Gauntlet and shin armor latching?

[DrMatt[TK]]

Hey, all,

 

As I'm wrapping up my build, I'm trying to engineer the latching system for the gauntlets and shins.  I'm an ex-engineer, so I've got that hat on...

 

I'm SURE the 501st has builders who have found the most effective system to latch two halves of armor together.  Any leads on what works well?  I've been considering neo-magnets, but they can be difficult to separate.  I've found the pin/hinge STLs and are my current favorite.  I was also thinking of buckle latches.  Or... a combination of some of these.  I was also thinking of designing my own latch that combines the quick-connect of magnets with a pin/hinge for easy release.

 

Also, location is what I'm considering.  Seems like the length of the shins would require four - two at the top and two at the bottom.  I'm wondering if the gauntlet is short enough where I can get away with just two in the center.

 

Thanks for brainstorming with me...

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Depending on what you are building ( I see it's an Imperial Armored Commando build) for my Din Djarin gauntlets I used elastic on one side and magnets on the closure BUT I ended up adding a safety elastic strap with snaps, I found when waving wildly at youngling at our Christmas pageant that the magnets could let go, the elastic strap makes them more secure.

 

I've seen some brilliant engineered systems but sometimes they can be a little hard to open by yourself.

 

Here's a nice magnet clip setup for an OTTK shins

 

You may want to check out some of the Rogue One builds to see how they closed some areas, shins generally need to flex with a closure.

[Sithtrooper02[TK]]

I have used pins on my imperial commando build gauntlets and one piece construction with magnets for the shins to be screen accurate. PM me if you want the details and STLs of those. 
 

 

Edited June 4, 2025 by Sithtrooper02