New AM Armor Build [*AM]

[GnrlGrievous]

I glued down my plate with E6000 and it is holding up good. I did not do any sanding on the ridges to reduce their size. You will want put some glue on the back of the buttons to make sure the nuts do not come loose.

[Vader Rocks]

Thanks Frank. So the plate doesn't need to fit down in cavity on ab plate?? I've used only E-6000 on my build, just didn't know how well it would hold the plate just sitting on top of the ab. I'll give it a try though, thanks again.

[GnrlGrievous]

If you search the forum you can find screen captures that show the plate sitting on a ridge that is wider than what is on the AM armor. Just checked mine and it is still holding tight (lost the paint on one of my buttons though).

[Vader Rocks]

Little bit of a build progress update. Using TrooperTim's snap suggestion, I have the plastic belt attached to the canvas belt, inner drop boxes are attached, sniper plate is installed on left shin, ab plate buttons are attached (thanks GnrlGrievous), thigh pack reshaped with heat just waiting to be riveted on, thermal detonator assembled and painted (got a good deal on some money clips today to hold it) and I received my holster and neckseal from Darman last Fri. (thanks for suggestion Isaac)

 

Things are starting to shape up and hope to have my 501st submission in by this weekend.

 

With all of this I do have a question. I want to install the holster but i'm unsure of what fasteners I need to use. Is it snap, rivet or something else?? If it's rivets, what size diameter is required and how do you prevent the rivet from scratching the armor??

[theisaac]

Chicago Screws like the ones that are on the holster already. I have seen some pretty slick setups with snaps on the inside of the belt that let you snap your holster on and take it off for troops where no blasters are allowed. Good luck this weekend buddy! Keep us posted on what ID you get!

[Vader Rocks]

Thanks Isaac, I sure will.

 

Can the Chicago screws be picked up at a place like lowes or more of a craft place like Michael's???

[TrooperTim]

Lowes or Home Depot will carry "chicago" screws. If you ask for it by that name some people won't know what you're talking about. It's more commonly known as a "binding post screw." For example: http://www.homedepot...catalogId=10053 ...and... http://www.lowes.com...oductId=3012649 I think I used the 1/2 inch ones. Depends how thick your canvas belt and leather straps are.

[Vader Rocks]

Thanks a lot Tim, gonna have to make a stop after work tomorrow.

[Vader Rocks]

Unfortunately, this week didn't exactly go as planned, had some family concerns that required attention. But I was able to make some more progress last night and today.

 

Have to redo ab to kidney shim (again) correctly and redo plastic shoulder straps. Which leads me todays question, sorry, but on this kit the plastic shoulder pieces just don't seem that they'll fit correclty. The straps don't want to lay flush on the armor with the way the armor is contoured on the front where it starts to angle toward the armpit area. I attached it last night figuring i'd see how it would do and it's so misaligned with the back plate that it's not funny, so i'm gonna have to take them back off and figure out a different mounting location. Anyone know how to line them up correctly and still not have that huge gap showing in the front??

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

All the little bits add up in the end, keep up the good work

 

You can use a heat gun to slightly warm plastic and bend to the position you want, hold until it cools down.

[theisaac]

can you post a picture of what you mean. i might have some ideas if i see it.

[Vader Rocks]

Got some good news to share. As of yesterday, i'm now a member of the 501st.

 

TK-32380 REPORTING FOR DUTY!!!!!

 

Thanks you to everyone for all the help and advise. Next up, submit for EI.

[TrooperTim]

Congratulations trooper!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Congrats nice build, now get out there and troop

[theisaac]

Ya man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grats on the pass! Feels great doesn't it?

[Vader Rocks]

Thanks guys. Sure does Isaac. Looking to make my first troop next weekend so ill see how it goes.

[theisaac]

Post pics of the first post and send me a PM so I can check em out! Have fun buddy!

[Vader Rocks]

Going through my armor tonight, getting prepped for my first troop saturday and making sure everything is in order. Unfortunately i've hit somewhat of a snag. It's an issue with my sniper plate position. I've put foam on the insides of my shins to keep them from spinning, which has worked great, but the sniper plate is digging into the front of my knee. I could live with this if it wasn't for the plate hitting the thigh and then pinching my knee between the plate and the thigh. Haven't been able to figure out a solution yet. If anyone has any suggestions i'd really appreciate it, thanks.

 

 

 

This material in between the sniper plate and thigh is the meat of my leg.

 

Edited October 2, 2012 by Vader Rocks

[theisaac]

where is the foam in the shins?

If you put the foam in the back, it will push the shins forward and might give you some room to avoid that pinch.

[Vader Rocks]

The foam in the shins is on each side, left and right, to keep it held straight. Shins are already tight on my leg I don't know if I'd be able to add foam to the back of them.

[Clonecollector[TK]]

Maybe try to cut off some of the return edge on the sniper plate. Then go for a bit more of the return on the bottom of the thigh. It may give you a little more wiggle room so to speak.

 

This material in between the sniper plate and thigh is the meat of my leg.

 

Edited October 2, 2012 by Clonecollector

[Vader Rocks]

Thought about trimming some of the return edge, but was worried about the plate being too thin and more fragile causing it to break if the thigh were to hit one too many times.

[MxPxRobbie[TK]]

Put some foam behind the plate. Should push it out a bit. I had to do that to my fx armor

[Vader Rocks]

Thanks for the thought. Removed the plate last night, put some foam between the plate and shin to help push it forward a little instead of angling back at my knee (angle change suggested by fellow garrison member). Reglued last night, I'll see how it worked after work today.

[Spectre]

I am pretty sure that the AM sniper plate is too think compared to screen kits anyway. There should be a faint line along the edge of the plate that will show you where to cut.