WIP: New Build - Long-Time Dream - ROTJ: Scout Trooper

[PatLFree]

Hey Chopper,

Pics as requested at the link below.  Just a note, I identified the crack when removing the rivets to add a boot blouser to the inside of the boot like your notes in one of the forums.  The cracks were there before I removed the rivet. 

I added a rivet washer to the inside of the holster, between the holster and the boot, plus what you see inside the boot as well.  

https://imgur.com/a/onuUr9k

Your thoughts?

[Chopper]

Hmm that's a pretty big break on the corner.

You've got a lot of rivets on the back -- maybe too many. I don't think you need the washer between the holster and the boot, or the extra large washer. You really just want a washer there to offload the compression on the plastic when the rivet s installed as well as to keep it from pulling through the vinyl. 

You can probably splint the holster by gluing a piece of styrene behind the break with Devcon plastic weld. It might hold for a wile, though once something in a high stress area cracks, it's really hard to rig up a permanent fix. 

 

[PatLFree]

Thanks for the advice and guidance Chopper. I appreciate it as always. Do you know where I can pick up a sheet of styrene inexpensively?

[PatLFree]

8 minutes ago, PatLFree said:

Thanks for the advice and guidance Chopper. I appreciate it as always. Do you know where I can pick up a sheet of styrene inexpensively?

Found some on Amazon, of course.  What thickness would you recommend, .5 mm, 1.0 mm, etc.?

[Retrofire]

On 3/21/2022 at 9:10 PM, PatLFree said:

Found some on Amazon, of course.  What thickness would you recommend, .5 mm, 1.0 mm, etc.?

I think your best bet would be to go with the same thickness of your holster plastic. It’s going to cause the holster to “bump” out a little from your boot but it shouldn’t be too noticeable and folks are looking at your face more than your holster. Make the backup piece at least twice the size of the area you’re repairing and allow the Devcon to set and cure for a least a day or more before drilling a pilot hole for the rivet.

Edited March 28, 2022 by Retrofire

[Aradun]

I had a similar issue with my holster although my cracks were not as severe as in your photo. I had to remove the rivets for my Lancer app anyway so I used a sheet of 0.80 mm ABS, cut out a portion to place behind each cracked corner and used e6000 and a clamp to secure each corner. Once dried, I used a Dremel with sanding tool to round off the edges as needed, drilled new holes for the rivets, and resecured it to the boot with washers. You won’t notice it. I even used gray ABS instead of white, and it’s not noticeable. It’s been a year and a half and no issues.

[PatLFree]

Hey Retro and Aradun, thank you for the tips and guidance.  I will work on it this week.  Will post photos once completed.  
 

Thanks, again,

Patrick

[PatLFree]

Hey Retro and Aradun,

I have completed my repairs and returned the holster to the boot.  Check these out:

 

https://imgur.com/6lz2oZT

Thanks, again for all of your assistance.  I really appreciate it all.

Patrick

[Aradun]

Excellent work Patrick! Well done.

[Chopper]

Looks good. Barely noticeable.