neoakaj's MC build

[neoakaj]

At last! The Biker Scout was the costume I wanted to have from the start. However I ended up with a Shadow Scout from SC. I was able to get a MC kit that he had in stock and it arrived this past weekend. I plan to build the armor to Lancer spec. I will be using my a SC helmet for now, but plan to get one of the new MC helmets in the future.

Soft parts are are/will be made in house by my wife and myself.

 

I will start posting pictures as I work on it. With that, I know that photobucket made some changes that dont mesh with the forums, is there an alternative?

[Chopper]

I'm glad that Cal's new business model seems to be working. He makes fantastic scout armor, so I'm stoked to see more sets of his armor out in the wild. Good luck!

As for image hosting alternatives, many of us use imgur. I use it and it's pretty easy to work with.

[neoakaj]

 

 

[neoakaj]

The boots in the last picture are not going to be used. I found a better pair yesterday

[MonCal]

Nice!

It isn't done yet?    lol ...

I am excited to see the progress on this build.

If you run into any snags, find a method to be better than what I have on the tutorial (feel the urge to document a better tutorial than what I have ), or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out either via facebook or here through PM.

Since I got a shop PC up and running (thanks to a buddy) a few months ago I have been able to get on to the forums again.  My time is still limited but at least I can check in again.

 

[BikerScout007]

Excellent.  The Moncal armor is one of the most accurate sets out there.   Good luck with your build. We are here for you!

[MonCal]

Thank you for the supporting words, Mickey.

Jason, I just got to thinking.  One thing you will want to make sure to do, is trim and form the shoulder straps to fit your build.  I originally designed those to be long and the curve is an approximation for an "average" shoulder.  My intention was for those to be longer than needed so put the chest and back plates on your person and mark both of them to be cut off, where your T-shirt seam line is.  Try to hold the armor so it is even on each side (your left and right sides).  It is easy to get those off center a bit.  Then you might need to gently warm the shoulders with a heat gun and get them to conform to your shoulders.  You will get a much better "form fitting" look if you can do that.

[neoakaj]

Yep I plan to shape them a bit better to my frame. I am built like 3po outside of my belly haha

[neoakaj]

I got all the lancer spec strapping/elastic. I plan to have the belt and some of the other trapping done this Sunday. I may start on the boots tonight. I have made many pairs in the past but need a little refresher. I did see that the tutorial's pictures are broken, is that just me or over all?

 

My flightsuit and vest are done and ready. They can pass basic but I have doubts for Lancer on the flight suit

[neoakaj]

Something I wanted to say about the kit from MC, the care that was taken in protecting the plastic. This is something that goes over looked I feel. I have received armor, TKs and whatnot, from other makers where the parts are just thrown in a box or have a little bit of packing paper with it. The MC kit, even only going from the north end of Colorado to the middle, I was impressed. Each part was wrapped and protected.

[neoakaj]

Build log morning of Sept 9th. If using the sprung steel clips for the belt that is included with the MC kit, I would highly suggest using a drill press to make the holes. I broke one drill bit and ruined the cutting surface of another using my "cheap" drill bits from Lowes. So the thermal det may wait a bit before it gets done. Moving onto the tank and fitting the chest and back

[neoakaj]

Back tank is mounted and the stickers are on. Waiting for paint to dry on the top part.

 

I just did a rough test fit of the chest and back, I will need to use my belt sander to make them shorter

[neoakaj]

Thermal det finished. The picture makes the paint look bad but it looks great in person.

 

 

Also the belt is done 99% I just have to mount the beltbox straps in the back, but want to wait until I have my bund ready so I can make sure it all sits right. I may have a picture of the racing suit today. If I am able to get that picture, let me know if it looks good for basic approval. I doubt its Lancer.

[Ketchup]

Hey bud! Long time no see!

If you have questions about going Lancer, just let me know. I'm building mine to Lancer-spec, as well.

What about the flight suit has you concerned? I can tell you right now that the thermal det clips Cal provides will not cut the mustard. HOWEVER, you can probably cut them to spec with a metal cutting wheel, no trouble.

When we get our builds done and approved, we should get a ART together for the garrison.

 

Edit: I highly recommend looking at the Lancer build tutorial thread, there's a lot of good stuff in there that could answer your questions, as well.

[MonCal]

Nice Job Jason!

Thank you for the compliments on the packaging.  That is one thing that I have always prided myself on, well that and I try to take pride in everything that I do which can be to a fault at times.  I think it is important, not only to package and protect the goods but it is also part of the experience.  When you order something online and it is packaged well, you know that the person takes pride and care in what they do.  There definitely aren't many vendors who package their kits nicely ... not even Anovos.

With regard to the alice clips, yeah those are a booger.  I once pursued getting accurate clips manufactured but I seem to have a difficult time finding manufacturers who will follow through on things for me.  I would definitely like to find something easier, not only for myself when we assemble detonators but I hate putting people in the predicament if they don't have the means to drill them.  I sharpen all of my bits with a bit sharpener, then I have to drill the spring steel clips, with each size bit and cutting oil (wd-40 works too), working up to the 1/2" hole.  Which, the larger hole is primarily so that a rivet gun can fit.  Then I have to grind off the flashing with a dremel or I actually use the disc on my bench sander.  Then I get to re-sharpen all the bits again after I am done.  Yeah ... they are a bit of a pain.  Help me find something better

 

[spyder918]

I don’t remember whose post I read this from but they suggested these for the belt clips..

https://www.knifekits.com/vcom/belt-clip-universal-sheathholster-model-black-tactical-finish-p-4192.html?osCsid=5risap5m6ku4teo8pqimcvkvi5

And I look forward to your build!..I just got my MC armor as well.

[MonCal]

Nice!

I will look into those.  I definitely have hated both drilling the alice clips and making others struggle with them as well.

[neoakaj]

All of the armor is set to go. Waiting for my wife to finish the bund and pouches. Maybe, just maybe, ill be able to have this for Halloween!

[neoakaj]

I was able to get a hold of one of the new MC scout helmets! So the only area that I feel is lagging in my build is the racing suit. It is a modded redkap. It fits me nearly perfect but the real suede patch doesn't show as much in the front as I want it to. Someday I will upgrade that. All that is left is to make some boots and maybe new pouches. I didn't have enough of the off white material to make two, so I made them in white white and plan to tea/coffee dye them If they don't turn out good ill make new ones. Once this is done, I might have to talk with Cal and see about a new shadow scout next!

[Chopper]

Nice work getting one of the new MC scout helmets! I'm hoping to be able to check one out in person when he does a larger run.

The tea staining method is the way to go. Plus you can use the same batch for your drop box straps as well. 

[neoakaj]

The straps are already off white that came with the kit. I did a lot with the tea dying on my smowtrooper as well as many other items, like paper, so I should be good. I am just glad the smell is gone from the snowie duster now. Every cold troop I would feel I needed some earl gray hot from a replicatior... err what now... wrong universe :-P

[neoakaj]

And yeah the helmet was a stoke of luck. Had a rough week last week but happened across it via a friend. When Cal does a larger run after his small changes I will definitely be after a shadow set. My old SC shadow has seen better days and I want to bring more life to it. The shadow scout was my first kit but always wanted the white scout. It’s so amazing being this close after almost 6 years

[neoakaj]

I will take some comparison pictures of the MC vs the (I poorly put together years ago) SC helmet once the MC is painted and ready. One of my favorite parts of the MC helmet is the vacuum formed visor

[MonCal]

How is your kit coming along Jason?

[kacrut]

... any pictures update? 

Thanks.