ColScratch Posted March 5, 2016 Report Share Posted March 5, 2016 (edited) Howdy all! This will be my first build thread and as such I'm going to try and include plenty of photos and explanations of my thought process both for future builders and in the hopes that any mistakes can be corrected along the way. Once I start building I will try to adhere to Centurion (L3) guidelines for ANH Stunt wherever possible so that should I decide to aim for it down the line there will be fewer fixes to make. However the main goal with this armor is to have useable, comfortable and troop-able armor as I fully intend to troop whenever possible. Right now I am gathering all the little extras (e600, rivets etc) so once I start building I can finish without waiting on the mailman. I photographed and cataloged the kit as it came from Anovos, the album on imgur can be seen here: http://imgur.com/a/KUePj? -Nick Everything that was supplied by ANOVOS. In each of the following parts photos I have labeled the parts based on ANOVOS materials & stickers already on the individual armor pieces. I understand there may have been a few mix-ups, so I will later verify that each part is as labeled. I know not all the part numbers are visible, but in general I moved left to right top to bottom when placing for the following photos (not the case in this photo). Helmet- pre-built by ANOVOS. 2- Chest plate 3- Lower Adomen/ Codpiece 4- (2x) Shoulder Strap 5- Back Plate 6- Lower Kidney plate 7- Butt Plate 8- Belt & Holster 9- Detonator Tube, Wrap, Caps & Clips 10- (L) Shoulder 11- ® Shoulder 12- (L) Bicep Inside 13- (L) Bicep Inside 14- (L) Bicep Outside 15- ® Bicep Outside 16- (L) Forearm Outside 17- ® Forearm Outside 18- (L) Forearm Inside 19- ® Forearm Inside 20- ® Thigh Outside 21- ® Thigh Inside 22- (L) Thigh Outside 23- (L) Thigh Inside 24- ® Calf Outside 25- ® Calf Inside 26- ® Knee Guard 27- (L) Calf Outside 28- (L) Calf Inside 29- (L) Knee Guard 30- Large Button Plate 31- Small Button Plate 32- (L) Hand Plate 33- ® Hand Plate 34- Neckseal Undersuit Gloves Fastners & Strapping Edited March 5, 2016 by ColScratch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dejango[TK] Posted March 5, 2016 Report Share Posted March 5, 2016 ANOVOS still hasn't sent my undersuit or gloves yet. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2016 I got mine in a small separate package a good month or so after I received the hardgoods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 Started trimming a few pieces. I decided to go very slowly until I find a method I like. I find that I sometimes work too quickly and will make mistakes when cutting with razors, so I'm trying out a new method of slow, relaxed and low-pressure scoring utilizing many passes with the blade. I have to say I am not a fan of the blade not creating a perfectly straight line. I honestly haven't even tried to follow a metal ruler yet... not... sure... why... D'oh! -Nick I forgot to add in my original post that I had already purchased my boots and blaster in anticipation of a kit about 4-5 years ago. Tk Boots -www.tkboots.com Blaster - Bought years ago on Ebay. I think it's a Hasbro modified with a kit (maybe Droopy-Doo's?) Trimmed Right hand plate, I just used to the blades shown in the picture. For the most part it was light scoring until I could just cut completely, following the score line. Snapping makes me leary because it's hard to control where the stress is being inputted into the plastic. Trimmed Left hand plate. Same method as above, I tried various methods for holding the blade, the knife and it all felt a little shaky and imprecise. [ I am considering mounting a razor blade in a vice and using it like a table saw. The plan would be to score the ABS several times and then use the score marks as a cut line, since the blade naturally wants to follow the score line. Proper cut-proof gloves would be vital here] I tried using some tin snips in addition to the razor blade. I wasn't a fan of these snips as the "teeth" are too large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2016 (edited) Just a few more trimmed up pieces for today. I'm trying to really take my time and make several lights cuts to minimize overcutting and mistakes, which is tiresome on my hands. -Nick (L) Bicep Outside I used the metal ruler as a guide for long straights, but it's probably best to paper-tape (masking tape/ painter's tape) it in place first. ( R ) Bicep Outside Trimmed using a box-cutter I got from my grandfather. Definitely the perfect scoring tool, when used in conjunction with cut-resistant gloves. (L) Bicep Inside Trimmed by scoring several times with minimal pressure, then cut through completely with the blade following the score marks. ( R ) Bicep Inside Trimmed. I should mention I've kept the protective coating on the outside of the armor until I plan on gluing, just keeping the outside of the armor nice and fresh. I also have been using a Pilot G7 (best pens ever) to lightly trace the trim lines so I can see them more clearly. *Edit* Adding a few more trimmed pieces for today. (L) Calf Inside This is probably it for today, my finger is still numb. (L) Calf Outside I should added I abandoned the Pilot G7 as a pen and am now using a fine tip sharpie (A much easier to use choice). ( R ) Calf Outside All trimmed up! ( R ) Calf Inside My right index finger is numb from applying pressure for so long. Edited March 7, 2016 by ColScratch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Don't think I've seen anyone cut out their armor like that from the mold before. Just don't throw away all those scraps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 (edited) Don't think I've seen anyone cut out their