First ever TK build (ATA)

[Potty Meister]

The box arrived today.

 

 

 

 

I laid out all the pieces to get a good look at what I've gotten myself into...

 

 

 

 

...and decided not to waste any time and got the initial trimming done. The curved lexan scissors are a godsend, but my hand and arm are killing me.

 

 

[NoVATie[Admin]]

So far so good

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

And there was much excitement, congrats and good luck with the build -------

Edited May 3, 2022 by gmrhodes13
link removed no longer working

[Nicky]

Only with scissors, yes that's going to give you pain very quickly.

 

Have you tried xacto/utility knife, and score and snap technique?

[magicmemories2[TK]]

Congratulations on your choice of ATA armor, my son & I have built these kits & have been pleased with the quality, just take your time check twice & cut once. you`se the threads as your guide ask questions. see if there may be any "armor party`s " in your area they can help with the strapping, snap placement, & other short cuts that will help you in your build. Good luck.

Edited October 26, 2012 by magicmemories2

[gazmosis[501st]]

Great choice on the ATA!! Love the kit and the results!

 

[Potty Meister]

Only one picture to share for now. I concentrated mainly on the arms and legs tonight to get them prepped for cover strips. So far, test fits feel pretty good. I cut the arms to accomodate 5/8" cover strips, the thighs for 7/8", and the shins for 1". One question I have about the back of the shins is if they get cut the same as the front; meaning half an inch on each side. Or is it best to leave a little extra? I'm going to connect the backs with velcro. I employed the use of the score and snap method for trimming tonight since I was mostly dealing with straight cuts. I have a mini armor party with another guy in my garrison tomorrow who just got his armor so hopefully we can get a lot done!

 

This is so cool!

 

 

Edited October 27, 2012 by Potty Meister

[Potty Meister]

Progress update...any input/suggestions are appreciated!

 

Inside strips on the biceps

 

Snap plates inside biceps

 

Inside strips on forearms

 

I made 45-50 snap plates while waiting for my armor and wasted no time getting them installed

 

Snap plates for everyone!

 

Finished biceps

 

Finished forearm...and one almost there

 

Okey doke, on to the body armor. I've got a bit of a flaring problem on the butt and kidney pieces. It appears this armor is made for someone much larger than me. Everything here is strapped with elastic, even though it doesn't look like it on the sides. What is the best approach to fix this?

 

Other than my backside looking huge, how does this look? Is the gap between the back and kidney piece acceptable?

[Potty Meister]

Before continuing, I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the information that has been shared about how to build this kit. Everything I've been able to do so far is the result of months of research on this forum. The tutorials that people have been willing to share help so much. It is amazing how much everyone has been willing to help, either directly or indirectly. Thank you!

 

In case anyone is curious, I'm doing butt joins on everything. Arms are good to go. Time to add some straps...

 

 

Started on the thighs. One thigh uses all the magnets I have. The earth magnets I bought aren't the strongest ones out there, but they get the job done. I have to double or triple them up (sometimes more) in some places to get a hold.

 

Inside cover strips on the thigh

 

Prepped my calves for cover strips.

[SCTrooper[TK]]

Wow, your build is looking really clean. One thing though, I noticed the kidney piece may be upside down. The top edge is a little shorter then the bottom edge, you can tell by holding it up to your backside, the edges that connects to the ab should run straight up and down. Kind of hard to tell from you pic's. without a side shot.

[Potty Meister]

I think you're right. One side definitely looks longer than the other. I'll get it turned around and try to get some better pics

[Potty Meister]

Ok, I turned the kidney piece around. It definitely feels better. Here are my issues now...

 

Quite a bit of flaring on the sides

 

From the side it actually lines up pretty well, it's just not flush to my body. Looks like I've got a bit of sanding to do as well

 

 

 

Now, when I put the belt on I get a pretty big overlap. I have a 33ish waist. Sorry the belt was a little low in these pictures. I'm thinking I'll have to trim the kidney a little bit. Might help the flaring problem??

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for any suggestions

[FunkyTrigger[TK]]

Trim to fit you body so that there are no overlaps.

Don't worry about the flaring out yet,

You haven't added the AB to kidney joining elastics yet to form your clamshell and thus hold the Armour together.

 

 

[Mogwai[TK]]

Looks great, you are on a good way! Keep on going.

