Retrofire

I spent some time working on the beginnings of my belt assembly. I marked off the areas to trim out for the side box webbing and drilled pilot holes. From there I set three more holes for a total of five and used my lexan scissors to trim out the rest. from there I used my small flat and round files to clean up and shape the openings. Finally I went over everything with 400 grit sandpaper to get the finish I wanted. Then I used some scrap plastic and made two snap plates and installed them. Next I plan on working on the two belt boxes using Pandatroopers method to make it all one piece as well as make the cuts for the lower side boxes for the cotton webbing.

Welcome to BSN! This is a great place to learn about all things Pathfinder! If you haven't had the chance make sure you also go to the Spanish Garrison website. www.legion501.com. Dig in and learn all you can this place is full of extremely knowledgable folks. Best to you! Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Can't wait for mine to come in either! There will be pics for sure! Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

I would think that the mouse's Imperial Lawyer Corps are ruthlessly efficient they may not have shown up on the radar yet but I fear they will and probably soon. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Stanley makes a nice roll around system that's more like carry-on luggage. It's smaller an narrower. I just need to make sure my back plate with tank will fit. I can use the top box to keep my emergency repair supplies in. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

I would PM Spike. He can hook you up with an Altmann's. That's where I got mine. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Wow! Can't image how you'll react when your lid arrives:) That's awesome I've been looking for a trooping chest for my TB as well. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Tonight I worked on the knees and the shoulders. I sanded down the edges of the knees and cut and sanded some shims to add for the top strap of the knee assembly (yes, I want to go from Lancer at some point). The shims were glued in using plastic weld to reinforce the joint when I attach the elastic. The shoulder armor was not exactly square so I measured and set lines to square up the bottom and cut them using my trusty lexan scissors. If you don't have a pair go out and get one they are invaluable! I then moved on to trimming them a la Pandatrooper. I measured up from the bottom 4.5" (11.43cm) and 0.5" (1.27cm) from each side and drew my guidelines. I then used a 1.75" (4.45cm) circle guide to layout the curves at the bottom of the armor pieces. After cutting and sanding I was real happy with how they came out.

Not at all Craig. I'm spending a lot of time sanding and thinking about the next step in the process and doing everything I can not to mess up my armor. I'm saving the front/back armor and the belt for last so I can spend more time studying just how I'm going to make it work. Heck you had the courage to trim your tank and I'm not touching mine. It actually fit to the back armor pretty well and you can only tell it's off center if you look directly underneath it. I sanded and scraped the top and sides to lay as flush as I can get to the back. Pandatrooper isn't the only fussy one with their build . I don't think not getting the stripes behind the tank is a fail at all. If they sit flush to the edge that's all you need and that's all that's going to show on my tank too. Regarding your L bracket I assume you mean that it sticks out from the inside towards your back? I would think that as long as it doesn't cause any undue stress on the connection that your vest will keep it from being a problem. Keep on building!

We're more than happy to help! Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Yes the vest is allowed and it is required per the Biker Scout CRL. Some scouts will forego wearing it at some events due to extreme heat or other environmental issues but it is a required piece of the costume and should be worn while in character. Hope that helps and have a great day! Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

After measuring several times I went ahead with the cuts. I also cut radii into each of the holster corners. The fit to my boot is just about perfect and the holster sits back from the top and back closure really well. I also completed my TD. I was really happy with how everything fit together. I used some plastic weld on the bottom of the belt loops on the back portion of the TD to secure it better to the assembly. I really like how SC has been listening to the folks on BSN and you can tell with the returns on the forearm armor and the new TD pipe color. The DJ greeblie is also installed and I think it looks better than the larger SC greeblie that came with the kit. I also installed the first part of the bicep armor greeblie. I'm modifying the vertical portion of the T-bit as Pandatrooper did so I'm going to add material to the back, apply some filler and paint. I did a dry fit with the tank and the back armor and cleaned up and sanded the edges to get a better fit. I installed the tank topper and the decals. Up next are my knees and shoulder armor...stay tuned and as always I welcome and insight you might have.

I totally understand I'm really finicky about my armor too. I think it's taken me three days just to do my TD . Can't image how long it'll take me to work my front and back armor. Won't go wrong with the SC though it's a really nice kit and Jeff has been keeping it updated with all the feedback from BSN.

No it really didn't. I must have got a really clean one. Do you have any pics? Why don't you ping DVH and let him know. He's real particular about his pieces.

Sweet! That's the exact set I'm using to mod my Altmann's too. DVH does great work.

It looks great Lindsey! Great work!

I've reviewed the boot thread and I'm going to go ahead with my cuts and add the corners. Thanks for pointing that out. You're not the only one who's a bit hesitant to hit armor with a heat gun. I'm going to hit the shoulder bells first and see how that works out. If I melt them into slag I can get another set from SC . I've learned that skill comes by doing so I have to start somewhere. We're all picky or we wouldn't be Pathfinders. There's something about being part of this Detachment that makes you want to have an awesome looking rig. Post those pre-approvals trooper and get your TB designation you've earned it!

Thanks Craig. I think I'll go over and take a look at the thread. I picked up several lengths of 1" elastic so I have plenty to go around but it's a good thing to keep in mind. That's a good reminder about the side/back slots too. I want to go for Lancer at some point so I need to keep those around 1.5" to 1.75" for the cotton webbing. I'm not quite to the front and back armor but I'm sure I'll have to modify them for my size since I have a much smaller build. I decided to invest in a heat gun to form the armor to my frame a little better. Thanks for the insights and I look forward to seeing your pre-approval pics!

I did a dry fit of the holster to my boot and found that it is way too large and actually ends up overlapping my velcro on the back of my boot. So I'm going to trim it up by taking 1/2" off of each side and 5/8" off of the top and bottom and refit. In all the frame grabs I've seen and pics of other TBs it doesn't seem as if the holster is consistent but maybe a case of "what works best". Does this seem like a good plan or is there a good reference I can review? Appreciate any insight here. Thanks! Current Holster: Proposed cut lines:

Looks like I just have to do the returns on the chest and back armor. I'll post a pic of the new pipe as that was a nice update. I'm really happy with this set! Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

Everything just looks great and I'm excited to get started on this build. I noticed the returns on the knees that Pandatrooper talked about in his build and they really look great. I was surprised to find that SC has also included a return in the forearm armor now as well.

The BBB day has finally arrived! I was working in the backyard when I saw the postman pull up and nearly tripped over myself to get to the door. Sure enough it was a package from Jeff at SC. I don't think I ever busted out my chores that fast and I'm finally sitting down to go through my armor. It was really well packed and wrapped. I'm really pleased with how everything arrived and I'm going through the list to ensure everything is present.

Bryan, If the Lancers say that the 1.5" is acceptable I have a bunch of white cotton webbing that I can share with you. If they say it's ok shoot me a PM with an address and how much you need and I'll ship it off to you.

Yeah Spike mentioned that it did so I decided to take the leap and get a bucket from him. So far I haven't heard one Pathfinder complain about that bucket. I'm gunning for Lancer after my basic approval so I want to get as much as I can complete. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Well, my armor is in Dallas and I'm in New Mexico so it's finally getting closer. I pulled out my set of Chef's laser cut TD clips cleaned them up and gave them a coat of satin black. If you haven't got a set head over to the trade forum and make sure you get your name in for some.