Ryan's AM Build!

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Hello all! As several others have already started threads, I too have purchased the AM armor. This is my first build so I am a little nervous, but here goes nothing! 

 

The good 'ol brown box!

[Vader Rocks]

Sweet. Looking forward to watching your build. I have the AM armor as well, but it's over 2 years old, so i'm interested to see how the new stuff looks.

 

Happy building trooper.

[Starfox2010]

Hey Ryan,

 

Theres a few of us on the same boat. Im on that nervous stage where you measure twice avoid it by doing chores then come back and stare at it for a while then cut, lol.

 

Keep in touch with the rest of us we're all in each others posts.

 

Good luck.

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Ok so I have the top taped to the back. 

 

 

 

I'm getting ready to glue the back and top together first

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Ok so I have my teeth trimmed out. I went for the pandatrooper "twinkie look". 

I also found a great set of hobby files at Menards that worked perfectly!

 

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Ok so I temporarily have the face on the back using screws. Using the pre-marked dimples, it sits a little cockeyed. any thoughts?

 

[Shank_O_Potomus]

I also have another question. I've looked at the differences between the left and right forearms, but I'm having a hard time distinguishing the difference between mine. 

Should I remove the return edge on these as well?

[PGHtoolman]

From what I read you take the edge off the wrist end and the inside edge of the elbow.

[Rystan]

Hi Ryan,

 

The way I read the FISD arm tutorial: (http://www.whitearmor.net/fisd/Tutorial-arms), the left arm should be the curvy one and the right should be the straighter one.  My assumption is that the curvy/straight is referring to the circled parts below.  I have posed the same question/assertion in my build thread just now and am hoping someone more knowledgeable than myself can confirm.

 

[Starfox2010]

Ok so I temporarily have the face on the back using screws. Using the pre-marked dimples, it sits a little cockeyed. any thoughts?

 

Glad / Sad that someone else had the same problem I had.  I dont think the face dimples are placed right.  

 

I just went home for lunch (i'm determined to figure it out) and I cut the top part of the face, right under the lip part.  That eases the pressure it has a bit and you are ble to adjust it a bit better.  

 

Let me know if you figure something out.  ill try doing the same.

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Well I didn't trim anything, but I realigned it manually and held it in place with magnets. I am going to mark and drill new inner holes and not use those inner dimples. I don't think they are aligned correctly with each other. I also put my brow trim on. It seems to help keep things in place and fills the gap between the top and face.

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Hi Ryan,

 

The way I read the FISD arm tutorial: (http://www.whitearmor.net/fisd/Tutorial-arms), the left arm should be the curvy one and the right should be the straighter one.  My assumption is that the curvy/straight is referring to the circled parts below.  I have posed the same question/assertion in my build thread just now and am hoping someone more knowledgeable than myself can confirm.

 

Ah! That makes more sense! I was trying to look for a curve along the length. Thank you for the enlightenment.

[Rystan]

Keep in mind I'm as new as you are. So don't take my word for it alone.

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Keep in mind I'm as new as you are. So don't take my word for it alone.

Yeah hopefully we can get a veteran opinion!

[maxsteele[TK]]

11 bumps is the left forearm, 12 bumps is the right.

 

Curve at the elbow end is the left arm, straighter at the elbow end is the right arm.

 

You have the curvy pieces identified correctly, but need to swap the molded indent pieces.  Line the pieces up at the elbow end and cut off excess on the wrist end.  Don't cut the molded indent piece, cut the other piece.  I'd also be curious to see what AM pieces look like when they're put together before cutting them to fit to see where the extra lies on each side.

 

I would suggest getting one more opinion on this, as I'm basing this on my own research and the NE armor kit I had.

[Rystan]

Ah! That makes more sense! I was trying to look for a curve along the length. Thank you for the enlightenment.

 

Ryan, I think you're right and I was looking in the wrong spot for the curve/straight.  When researching further, I found the below "Bill-o-gram" showing original armor laid out and the curve/straight is definitely along the length.

