Barcoders sister's (Soulart) AP Build Extravaganza!

[Barcoder[TK]]

As they saying goes, keep it in the family! My sister has decided to join the 501st, as an ANH Stunt TK. (Like I would let her do anything else!!)

 

After a lengthy wait on her AP armour, and even more of wait for her to bring it to my house, it is finally time to begin her journey!!! Together, as siblings!

As I already have 2 TKs under my belt, this build will take no time at all! Plus, she needs to be approved by the end of April for big convention in our area. Plenty of time! I have learned a lot since my first build, learned some new tricks, gathered better tools.....and am now comfortable using CA glue. (Thanks to my TFA build.) So yeah, no E6000 on this build!

 

On to the obligatory BBB pic! (Little trooper is telling her to get her helmet done NOW!)

 

 

Doing some extra trimming, as we will not be using the bracket system. (Thankfully she opted for the "trimmed" kit. I HATE the trimming part.)

My sister is also above average height for a woman, she's 5'9". 

 

[Barcoder[TK]]

On to the sanding and pre-fitting! Thankfully there is not much altering needed for her armour. It pretty much fits, right out of the box. (Although, I hear that she plans on wearing some Spanx to help. )

 

 

We taped up all the parts to ensure a nice fit...and to check if we needed to add shims to anything. 

 

 

Testing out the shoulder straps.

 

 

We are good to go! Time for cover strips

 

[Barcoder[TK]]

Next up, the easy stuff! Biceps & forearms. My belt-sander & mouse sander have been a God-send! I really wish I would have had them for my first build.

 

While I was busy with rough sanding, I had my sister working on the fine sanding details on her helmet. (Getting her feet wet.)

 

Biceps are almost done! Thank you CA glue.

 

....and done!

 

On to the forearms.

[Barcoder[TK]]

While I work on construction, I had my sister do all the fine sanding...making all the edges nice & smooth. (I hate that part anyway. )

 

Working on the teeth...

 

Using my bucket as a reference....

 

A very happy future Stormtrooper!!!!!

 

[Pyrates[TK]]

Great progress and look forward to watching the rest Peter!

[Barcoder[TK]]

Not as a productive night as I would have hoped, but productive none the less!

Forearms & biceps are sanded, glued and good to go! (Minus a dip in the hot tub on the forearms.) They are a little squished and need to be reshaped...

 

 

I also did some creative sanding on the biceps. I guess APs biceps are identical to each other. (The one of the left is how APs biceps look without extra sanding.) Now they look similar to how mine look...

 

Went ahead and shaped the ammo belt & the chest straps. using my heat gun was not a stressful as I remember. That thing usually gives me an anxiety attack!

 

Almost finished the shins! One is completely finished, the other one just needs to be glued together. (Cover strips already glued.)

 

The backs of the shins needed a bit of re-shaping with the heat gun. They seriously didn't want to line up or lay flat against the back strip....and it would made using Velcro a challenge. After a few choice words and hot finger tips, all is good.

[Pyrates[TK]]

You're sister is going to be trooping before I am at this rate - stellar job!

[Pyrates[TK]]

I ran into problems with the shin closures too - had to rip out my Velcro strips and don't want to risk the heat gun - might have to use the hot tub on them

Edited March 13, 2016 by Pyrates

[Barcoder[TK]]

You're sister is going to be trooping before I am at this rate - stellar job!

Ha! I highly doubt that. Plus, if I do finish before you do, her first troop won't be until Calgary Expo. You both can do your first troop together.

[Pyrates[TK]]

Ha! I highly doubt that. Plus, if I do finish before you do, her first troop won't be until Calgary Expo. You both can do your first troop together.

It will be a pleasure to meet you both and I'm really looking forward to it! Edited March 13, 2016 by Pyrates

[Barcoder[TK]]

It will be a pleasure to meet you both and I'm really looking forward to it!

I look forward to it as well. 

[Barcoder[TK]]

Here is the issue I am having with the shins. they are not lining up properly...and as a result, some heat-gun action will be required.

 

You can see the edges (in red) are not parallel & seriously overlap each other. There is also a large-ish gap (in green) toward the bottom of the shin. The top is totally fine.

[Barcoder[TK]]

The kidney & the ab section have been cut to size and are ready for the super-accurate split rivets! Thankfully I have my set of armour on hand for reference! That is making this very easy.

(My armour showing the split rivet set-up)

 

To be accurate, I measured out the rivet placement....10 mm from the armour edge, to the edge of the rivet.

 

Reinforcing the inside of armour, in preparation for the rivets and washers.

 

All the lovely holes pre-drilled.

 

Time for the rivets! I was happy to discover I had the sense to purchase 2 sets of these rivets & pop rivets back when I did my first build. Yay for forward thinking.

 

One side done!

 

Here's a pic of using a screwdriver to "split" the rivet enough before hammering down both sides until nice & flush.

 

All finished, minus painting the rivets head gloss white.

 

Also installed the snaps for the belt on the Ab Section. I reinforced the back of the snap placement before using rivets to hold the snaps in place.

[ABS80]

Super clean job!

 

 

The original suit were very thin almost half the thickness of my suits so it was easier to flex and line up all the parts using the cover strips, plastic being thicker there's less give therefore harder to align ect... I have a test suit made of .50 gauge plastic almost like original and the leg assembly was much much easier.

 

 

Mark (AP)

[Barcoder[TK]]

Super clean job!

 

 

The original suit were very thin almost half the thickness of my suits so it was easier to flex and line up all the parts using the cover strips, plastic being thicker there's less give therefore harder to align ect... I have a test suit made of .50 gauge plastic almost like original and the leg assembly was much much easier.

 

 

Mark (AP)

Thanks Mark! The armour is gorgeous! Almost makes me want a set for myself. My sister is so excited to get this done.

 

The alignment issue is totally minor; it's an easy fix!

[Soulart[TK]]

Ah I'm SO grateful for all your help! I absolutely am thrilled we got it completed in time for Expo. I was SO excited to troop with you Barcode, and to have met my armor twin Pyrates! Very cool few days for this new Trooper! <br><br>

You rock my brothers!!!! XO

Edited May 13, 2016 by Soulart

[Pyrates[TK]]

Ah I'm SO grateful for all your help! I absolutely am thrilled we got it completed in time for Expo. I was SO excited to troop with you Barcode, and to have met my armor twin Pyrates! Very cool few days for this new Trooper! <br><br>

You rock my brothers!!!! XO

Always got your six sister

 

And hopefully we see another build soon!

Edited May 13, 2016 by Pyrates

[Pyrates[TK]]

[Soulart[TK]]

Awwwwww! I love that pic of us!!! Oh there's more to come. Sibling pics for sure! <br>

As for another build, oh it's on! Ordered some parts of it today! I'll keep it secret for awhile, but of course my 2 brothers know!!! <br>

EEK!