ukswrath[Staff] Posted December 3, 2015 Report Posted December 3, 2015 Nice weathering job This should make the MEPD proud. Quote
TakoTuesday[501st] Posted December 3, 2015 Report Posted December 3, 2015 Just when I thought you couldn't make your kit nicer you add binos... Quote
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted December 3, 2015 Report Posted December 3, 2015 Plan on doing a run of these? Would be kind of cool to troop with at events where blasters are not allowed at. Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Posted December 4, 2015 Plan on doing a run of these? Would be kind of cool to troop with at events where blasters are not allowed at. I don't think it would be worth it for anyone to purchase, to be honest. In reality, it was far simpler to build than a set of armor, so anyone on here can do it with a little bit of time. Perhaps posting up a guide somewhere would be helpful? Though I don't want to take away from Starbuck's build over on MEPD which is what I based my build on - I made sure to send him a message thanking him for his guidance as I couldn't or wouldn't have done it without the pics. Quote
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted December 4, 2015 Report Posted December 4, 2015 I have 4 kids, two of them still in diapers. No wonder it's been almost a year on my build. I barely have time to change out of my work clothes when I get home. I'd be interested in someone making me one haha Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Posted December 4, 2015 Well if I change my mind, I will be certain to let you know if and when a run starts up! Tested the handplates this afternoon - they seem to hold up well. I originally had them just glued to the gloves, but that was certainly not going to last as they had already begun to pull off. They fit quite snuggly around the gloves and don't seem to move despite some wild arm flailing (for science!) so I think I will call these a success for the time being. At least until I manage to find latex or silicone cheese grater plates! If anyone knows anyone who makes those by the way, do let me know if you can - the folks on MEPD didn't seem to have answers and I'm sure the cheese graters are much rarer than the regular ANH latex handplates. 1 Quote
BobasDent1138 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Posted December 4, 2015 Neat idea! What glue did you use on those straps? E6000? I've never had success with that stuff, seems to take forever to dry! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Posted December 4, 2015 Neat idea! What glue did you use on those straps? E6000? I've never had success with that stuff, seems to take forever to dry! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk I used E6000 for nearly everything in the armor build, but for the handplates and their straps I went with a gel adhesive by Scotch. It's pretty much the same thing (and slightly more expensive than E6000), but it seems to set quicker than the E6000 does which was great here as the clamps tended to slip into the crevices of the cheese grater handplates. In hindsight, I should have just used two very thin pieces of wood to keep the straps pushed down against the plates and then clamped those instead, but you learn something new everyday I suppose. Quote
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted December 4, 2015 Report Posted December 4, 2015 I wonder if it would be difficult to make a mold using the cheese grater hand plates you have then casting them with liquid latex. I wouldn't recommend selling them or anything but for personal use. Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 5, 2015 Author Report Posted December 5, 2015 I probably wouldn't even have to make a mold, to be honest. I could probably just use the underside of the handplate to cast it. That being said, I have literally no idea how to even go about that. Quote
BobasDent1138 Posted December 5, 2015 Report Posted December 5, 2015 I probably wouldn't even have to make a mold, to be honest. I could probably just use the underside of the handplate to cast it. That being said, I have literally no idea how to even go about that. I think amazon had a silicone kit for like 20 bucks. I've used it and it's pretty nice, you could make a little mold box around it, pour that stuff on a voila, nice clean mold. Then try your silicone or plastic or whatever casting material Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 6, 2015 Author Report Posted December 6, 2015 I will investigate the silicone stuff down the road - for now, these newly stitched handplate straps should hold just fine. Some other things this evening - installed a bracket for my Aker voice amp in the chest piece. Waiting on the iComm to arrive this week and I will be making a bracket on the left for that as well. Also installed some better looking mesh and the Aker mic in the helmet. Here are some shots: The bracket behind the chest piece: With the Aker amp: Mesh (clamped down with magnets) and mic (clamped down with painter's tape): Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Posted December 7, 2015 Nice setup Taylor Thanks, Tony! I've been ooing and ahhing at your electronics and bucket interior, so I had to at least include something for now. And on another note, I'm pleased to announce that I have been accepted into the 501st as TD-12110 this morning. Thanks to everyone here for all your help and advice - words cannot describe how floored I am over how helpful and friendly this community has been. Can't wait to put the bucket on and get out there in the name of the Emperor! Here are some of the approval shots: Quote
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 Congratulations! I promise I'll be there in the dunes soon with you! 1 Quote
hondutrooper[501st] Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 Congrats on your approval! 1 Quote
Darksaber Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 Maybe it's just me, but the shins appear to be reversed. Thoughts? Quote
ukswrath[Staff] Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 YESSSS!! Congrats my sandy brother. See you in the dirt! 1 Quote
ukswrath[Staff] Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 Maybe it's just me, but the shins appear to be reversed. Thoughts? Reversed, you mean on the wrong leg? Quote
Darksaber Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 Reversed, you mean on the wrong leg? Correct. Is it just me? 1 Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Posted December 7, 2015 Another member of the Northeast Remnant and I were discussing the shin armor as well as he thought the same thing. From what I understood, the "curvy" parts of the shins are on the inside to match the more prominent muscles there whereas the "straighter" sides go on the outside. For reference: Obviously my muscles are hardly as toned as this diagram, but that's the guideline I used to put them together. Here are some shots: Quote
Darksaber Posted December 7, 2015 Report Posted December 7, 2015 Another member of the Northeast Remnant and I were discussing the shin armor as well as he thought the same thing. From what I understood, the "curvy" parts of the shins are on the inside to match the more prominent muscles there whereas the "straighter" sides go on the outside. For reference: Obviously my muscles are hardly as toned as this diagram, but that's the guideline I used to put them together. Here are some shots: Thanks for providing the explanation. Like I said, it could just be me and maybe it is, but something appears "off"...like they're on the wrong legs. I have the AM 1.0 kit, and the shins are contoured specifically for each leg. When they're worn on the incorrect leg, it appears "off" and that's the feeling I'm getting right now. Not trying to be judgmental, just want your TK to look as good as it possibly can. 1 Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 8, 2015 Author Report Posted December 8, 2015 Thanks for providing the explanation. Like I said, it could just be me and maybe it is, but something appears "off"...like they're on the wrong legs. I have the AM 1.0 kit, and the shins are contoured specifically for each leg. When they're worn on the incorrect leg, it appears "off" and that's the feeling I'm getting right now. Not trying to be judgmental, just want your TK to look as good as it possibly can. No worries at all, I certainly appreciate the feedback! I certainly wouldn't want them on the wrong legs either, so I just wanted to put out the thought process here to make sure I was thinking about it the right way. Quote
Darksaber Posted December 8, 2015 Report Posted December 8, 2015 Try swapping them onto the other leg and take another pic for comparison. 1 Quote
Ruthar[TK] Posted December 16, 2015 Author Report Posted December 16, 2015 A few more detail things as I get ready for my first troop this weekend. With 40+ members going, I'm quite excited! The iComm came in the mail today, so finished up the electronics. Got some foam for the storage bin to make sure things are decently protected, and put some extra foam on the bottoms of the shins as the velcro I had down there was taking layers of the boot paint off. Hopefully this will stop that from continuing. I will spend a little time tomorrow practicing suiting up and walking around with the electronics and things. Want to have a decent feel for being suited for a good chunk of time before Saturday's troop. It's a no blaster troop as well, so I'm looking forward to bringing along the electrobinoculars instead. Quote
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