How does the Sean Fields Shoretrooper back retrofit work? - A Guide

[Sixes]

A bit of context for people who have no clue what I'm talking about: with Sean Fields' files, there is a version 2 chest, but not a version 2 back. The version 2 chest is incompatible with the version 1 back, but Fields included a few files that can be used to modify the version 1 back to make it compatible with the (more accurate but still not completely accurate) version 2 chest.

This is a quick guide describing how to handle these mods in detail, including things I would do differently if I did it again. I recommend reading this guide in its entirety before doing anything. It will save you some time :‎)

Step 1: Print and assemble the version 1 back, but leave out some parts.

THIS IS IMPORTANT: do NOT print or assemble these items from the original back files:

• 07 - collar
• 08 - left side panel
• 09 - right side panel
• 10 - upper straps
• 11 - left upper catch
• 12 - right upper catch

These parts will all be replaced by parts from the retrofit files, so assembling them will be a complete waste of time and resources.

You should also print the retrofit files.

 

Step 1.5 (if you screwed up): If you did assemble the version 1 back in its entirety before you realized you screwed up, you'll need to carefully remove the above parts with a rotary tool. GO SLOWLY, and if you are in doubt, hold off on removing material until you're sure it needs to go. It is much easier to remove than to add.

Swap out the rotary tool's cutter for a sander, and carefully remove the tabs left behind by the previous parts.

 

Step 2: By now the previous parts should be removed. We are now ready to use the cut guides. This modification is very nice because it widens the arm holes (more mobility, yay!). Here's how the cut guides line up to the build:

Notice how they latch on to parts of the back:

Also notice how this cut will make the back piece fit with the new bottom parts:

Mark the areas to cut with a wooden pencil and get rid of the cut guides. Take the rotary cutter and cut along the lines. Again - I cannot stress this enough - GO SLOWLY.

 

Step 3: Time to attach the new parts! Here's how they line up (ignore the scaling of the shoulder parts - I forgot to scale them before printing):

 

You're done with the retrofit! I'm so proud of you. Your next steps are to smooth out your part in whatever way you see fit. You'll definitely have to spend more time smoothing the part due to the cuts you made, but it will be well worth it :‎)

 

 

[BikerScout007]

Thank you for taking the time to do this!  This will be a huge help to our 3d printed Shoretroopers!

[Sixes]

On 4/28/2022 at 10:06 AM, BikerScout007 said:

Thank you for taking the time to do this!  This will be a huge help to our 3d printed Shoretroopers!

I'm glad! Surprised there wasn't a tutorial already!

Depending on what other weird surprises the SF files hold I may do more tutorials.