zenix Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 So, I have a spare room in my house that no one is renting right now, and i'm using it as my trooper room for the next few months... I got the ATA kit, and have a bunch of tools... My biggest issue is figuring out where exactly i should be trimming. Do i just follow the mold lines inside? what about to join up pieces... how much do i cut? I've read i should leave 1" for the strips, but i'm not sure. I'm currently learning Picasa 3.5 and making an album that will be posted shortly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) My ongoing build photo album Edited February 26, 2010 by zenix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naatsirhc[TK] Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Your ATA kit should have the strip sizes listed on one of the two flat sheets that came in the box. Trimming to fit will depend on your build. Make the front but joints the width of the strip and adjust the back to your build. I suggest you review all of the ATA build threads, there you will learn what to avoid and tricks to succeed. The arms are 5/8", the legs 7/8" and calf backs 1" for the strips. This is also the ridge width, if your thin you can make both side the same and add foam after assembly so your armor is not loose. I made all my strips correct and left more material on the back sides that butt together. It is nice to see another ATA build in the works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GosHawk[501st] Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Measure twice, cut once. For the most part I cut along the mold lines. Fitted every thing with painters tape and cut more cuz I'm a skinny twig boy. One annoying mistake I did was cut to the mold lines on the ears for the bucket, it was actually to much and I had to order a new set. And I agree christaan, it is nice to see more ata builds. I feel like we are the old men now. Tk300s site is a great place for info. http://www.tonybarnett.plus.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 yea, everyone says measure twice, cut once... i'm just not sure what to measure. i can measure the width to know how much to trim to make the pieces match up and be 7/8" width or whatever each is supposed to be, but what about the other dimension.. inside to match my arm or leg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I'm 5'10 and ~180 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GosHawk[501st] Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I might be miss understanding you but are you asking how to get the armor to fit to your build? If that's what your asking it's just as simple as putting the two pieces of the arm/thigh/calf around you and marking where you need to cut to get it snug with or with out foam that's up to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAZGÛL Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 When I built my helmet, I left about 1 cm outside the lines, and try fit, took some away, try fit... you get the idea. Another tip is to look through reference photo and check the films again. It will help when how to trim and assemble. The helmets are very different and have their own small differents in assembly and details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I'm not even thinking about the helmet yet, since i'm going to do that last. No matter what, should i be trimming the front butt joints to be the width indicated on the plastic that says the width of the strips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GosHawk[501st] Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 Yes trim the front to the width of the strips then trim the back to clam shell snug around you. Then place another strip on the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkTrooper[TK] Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I'm not even thinking about the helmet yet, since i'm going to do that last. No matter what, should i be trimming the front butt joints to be the width indicated on the plastic that says the width of the strips? I'm with you on that. I'm starting on my ATA kit and the helmet will be the last thing I work on. I did start trimming it though. Question on your helmet: Did you get some extra flashing clumped on the sides of your face plate? Mine's did. It might be hidden once I get the ears on but I may have to sand those clumps down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted November 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 I'm with you on that. I'm starting on my ATA kit and the helmet will be the last thing I work on. I did start trimming it though. Question on your helmet: Did you get some extra flashing clumped on the sides of your face plate? Mine's did. It might be hidden once I get the ears on but I may have to sand those clumps down. nah i didn't trim anything on the helmet. i dont know what clumping you're talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougefresh Posted November 5, 2009 Report Share Posted November 5, 2009 nah i didn't trim anything on the helmet. i dont know what clumping you're talking about. Are you talking about webbing at the ends of the tubes? That's pretty common. Depending on where they are, you can probably trim them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted January 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 So I haven't gotten that far since I haven't put a lot of time into it. I had someone put together the helmet for me, and it looks great. It is assembled, and that's it. It needs painting, bondo, decals and all that. I assembled the fore arms, biceps and shins. the thighs are confusing for me. I want to make some significant progress in the next few weeks to really get this thing off the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt JB Posted January 5, 2010 Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 I feel like we are the old men now. Tell me about it, I think I was one of the first ATA builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted February 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Ok i really worked a bunch the last two weeks. I finished up the sandtrooper radio model, and will begin production on that in 2 weeks, and I really knocked out a lot on my armor. I have everything together and ready for painting except for the belt. I need another package of snaps but can't go get them because of this baltimore/east coast blizzard. I've painted some pieces, some pieces are fine, and some need to be redone. I used a couple cans of white paint, and one can of dover white paint by mistake. I've found a place indoors where i can continue painting, since the weather here wont be warm enough for a while. I'll take some pics tomorrow. still to do: get another package of snaps for sides of armor, and to hold up biceps/forarms buy canvas belt buy neck seal buy nomex gloves and attach handplates paint attach ammo pack to thigh, and sniper plate to shin. make garter for thighs detail helmet glue conversion kit/paint blaster its a lot to do, but i've come so far. i'd like to be finished by the end of the month. think i can do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueTrooper[TK] Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 My advices, do rush your build, just to meet a date...you have put a lot of time and work into a great kit. Make a check list of what needs to be done. Set an alotted time each day to work off the check list. Do not work when you are tried, that's usually when you make big misstakes... its a lot to do, but i've come so far. i'd like to be finished by the end of the month. think i can do it? Btw, you have done a great job mate!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naatsirhc[TK] Posted February 11, 2010 Report Share Posted February 11, 2010 Hey Todd, How about some updated pics of your progress? Good to see your still working on your kit. ATA is one of the harder builds, but the result is well worth the effort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted February 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 i guess i used too much paint? it seems to have leaked under the tape or something... how should i repair? i was trying to take the safe way by taping, and i feel i could've done better painting by hand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted February 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 I think i'll hand paint the black and round it off myself by hand. for the frown, i think i might need to go back over it with white paint... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperTrooper Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Depending on the type of paint you may be able to get the excess off by wiping it gently with a q-tip soaked with paint thinner. Don't rub too hard or you could damage the white paint too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted February 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Depending on the type of paint you may be able to get the excess off by wiping it gently with a q-tip soaked with paint thinner. Don't rub too hard or you could damage the white paint too. its testors 1138 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueTrooper[TK] Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Hey Todd, Here is a tip from Paul that with help you with your chin: http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=1941 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenix Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 (edited) k, done almost everything. I'll post pics this weekend. I've gone over all the requirements and I'm pretty sure I can apply for EIB. only thing not complete is my holster, which has not been delivered yet. took 4 months, but really only 2-2.5 since I wasn't working on it at all in december and not much in nov. thanks to everyone who helped. mike harrison put together my bucket at charlie's armor party in november. scott helped me paint and some other little things. seth b showed me how to put together the pieces with the butt/strip method. also, I was making this: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=5991 http://picasaweb.google.com/tblatt/ZenixATA02# Edited February 26, 2010 by zenix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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