A Slightly Disheveled Medium and a Pristine Big Brown Box Arrived Today - Dark's RT-Mod ANH Hero (and Stunt) Build Thread

[usaeatt2]

I wouldn't trim any from the length.  You can bend your arm and it looks like you've got just enough room to bend your wrist = minimal black showing.  I read somewhere there are 11 dimples on one and 12 dimples on the other forearm, but that may be RS armor only - yours both appear to have 11.  I vote for only wrist return edge removal and a refitting.

 

As far as leaving room for your forearms to swell - can you get away with creating an even gap (I'm talking 5mm or less so it doesn't start looking obvious) between the halves and still using the 15mm cover strips - seems like I've seen that before.  If you need extra reinforcement, you could always install inner strips.

[millenium1]

Tim, also remove all the return edge from the inner of the forearm and leave a little on the outer. 

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

So, I've essentially taken the "leap of faith" and started cutting.

 

As I posted above, I did some more extensive reviewing of other RT-Mod builds, and came to the conclusion that I was facing the same situations that they all did so I should probably just address the situations like they all did - with one exception. I realized that even eliminating the return edge would not allow me to slip my hands in and out without removing some skin from my thumb (I'll snap a picture of that later for you all - seems to be the thing to do). As a result of this, like Aaron mentioned above, I realized that I needed to look into what I could do within the auspices of "Screen Accurate" which is to answer the question, "Do I have enough room on my forearms to keep the cover strips at 15mm and provide some space between the parts?" The answer is thankfully, yes.

 

Here's some pictures:

 

I started by using some tape and magnets to see if I could answer those questions mentioned above.

 

Next, I marked the return edge area in pencil so I could :::gulp::: cut the armor.

 

Cutting tools gathered and assembled in a stall tactic, to prevent myself from actually making that dreaded first cut.

 

Choosing the curved lexan scissors, I dove right in and made the commitment to the cut, took a deep breath, and started cutting.

 

One piece of return edge removed, major relief settled in, and a big sigh of relief has been breathed. I guess I can just cut as needed.

 

Outer forearm return edge removed. Almost seems easy now!

 

Since I'm going to be placing 15mm shims inside the forearms, I've got to cut some more of them out of the extra ABS that came with the kit. So, using one of the cover strips supplied by Rob as a template, I started cutting them.

 

Feliks, surveying the cover strips, as night shift managers are wont to do. He approves of all four of them, and the two ABS pieces for the Bicep hooks as well!

 

One inner shim, taped into place for a dry-run/test-fit.

 

Both of the inner shims, taped into place, awaiting some E6000.

 

E6000 applied and waiting for two minutes or so, before pressing the pieces together for magnet application.

 

Both inner shims glued and held in place with magnets.

 

Glue is drying in all four spots - for the next 24 hours or so...

 

Both forearms... I think I like watching glue dry better than I enjoy watching paint dry.

 

A look at the wrist side return edge on one of the forearms.

 

Just like the E-11 thread, open to any questions/comments that you may have to offer up.

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

In addition to the work on the forearms earlier, you may have noticed two small-ish pieces of ABS cut for use as the bicep hooks. They were made using SIMpixels' awesome tutorial, and I only had to make three of them to get the two good ones that you'll see here.

 

Here are the two pieces of ABS that will become the Biceps hooks. Actually this isn't the same two pieces because, as I mentioned, I had to make a third one before getting two of them that were usable.

 

Measurements in mm are marked here for bending into the proper shape.

 

Using my hobby files, I scored the ABS strips for bending/heating, and shaping. My mistake - which led to the untimely demise of hook #1 is seen here in the picture. The "cut" to the far right should have been made on the backside of the ABS, rather than on the front.

 

Final two hooks. If you look at the one on the right, you can see that the bottom bend had been cut on the "front" side. I was able to save this one after cutting the proper line on the back too close to this line on the first one. For the second one (seen here) I moved it slightly further from the cut on the front.

 

At this point in time, I've simply got to verify the spot that they'll be glued to inside of the biceps pieces, and shape/sand them to fit, before gluing them into place.

