How should I trim these ESB handguards

[NastyNoah[TK]]

I purchased some AM handguards from a fellow member and I was shocked to see how big they were. I first mistook them for shoulder bells, these things are quite massive and I have fairley large hands. Can anyone give me some advice on how to go about doing this ?

 

 

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4093/img1820tj.jpg

 

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9522/img1819zr.jpg

 

 

 

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/6671/img1814wp.jpg

 

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/55/img1816c.jpg

 

I have also noticed from looking at reference pics that these dont look to be the same shape, but I am unsure if trimming them down might make them appear to be closer to the correct shape or if I should use a heat gun and try to bend them to a flatter ESB type look?

 

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3681/img1818qm.jpg

I have taped off about one inch on the front and sides in this picture. Do you think this might be enough or should I cut off more and what is the best way to do this? I was thinking I would use the tape as a guide, trace around it with a pencil, then score with an exacto. I am hesitating doing this since this will be my first attempt at cutting, but as soon as an expert gives me the go ahead, I am willing to give it a try.

Edited June 16, 2021 by gmrhodes13
photos updated gmrhodes13 2021

[darksideemt]

No expert here but where you have the tape looks like a good trim point. I would angle it some towards the wrist so you don't take off quite as much as the front. Just a little angle. After that I don't think you will need to flatten them. Those really are big

[Red5[501st]]

^{I just ordered a pair of these...guess i'll be trimming soon also..they ARE HUGE!}

[john danter]

You could rescue them with a hair drier and pinch them in at the back?

 

Or

 

Buy a pair off me

Edited January 20, 2012 by john danter

[NastyNoah[TK]]

Ok I have trimmed one of these and I still think it needs to be flatter. I dont have a heat gun so I could I drop it into some boiling water for a few seconds then shape it or is boiling water not recommended?

 

[Spectre]

Boiling water should work, and it won't damage the plastic.

Just be sure to hold it in the right shape so it isn't unevenly shaped when it cools.

However I'm not entirely sure how it would go because of the original shape, not sure if it would flatten easily or not.

[john danter]

Hair drier would also do the job.

 

Trick is to bend it with your finger as you apply heat.

Feel the tension in the plastic slowly give as the heat takes affect

 

John

[NastyNoah[TK]]

Thanks John, the hair dryer did the trick.

 

 

My next question is how should I go about attaching them to my Nomex gloves ? I know I should use black cotton thread to do this but the CRL says something that I am unclear of

 

If silk or satin gloves are worn, the hand plates shall have the correct visible stitching pattern using black cotton, with a five point/star pattern, equally spread out with 2 on each side and 1 in the middle front, and needs to be double stitched at each point.

 

I know I need to drill holes where the red dots are for the stictching.

 

... And should I add two holes or just one at the wrist area ?

 

What is the five point/star pattern Stitch, could some one give me an example of this

[ThayNerd[TK]]

Good luck trimming them Noah, if you mess up John makes a great hand guard.

[tkrestonva[TK]]

Look here: http://forum.whitear...?showtopic=4980

 

The CRL you quoted is a Centurion requirement. Basic 501st acceptance and EIB don't require it. If you are going to go with screen-accurate stitching, I recommend not using Nomex but instead picking up a set of short silks/satins. Otherwise, just use some elastic handstraps glued to the underside of the handplates.

 

I have two sets of ESB gauntlets - one set with short satin gloves and accurate stitching (screen-accurate), another set with elastic handstraps and Nomex gloves (trooping practical). While the screen-accurate set looks great and is good for photo shoots, the practical set is, well, more practical. Much easier to get on/off, pick up small objects, and no riding up at the wrist or stitch-breaking every time I make a fist.

 

With the accurate set, it got to the point where I had to resew my gloves after every troop.

[ThayNerd[TK]]

Great job trimming can't wait to see more pics.

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

this is the exact thread pattern thanks to TROOPERMASTER!

 

[NastyNoah[TK]]

Thanks guys I think I may go with 2 sets of hand guards. I didn't know how inaccurate mine were until looking at Verns, I will now be purchasing a set from John Danter in the future. Thanks for all the help and support.

[steelgrip]

I just got a pair for my son's esb build and was shocked how huge they were. I'm glad i found this thread(been offline for awhile). Thanks everyone.

[nightryder32]

what kind of tool did you use for trimming? Im about to do the same with the glove armor.

[SubSkip[TK]]

I used these:

http://www2.fiskars.com/Crafting/Products/Scissors-Snips-and-Sharpeners/Ultimate-Craft-Snip-8#.UbMpBecywvw

[ComradeDave[TK]]

Having the same issue does anyone have more pictures of trim lines or something? Or some references to esb handguards in the film's?

[cjdesign[TK]]

I JUST COPIED THE PHOTO... GOOD LUCK. I USED TIN SNIPS AND A COARSE FILE TO FINE TUNE, 10 MINUTES.

 

Having the same issue does anyone have more pictures of trim lines or something? Or some references to esb handguards in the film's?

[ComradeDave[TK]]

I JUST COPIED THE PHOTO... GOOD LUCK. I USED TIN SNIPS AND A COARSE FILE TO FINE TUNE, 10 MINUTES.

 

the photos weren't loading on my home rig... I see what Noah did now. I'll do the same thing.

[Knockerbot[501st]]

How did this turn out Dave

[ComradeDave[TK]]

How did this turn out Dave

I Haven't done any TK work in a while I kind of am out of disposable income for the moment.

[Knockerbot[501st]]

I know how you feel buddy