Seperating Cod and Tail

[Marvinrobot]

Anybody have a tutorial or diagram on seperating the cod and tail? I have a basic idea on what I want to do but just want to double check with others who have already done it. Obviously I'm dealing with solid ab pieces.

[firebladejedi[TK]]

The only advice i will give for cutting the cod is make sure it will be hiden by the belt so it will not be visible. For the butt part i think most armour will have a seam line for you to follow, here's where i cut mine.

 

[TK4999[TK]]

On FX armor there is a line where you need to cut. The cut line should be at the LOWER belt line, just like in the picture above.

[Marvinrobot]

I take it you attached with elastic and snap...

[Runnriottt]

What binnies do you get from cutting the butt? I havent done mine yet...

[dougefresh]

What binnies do you get from cutting the butt? I havent done mine yet...

 

Makes it more accurate, if you're going for the ANH look... and supposedly, it makes it easier to sit down and bend over.

I had the ab and the kidney/ butt cut on my FX, and it does allow a *bit* more flexibility. But as anyone who has dropped anything in armor knows, it's gonna' be a pretty comical experience no matter what. You're gonna look like a doofus tryin' to pick it up either way.

[Runnriottt]

I am fianlly going to cut the cod, so I can pee... Sucks getting un dressed to tinkle... Lesson learned!

 

I think I am going to keep the but and back attached. No saggy trooper butt...

[Woppo[TK]]

I think if you want to be deployed you need to cut the back, but not the front...right?

[Marvinrobot]

I guy I trooped with had his cod seperated for the bathroom factor...didn't look bad

[Daetrin[Admin]]

Cutting the butt plate to make two separate pieces is required for ANH/ESB Elite standards. The FX is the only mainline kit that requires this as others come this way.

 

As for adding mobility - it all depends on the person. Some find it to add to it, others not. Also, it should be noted that if you're going for movie accuracy the cod should not be cut, as the ab plate was a single piece.

 

I've found I'm able to hit the can w/o having the cod separated, but others find it necessary. You can always try it and if you don't like it, just get a new ab plate.

 

One last approach: get a butt/kidney from RT or AP and just sell your current back plate.

[firebladejedi[TK]]

I cut my cod as i was building my suit up and it is a great help for sitting down, however i wish i had cut it higher up. I may look at getting another ab plate to do this at some point.

 

[Laspector[TK]]

If you cut the cod piece like in the preceding post , attach it to the stomach piece with straps and just use a 3 or 4 inch strap with snaps to attach to the butt plate between the legs. Then you can just unsnap between the legs and lift up the cod piece to pee. Of course this only works if you have a 2 piece undersuit or either a zipper in the crotch....I have no idea how female TKs handle this problem.

[kiyotei[TK]]

fireblade, what armor do you have? The AP ab plate has a distinct line I think you can cut along. I have not done this but I am considering it. I would like better flexibility plus the bathroom thing.

[firebladejedi[TK]]

kiyotei i have fx atm, but i wish i had cut my ab another 2 inches higher where the detail parts finish about 1 inch under the buttons. I dont really know what the ap armour looks like can you post a pic of just the ab plate?

[Darth_Nickel]

I cut my cod with about 1.5-2 inches of the upper Ab section attached to it. I'll add a picture tonight (if I can't find one I already have). Basically it's about a 1/4 inch below the "dimple" where the FX plastic belt attaches to the front ab. Does that make sense?

 

I just made my points then on the back side drew a line from point A to point B using a straight edge, then cut away. Seems to have worked out well so far.

[Ketariniii]

Ill be interested to see where this goes.

[firebladejedi[TK]]

I think i know here you mean Brad be sure to post up some pics. This is where i would cut it if i did it again, the line is a little faint but you get the idea.

 

[Woppo[TK]]

I cut mine a little bit higher up than that so the cut went along the bottom of the detail things (what are they called?) Cutting there worked fine for me.

[Darth_Nickel]

firebladejedi said:

I think i know here you mean Brad be sure to post up some pics. This is where i would cut it if i did it again, the line is a little faint but you get the idea.

 

 

 

I forgot to take some pictures sorry (I'll try to remember tonight). This is just about perfect for where I cut mine though (Thanks Mark).

 

It's worked out well. It's then attached to the ab in 3 sections of elastic w/snaps. I'm a tall trooper, so it actually has also helped give me some height on the ab section (so I don't pop out under the chest plate). The belt covers the gap in the front very well, and I let the back kind of "float" similar to the pictures above. I have Velcro on the underside of my belt in the front (one of Marks fabulous belts BTW...). The Velcro ensures that the belt doesn't slip in the gap (which can cause the snaps to pop and your cod to pop) (which is a little embarrassing... )

[Sgt Steve]

I am working on my FX now, and on the first one I cut the cod/back, and did so again. I just coud not move at all very well before cutting, and now say it really is a must to do. I'll see if I can post a pic or two tonight, but due to work I can't upload things like pic's This time I "trimmed" the edges with stuff you get to trim the edges around the underside of the helmet. I did get poked a lot buy the ruff edge on my older FX kit and didn't like that too much

[kiyotei[TK]]

Anyone with AP done this mod? I want to cut my cod on my AP but curious who else with AP has done this. AP seems to have a good line to cut on. I'll have to compare the pics above of the FX to see where that imaginary line would be on my AP.

[Erocku]

Anyone with AP done this mod? I want to cut my cod on my AP but curious who else with AP has done this. AP seems to have a good line to cut on. I'll have to compare the pics above of the FX to see where that imaginary line would be on my AP.

 

I found a good method somewhere on the internet of finding out where you need to cut the cod. Take a piece of cardboard and trim it to the shape of your ab piece. Then hold it against your body and bend forward. The cardboard will fold at the point you need to cut. I haven't done this yet as I'm still assembling my armor, but I will be using this method.

[kiyotei[TK]]

Good idea. Houston eh, I used to live there, loved it. I miss TX.

[Ketariniii]

So what method has everyone used to connect their newly cut pieces? I was considering gluing s piece of black cloth in the back but i dont know how well that would work.

[Peregrinus]

I have my own ideas, but they differ from the more common methods, so I don't know if you're interested in hearing them...

 

--Jonah