 

Thanks for following along. At this point in time, I can truly say that I'm seriously enjoying this build, and beginning to rack my brains about the "fabric" based materials and the paint colors that I'll need to pick up for the ab buttons. Next up... Sizing/testing the shins before gluing them together! Moving along, moving along!

Edited June 14, 2014 by Dark CMF

[swmand4]

I still have about 99 sheets of the 1/2" circular labels I used as a stencil of sorts for painting my ab buttons. If you want a sheet, send me a PM.

 

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

I'm pretty sure that Rob (RT-Mod) has to be about the exact same size that I am. Why? Because as I mentioned earlier in the thread, the armor just FITS me out of the box with little bits of alteration so far.

 

As I said in my last post, the shin sizing/testing was coming next so that's what you're about to see. Here are some pics:

 

Undersuit pants, boot socks, TKboots, RT-Mod shins, and painter's tape. The two bits of tape on the inside of the top are marking spots where I will be reducing/softening the return edges, as they were rather "bitey" right there.

 

A peek at the sides...

 

From the back - sort of - not sure why my wife told me to pull my shorts up. I guess they were sitting around the knees and blocking the view or something.

 

Kellan thought it was very cool that Daddy had "Stormtrooper Legs" on, so he asked me to wear the Stormtrooper Helmet, too. How can I deny such a request from a two year old that just woke up from a nap and wanted to show off his best dance moves?

 

At this point in time, I asked him "What are you doing?"

 

His response: "I don't know." Works for me, I guess. LoL

 

To me, they look good right now - outside of some return edge adjusting.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Dark CMF

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Two things happened since my last post:

 

1, I realized that I had pictures missing; and 2, I did a little more work.

 

Here come the pictures:

 

The knee ammo box ends are not quite "round" enough out of the box.

 

Using the TD pipe supplied in the kit, I mark the end with a more rounded curve.

 

Here's a look at the new curve, marked for cutting.

 

Using the curved Lexan scissors, I cut the end to the mark that I made... Now it needs to be sanded.

 

Sanded down smoothly and ready for installation when I get done with the thighs. All of this work was done on the other side, too.

 

The forearm cover strips have been cut to length and all gluing surfaces have been sanded lightly for better adhesion.

 

Applying E6000 to one of the forearms for cover strip application.

 

Both of them, glued, magneted, and clamped - waiting for 24 hours.

 

Since I'd already test-fit the shins, and had no issues with them besides some return edges that need to be reduced, I decided to start gluing one of them.

 

Of course, with the forearm cover strips drying, there are no more magnets available to use. I do still have these two big clamps, and lots of painter's tape, so a gluing we will go!

 

I'm not sure what the night manager thinks about this, but we'll know if it was a worthwhile attempt in less than 24 hours now.

 

So, thanks for following along so far. Tomorrow I hope to get the other shin's front cover strip glued and perhaps start figuring out the thighs...

[Eddy]

Hey Tim,

 

Congratulation for your armour!!

 

I am following up all your picture and assembling process because, I decided for RT too. But I need to wait for next year, 2015 to will be contact again to Rob. Sorry, but can you tell me if Rob could paint the inside of the helmet in black for you? And what method you have used for the join?

 

Enjoy all the process and keep the contact with all the assembling...

 

 

Thx...Eddy

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Eddy.

 

Thank you. It's very exciting, rewarding, and fun to build it.

 

Rob painted the inside of both of my buckets. I'll post a picture of the inside in my next update so you can see it.

 

Did you get put on his wait list yet? I'd make sure I ask him about that. Otherwise, if you wait until then to contact him, you might have to wait until 2016. He stays busy, and in demand, as you've seen.

 

I'm using E6000 to glue the armor together. It creates a very strong bond, and can be undone if you have to re-do something for any reason, but it takes 24 hours to fully cure, so it's a bit slow going.

[gazmosis[501st]]

Yes, Tim, I have been hovering around your build. Nice progress so far. Think of a way to iron out the thumbprint from the right bicep. That'd be cool. In regards to your forearms, the one thing that has always bothered me about RT armor is the flat spot between the the ridge with the indented squares and the ends of the forearms. You have trimmed the wrist side. 

