TK-Timbuktu's Anovos ANH Build

[TK-Timbuktu]

Got my first stormtrooper kit in the mail last week and have been working at it the past few days. Pretty much everything looks to be the same as previous Anovos kits, aside from helmet upgrades and an unassembled belt. Here's an inventory of the armor pieces for those of you who might have one on the way or are thinking about Anovos (a couple pieces I had trimmed before this photo):

 

The helmet and unassembled belt:

 

And here's the inside of the helmet to show you how they upgraded it in the latest version. They attached the lens and mesh, and instead of the hard hat liner they have Velcro with padding that you can adjust. After playing around with the padding, it actually works and keeps the helmet in place. I have the star foam and chin straps that I got before getting the kit in the mail, so I'm still contemplating switching it out for accuracy, but I am mostly concerned about having a tighter fit so the helmet isn't always moving around.

[TK-Timbuktu]

For tools, I am using an xacto, lexan scissors, and blue painter's tape to make a border along the trim lines. I will be sanding and gluing later on in the build.

To start, I am doing a rough trim of each part. Using the score and snap method for straight lines, and lexan scissors for curves, I began with the left forearm. Here are the results:

[TK-Timbuktu]

Next, did the same for the right forearm pieces. This one has a second trim line unlike the other one, tried it first but it was way too big, so I went with the inner trim line.



The finished result after a rough trim. Have been getting pretty good straight cuts with score and snap, but still getting used to the curves using Lexan scissors. Hopefully will be able to clean it up during sanding.

[TK-Timbuktu]

Moving onto the handguards next, I tried two different methods for each. For the first one, I would do a straight cut with an xacto, then snip the edges to break it off. Between lining up for the cut and cutting the edges with lexan scissors, it felt like it took longer than it needed to.





The other hand guard I tried something different, this time doing all the straight cuts making 2-3 passes on each side. After that, I snipped the ends of each side and snapped the pieces off. That way went much faster and the cuts were a bit cleaner too because I could match up the previous cut I had made.

[TK-Timbuktu]

Been working on trimming the past few days and have gotten all the arm pieces cut, and am now onto the legs. Here's the biceps:




And the other bicep. These were pretty straightforward to cut, other than the awkward angles.

[TK-Timbuktu]

Shoulder bells before and after trimming:





Overall these were one of the more easier parts to score and snap, the curves along the cut line are where it got tricky. As you can see, my cuts were a bit rough, but I'm hoping some sanding will clear that up.

[TK-Timbuktu]

So far I have been averaging about 2 parts trimmed per night, but yesterday I spent a bit more and ended up trimming all four shin pieces. Here they are side by side, trimmed and untrimmed.



And although this kit seems to be an updated version, the shins are still labeled wrong-that and they haven't updated it on their manual either.

Got really nice cuts down at the ankles by following the inner trim line since it is much easier to see and follow on this particular piece.

The issue I had was with the top of the shins, the cuts were very difficult for me, as the angles were hard to work with. Everything turned out alright, except that I cut slightly over the trim line. I'm wondering if the best thing to do is subtly taper down into where the cut is?

Here are back & front shots of the shins, top are right and bottom are the left shin (if I'm not mistaken). I have 25 with 28 & 24 with 27. I think I have them in the right position-inner & outer-but will have to look more closely tomorrow.

[TheSwede[TK]]

Coming along nicely and in case you haven`t seen it already below is a great Anovos thread and regarding the shin, just sand it out and all is good You will find later on in fitting that some places benefits from removing more return edge than the suggested cut lines, like inside of thighs,  inside of elbow and top bicep and other areas too for that matter, it all depends on movement, comfort, how you assambled the armor and most of all - the look -  Having return edges is not a requriment but they ad to the illusion of thickness of the armor so I would advise to keep rather than just cut and if you plan on using the screen accurate bracket strapping system (works great) then return edges are a must on the torso and whilst on the subject, for Centurion (highest level of accuracy) there can`t be any return on wrist ends of forearms - keep building Trooper

 

Edited January 4, 2018 by TheSwede

[TK-Timbuktu]

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate the info.  I was actually planning on using the brackets, so as for keeping the return edge would I just cut to the trim lines to leave the space for drilling? As for the forearms, I'll have to go back and trim the wrists-Do I just cut it right at the edge where it starts to curve,  leaving a straight edge? And I did read through his build thread before getting the armor, but I'll have to look over it again to brush up on the specifics. Thanks again. 

[TheSwede[TK]]

15 hours ago, TK-Timbuktu said:

cut to the trim lines

Yes that`s a good start, Anovos usually leaves alot of return edge so after you installed the brackets (close to the face of the armor) you`ll see how much more you can take of IF you choose to do so, some leave alot and some cut alot - personal preference. Also, many builds reinforce the areas were the brackets go with plastic tabs (borrowed you pic Dana "QuartZ")

 

15 hours ago, TK-Timbuktu said:

Do I just cut it right at the edge where it starts to curve

Yes and if you cut from the inside it`s much easier, check out tk1636 on Youtube - among other builds he does an Anovos build -great source 

[TK-Timbuktu]

Awesome-thanks again, will have to go back to the forearms for that and I'll keep that in mind when doing the torso. Tomorrow I'm going to start on the thighs so I'll see how those turn out. Until then. 

