TKuper05's AP Build

[kupertrooper]

My build thread wasn't showing up correctly so I'm making a new thread.Please reply to this thread.

 

This is the old thread: (http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/21041-anh-stunt-first-build-ap/page__st__20)

 

Ok, so I've trimmed out everything but the greeves, ab, chest, back, thighs, and sniper plate.

 

About to apply my second coat of PlastiDip to the inside of my helmet. It is not assembled yet, probably going to do that when I get into waiting on glue to dry.

 

Should the ab/cod plate have any return edges on it? It has a cut line on it that looks like the top should have a return edge but that doesn't make sense.

[LadyInWhite[TK]]

Doesn't need a return edge on the parts that hide underneath other parts (top edge). The cut line is mainly for the buck. The bottom edges are up to you. Just make sure it doesn't pinch

 

Isn't trimming so much fun? Builds hand strength.

[TK Keith[TK]]

Isn't trimming so much fun? Builds hand strength.

 

You've got that right!

 

... too bad I've never been really comfortable cutting straight lines. Maybe it's the perfectionist in me. Having some fine sandpaper handy helped me out a lot in my build.

Edited October 19, 2012 by TK 5376

[kupertrooper]

My thumb is sooo sore right now.....

 

I'm wanting to do a return edge on my chest, how do these cut lines look?

 

Edited October 19, 2012 by tkuper05

[FunkyTrigger[TK]]

Your older ANH build thread was showing up fine.

Hopefully a moderator can join your two build threads back together.

[kupertrooper]

Pretty much done on the trimming. I have a question though. What do you do if you are using the butt join method but cant afford to cut any off to align the ridges? I may run into that on my arms. Now that everything is trimmed I'm not looking forward to fitting everything. I've read this forum for a month now and I'm still pretty sure I will ruin my armor on this next phase.

Edited October 20, 2012 by tkuper05

[kupertrooper]

Belt and Thermal Detonator clips are done. I used one inch wide aluminum strips. I will try to make the inner drop boxes magnetic so I can store stuff in there so I haven't attached them yet.

 

 

Here's a pic of the strapping so far:

 

 

Question

 

Which end do I trim?

 

A

 

or

 

B

[Dr.Senf]

Hey thanx for your pm.

Ill have a look later and let you know.

Regards Dr.

 

 

Tapatalk.

[FunkyTrigger[TK]]

I would trim at the hand end, <br />I think that this was,your picture A, <br />from your choice between the two pics where you showed the overlap at the hand end.<br /><br />The reasoning behind this suggestion is...<br />because at this end, you are required to have no return edge. <br />This end in effect can quite simply be a straight chopped off cut.

Edited October 21, 2012 by FunkyTrigger

[Dr.Senf]

I trimmed at the elbowend, since you want a nice front of the forearm and at the elbow you need to trimm anyway so you can move your arms and not get bites.

Allign the front and glue one side after the other and put a abs strip inside aswell since ap is a bit sturdy.

But measure 5 times and cut once.

Make sure its a snug fit so that you just get your hands through them.

I would take all the returnedge at the front of since its more comfy and if you wanna go eib/centurion you have to do it anyway.

Best Dr.

 

 

Tapatalk.

[FunkyTrigger[TK]]

Oh well.

Two totally different suggestions.

Both backed up with facts.

 

Both will work,

The choice is yours and shows what flexibility and choices you have when you are form fitting your closed Armour parts to fit you and be comfortable.

[Dr.Senf]

If you check some build threads you ll see that all have flush fitting at the wrists and more or less custom cut outs at the ellbow for comfort.

Since the forearms will get a bit narrow to the wrist i think cutting at the elbow is safer and gives more space for fixing minor errors.

But just my 2ct and how i did it.

; )

 

 

Tapatalk.

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

always align parts starting from the top for legs, and the wrist area should be aligned for the forearms and the elbow area trimmed flush

for biceps simply leave a return at the top/back of the elbow. and leave a small return across your bicep muscle area.

 

for details on how parts should look take a look at the referance gallery for photos.

 

 

this is right.

[kupertrooper]

Thanks for all the feedback. Very much appreciated! I'm freaking out thinking I'm going to ruin something. I will trim the elbow portion of the forearms. I agree this is the best way too because if I trim the front of the forearm it will miss with the bumps that are on the outer forearm.

 

How does the bicep look?

 

Question. On LadyInWhite's build thread she says to use 20-25mm width cover strips for the thighs and shins. Do most people use 20 or 25?

 

These thighs seem super funky and also very wide down towarwds the knee. I think I may taper them down since my knees are not that big. Any opinions on that?

Edited October 21, 2012 by tkuper05

[kupertrooper]

While waiting on feedback from my questions I thought I would share some things that have helped my on my build.

 

I'm the network admin for my company and when I destroy hard drives I keep the magnets in them. Who knew they would come in handy. I have about 30-40 of them. They are working really well.

 

After reading all the hype about metal reacting with E6000 I went to Walmart and got some of these.

 

This is how I plan to trim the ears on my helmet. It will copy the curve of the tube so it will be easy to make my ears fit.

[kupertrooper]

Also, what paint should I use for rivets? I have a store locally that sells 'testors' brand.

[kupertrooper]

Another question. Can you get Centurion with AP helmet decals or would I need some Dave M. ones?

[Dr.Senf]

Go all handpainted!!!!

 

 

Tapatalk.

[kupertrooper]

It's a little too late to ask this now but, how tall is too tall for AP armor, I'm 5' 11". I did a very rough test of the torso last night and with no gap in the butt/kidney/back, it seemed like the back was too far down. Also, my butt plate sticks out and the sides of it flare out. I know pics would be nice but I dont have any at the moment.

Edited October 25, 2012 by tkuper05

[Clamps[TK]]

I'm 5'10.5" and the AP fits me nicely for lengths. But everyone's body type/length is different so let's see some photos of your concerns to better understand the fit.. <br /><br />I used Velcro tabs on my butt/kidney connections to keep them aligned nicely. Check my build thread in my sig for reference.<br /><br />** sorry just noticed the no photo detail.

Edited October 25, 2012 by chookaboom

[Dr.Senf]

It will fit you just right i think its actually a very good fit.

I am 5 foot 7 and i could be a bit taller to achieve a "perfect" fit.

So no worries!

 

 

Tapatalk.

[kupertrooper]

Here are some picks of the torso. Please feel free to critique on anything that's fixable lol. I know the chest needs to be squared up a little. Is the back plate too low? Will I need to shim to get Centurion?

 

Edited October 27, 2012 by tkuper05

[kupertrooper]

Here is the front of the helmet.

 

 

Will this gap close enough for the ears?

Edited October 27, 2012 by tkuper05

[kupertrooper]

Here is a pic of one ear. The back doesn't look as good as the front. Should I work on it?

[Geaux Saints[TK]]

I think you did a great job on the front of the ear. I've learned not to get too worked up on perfecting the ears. If you look at screen shots, you'll see that there is spacing on their helmets as well. I would think that if it bothered you then trim it a little. Remember....the enemy of good is better.

 

I have TM armor and have no return edge on the bottom of my biceps, so I don't know for sure on AP, but it seems to me that there could be a little more trimming in those biceps pics....just my opinion.

 

Also, with regards to the helmet, I hand painted mine and it has by far been the most enjoyable and rewarding part of my build so far.

 

What is that device you used to get the outer curve of the helmet tube? Great idea.

Edited October 28, 2012 by Geaux Saints