As you see, it is clear that there is no space between that ridge and the forearm end. If it doesn;t mess with the overall length and fit on your arm, I'd trim that area. You have the talents to make that right.

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Thanks for checking in, Steve. Naturally, I'm going to keep on plugging along with what I believe I know and understand based on a lot of research and reviews of other build threads, but it is still reassuring to get some experienced opinions here and there.

 

That was exactly what I was looking at - all of that "space" at the elbow end. I think that the length of the forearms is perfect as it is, really. I've got a very scary idea, and some extra ABS. We'll see what happens with that though, as it is just an idea right now. All I can say about it at the moment is, it is inspired by Q (gmrhodes) and Diana's build crew. Perhaps the idea will also assist with that right thumbprint, as well. We'll see. I called it scary for a reason.

 

All I really cut off of the wrist was the return edge. I was very careful to remove the minimal amount of plastic possible to flatten that end some. As it turns out, I'll just sacrifice a bit of my thumb each time I armor up, and I won't take it off unless/until I'm done. LoL

 

Also, since I promised Eddy a picture of the inside of the bucket, here it is:

This is how it looked inside, straight out of the box. Rob did the painting as an extra service that I requested.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Dark CMF

[Eddy]

Eddy.

 

Thank you. It's very exciting, rewarding, and fun to build it.

 

Rob painted the inside of both of my buckets. I'll post a picture of the inside in my next update so you can see it.

 

Did you get put on his wait list yet? I'd make sure I ask him about that. Otherwise, if you wait until then to contact him, you might have to wait until 2016. He stays busy, and in demand, as you've seen.

 

I'm using E6000 to glue the armor together. It creates a very strong bond, and can be undone if you have to re-do something for any reason, but it takes 24 hours to fully cure, so it's a bit slow going.

 

I know Tim, but not yet. I contacted Rob and I asked him when I can contact or remind for put me on wait list and he told me: " Any time after midnight January 2015"...hehehe

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited June 16, 2014 by Eddy

[swmand4]

Heh, wish I'd thought to ask Rob to paint the inside of my bucket. Looks very cool. Maybe I'll buy another helmet one of these days...

[Ontel]

So jealous! It still seems like it will be a while before I can even order a kit for myself. Fingers crossed for the end of summer!!!!

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Snaps[TK]]

Hey Tim, nice progress on your build....that glue seems to take forever to dry doesn't it? LOL...

[Eddy]

Thx Tim, for the picture of the inside...look very nice the final job by Rob. I'll keep in mind when talking to him.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited June 16, 2014 by Eddy

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Hey Tim, nice progress on your build....that glue seems to take forever to dry doesn't it? LOL...

Indeed... Indeed it does. That and "only" having 99 magnets is what led to the tape as a securing agent for the cover strip on the left shin. Seems to have worked pretty well, honestly.

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Okay, a little bit more work done last night, so a few more pictures to share:

Here they are!  The forearms are now just awaiting some strapping (and potentially a little bit of heat iron work, too ) to the biceps, and the arms will be pretty much done!

 

And, this is the best I could do in sizing them.  I'm just going to have to give a little to the cause before and after each troop.  You can definitely count on me not taking off my right arm's armor before the trooping for the day is completely over.  LoL

 

The right shin is now letting the glue dry on it's front cover strip.  The left was taped together due to the magnets being on the forearms, if you recall.  The shins now need to have the cover strips put on the backs, and a touch-up on the return edge on the right one, and they'll be good to go - outside of the closure material being installed.  Again, Feliks approves, but he was skeptical of my decision to use tape on the left shin's cover strip.

 

Okay - reinforcement point/help here:  The cover strip on the back of the shin goes on the outside of the leg, correct?  That way, the opening is on the inside.  I'm 99% sure of this, but wanted to clarify it before I glue them on stupidly tonight or something.

 

Speaking of that left shin a moment ago, here it is with the sniper plate being test fitted on it.  I think I fully understand why these things create emo troopers and/or murderers, because I wanted to cut something apart while dealing with it, too.

