Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 19, 2014 Author Report Posted July 19, 2014 Thanks, everyone!Approval pictures have been sent to my Alabama Garrison GML!!! (I will finish the build thread during the next week!) Big/Busy day tomorrow! Quote
Izzy Posted July 19, 2014 Report Posted July 19, 2014 Good luck Tim! (I'm sure you won't need it though, your armor is looking good!) I can't wait to see the finished pictures...suited up. Quote
I'm Batman[501st] Posted July 19, 2014 Report Posted July 19, 2014 Thanks, everyone! Approval pictures have been sent to my Alabama Garrison GML!!! (I will finish the build thread during the next week!) Big/Busy day tomorrow! Does that mean you might even finish your E-11 build now? Quote
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 19, 2014 Author Report Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Does that mean you might even finish your E-11 build now? At some point in time, yes. Fairly soon too, I'd imagine. Thanks, Damon and Steve! Edited July 19, 2014 by Dark CMF Quote
Sly11[Admin] Posted July 21, 2014 Report Posted July 21, 2014 I reckon you will nail it Tim, I have enjoyed you build so far, excited to see the completion of it. Good luck Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Posted July 22, 2014 Thanks, Andrew! Since you mentioned it, I think I'll go ahead and post some build updates as I'm sitting here this morning with the opportunity to do so. So when we last saw build progress, it had ground to a screeching halt due to somebody putting replacement sewing machine needles in backwards after breaking them - that was me, just to be clear. Once that was figured out, progress happened: Yeah... As I mentioned: Once I figured out that the needle was backwards and made the correction, progress happened - quickly. Within that first hour, all of my strapping was pretty much completed. Here you see the strapping for the ab/cod connection, and the bicep/forearm connection. Here, the shoulder bell and shoulder bridge elastics have been added to the mix. Snap plates are currently on the strapping to make sure that I didn't leave anything out. In this picture, the snap plates have been removed from the strapping. You'll notice that there are no corresponding female snaps attached to the strapping. That is definitely going to be happening. After wearing the armor for about five hours the other day, I will advise everyone that Velcro is fine as a "fail-safe" installation (which is the full intent in my own build), but should not be solely relied upon for much of the armor strapping. Preparing to install the snap plates for the strapping system. First step - cut the Cod down a bit. I am doing this, to allow for maximum flexibility in the piece. If I make longer straps, and leave it as it is, there will be a lot more plastic on plastic contact, higher into the abdominal plate. This will reduce mobility some, as it will have a little less give. Marked the hole for the split rivet installation. Snap plates (2 snaps each, on velcro) glued and magnetted in place in the shoulder bells. Right arm snap plates installed and drying. Cod piece split rivet and butt strap (we do get to say the most fun things, don't we? LoL) installed - again, two snaps. Here's the other side. Word to the wise, make sure that you're paying attention to how you're installing these snaps. I actually was so excited to do so that I put them in backwards initially and had to break them apart to re-do it properly. That wasn't really an easy thing to do. Cod piece taped in place so the snap plates can be installed. Center strapping snap plates in place. You can see the locations for the right and left snap plates pencilled in on both the abdominal plate and the cod. Snap plates, fully installed, and drying. Shoulder bridges in place - snaps still need to be installed, but they're here and they held up with no issues whatsoever during the troop without the snaps - but I'm still going to put them in. So that's the strapping installation (except for the bracket/loop install which was done earlier, and the thighs) for the armor. I'll be looking to get the basic build thread wrapped up pretty quickly. Please feel free to ask questions and provide comments, insight, or observations, as per usual.Thanks for checking in, more to follow. Quote
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Posted July 22, 2014 Moving on to the thigh pieces! Here, I've applied E6000 to both sides of the front of the thigh, after sanding. You can see that you don't need a LOT of E6000. It will smear all over the place and make quite a spectacular mess if you do. Front cover strip glued/clamped/taped/and magnetted in place to dry. Back cover strip installation under way. Final appearance of the front as it dries. Final appearance of the back as it dries. Both thighs waiting for the E6000 to dry. Fast forward 24 hours.... Thighs are done!! (Feliks approves!) This step caused me a bit of stress... I was unsure if I was installing the snap plates in the proper location, so when it came time to glue them, I put them slightly lower than I thought I had them tested at. This is not as easy as you might think it would be. Getting your hand down the front of the thigh to ensure that the snap plate is in the right location, and keeping it there as you remove the thigh is... Let's just say it was a little challenging. LoL Anyway, I taped the whole thing in place as seen here, for a test fitting. Both thighs, with small pencil marks showing the approximate location to glue the snap plates, along with the supplies I will need to install them - sandpaper, magnets, E6000, and snap plates. Glued in place, a look on the inside. And a look at the outside! One inch white elastic, cut into six four inch long strips for use in the shin closures, and the hooks that will be sewn onto them. Shoulder elastic loop construction! White sticky back Velcro and white elastic. The Velcro will hold them in place by attaching to the snap plate for the shoulder bridges on the back plate. Here they are... ready to install. That pretty much covers all of the basic strapping system's installation. Next step - test fitting / Approval Picture Taking! Quote
