BlizzardScout Posted July 10, 2016 Posted July 10, 2016 I finally got around to posting and making my build tread. KS kit is in the house, along with a SC holster and drop boxes replacement parts. I have spend the last couple of nights compiling pictures from all of the different treads for reference. I'm planning on starting the trimming tomorrow night. My biggest fear is to take off to much, so I want to take my time on that side. My flight suit and boots are underway, my Wampawear gloves and UA balclava are in also. Mandarin collar is completed in the red kaps, also added stirrups and Juliet sleeves with thin elastic And last for now the boots are underway, on the more finished picture I have to redo the wishbone to cover up the rivet. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
Forest Ranger Posted July 10, 2016 Posted July 10, 2016 Nice start! Can't wait to see more progress. 1
Retrofire Posted July 11, 2016 Posted July 11, 2016 That is a nice stretch on the boots and they look great. Just take your cuts a little at a time. Cut and fit check, cut and fit check, etc. That way you can be comfortable cutting and make the armor fit you. 1
BlizzardScout Posted July 11, 2016 Author Posted July 11, 2016 Thanks for the advice Peter. Yea, it took me a couple of days to get up the nerve to start trimming, i know once I go too far there is no turning back. Using Panda's and Chef's build pics I started the larger trimming with the scissors the arms and knees and tonight I'm going to get to the sanding them a little more into shape.
Retrofire Posted July 11, 2016 Posted July 11, 2016 You're right on target and I understand. I stared at my armor for days before I got up the nerve to take my Lexan scissors to it but the folks around here we're right behind me and I had a lot of build pics to go by as well. I had several bookmarked that I kept referring back to. When in doubt post up with a pic or two and you'll get the support you need. 2
Griffin-X Posted July 11, 2016 Posted July 11, 2016 You're off to a great start. I also wear a KS hybrid suit (have some SC and Chef parts on mine). If you need any KS help, just holla. 1
Retrofire Posted July 13, 2016 Posted July 13, 2016 Your TD and tank topper kits are right on the money. There is a small problem with the DJ T-bits in that while the top (horizontal) part is correct the bottom (vertical) part is not exactly correct. It should be smooth except for the "allen" screws located on each side of the part. Here's a link to a pic on the 501st site: http://databank.501st.com/databank/File:TB_scout_biceps.jpeg . I think if you just fill in the area between the "screws" with some putty and sand it you should be fine.
BlizzardScout Posted July 13, 2016 Author Posted July 13, 2016 Thanks for the info Peter, that link does help out a lot. How about the shaping of armor? Seem to be going in the right direction? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Retrofire Posted July 14, 2016 Posted July 14, 2016 Thanks for the info Peter, that link does help out a lot. How about the shaping of armor? Seem to be going in the right direction? It's looking really good so far. I would remove, trim off, the return (lip) on the bottom of the shoulder bell so it is flush. You got the rounded corners on them and that looks good. It looks like the knee on the right could use a little more trimming to bring it even with the left one. Most of the rest of it looks like just a bit trimming and sanding it smooth with some 220 followed with some 400. You're on the right track keep at it! Jim (Griffin-X) wears a modified KS and knows way more about this particular armor than I so I'll defer to him. 1
BlizzardScout Posted July 15, 2016 Author Posted July 15, 2016 Tonight working on the trimming up the chest plate. Just wondering what is the best technique for trimming the shoulder bridges. I was planning on tape test fitting and slowly working it but from there. I know that's the idea Panda did for his build tread (aka my build Bible.)
Retrofire Posted July 15, 2016 Posted July 15, 2016 That's exactly the way I did my chest fitment. I used painters tape and adjusted to fit my torso. This is where patience is really a virtue. Trim a little and then test fit, then trim a little then test fit again, and repeat till you have a good comfortable fit. You want it snug but not compressing your ribcage I also used my heat gun to heat the shoulder tabs and curve them down lower like Panda did. It helped to fit my build better.
BlizzardScout Posted July 15, 2016 Author Posted July 15, 2016 Thanks Appe and Peter. Yea I have a heat gun now and wanted to do the shoulder and the upper arm. Being 5'8" 160 lbs its a little wider of a rib cage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Griffin-X Posted July 15, 2016 Posted July 15, 2016 Looking really good, hope the pics I sent help you. The bicep bits are fine for general clearance but would need to be replaced for Lancer status. As mentioned, just sand the parts a tad bit more and you'll be spot on. I'd also contact SC or Chef to get some replacement hang boxes and TD end caps. Those KS parts are WAY off and replacing them will really tighten up your look. Also, nice work on the shoulders. Those really look good.
BlizzardScout Posted July 15, 2016 Author Posted July 15, 2016 Thanks Jim. The pics for sure helped. I have already ordered new boxes from Jeff at SC and I need to inquire about the TD caps. I'll soon be rocking the KS hybrid kit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1
BlizzardScout Posted July 20, 2016 Author Posted July 20, 2016 Next question, I just got done with my initial trimming. I have pretty skinny arms, even with the flight suit on and want to change the shape of the biceps and forearms to fit better. The question is, is slowly heat gunning the pieces the best way to do that, and if so any tips would be great. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Retrofire Posted July 20, 2016 Posted July 20, 2016 You can use a heat gun to bring the edges together but I would wait until you have your elastic straps installed and see how much they pull the armor together before using a heat gun. After you do that and if you feel a heat gun is necessary I would make a few passes with the gun on low and squeeze them together gently until you get the width you need. Wear your flight suit or a suitable representation when you do this to have a gauge of how much you need to pull it in. Go slowly.
BlizzardScout Posted July 20, 2016 Author Posted July 20, 2016 Thanks Peter, great advice. So go ahead and cut the slats for the elastic and strap it? Sounds good.
BlizzardScout Posted July 21, 2016 Author Posted July 21, 2016 Starting strapping tonight. How much of a return does everyone leave to hold in the elastic? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Retrofire Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 I say a guesstimate would be around an inch or so but the extra length really comes down to fitting it on you. You want to give yourself enough slack to allow for adjusting the armor parts on your frame. I suggest wearing something that emulates your flight suit thickness when measuring for your strapping. 1
BlizzardScout Posted July 31, 2016 Author Posted July 31, 2016 Quick question. I am preparing to buy/order the tubing for the TD and I am not sure what size tubing to use. I spend the morning searching the forum but most build are SC which I know comes with the tubing. Any help would be great.
BikerScout007 Posted July 31, 2016 Posted July 31, 2016 Quick question. I am preparing to buy/order the tubing for the TD and I am not sure what size tubing to use. I spend the morning searching the forum but most build are SC which I know comes with the tubing. Any help would be great. Did you try just ordering the tube from SC?
BlizzardScout Posted July 31, 2016 Author Posted July 31, 2016 Not yet, I was just seeing if others had used any alternatives for the tubing.
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