Jump to content

R1 Build 850 Armor Works


Recommended Posts

Hi everyone, my BBB arrived about a week and a half ago, but I was moving so I couldn't really start on it. 

I started working on the abdomen, I have now cut out all of the pieces and I am waiting for some clamps and magnets to glue it all together. For anyone planning on buying this kit, mine had some cracks in the ABS plastic. The hand guard seems to be the only one that has a crack that I will have to fix. Other than that, the kit looks pretty good, the armour has varying thicknesses depending on the part. Couple of questions for everyone.

 

What colour white are we using? Some of the abdomen details and cover strips will have to be painted white.

The plastic came white, so do I have to paint it or use clearcoat?

Are the forearms connected to anything with straps?

Same question on the shins.

 

That is all I can think of for now, once I figure out how to add pictures, I will do so.

48216708787_a3a941e4f5_c.jpg

48216663281_8f61207009_c.jpg

48216662836_92a450879e_c.jpg

48216707147_a5d8ed0a8c_c.jpg

48216661681_20e2484dd5_c.jpg

48216706197_c1456e4fb2_c.jpg

48216660766_f524b4c3df_c.jpg

48216705557_222fcd4b74_c.jpg

48216659951_c4e1c54b29_c.jpg

48216704817_71dc0d20ed_c.jpg

48216704412_b18905126e_c.jpgTestfitting.

48216658651_4c90f0e082_c.jpgForearm pieces cutout.

48216658186_beef961c74_c.jpg

48216703062_15d8c99bb3_c.jpgSplit in back of abdomen armour, per the CRL.

48216702602_39ed2fb255_c.jpgResin details and cover strips that need to painted.

 

Edited by Imperial Valour
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I made some good progress this week on the abdomen after all of the tools arrived. 

 

I glued the ab pieces together with E6000 and then held it in place with magnets and clamps.

48283161381_d6a5a4829a_c.jpg

48283161246_6bab9dc92b_c.jpg

 

Then I attached 2 straps on the back side to hold it together, I will just have to reach behind my back to put the armour on. I used rivets to hold the strapping because I was concerned that the E6000 would not be strong enough

48283160781_b0f842e936_c.jpg

48283261262_5f4e151665_c.jpg

 

Next I put the shoulder straps on and attached them with rivets. The straps attach with the X style so that they stay on my shoulders.

48283160031_433e0ebb53_c.jpg

 

Finally, I cut out the indents on the hand gaurds and finished them up with velcro on the inside. Here they are on my gloves. The gloves are from Imperial Boots as are my boots.

48283161141_4c753e88ed_c.jpg

 

Next steps will be the cod and butt armour, followed by the chest and back pieces. The kidney plate seems to be too small, so I have to reach out to 850 about that.

Edited by Imperial Valour
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Moving right along with the build.

I glued on strips of velcro to close the back together, turns out the straps were not even necessary but oh well. You can also see my cat supervising my work. 

48347250326_7ff236bc01_c.jpg

 

I glued snaps onto the cod and butt armour, and those are done now.

48347251376_3995ee6671_c.jpg

 

With the trauma plate, I trimmed one side and glued velcro on the inside.

48347388342_9e5f255ced_c.jpg

 

Shoulders were cut out, and a I glued some snaps there as well.

48347388637_ecd6d327e2_c.jpg

 

This is the chest plate with velcro to hold the shoulder bridge and snaps for the strapping that I have yet to do.

48347389062_3c55b07a28_c.jpg

 

Back plate with velcro being glued on for the black side pieces.

48347387942_fc2861f3d9_c.jpg

 

I painted the side pieces black and cut out 2 strips of ABS for the abdomen armour and painted those as well. I am pretty happy how they came out.

48347389392_e5c7698ce5_c.jpg

 

I also painted the abdomen and back details but this is where things went wrong. I did not sand those pieces as much as I probably should have so it took multiple coats to look decent. Even now, they look acceptable but not great. More importantly, the white I used does not match the armour. I am still trying to decide what to do from here but I clearly need to go colour matching.

48347388847_8c863b1802_c.jpg

48347251756_8d56baeed2_c.jpg

 

From here, I will finish the shoulder strapping and assemble the chest armour. After that I will have to get to work on these resin parts that I have been dreading. My friend has a belt sander I can use but it will be a few weeks before I can get it done. Once those are done, I can continue with the arms and leg armour. The belt and thermal detonator will probably be done last to finish this off.

Edited by Imperial Valour
Typo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great progress so far, looking forward to seeing this come together and approved.
Keep up the great work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Slowly coming together. Back plate needs to come up and judging on the size of the chest plate means the shoulder straps will need to be short or the overlaps will be too big.
When test fitting parts it’s always a good idea to be wearing the under suit so your adjustments will be more accurate.
Keep up the good work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/3/2019 at 7:32 PM, Sly11 said:

Slowly coming together. Back plate needs to come up and judging on the size of the chest plate means the shoulder straps will need to be short or the overlaps will be too big.
When test fitting parts it’s always a good idea to be wearing the under suit so your adjustments will be more accurate.
Keep up the good work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So, I made the straps adjustable and simply put velcro on them so pulling up the back plate should be an easy fix. I was concerned that fixing them in place would be a mistake later down the road. I plan to order Jimmi's undersuit but just haven't done it yet. I will look at ordering that this month so I can size the the suit properly. I ordered a helmet from Head Shot Props but there is a quite a wait. I'm considering getting a Jimmi bucket too, but we will see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

They say that double posting is a sin, but I will do it anyway. First things first, I added some more velcro and shortened the shoulder straps to help pull up the back plate.