[TK-Timbuktu]

Got the right thigh pieces trimmed yesterday. Didn't take too long, just getting around the awkward angles on them was a bit of a challenge. Here are some before and after shots.




The "finished" result after the initial trim. Turned out better than expected, with only one minor injury to report (always wear your gloves).




I also took some time to go over the "strapping system" that comes with the anovos kit, and I wouldn't trust it to hold anything. From looking over at what other people have done, I think I am going to with the brackets for sure, the belt for the thighs, and I still haven't decided on what to do with the arms yet, but I do like the method of all arm pieces being attached. Might look into it more next week and start gathering the supplies for it.

[magni[TK]]

Great start! Keep up the good work!

[QuartZ]

Looks like you're moving at a pretty good pace! Keep it up and don't rush. Check your reference often and you'll do great!

 

I didn't realize the new kits had copyright information printed inside each piece. Interesting! I wish they would have printed something more useful inside like the part numbers so that they don't get lost when you take the protective plastic film off the outside

 

Good luck,

-Dana

[TK-Timbuktu]

On 1/7/2018 at 11:28 AM, QuartZ said:

Looks like you're moving at a pretty good pace! Keep it up and don't rush. Check your reference often and you'll do great!

 

I didn't realize the new kits had copyright information printed inside each piece. Interesting! I wish they would have printed something more useful inside like the part numbers so that they don't get lost when you take the protective plastic film off the outside

 

Good luck,

-Dana

Thank you very much. And yeah, it would've helped because several pieces were missing number stickers so had to go through process of elimination to determine some of the thighs and shins parts.

[TK-Timbuktu]

On 1/7/2018 at 9:27 AM, magni said:

Great start! Keep up the good work!

Thanks a lot! 

[TK-Timbuktu]

Alright haven't been online in a couple days but I did get the thighs done yesterday. Here's the left one after trimming.

And here they both are. Ended up better than I thought after fighting against the awkward angles.

Also got the kidney plate done, will need some sanding, but this piece was softer to cut since the plastic was much flimsier than the other pieces I've cut so far. There wasn't really a trim line on this one so I just used lexan scissors all around.

[TK-Timbuktu]

And as per Swede's advice I went ahead and got rid of the return edges on the forearms.

[TheSwede[TK]]

Actually what I said was:

On ‎2018‎-‎01‎-‎04 at 4:36 PM, TheSwede said:

You will find later on in fitting that some places benefits from removing more return edge than the suggested cut lines, like inside of thighs,  inside of elbow and top bicep and other areas to for that matter, it all depends on movement, comfort, how you assambled the armor and most of all - the look -  Having return edges is not a requriment but they ad to the illusion of thickness of the armor so I would advise to keep rather than just cut and if you plan on using the screen accurate bracket strapping system (works great) then return edges are a must on the torso and whilst on the subject, for Centurion (highest level of accuracy) there can`t be any return on wrist ends of forearms

 

[Rat[TK]]

Coming along and looking good. Yeah Mike TK 1636 is a great resource for lots of stuff. Making bra hooks, brackets and how to navigate through kits. He's been my greatest resource so far as the building goes.

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[68Brick[TK]]

Great Start Ian! Good job on the trimming. Have you looked at tapering your thighs to fit your leg?

[TK-Timbuktu]

18 hours ago, Rat said:

Coming along and looking good. Yeah Mike TK 1636 is a great resource for lots of stuff. Making bra hooks, brackets and how to navigate through kits. He's been my greatest resource so far as the building goes.

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Thank you, slowly but surely. I've watched his videos as well, I also like Panda Props videos, he explains the process more in depth. 

[TK-Timbuktu]

9 hours ago, 68Brick said:

Great Start Ian! Good job on the trimming. Have you looked at tapering your thighs to fit your leg?

Thanks! I haven't started fitting yet, still doing trimming for the torso parts, but I will definitely take that into consideration when I get there. I think measuring and fitting might be the most difficult part of the whole build, so it'll be a slow and precise process for me. What parts would you recommend to start fitting first to get the hang of it? Or would you say the thighs are a good starting point? 

[TK-Timbuktu]

Not too much to report, got all the back pieces rough trimmed, as well as the thigh ammo pack. Will get started on the chest and abdomen tomorrow, and then from there I'll start fitting. My goal is to have this completed by spring, so far I think I'm on track for that.

[Rat[TK]]

Yeah I'm hoping to get mine done in time for Solo premier. Hoping. I hear ya on the fitting part, I'm just starting on that and it seems daunting, "Like do I trim evenly from all edges or just one side?"

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