It begins

[TK-7186[TK]]

I received my armor from RT-MOD today. Now the fun begins. I need to remember to be patient and to take my time. I will start making some snap plates this weekend. I have also printed out every armor setup I could find on the site so I have many references to refer to.

 

-Gerrit

[darksideemt]

and post lots of pics along the way . Good luck!

[xaoslord]

Congrats! Mine is set to be formed when he returns from vacation. Like Travis said, lots and lots of pics!

[Darth Aloha[Admin]]

R Tizzle to the M-O-Dee!

 

Yes. Lots of photos if you please.

 

Let us know if you need help. Post here or PM me anytime.

 

Aloha,

 

-Eric

[TK-7186[TK]]

I shall post many pictures. It would seem I need assistance already. While I cut out the snap plates I thought I would glue the ribbed shoulder strap to the front of the armor. How many ribs should be on the armor? Also, should there be a gap? Should I add a piece of abs to the underneath of the strap to give it a bigger gluing surface to the armor?

[TK-7186[TK]]

After further review, yes I am eager for the NFL playoffs, I will be velcroing them instead of glue. I see for ROTJ they need to be affixed front and back. Plus it is easier to remove once I see some member suits up close. My wife got home and she held the back plate on and I held the front. When I place the ribbed shoulder plate, counting the big flat part, I get two on the back and two on the front. So I am no where near the 5 ribs that I read. Yes, I have a wide chest and broad shoulders. In another 30 years when I cannot lift the heavy weights I will be able to adjust towards five

[Darth Aloha[Admin]]

I might suggest leaving the shoulder bridge glueing until the end. That way you can adjust everything so it all lines up first. I glued mines on right away only to realize I put them too far down the chest and they barely reached the back plate. This is the price of being larger than the average trooper.

 

Aloha,

 

-Eric

 

 

(null)

[TK-7186[TK]]

Does everyone break out in a sweat on their first build? I started gluing the snap plates in. Made sure not to use a lot of glue and smeared it on evenly. Figure I would start off slow with a couple of pieces.

 

-Gerrit

[Spectre]

I didn't break out in a sweat, but I was pretty worried when I started!

Just take it slow and ask if you're unsure, you'll be right.

[Darth Aloha[Admin]]

Yep. Even tho our RT kit comes trimmed it was an anxious and sweaty first couple days. I turned into a real woody Allen for a while.

 

I see you bought the bag of plastic spring clamps from home depot. I wish I had. The metal spring clamps from work and my magnets were challenging to control.

 

Does that sort of blue tape leave residue on your armor? I ended up going back and buying the cheaper regular blue tape... And nearly used the whole roll from fitting fun.

 

I ask this of most other RT troopers.... I ended up trimming my forearms and biceps... did you?

 

And who's photo is that under your bicep? I'm building a list of such things at the moment.

 

Aloha,

 

-Eric

 

 

 

 

[TK-7186[TK]]

So far the blue tape is working fine. No residue. I made one mistake of accidently overlapping the bicep piece on the blue tap. It is going to take me a little to clean that up. I have more pieces drying now.

 

The picture is just a random one I found in a post. I copied all the build pictures I could fine on the site and put them in a word document to print as reference.

 

-Gerrit

[TK-7186[TK]]

More snap plates have been added. Biceps and forearms are togther. I am now ready to start adding the straps to link the chest, back, shoulders and arm pieces together. So far the hardest thing to glue are the thighs. I finally got the front of one done last night. On a postive note my thighs are big enough that I do not need to trim them.

 

-Gerrit

[TK-7186[TK]]

Some random photos:

[LePaul]

How did you make your snap plates? I am curious how the back, that gets glued inside, looks.

[TK-7186[TK]]

This is my first build so other more experinced builders can chime in. With that said, I cut 1 inch by 1-1\2 inch plates, bigger for double snap plates, and put the snap in the center. I then glued another plate to the back of the other one to cover the back of the snap. I read soemwhere that a reaction could occur between the glue and the metal snap that could melt the armor. I then trim the snap for the area, spread on the glue evenly, put it on the armor and let it sit with a clamp over night. The magnets are the best thing ever and in my opinion essential.

[LePaul]

Using the E6000?

 

Is E6000 all you need to glue everything together?

[TK-7186[TK]]

Yes. I am using the E6000 glue.

Here are some pics with some strapping done.

[NastyNoah[TK]]

Can you post some more pics of your progress?

[TK-7186[TK]]

Sure can. This is where I am currently at.

 

-Gerrit

[tkrestonva[TK]]

Interesting. Are you doing a ROTJ build?

[TK-7186[TK]]

Yes. I am attempting to build a ROTJ suit. For my first suit it will be close to ROTJ and I figure I will get more compliant as I go. I have an Ab on order with the correct button orientation and I still have to put the trim around the armor pieces.

 

-Gerrit

[TK-7186[TK]]

Getting there. I need to work on the side straps for Ab and Kidney, belt, Ab buttons, trim around the armor and paint the soles of the boots white. Then I can play around with the setting up the sound system and fans inside the helmet.

 

-Gerrit

[TK-7186[TK]]

No new pictures, but did my first complete test run with everything strapped in. I need to move the cod piece up higher, which means I need to add additional snap plates to the ab section. The thighs were to loose, you could easily fit a hand between the armor and the thigh. I was able to get the rear seam apart and will have to do the dreaded cutting then reglue the thigh.

[TK-7186[TK]]

Buttons from VaderDave have been installed.

 

To do:

I need to attach the legs to the Ab, add the holster to the belt, armor to the gloves, thermal det., and decals on helmet. Then walk around in the full suit and see if it holds together.

Edited February 23, 2012 by gofarlow

[TK-7186[TK]]

I have a few little things to touch up, but decided to throw on the entire suit. I did not think I would be able to do it, but a few months later and I look like a Stormtrooper.

 

Thank you everyone for the help along the way. I will touch up a few things, and take some better pictures for submission later this week. I am already planning future upgrades and will probably get a lot more ideas once I can start seeing everyone elses suits up close.

 

-Gerrit