 

 

The curved notches along the top/elbow are visible on both arms and are necessary to avoid pinching and giving the ability to reach your own head when suited up.

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Hello everyone! I ave been so busy trying to build and update about shins, I havn't got to post for a while. 

 

Okay, so here is a progress update.

Helmet:

I have assembled the front, back, top, and ears.

I have also filled my extra tooth holes with the abs paste (abs chips and acetone) and sanded those to shape. I used ductape as backing and let it dry for a few days and no problems.

 

Thighs:

I have trimmed and sized both thighs. I am currently gluing the inside front cover strip on one leg and then the back and front and back of the other leg. 

 

Forearms:

I have sized the length and cut down the sides. I do have one question. Should the sides be a straight cut from the edge or can they be tapered? 

 

Straight cut fits upper forearm but not my wrist.

[Rystan]

Looking good Ryan, the 5th hole repair came out great!

 

I hope you didn't use that whole tube of E6000 on the thighs...otherwise I'm going to have to buy more

[fuumantroop[TK]]

I am having the same issue now with my helmet. I will have to make some abs paste to clean up some extra holes, well at least the ones that may be visible after the ears are put on. Back to square one tomorrow for me

[maxsteele[TK]]

Looking good Ryan, the 5th hole repair came out great!

 

I hope you didn't use that whole tube of E6000 on the thighs...otherwise I'm going to have to buy more

 

Nah, he couldn't have used the whole tube on just the thighs.  

 

I will say I used 2 full tubes that size for my entire build.  That includes everything that needed gluing - snap plates, strapping, cover strips, belt rivet covers, sniper plate, and the thigh battery pack (for stability).

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Looking good Ryan, the 5th hole repair came out great!

 

I hope you didn't use that whole tube of E6000 on the thighs...otherwise I'm going to have to buy more

 

Thanks! I am really surprised at how well the abs paste worked!

 

Nah, he couldn't have used the whole tube on just the thighs.  

 

I will say I used 2 full tubes that size for my entire build.  That includes everything that needed gluing - snap plates, strapping, cover strips, belt rivet covers, sniper plate, and the thigh battery pack (for stability).

And not quite the whole tube! Although its about half gone! I've been extra generous when applying 

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Well its update time! 

 

I have the front inside coverstrip glued down on one thigh and that is looking good.

 

I am currently gluing the back inside cover strip on, and will put the return edge on the upper thigh tomorrow 

[Shank_O_Potomus]

Ok now time for a forearm question and then off to bed. Can I trim the backside of the forearm at an angle so the part fits close at the front and back? I have fairly thick forearm muscles but tiny wrists so I move a lot! 

 

This is trimmed straight and fits well at my elbow side but has room at the wrist

[Rystan]

Ok now time for a forearm question and then off to bed. Can I trim the backside of the forearm at an angle so the part fits close at the front and back? I have fairly thick forearm muscles but tiny wrists so I move a lot! 

 

This is trimmed straight and fits well at my elbow side but has room at the wrist

 

 

If I understand the question correctly, are you asking if the elbow end opening of the forearms can wider (bigger diameter) than the wrist end?

 

If so, then I believe the answer is yes.  Or rather, I know the answer to that question is yes when discussing the biceps.  I see no reason why it can't apply to the wrists as well.

(Again me with the wonderful Billhag "bill-o-grams".  I'm really going to have to thank him in my 501st acceptance speech...assuming I finish)

[Shank_O_Potomus]

If I understand the question correctly, are you asking if the elbow end opening of the forearms can wider (bigger diameter) than the wrist end?

 

If so, then I believe the answer is yes.  Or rather, I know the answer to that question is yes when discussing the biceps.  I see no reason why it can't apply to the wrists as well.

(Again me with the wonderful Billhag "bill-o-grams".  I'm really going to have to thank him in my 501st acceptance speech...assuming I finish)

Yeah that's my question. I couldn't figure out how to word it properly. So can I taper the forearms like the bicep pictured above? Any vets care to comment?