 

Since it looks pretty good here, it is time to sand/scuff/scratch up the gluing areas and roll the dice on assembling it.

 

Clamps, tape, and magnets working together to bend the sniper plate to my will.

 

A peek at the tension apparatus, from above and behind the sniper plate.  This thing has the potential to make people crazy.  I get it.

 

Once again, we're watching glue dry.  Initially, I had it glued quite high on the top of the knee.  I realized this after it had been glued and clamped for pretty close to two hours, and initially I started hyperventilating a bit.  Then, I remembered that this was exactly the type of thing that I anticipated doing, which led me to use the E6000 instead of the CA Glue/Zap-a-Gap combination.  Rather than panic, I simply adjusted the tensioning system that I had in place, by adjusting the tape and magnets to pull the plate downward until I felt like it was in a good position.  To me, this worked really well, as the glue had probably started ever so slightly to gum up, and when I peeked at it this morning, it was still exactly where I had left it.  Food for thought, if nothing else, I guess.

 

Feliks is once again providing the strictest of quality assurance inspections that he has become well-known for, as the shins dry and await the attachment of their rear cover strips tonight!

 

Please provide any comments, suggestions, questions, or observations, as always.

 

As always, thanks for following along! 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Moving along nicely

[swmand4]

Looking good, Tim. I had the exact same issue with the right forearm; takes a bit of skin off each time. I actually borrowed a Dremel and sanded the ends of the forearms even more so there is no slope down towards the wrist. Looks alright and makes it easier to get your hands through. I'll post a picture when I get home tonight.

[Zarlon[TK]]

Just got caught up on your build Tim. Its looking great! Can't wait to see the final results!

[kevnaminute]

Awesome Tim! Go man go!

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

I actually borrowed a Dremel and sanded the ends of the forearms even more so there is no slope down towards the wrist. Looks alright and makes it easier to get your hands through. I'll post a picture when I get home tonight.

Thanks, Sean

 

Thank you everyone, for the encouraging words!!

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Alright... The shins are all but done with glue and ABS assembly. They still need to have their closures made and attached.

 

Let's get right to the pictures:

 

The day's TK related activities began with some shopping for the next level of assembly: Elastic, hooks, snaps, snap tool, paints, etc...

 

The day originally began with cake!! My wife decided that she was going to make me a cake and decided to go and take it to the extreme. Not bad for a first time effort, eh?

 

Anyway, the shins... Here, I taped off the inside edges so that I could glue the rear cover strips on to the outside edges without gluing them closed somehow.

 

Right shin is drying...

 

Left shin is drying - to include that sniper plate still! LoL

 

Getting there!

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Okay, these next six pictures... They're about thigh fitting, so you've been warned, I guess.

 

The first three pictures are of the un-trimmed and un-shaped thigh, just taped together, end-to-end and being held in place on my leg. I think that the top is (for the most part) alright. It is the bottom that I think is just too wide.

 

Un-shaped, from the side.

 

Un-shaped, from the back.

 

Now, I've taped them tighter across the bottom of the back, keeping the bottom edges aligned.

 

Taped/shaped thigh, from the front.

 

Taped/shaped thigh, from the side.

 

Taped/shaped thigh, from the back.

 

I'd love some opinions on the appearance of the thigh armor as it appears in these pictures. I think that they're just too big around the knee with no shaping, and I've done the same thing to both of them tonight and am awaiting some opinions on them before making any cuts to shape them as they appear in the second three pictures. This was inspired by a short conversation with/some advice from Steve earlier today. I had a momentary flash of "Wait, I think I know how to shape them!!!" and just had to get the pictures taken and posted so I could get the feedback sooner, rather than later.

 

Thanks, Steve. I know it didn't seem like much of a conversation, but it set my mind in the right spot for the inspiration to hit tonight - even though I planned on being in bed about the time I was having my wife take pictures for me.

 

Thanks for following along, and commenting everyone!

 

EDIT: I think that I may have them pulled just a LITTLE bit too tight now, in looking at them - particularly from the back - at the knee.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Dark CMF