Mysterious Stranger

Fixed my flub-up from last weekend and got the greebs all glued on… to the actual plastic this time. Picked up a couple Nerf blasters that should be here Monday. Now its all down to the sewing. Hoping to have it ready for pictures next weekend but we’ll see.

Given the season its appropriate I drag this thread back from the dead. Picking up from my last update, the helmets are almost finished. Had some guidance at a local armor party in the spring that got me through the “holy frak this looks hard” jitters of the final assembly. This is just one of them, the other is a near match. I got the insides painted black and the stickers on as well. Still need to paint the snout, add the greeblie and install the visor in each. Now on to new progress. I started on the armor today. Glued on most of the greeblies (biceps, TD, back tank) when I realized all the pieces still had their protective film on them. *headdesk* So after removing all the film, including the pieces I had thought were glued on, I spent about two hours getting almost nothing accomplished. I did get the hoses attached to the thermal dets and the caps glued on with E6000 (since CA glue doesn’t stick to the rubber hose). I also picked up fabric for the softs. Duck cloth for the cumberbund, suede for the thighs and seat flap and some cotton for the vest. I ordered some pouches from a friends Etsy shop so those should be here next week. And I have a Red Kap suit to modify. Just need a tiny blaster and we’re all set. More progress reports WILL be coming as I want to get this done in time for a big troop at the end of the month.

Took a couple hours at lunch today to do some cutting. I'm working on two kits at the same time here, one for me and one for my wife. So there will be some doubling up on photos at least for the helmets. I got the eye holes cut out of the face plates. I think these look about right. I started to try attaching the visor to the face plate but couldn't get it to line up right. So I stopped before I messed it up too badly to fix. I think I need some help with this part so these will sit in the box until the weekend. The ear holes I'm pretty sure I cut too big. I'm hoping these will still be okay but I'm not so sure. I didn't realize until I got them started that there were stickers of the ear hole shape included with the kit. Had I known that I would have used those as a template to cut them out. As is, well you tell me...

Started a helmet. I just have the dome attached to the back piece so far. I think the gap at the front should pull in tighter once I bolt the visor on to it. Do I need to bondo in the seam along the back? This is how the visor came to me. Is this shape okay or do I need to cut it more? Also the sides don’t line up with the back piece. Should I cut them so that it lines up flush? The face plate has molded in cut lines for the visor. I drew over them to see if this shape is good. Don’t worry, its a dry erase marker. And should I clean up the excess return edge along the bottom of the snout and jawline? The ears need to be cut out but I’m not sure how much to take out. Before I cut can I get some guidance? Right or left? We have a local Squad build party next weekend and I’d like to have this at least assembled to show off.

E6000 wasn’t even something I considered. But I like that more than ABS glue. Thanks!

What type of glue should I use to assemble the helmet? I’ve used ABS glue on X-wing pilot helmets. Is that my best bet here?

I learned something. I knew this thread was a good idea. Thanks for the clarification.

No these are Hi-Tech boots. Thank you for the tips. I’ll definitely be looking at using a strap inside the boot. Not really worried about cleaning up any marks just yet. Might be able to work them into the weathering. It was about the same time if I recall correctly. But yes, I’m in the ST6 group.

I have had a SC kit sitting in my garage for nearly a year now and its time to get it built. I have a pair of Wampawear gloves and all the strapping for the armor. I just need the softs. I haven't started anything yet but I did just receive a pair of boots from a member of the local FB group. They need a tiny bit of work (small section of velcro needs restitched, possible regluing the holster?) but they fit great and are in really good condition. I'm aware my jeans are bloused and I didn't get the velcro lined up correctly but the fit seems pretty good. There is a spot on the back of the holster where some doublesided tape was used and it has pulled off the vinyl. Not sure if that's something that I should fix or not. I'd like to maybe stiffen up the right shaft so it doesn't slouch compared to the left. Tweaks for once things start coming together. Thoughts?