Trim the overlaps an make it fit to your Body. That way it looks much cleaner.

For me, I had to add some side pieces, to close the gap

[Potty Meister]

Trim to fit you body so that there are no overlaps.

Don't worry about the flaring out yet,

You haven't added the AB to kidney joining elastics yet to form your clamshell and thus hold the Armour together.

 

The straps are actually already installed and connected in those pics. It's just hard to see them in the picture.

[SCTrooper[TK]]

Glad you got it sorted out. Since you have glued the snap plates in, they may have to be removed so you can trim a bit off the sides of the kidney piece. They should be easy to take off if you are using e6000. Just dont trim too much off, in case you gain a few Lbs. The armor should fit you, but not tight. I tuck the kidney piece about 1/4" on each side behind the ab plate, gives alittle room to expand without showing a big gap. Tape it together and see how it fits before you glue the snaps back in. Your build is going by fast, for starting less than a week ago.

[Potty Meister]

Among some other random jobs, I trimmed the kidney piece and the overlap is pretty much gone, but it still has the flaring problem. Sorry, only more more pics of the kidney...others will follow later

 

 

 

 

This is fully strapped, and it still sticks out.

 

Trooperbay belt is a little big for me...I'll have to fix this.

 

Flaring with belt.

 

 

 

I put on one of my finished thighs (yes the top needs to be trimmed a bit) to show how far the butt sticks out. Is this something a heat gun can fix? Again, thanks for the input.

[SCTrooper[TK]]

Try to avoid the heatgun if possible, and make your side straps shorter so they have some tension on them. Here is a shot of armor like yours. Notice there is enough tension on the elastic to bring the parts together. You may also have to trim the same amount off the butt piece that was trimmed off the kidney. These a just suggestions, the pieces look pretty good with the belt on them, making the straps shorter may help.

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Edited May 3, 2022 by gmrhodes13
link removed no longer working

[Potty Meister]

I was thinking about making some nylon straps for the sides for better tension, but then I wonder about flexibility. I've always heard that you're supposed to use elastic everywhere. Just wondering if anyone else has tried nylon strapping in certain places. Might try it just for kicks...but I'm pretty sure my current elastic straps can be made a bit shorter. So far, the mid section is turning out to be the hardest part.

[Mogwai[TK]]

I only use elastic straps at the shoulder Bridge. Everywhere else i am using non elastic nylon straps.

For me that works great, everything stays in Place.

[Potty Meister]

Ok...progress

 

First order of business (for today) - shins! Inside cover strips glued.

 

 

 

With the exception of the ammo pack, my thighs are completed. I completed a thigh garter using this tutorial. I basically duplicated it. http://www.whitearmo...ter-for-thighs/

 

riveted plastic to elastic strap

 

 

velcro on plastic

 

 

velcro on inside of thigh

 

 

Next, on to my kidney piece. I trimmed a bit more and installed nylon straps and my overlap/flare is pretty much gone. woot! Still have a bit of flare on the top...little things. Also, I glued on the ab buttons

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple pics of the flare I still have on the bottom. This is still strapped with elastic. I'm contemplating using nylon straps on this too. If anyone has suggestions for fixing a flaring butt, do tell! thx

 

 

 

 

My arms are very close. Just need to strap the shoulders to the shoulder bridge. The shins are very close. Getting close for a first full body test fit. yay!

[Potty Meister]

Arms/Shins progress

 

Arms are strapped

 

Back cover strips on shins

 

 

 

 

Ok, the sniper plate. This is not glued yet. I wanted to make sure the positioning looks good and that this is how it's supposed to connect and look. Is it supposed to be flush all the way around or is it ok to have those small gaps between it and the shin?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SCTrooper[TK]]

Looks good, the finishing strip on front of the shins runs the the whole lenth of the shin, but the back stops at the rear shin upper detail.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking good, keep it up

[Potty Meister]

First test fit.

 

Immediate takeaways - need to put some padding inside the top of the left shin to keep the sniper plate from digging into my knee; going up and down stairs is awkward; my right bicep and forearm appear to be a little bit lower than the left; looks weird without gloves; butt flare; minor kidney flare; need to devise a way to keep the neckseal under my shirt (keeps slipping out. anyone else with darman's neckseal have this problem?)

 

This being the first time suiting up, let me have it!

 

 

 

 

Some side shots...