48650391012_b4342a7832_c.jpg

 

I then made a 3 week mistake and pulled the details off the ab armour becuase I wasn't happy with it. Long story short, it got repainted and is back on.

48650384877_d79c576698_c.jpg

48650384807_977b633fca_c.jpg

48650384307_24ffa6d5bb_c.jpg

 

My helmet from Head Shot Props finally came in! Overall it is in pretty good shape, I will have to fill in a couple of spots with bondo or something before I can do anything. This thing is going to be a project and I will finish the armour and then work on the helmet.

48650384672_92dec07701_c.jpg

48650384647_03122538a8_c.jpg

48650240896_52ae4c01f1_c.jpg

48650384552_d8b609e843_c.jpg

48650384502_c52c2d7de7_c.jpg

48650384477_e8868b7a0a_c.jpg

48650240686_c6930e41fd_c.jpg

48650384347_8044553558_c.jpg

 

Biceps are done and attached, here I am adding some foam so they sit better on my arms.

48649876873_c62560895e_c.jpg

 

And lastly, thighs are going together and should be done this weekend. Forearms and leg armour are next then I will finish the belt. I ordered Jimmi's suit and once that is in, I will be able to size the belt properly. I am getting pretty excited now, my box of loose parts is getting empty!!

48649877078_e92b5f5195_c.jpg

48650384212_a50dd5977d_c.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

So at this point, I have finished the majority of the work. First the thighs.

48784886903_446aa0b505_c.jpg

48785251496_e3243cacba_c.jpg

 

The shin armour. I added some foam to help keep them in one spot on my leg, real happy with how these came out.

48784886963_aeb2d32cea_c.jpg

48785252021_1dc5d5700e_c.jpg

 

I added some foam on the inside of the bicep pieces to help them sit right. They were digging into my sides originally.

48785251816_16c7f9bcbb_c.jpg

48785412317_0900e73ea1_c.jpg

 

Finished up the forearms for the most part, they are tight on one end, but I don't like how they fit right now. 

48785251946_d1cebd8da9_c.jpg

 

I also trimmed down the ab section so that it doesn't show per the CRL. 

48784886778_4593663089_c.jpg

 

Started working on the thermal detonator, the paint I used took like 4 days to finally dry.

48784886413_e08f812a70_c.jpg

 

And then there is the helmet....

So, this is the HSP helmet and I have mixed feelings right now. For the most part it looks pretty good, but in the second picture you can see that the slits were messed up so I will have to fix that. The brow has some pits in it as well that will have to be patched. What really bothers me is that the frown is a separate piece and I will have to try and grind down a bunch of material to get it to fit right. I'm really not sure why HSP didn't just mold that into the helmet as well, but oh well. With some patience it should turn out okay.

48785251716_5c116a1a88_c.jpg

48784886558_74cef5205f_c.jpg

48785251641_a2d355171b_c.jpg

48785251556_9c1b77d464_c.jpg

 

And finally some shots suited up. :smiley-sw013:

48784887048_8070989c8f_c.jpg

48785252246_1a9ca1095a_c.jpg

48784887223_cb5f3c2a4e_c.jpg

 

 

Edit: I forgot to ask if anyone has a template or a guide for the slits on the helmet that have to be cut out. I am a little nervous about trying to guess about the spacing.

 

Edited by Imperial Valour
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Edit: I forgot to ask if anyone has a template or a guide for the slits on the helmet that have to be cut out. I am a little nervous about trying to guess about the spacing."

I would suggest finding a picture of ESB or ROTJ decals and printing them out to use as templates maybe? The big thing is that they are on a raised surface, just not slits cut into the spaces.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Imperial Valour, based on the HSP helmet, it looks to me like there is a recessed area in the center of tear traps, temples, and rear vent boxes? If this is the case, I would suggest you make the (grey area) out of styrene. Make a stencil for the lines and cut them out if the styrene then shape (hot water bath or heat gun) the styrene to fit the curvature if needed. Paint the area on the helmet black then paint the styrene admiral grey and glue it in place. I think this is how the actual screen used helmets were made and why we have in the CRLs that there must be a recess black outline of each of the boxed area. Most of us have this already molded in our helmets so we can not make the tear traps like this but it looks like you have the ability to do so.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/2/2019 at 10:14 AM, 11b30b4 said:

Imperial Valour, based on the HSP helmet, it looks to me like there is a recessed area in the center of tear traps, temples, and rear vent boxes? If this is the case, I would suggest you make the (grey area) out of styrene. Make a stencil for the lines and cut them out if the styrene then shape (hot water bath or heat gun) the styrene to fit the curvature if needed. Paint the area on the helmet black then paint the styrene admiral grey and glue it in place. I think this is how the actual screen used helmets were made and why we have in the CRLs that there must be a recess black outline of each of the boxed area. Most of us have this already molded in our helmets so we can not make the tear traps like this but it looks like you have the ability to do so.

