TI 14270 builds a TK (DDD)

[Lupus1202[501st]]

BBB-day is a while ago, finding time to start now.

 

 

Asyou can see, german costums wasn´t realy cautious but at least, nothing was broken.

 

 

 

 

You will mention, i ordered the flexible handguards from @justjoseph63 included in Dave´s kit.

 

[Lupus1202[501st]]

Weather is good, sun is shining ... time to measure ... i don´t know we i start with the shins, but i got wider calves, therefor i ordered Dave´s kit.

Measured 10mm on both sides of the right shins halfs ...

 

 

You see, there is much material left. I saw in Dave´s build videos he used it to build coverstrips, glue them from the inside.

Isn´t it possible to make the outside coverstrips too???

[Doggydoc[Staff]]

2 hours ago, Lupus1202 said:

You see, there is much material left. I saw in Dave´s build videos he used it to build coverstrips, glue them from the inside.

Isn´t it possible to make the outside coverstrips too???

Hello Wolfgang. 
the coverstrips on the outside need to be perfectly flat and of a certain thickness.  Usually the portions that are cut off, will be thinner from the vacuforming process as well as not flat.  Since the inner joining strips are not seen, you could definitely use them on the inside, but I would recommend fresh un-formed ABS for the outer cover strips. 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

You will find vac formed plastic is misshaped and thin from the process, I do however use these offcuts for inner cover strips (mainly shins as they are flexed a lot) 

 

Before you make any cuts do a trial fit, you don't want to cut too much off, hard to get back on 

 

Sizing of cover strips

Forearms/Biceps @15mm

Thighs 20mm

Shins Front 20mm, Rear 25mm (for velcro)

 

Yes you can go bigger with cover strips if you need too

 

A few threads on cover strips

Cover Strips threads: gazmosis, I'm Batman, sith_241, & Falciform13

ANH & ESB Cover Strip lengths and Ends by CableGuy

Scribe technique for Cover Strips by chiefbonan 

[Lupus1202[501st]]

Got it ...

two different offcuts, once from the outer shin, the thinner from the inner shin, very flexible, maybe too flexible for outer cover strips.

Following your advice and will use them for inner strips ...

 

[dblcross[TK]]

21 hours ago, Lupus1202 said:

You see, there is much material left. I saw in Dave´s build videos he used it to build coverstrips, glue them from the inside.

Isn´t it possible to make the outside coverstrips too???

Dave usually sends a flat sheet of ABS to make your outer cover strips with.

[Lupus1202[501st]]

40 minutes ago, dblcross said:

Dave usually sends a flat sheet of ABS to make your outer cover strips with.

He did. My idea was to use the offcuts because of their slight curve and form, but it´s not equal 1,5mm/2mm. it´s getting thinner the more you get to the edge.

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

Inside cover strips don't have to be pretty, and are not required for any level of approval.  However, I would not build a set of armor without them.  They add an extra level of strength at the joins, and are especially important on the calves.  The reason being is that those get opened up quite a bit when putting them on, creating stress on the front seams, and I always make the inside cover strips a bit wider for this reason.

 

The reason for the difference in thickness is due to the vaccu-forming process.  Dave starts with crazy thick ABS, but the pieces that get stretched the most will be a bit thinner.  The thinner strips are good for he forearms, biceps and thighs and the thicker ones are what I would suggest for the calves.

[Lupus1202[501st]]

Just a quick question ... 

... i got a mnemonic for the forearms wich side is left and right. Counting the dents of the outside there are one time twelve and one time eleven.

I think to remember, eleven/left ... right?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

2 hours ago, Lupus1202 said:

Just a quick question ... 

... i got a mnemonic for the forearms wich side is left and right. Counting the dents of the outside there are one time twelve and one time eleven.

I think to remember, eleven/left ... right?

This may be of help

[Lupus1202[501st]]

Weekend and some time to trim the shins ...

I think the gap is okay to work with.

Boots from KT arrived and my aim is to cut the returnedges on the bottom of the shins.

Edited August 8, 2025 by Lupus1202

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Make sure you sand smooth off any rough areas will dig into your boots.

 

Some great ways to keep shins from rotating