armor like that from the mold before. Just don't throw away all those scraps! How do you mean? I'm following the trim lines embedded in the ABS. I thought it would be best to minimize the cuts incase I needed to make shims, I'd already have pieces that lined up with each edge of each piece (so I'm definitely not throwing anything away). -Nick Edited March 7, 2016 by ColScratch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 7, 2016 Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Didn't mean that in a bad way. Just haven't seen it cut out in one continual piece before. Usually it's broken into several smaller sections. That's a good way to think ahead though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2016 Didn't mean that in a bad way. Just haven't seen it cut out in one continual piece before. Usually it's broken into several smaller sections. That's a good way to think ahead though! Oh, ok. You scared me for a second! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAYSONCOMGUY Posted March 8, 2016 Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 Didn't mean that in a bad way. Just haven't seen it cut out in one continual piece before. Usually it's broken into several smaller sections. That's a good way to think ahead though! There was a time I wish I'd trimmed by cutting out large, continual pieces. I needed to add a shim to lengthen the ab plate (I'm 6'4"). Didn't have a scrap that was long/wide enough. Ended up having to grab a new sheet of ABS plastic from a friend (thankfully the color was very close). But I wish I'd trimmed some of the larger pieces without breaking the scrap into smaller pieces. My sense is your process will come back to reward you. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 There was a time I wish I'd trimmed by cutting out large, continual pieces. I needed to add a shim to lengthen the ab plate (I'm 6'4"). Didn't have a scrap that was long/wide enough. Ended up having to grab a new sheet of ABS plastic from a friend (thankfully the color was very close). But I wish I'd trimmed some of the larger pieces without breaking the scrap into smaller pieces. My sense is your process will come back to reward you. :-) I'm 6' 2" and the problem you had is exactly what I'm afraid of and trying to prevent! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 8, 2016 Report Share Posted March 8, 2016 If only you knew how many times I've had to order extra ABS sheets from trooperbay lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 If only you knew how many times I've had to order extra ABS sheets from trooperbay lol Hopefully you will maintain that particular record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 I decided to switch to a Dremel with a metal cutting blade (only one I had on hand) and it worked brilliantly; although the separation where the cuts were made aren't nearly as clean as the meticulously razor-only cut pieces I did before. I think the time I saved was considerably worth it. I highly recommend cutting outside the trim lines because the dremel can get a little "bitey" and try and stray. I used a face shield and a respirator as well as a good pair of leather fingered gloves. On the bright side everything is now initially trimmed, and I feel much more comfortable working ABS already. Now I need to decide on a strapping system and get the necessary parts on order. I'm starting to realize I actually will be able to wear my own TK armor soon! -Nick ( R ) Thigh Inside Still with just the razor blade. ( R ) Thigh Outside Still with just the razor blade... (L) Thigh Outside Still with just the razor blade. These are the cut-resistant gloves I got, they're fantastic so far. "Kibaron" is the brandname and I got them on amazon. They run a little small, so when in doubt grab a size up. (L) Thigh Inside Whole lot of razor blade work still... Metal Cutting Blade & Dremel Way better! (L) Shoulder Bell The dremel cuts like butter, so take your time and make sure your hand are steady to fight against the "bite" of the cutting disc. ( R ) Shoulder Bell It's all dremel from here on out baby! Chest Plate Dremeled out. Lower Abdomen/ Codpiece I plan on separating these two piece eventually, but I will definitely do that by hand with a razor blade. Back Plate I like rotary tools. Lower Kidney Plate I really like rotary tools. ( R ) Forearm Inside I seriously, really like rotary tools. Butt Plate It's to cover my butt! ( R ) Forearm Outside Get a dremel. (L) Forearm Inside Or similar rotary tool. (L) Forearm Outside Practice on extra ABS. (L) Knee Guard You'll thank me later. Shoulder Straps But take your time. Button Plates All trimmed! Mask, Gloves and Faceshield. I really should be wearing protective glasses under the faceshield, the ABS "dust" gets everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 You're doing great! Don't you just love the smell of ABS in the evening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColScratch Posted March 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 You're doing great! Don't you just love the smell of ABS in the evening? Thanks man! Nothing like a nose full of plastic to help you displace a few unwanted brain-cells, right? I really can't be happier, I've been waiting to build my own kit for well over a decade. Now I just need to fit everything to size. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted March 10, 2016 Report Share Posted March 10, 2016 If I had six pack abs and was 6" taller I would have been done in half the time. Take your time and get it done right the first time. All the hard work will pay off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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