You are correct, those areas are indeed recessed. Too lazy to take any pictures right now, but last weekend I tried to cut out the vents in the helemt itself. Things didn't go well and I have now patched the holes with Water Weld resin. I have to finish sanding down those areas so the styrene I bought will cover it nicely. These vents are turning into a major headache, I made a template and tried to use the dremel which caused the styrene to melt. So then I switched to a cordless drill and inevitably rushed and now it looks pretty bad. No big deal as I have a bunch of styrene to remake the trapezoid. At this point though, I am tempted to just paint on the black lines rather than try again. I just can't figure out a good way to cut out these vents without taking forever. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IV, not sure what equipment you have access to but I can create a template graphic that you can have cut out on someone’s Cricket or Silhouette vinyl cutter. You can then use these as templates on some 1/8” thick HIPS then use a media blaster (sand blaster) to at least replicate the lines being engraved. Another option for you if the styrene is melting when you try to cut it out is to use a different thermal plastic like ABS. Ultimately, I believe 3D printing the parts would be the most effective option but your bucket is not exactly the same as mine and the curvature of the parts would be different as would the exact size.

 

I would assume you have someone in your garrison who 3D prints and can model, perhaps talk with them and have them work up a model for you. You could always have someone do models and if necessary, cut out the areas on the bucket. Back the printed parts with styrene and glue them in form the inside. When doing my two buckets, I found that I needed to clean the needle bit on my Dremel after each line was cut. This removed the spinning residue plastic and allowed the bit and plastic a brief cool down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I figured it out guys!!! I was geting ready to take a shower and I thought about scoring the styrene and then drilling a bunch of holes in a line. The scoring helps to prevent the bit from jumping around, and then I just clean the channels with an Exacto knife.

48862156753_be92d7e2a1_c.jpg

48862678026_a6f65fb73f_c.jpg

 

I also worked on sanding down the nose area on the helmet to give it the proper shape.

48862678121_6a426d2a61_c.jpg

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

This will be a long post, as I was locked out of the forum this past week.

This helmet gave me so much trouble, mostly because I forgot how much I hate painting. In any event, I attached the brow and realised afterwards that the CRL states that it should be a 1/4 inch above the eyes. I decided to keep pushing forward since taking it back off would have been a major pain. It's a shame as I was aiming to hit all of the level 3 certifications. After that I fought with painting for around a month with numerous coats before I painted on the details and got ready for the clear coat.

49087009306_05ba02e1bf_c.jpg

49086500758_a3e01084d8_c.jpg

49087221682_4d1364a4e9_c.jpg

 

However, when I put the clear coat, it reacted with the paint and caused it to bubble and distort and made a big mess. I thought about launching the helmet off the balcony but decided against it, and sanded it back down as best I could. I repainted it and took extra time for it to dry before putting clear coat on, and that helped but still left the helmet less than perfect up close.

49087009051_af6e4288cf_c.jpg

49087221467_f99e4821f1_c.jpg

49087220677_40af71bacb_c.jpg

 

I also painted the interior black and put all of the electronics in and the lenses.

49087008571_b9eccd07fc_c.jpg

49086500033_9e3f50597e_c.jpg

49087220777_7551b42e36_c.jpg

49087008041_414dac7491_c.jpg

49087220472_556cdc6ed7_c.jpg

49087007736_aa61b4e120_c.jpg

49086499088_f68b345c27_c.jpg

49086498838_45bc862edd_c.jpg

49087219837_aebfc596f6_c.jpg

 

I finished up the belt by using snaps and glue, and I'm pretty happy with how that came out.

49086499838_262b9797a2_c.jpg

49086499758_44e290ae6b_c.jpg

49087220637_95bf46741e_c.jpg

49086499578_7fe5a88c9a_c.jpg

 

And finally today, I glued on the last of the grey squares on the helmet, so I donned the whole suit and took some pictures!! I think that it's ready to submit and I'm super excited to get approved and start trooping with all of you! :smiley-sw013:

49087007401_9f012bb7f9_o.jpg

49086498738_f66d3144a7_o.jpg

49086498713_5b27ea5252_o.jpg

49086498698_8db8c2818d_o.jpg

49087219942_f75a4e36e8_o.jpg

49087007096_b3ed8da94e_o.jpg

49087007341_b6fe54a3a2_o.jpg

49087219887_bcc691137f_o.jpg

49086498348_6d123afbe9_o.jpg

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

your armor looks great but there is something off about you left leg it looks like you have two right shins from looking at it, and if that's the case look in to getting a replacement for the shin, but i could be wrong, also you may need to paint the resin cover strips to match the armor 

Edited by delcid23456
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...