Smiling Fox Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 So as with the cummerbund issue, of course I have other problems with KS armor. I have added a link for the pics and wanted to see if anyone could recommend how to fix the issues I have listed here. I came into this not knowing anything and still have a lot to learn. Any help here is most appreciated. http://s1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj572/mattsmilingfox/ First of all, the helmet is two different colors. The face and dome is white while the back is off-white. The sides where the face plate meets the helmet are not smooth and there is a big gap where the face plate is riveted on. Is this normal with the gaps and wrinkles in the ABS? Is the color difference noticeable? The chest piece is not rounded at the bottom but almost straight across. When I put it on, it sticks out on the sides as does the back. The back piece is also bowed out creating a gap between my back and the armor. Can the chest piece be formed to my chest? How do I fix the gap in the back? How do I make the armor fit properly? The bicep and forearm pieces are huge on me. Can they be cut down or formed better to fit me? Finally, the holster. It's huge. As you can see in the pictures, it doesn't fit at all on the boot. How can I fix this? This, by the way, is trimmed and finished armor. So I suppose this is normal? Maybe? I paid way too much and waited way too long for this armor to try and start all over again. I am beyond frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chex Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I looked at all your pictures, and I'm feeling your pain. I'm assuming you got the helmet pre-built right? There shouldn't be that much of a gap. I got mine pre-built and mine looks way better then that. Man, I told him a long time ago he needed to clean his molds and fix them. To be honest, it looks like a bad trim and rush job. As for the armor, I'm not sure since I have SC. PM Griffin-X as I think he has KS armor, and can give you some tips if that's the case. I would e-mail KS and send them photos of your bucket. See if they would be willing to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin-X Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Wow Matt...I'm so sorry man. Yeah, I do have a total KS setup and it took some fiddling to get it right. It's a long list, but I am willing to help you. I agree with Chex too...give scott@kropserkel.com a shout and let him know about the helmet (and bund). He's a good guy and will try to make it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Hmmmm. Does look like the care an attention side of things has been missed. When you consider that Jeff (SC) pre trims all his stuff and it comes looking like the dogs dangles out of the box (despite a few mould inaccuracies), so it's a great kit, and I assume MC is the same. I hate to say that the KS kit seems to leave a lot to be desired. The question is do you bite the bullet and spend the time sorting out something that in my opinion isn't really fit for purpose, which will cost you some heartache no doubt. Or do you think about sending it back and getting something like an SC kit which will add delay to your build but will ultimately be a more satisfying experience. I don't like sounding like a grumpy old git, but it just burns me a little that people think that this sort of thing is acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.J Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Matt my Helmet looks just like yours, I didn't get my armor from them just the Helmet...so yep your not alone mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Scout Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Well after seeing this i'am shocked at the state of this kit, i have always recomended KS helmets to people in kit form as i think people at home can do a better job, but if they are sending out stuff made from two different types of ABS and how that right ear has been molded my endorsement will stop, i would take the advise of Chef and send it all back, I have two sets of scout armour one from Jeff ( SC ) and one from Cal and Kathy (MC) and both arived in awesome condition Pre-cut and packed well, and i'am sure Jeff if he see this thread would have some armour to you in two or three weeks, also Chef (Rob) is doing some nice helmets at the mo so it might be worth your while sending him a pm, if you have a proplem with getting your money back let me know as i will contact them also as i do not like this sort of thing happening to one of our Scouts on BSN we are here to get you looking the best not to patch up others total lack of customer care and shoddy items Take care buddy its not the end of the world we are on the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin-X Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I kind of look at KS as similar to FX/AM armor in the TK world. It's acceptable, but not totally accurate. Unfortunately, the KS service seems to have gone further down hill than when I struggled with them last year. BUT...I learned a ton working with this setup, it fits me, and I am trooping in it. I agree with Chef and CS...send it back and go with SC armor. If KS can replace your lid with a proper product, cool. Still willing to help if you need it Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiling Fox Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 I appreciate everyones input. I just received an email from Scott. He apologized and said he was willing to make it right. He offered another cummerbund to be shipped next week as well as a new helmet and to let me use the one I have until then. Which, of course, does me no good at all without the rest of the armor being right. As for the holster, he said that it is made to fit the blaster, which is huge and heavy. I would not even begin to know how to properly fit that onto my boot. Cut or heat up and shape or both? He did offer a complete refund including shipping. Honestly, I am leaning towards doing just that. My concerns are, I am not certain I have the skills to build my own armor from kit, and the time it takes to build it. I really wanted to make it to mid south con this year and that is a month away. So there is no way to get a kit and build it in that time. So at this point, I am very confused. I am a small guy at 5'6". I knew I would have to make a few mods to get it to fit me, but it just looks plain daunting. Jim, I will pm you and see if this is salvageable. Yours looks great so, I do see a bit of a silver lining here. But the helmet and bund is definitely going back and I am on the fence about the whole thing. This may be one of those lessons learned and passing this armor on later for some MC or SC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StudioCreations Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Smiling, Looking at the picts, I think you can salvage this armor kit and make it fit you right. The boot might be the hardest thing to get to attach, but it does look workable. For the chest, it looks like you only need to trim the bottom a little to get it to curve and fit more flush around your chest, not much though, just 1/2 an inch or so from the center, then taper the trimming till the original edge starts to cuve around. A few of the the original scouts had this 'flat' issue too, hence why KS sculpted his armor this way.... The back plate looks like the shoulders need to be trimmed in a bit , therefore bringing in the back plate closer to your body. I recommend having a friend of your stand behind you, hold the back plate to your back, then you take the chest plate and hold that in the proper position to your chest. Have your freind then mark the over-lapping area on the back plate shoudler area. Trim where need be. You might want to trim a little off the chest shoudlers and a little off the back shoulders, everyone is different when it comes to proper fit and finish in this area. For the boot holster, the front edge of the holster could be trimmed down a bit, and you might be able to trim a 1/2 inch off the back, and that might tighten it up enough to be able to rivet the holster to your boot. The ILM holster did not cuve around too much either, so their boot is a little mis-shapened with the hoslter attached to it. I do think the ILM blaster was a bit smaller than KS's, hence why his holster might be a tad bigger. The helmet... That 'crunch' area is the one thing that has me thinking you want to get a replacement. Message us back here on the discussion baords if you want a few more tips. We are all here to help. PAthfinders helping Pathfinders!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiling Fox Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Jeff, I appreciate all the advice. Between you and Jim, I have a good place to start working. I bought a heat gun today and in the next few days, I'll get started working on the issues. I have ordered cotton webbing and buckles for the belt and will be working on the fit. The helmet will be replaced and they have promised to make the cummerbund right. Hopefully before long, I will actually have a working set of armor and a TB number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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