpshi9yc4xo.jpg

 

IMG_3629_zpsgiwlczzj.jpg

 

I may move the fans a bit but as I have them now they blow air nicely in my face and nothing is in the way.

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I got the same fans but my head is quite big and I'm having trouble finding a good spot to place the battery/battery box. My USB battery is not from him since I'm in Canada but it's about the same size.

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Sounds like you are proceeding with the thighs, but if they were so hard to get in place, I was going to recommend the boiled water bath treatment.  It is relatively thick plastic that will not curl up when dipped in hot water. I'd try it for 5-10 seconds to see how it reacts. Probably it would just be getting warm.  On mine, it took about 30 seconds to get hot so I could persuade it into place.

 

Glad to see the fans came in. I got mine this week as well and need to get them installed before Saturday's ball game troop.

 

I like the helmet pads as well.  Sure looks nicer than my random pieces of leftover foam.  Is the top piece padded much?

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which fans did you order? from where? i've been waiting for Echo but it looks like that won't happen any time soon; and with summer coming soon I think i really need to get on that lol.

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