Pencap510 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Posted October 26, 2015 So after a nice week long western Caribbean cruise vacation, it was time to get back to work. Didn't get as much done today as I would have liked due to some things- but I did complete attaching the ammo boxes to my ab plate. Here is how it all. Went down : Started with some sizing, test fitting, sanding - repeat- Once happy with the fit I applied super glue to the resin Insert on the inside of the box, and clamped it down to the ab- I won't show all pictures along the way, just trust that it's like fitting TK ears, over and over again... Though with a little forgiveness. I had Only 1 casualty, when my screw accidentally went through the box. I was working with 2 sizes depending on how much resin there was.. This 1 time I chose POORLY. No fear, sanded it down, applied some epoxy putty- and carried on. Once it sets I'll sand it and it will be like new. Quote
Pencap510 Posted October 26, 2015 Author Report Posted October 26, 2015 Thanks- it's been fun- getting close to bondo time - then test fitting Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 6, 2015 Author Report Posted November 6, 2015 Been a little bit since and update- **dang travel with work**. :/ should have a good bit of progress done tomorrow- want to get this thing paint ready Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Posted November 8, 2015 Got a ton more accomplished today - as I get closer to start rigging my set up. Today was another marathon build day- and I realized I did a terrible job of documenting all of the progress. Essentially all that's left to do before strapping then paint is to finish sanding down the bondo, build my belt, and finish the gaskets. Im building the anovos rubber ones for screen accuracy but my wife is also sewing a cloth set. She found some AWESOME material to use at Joanne's that was SUPER EXPENSIVE, but it looks just like the rubber. Shiny, but breathable and very light. I'll post some progress pics of that when she gets the ribbing done. Any way- here is some fun stuff from. Today: Build team in tact. My father in law got his hands dirty today #AWESOME Making the Chest piece better After devcon and super glue to hold it in place, and a TON OF SANDING - it was flush and ready for bondo Hit it with a little primer and only a few little dimples remained to putty Spat work- Forearm locked and loaded Don't fear, nobody panic!, we've got this under control As I said before , if building is an art-- then so is documenting it for a good build thread for others to follow. Im not quite a pro at either Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) So- our cloth gaskets are looking AMAZING ,but as many before me that have tried to do this- they are a TON of work. We are working to perfect the process and possibly offer a small batch up for fellow troopers, but until we can manage the build time and material cost- it will take some practice. The material alone to match the rubber gaskets is $35 a square yard. Not sure how many it will take at this point. But here is a small sample of what it looks like: Edited November 8, 2015 by Pencap510 Quote
ukswrath[Staff] Posted November 8, 2015 Report Posted November 8, 2015 Excellent! Like your version spat snap location, another great idea 1 Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Posted November 9, 2015 So as I get closer to strapping and painting, I want to ensure I have the correct materials ready and at my disposal. I'm considering krylon fusion - plastic paint. Does anyone have any experience with this ? If so im assuming the high gloss? It also says no primer needed- but I'm just not sure I believe it. Any advice out there? Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Posted November 15, 2015 Working on rigging today and things are coming right along . First thing before I could start measuring and marking my belt was to be able to FIT THE THING AROUND ME- lol. I don't know why feared this, but it was time to cut the back. Quite simply actually : My thought for rigging this to me is pretty simple. I'm going with nylon webbing, glued to one side, and industrial velcroed to the other. I felt with elastic it might give a little to much play especially after a long troop and sweating - so I made 8 inch pieces of webbing with 3.5 inch Velcro tabs so there's plenty of wiggle room. And it should sit right about here (top and bottom) Sewing on the Velcro: Now on to some test fitting so I can mark some strapping points. Feels good: Now observation and question. I noticed that when I tucked the butt plat directly under the belt, it flared WAY OUT. Simply not good : Now I found that if I tuck the butt plate sides under the belt a little bit, to rock it down- it looked MUCH BETTER. Is this normal? It works and it stays- but not sure if others have had this problem. And some full suit up shots, minus shins and bucket ( the top black belt is just holding the ab closed) Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Posted November 18, 2015 So even though they are taking a while, my wonderful wife has found the magic touch with the cloth gaskets. She's using some rather expensive glossy fabric from Joanns- and an individual piece of yarn for each rib versus just sewing lines in fabric with batting as a filler. End result is beautiful. Here is an almost finished elbow next to the rubber counterpart 1 Quote
ukswrath[Staff] Posted November 18, 2015 Report Posted November 18, 2015 How'd she create the ribs? 1 Quote
zuko[TK] Posted November 18, 2015 Report Posted November 18, 2015 How'd she create the ribs?Definitely this, we await in anticipation. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Posted November 18, 2015 So I'll do my best to explain- I'll take better pictures when she's starting on the second elbow. Basically there are two layers of fabric to each gasket. The bottom when she's sewing (which will be the inside) is an under armor like material. Stretches well and will handle sweat. The top is the shiny "rubber" like cloth material. I'll try and get the exact name next stop at Joanns. She then lays down piece of yarn inside the two - and sews each individual rib. Here is the inside of the gasket before clean up, you can see the yarn that hasn't been trimmed yet And here is the completed gasket, next to the anovos And here are a few side by side shots in armor of each cloth verse rubber. At two feet apart, I'm pretty sure you'd never know the difference 1 Quote
zuko[TK] Posted November 18, 2015 Report Posted November 18, 2015 Fantastic sir!!! Thanks for the updates as well Great idea w the yarn Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk Quote
Bryanmc[501st] Posted November 18, 2015 Report Posted November 18, 2015 When will you start accepting orders!?! Quote
ukswrath[Staff] Posted November 18, 2015 Report Posted November 18, 2015 Very nicely done! If possible could we get the name or the items number of the material used and where you purchased it? I would like to make of my own also but am having difficulty finding the right material. Thanks 1 Quote
Pencap510 Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Posted November 18, 2015 Next time we hit Joanns I'll get the specific names and I'll update you guys. As for orders, I'm trying to convince my wife to do a small run of 10 - but she insists on mastering this first. Updates to come- very excited Quote
zuko[TK] Posted November 18, 2015 Report Posted November 18, 2015 Looks amazing, please pass along our compliments. The yarn inside is a fantastic idea Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.