Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 21, 2019 Report Share Posted June 21, 2019 (edited) Hey guys and gals, My name is Shawn and I am brand new to this world. I have dabbled a bit in 3d printing some SW blasters and helmets to make masters of and then cast but never really pursued it further. This go around I decided to fully commit and build a complete armor set, and I have learned a ton so far and have even more left to learn. I wanted to share some of my progress, I know there are big gaps in the pictures as I didn't intend to create a tutorial/guide when I started, but I think some people may benefit from what my life and work experiences bring to the build. I run a small automotive/marine detailing company in southern Alabama ( but I am originally from the Boston area), went to school for CAD (mechanical/architectural) and an avid hobbyist in multiple fields ( electronics, model making, music) Everything trimmed out Edited June 21, 2019 by Zerop1ng 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted June 22, 2019 Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Hello and welcome aboard, looking forward to the progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Parts list: Armor : 850 Armor Works Helmet: Anovos Premier TFA Undersuit: stormtrooperundersuit.com Neckseal: Imperial Boots gasket material Gaskets: Imperial Boots gasket material Boots : Imperial Boots Gloves: White Eagle goatskin (which I will mod) Belt: 850 Armor Works Belt Pouches: custom made from Cordura 1000D As a detailer finishes are everything to me, and a good paint job (I am lucky enough to have a good friend who is a professional painter so yes - it will be painted ) needs a prepped surface. So we knock down the shine and remove basic imperfections as well as identify others All basic joints were done with ABS glue, but anything was going to be stressed and/or needed seam filling was done with Plexus MA310, a 2 part MMA structural adhesive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 31 minutes ago, gmrhodes13 said: Hello and welcome aboard, looking forward to the progress Thanks, good to be here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 (edited) After all the parts were sanded down with 400 then I used a flexing glazing putty to make the surface as uniform as possible and eliminate low spots. I used Evercoat Polyflex 411 which is a flexible polyester based material designed for repairs on flexible parts such as urethane bumpers on cars. It is hard to the touch and sands very nicely, and flexes a surprising amount without cracking. Edited June 22, 2019 by Zerop1ng Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted June 22, 2019 Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 WOW that's a lot of filler work, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Ha thanks. It's a very thin coat (skim) which is why they call it a glazing putty. Filler is designed to fill large areas or defects, and there aren't any of those. But I found low spots that , if painted, would produce weird warped, wavy reflections. It is inherent in vacuformed items, but my effort is certainly cheaper than a cast or injection molded kit. It is a lot of work, yes . Good example Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted June 22, 2019 Report Share Posted June 22, 2019 Wow Shawn you're making so quick work with your build. Excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FN1313[501st] Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 Good work! Can’t wait to see the progression.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yo_its_nino[TK] Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 Fantastic progress! Test fit looks really sharp so far! Looking forward to seeing completed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 I hope the skim coat doesn't produce any cracking in the final paint work if the armour flexes. Great progress so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 On 6/24/2019 at 5:28 PM, Sly11 said: I hope the skim coat doesn't produce any cracking in the final paint work if the armour flexes. Great progress so far. Thanks! The glazing putty Im using (Evercoat Polyflex 411 is specifically designed for flexible material applications and is rated to bend 70°+ at 1/4" thickness . It is amazing stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 On 6/24/2019 at 5:02 PM, yo_its_nino said: Fantastic progress! Test fit looks really sharp so far! Looking forward to seeing completed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks , I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 On 6/24/2019 at 5:02 PM, yo_its_nino said: Fantastic progress! Test fit looks really sharp so far! Looking forward to seeing completed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks! I will be posting more progress very soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted June 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 On 6/22/2019 at 11:00 AM, ukswrath said: Wow Shawn you're making so quick work with your build. Excellent! Thanks! I was lmpressed and inspired by your FOTK build (I have even bought your pill hole material, shoulder reinforcement plates and usb y adapter )! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted June 28, 2019 Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 1 minute ago, Zerop1ng said: Thanks! I was lmpressed and inspired by your FOTK build (I have even bought your pill hole material, shoulder reinforcement plates and usb y adapter )! Glad to be of assistance and thanks for the props. Keep up the great work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 Finally had some time to upload more pics and updates Here is the gasket material from imperialboots - haven't decided if I will glue or sew the seams It is rubber coated foam, interesting stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 I have started the pouches and nearly finished the suspension harness. I am no tailor ( had to borrow a sewing machine) so be gentle with your criticisms haha! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 I also wanted to show an example of the flexibility of the Polyflex 411 glazing putty I am using . This is the back plate area where it wraps to the front. It is more likely the ABS will break first haha. Working on the seam on the abdominal armor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 (edited) The majority of my pieces are at the painter's waiting to be primed. I can do a lot of the strapping and gasket sizing/attachment points when it comes back before final painting. I am still trying to get a metal holster which I need before I can do final paint. If I had a 3d file of it I could bring that to anyone with a water jet and crank it out. Alas I may have to build the model from scratch.. Edited July 11, 2019 by Zerop1ng Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted July 11, 2019 Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 Looking great Shawn, loving the inner suspension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 1 minute ago, ukswrath said: Looking great Shawn, loving the inner suspension Thanks! Putting it on is a little awkward , it will definitely be more so once it is attached to the abdominal armor lol. My kit doesn't have add on boxes they are "molded" on, so I intend to rivet at the top hidden edge and then a copious amount of MA310 to the lower rigilene hoop and cross my fingers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 Oh I almost forgot , I scored this on ebay for 26 bucks ( Im the evil bastard who comes in at the last second and outbids you hah). This is a great piece, unlike the POS I bought from a site which shall remain nameless in the UK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted July 11, 2019 Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 14 minutes ago, Zerop1ng said: Oh I almost forgot , I scored this on ebay for 26 bucks ( Im the evil bastard who comes in at the last second and outbids you hah). haha I'm the same. Watch all the crazies run the price up, or not, then sneak in the last 3 seconds and place the bid I'm willing to pay and BOOM! it's over and 95% of the time I kill it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerop1ng[TK] Posted July 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 1 minute ago, ukswrath said: haha I'm the same. Watch all the crazies run the price up, or not, then sneak in the last 3 seconds and place the bid I'm willing to pay and BOOM! it's over and 95% of the time I kill it. Exactly! So frustrating watching an item with like 3 days left and the goofballs are all trying to outman each other! So dense lol. I also remove myself from the watchlist so I am full stealth mode before I strike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.