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 22, 2014 Author Report Posted July 22, 2014 So, here comes the "exciting" stuff - Approval pictures!! There is going to be a distinct change in background during these pictures because on day one (you'll recall that I said I'd be submitting them the "next" day, and you may have noticed that I did not do so) I had an issue with the shins staying closed properly. That was because I had not yet installed the hooks/closure system and was trying to rush the picture submission. It didn't work, and the next day when I took the remaining photos, I forgot to put the background up before picture taking started. When you take your pictures, a plain background is best, and red or green are the best backgrounds you can use, as it makes it easy to photoshop you out in your action shots for your Legion profile picture (and trading cards)! Full armor, front - bucket off! Full armor, front - bucket on! Left side, arm down. Left side, arm up. Right side, arm down. Right side, arm up. Full armor, back. Action shot 1. Action shot 2. Action shot 3. Action shot 4. Action shot 5. Please take note of the background during the action shots... I'm waiting for my GML to tell me that I have to re-take them, honestly. If you look at the background, since it has depth to it, as opposed to the green one from "day one" you'll see a lot of shadow behind my limbs and outline. That will be very difficult for him to photoshop. But, that's the basic build, completed and submitted! I'll be making adjustments to some of the strapping, naturally, and I'll post up some pics of the electronics installations (very basic and easy, really) pretty soon. Right now, I've got to run off to an appointment. Thanks for commenting, etc, and checking in, yet again. Quote
mikedwelle94[TK] Posted July 22, 2014 Report Posted July 22, 2014 It all looks great! Best of luck on your app Quote
maxsteele[TK] Posted July 22, 2014 Report Posted July 22, 2014 I see you under that helmet! But seriously - is it all right to see skin under the helmet? You may want to get a balaclava. Quote
Tolo[TK] Posted July 22, 2014 Report Posted July 22, 2014 It does not look good on you, you should send it to me lolll All jokes aside, looking good. Good luck Tim! Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk Quote
Sly11[Admin] Posted July 22, 2014 Report Posted July 22, 2014 Good luck Tim, looking awesome btw. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote
fuumantroop[TK] Posted July 22, 2014 Report Posted July 22, 2014 A job WELL done sir! Your making me want my armor even more lol. Hopefully this week it will be shipped! Quote
Izzy Posted July 23, 2014 Report Posted July 23, 2014 Looking good Tim! I'm jealous. Makes my wait for my kit to arrive, that much more excruciating! Great job pal! Quote
gazmosis[501st] Posted July 23, 2014 Report Posted July 23, 2014 Well done, Tim. You have made all of us proud, now it's your turn to make your Garrison proud!! Quote
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 23, 2014 Author Report Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) Thank you so very much, to each of you... I'll save my big "I'd like to thank the academy" speech for when I have my hopeful Legion approval and my TKID sometime soon. This is my build thread, but I fully believe that every build thread we see is a piece of community property here at FISD. They're all shared freely and happily with each other and we all interact in so many ways during the build process, from offering advice, to looking out for each other's builds (backwards bayonet lugs...), to laughing and joking together (aprons, anyone?). Each and every build thread is a testament to Troopers Helping Troopers, and each adds something to the ethos that we've adopted here at FISD in the common interest of making the community (and therefore the Legion's TKs) the best possible representatives of the 501st Legion for the fans that love to see us do what we do. This is my build thread, but it was only possible because of all of you who helped in any and every way possible, since I made the decision to set upon this journey about a year ago now. Thank you for sharing the ride so far. I've still got some electronics installations to share, and some to begin, and there are those tweaks that have to be made after it is "done" as the build is further prepared for EIB and ultimately Centurion submission. The build may be "done" but the journey's just getting started, and I'll be proud to make that journey with each and every one of you! Edited July 23, 2014 by Dark CMF Quote
fuumantroop[TK] Posted July 23, 2014 Report Posted July 23, 2014 Beautiful speech Tim..sniff sniff...bravo Hoping time allows me to share my build as thoroughly as you have! You are the advocate of Troopers Helping Troopers! Glad to potentially troop with you when ya move! Quote
Sly11[Admin] Posted July 23, 2014 Report Posted July 23, 2014 You military types, awhhh, I have enjoyed taking this journey with you Tim, thank you for lending some humour to your thread it is turkey excellent. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
Dougal[501st] Posted July 23, 2014 Report Posted July 23, 2014 Looking awesome Tim!! Good luck!! Quote
Holnave (evan_loh)[TK] Posted July 23, 2014 Report Posted July 23, 2014 I see you under that helmet! But seriously - is it all right to see skin under the helmet? You may want to get a balaclava. Yeah that's what my mates do. Balaclava with the neck seal. Makes it look loads better plus, it keeps the mic in place without using tape! And anyways Tim, what a journey! You look great and I'm sure approval won't be an issue. Hope to see you in service soon trooper! P.S. don't forget to apply EIB and Cent as soon as you can! You deserve it Quote
Dark PWF[Staff] Posted July 24, 2014 Author Report Posted July 24, 2014 Yeah that's what my mates do. Balaclava with the neck seal. Makes it look loads better plus, it keeps the mic in place without using tape! And anyways Tim, what a journey! You look great and I'm sure approval won't be an issue. Hope to see you in service soon trooper! P.S. don't forget to apply EIB and Cent as soon as you can! You deserve it Thanks, Evan! I've got to do some bucket upgrades before I can apply for higher level certs (S-trim and paint), but rest assured that I will be doing so eventually! I did the build with that in mind the whole time. It would be silly to NOT apply. LoL. Thanks again! Quote
Tesla Kinetic[TK] Posted July 24, 2014 Report Posted July 24, 2014 Great build, Trooper! Share this with noobs! 8^) Quote
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