Darkblitz's ANH (Stunt) Build

[Darkblitz]

This is a parallel build thread to one I have in the UKG forums, as it's always beneficial to get help and tips from regular users rather than just armourers. A month in, and I haven't made too much progress so far (due to issues, I mention at the bottom of this post), and I hopefully plan to get this done before the release of Rogue One. (Note - This is a RWA kit)




So far, two major parts are done - Boots and Lid


However, so far I have had difficulty trimming the return edges on the pieces, using the lexan scissor and dremel method (have also tried score and snap to not much more success). However, this week I will have some hands on help with a armourer at an event, so this part should hopefully be done by this time next week, and can move onto trying to piece everything together, which I may need some guidance on.

[PGHtrooper21]

Who makes RWA? Where are they from?

 

Andy

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Who makes RWA? Where are they from?

 

Andy

Hi Andy

RWA are UK based. Their kits look really good. I have dealt with them in the past and their customer service is top notch. Im going with them on my next build.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking good so far, good luck with the build

[Darkblitz]

Update- Gloves are now done (sort of). Currently the handguards are not the plastic ones provided with the kit, and made out of some rubber material that should theoretically last longer without damage, but I may replace them with the ones in the kit later. 

[Darkblitz]

Thanks to Ross, the nightmare of kit trimming has been done with only sanding to do before assembly(photos to come later).<br><br>

Now that I'm moving onto the drilling holes part. I need to know what drill power and fitting is best to get through 2mm ABS.

[Darkblitz]

Apologies, phone glitch lead to a double post.

Edited June 25, 2016 by Darkblitz

[Darkblitz]

Here's an image of the trimmed pieced before I go to sand the edges smooth, and begin considering the drilling and assembly of the limb pieces.

 

Edited June 27, 2016 by Darkblitz

[Troopacoola[TK]]

I know alot of people prefer to do it by hand. Just rotate the drill bit until done. I guess if using a power tool, use the lowest setting.

[Troopacoola[TK]]

How long did you spend on the trimming? Sounds like you got through alot!

[Darkblitz]

How long did you spend on the trimming? Sounds like you got through alot!

Well, I had a lot of difficulty with getting through the ABS with any decent precision, so Ross offered to trim it up for me and indeed did so when I met him at an event on Saturday. Apparently the leg pieces which I did the practice cuts were fine, but I was really unsure about it so glad that bit is over.

 

I know alot of people prefer to do it by hand. Just rotate the drill bit until done. I guess if using a power tool, use the lowest setting.

I prefer to do things by hand instead of by a power tool whenever possible. It may take longer, but I prefer the extra control of doing it by hand.

[illusionz_09[TK]]

Always comes out better by hand and definitely you make less mistakes that way.

 

At the end of the day, its how you feel most comfortable.

 

as far as the handguards go, the latex ones are screen accurate as opposed to the plastic hard ones that the kits come with. Either won't affect basic approval or expert infantry, but just making sure you are aware of that.

 

Good Luck, so far so good.

Move Along! 

[Darkblitz]

as far as the handguards go, the latex ones are screen accurate as opposed to the plastic hard ones that the kits come with. Either won't affect basic approval or expert infantry, but just making sure you are aware of that.

Yeah, and I would suspect the plastic handguards have a greater risk of cracking given that they would not have as much flex.

[illusionz_09[TK]]

Yeah, and I would suspect the plastic handguards have a greater risk of cracking given that they would not have as much flex.

not necessarily. Its just easier and cheaper to mass produce the plastic ones which is why they do them for the kits.

 

The handguards are the least likely things to crack.

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Just put my order in for RWA kit this afternoon......Sooooo excited! Went for 1.5mm Abs.

[Darkblitz]

Started doing some sanding to smooth the edges after the trimming. However, I am wondering if there are some symmetry issues with the chest and back pieces which I just finished off - 

 

 

 

 

 

[Troopacoola[TK]]

I wouldn't worry too much about it mate. Have you trimmed all the kit yet? I've just started rough trimming today. Got the biceps bells and for arms done. Will be starting to do the chest back etc tomorrow so I'll have a look at mine then.

Here's my WIP...

 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/38021-CTID's-RWA-ANH-Stunt-WIP......-501st-Here-we-go!

[Darkblitz]

I wouldn't worry too much about it mate. Have you trimmed all the kit yet? I've just started rough trimming today. Got the biceps bells and for arms done. Will be starting to do the chest back etc tomorrow so I'll have a look at mine then.

Here's my WIP...

 http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?/topic/38021-CTID's-RWA-ANH-Stunt-WIP......-501st-Here-we-go!

Yep, it was all trimmed with the help of Ross a few weeks ago. Only now gotten the time to sand the trimmed edges to smooth them. In case the same happens to you, the small cracks (still not sure, don't feel like them) on the backs of parts can be sanded down, which I will be doing tomorrow. 

 

I've seen your WIP thread, at the rate of your work you'll be finished well before me, haha. Also, thanks for the snap ref image for the torso pieces on your WIP thread. I had found a similar image a while back, but couldn't find it again. Will need to mark their location on my parts and get the stuff to add the poppers to them. Will not fit them until I have tested the glue with the shoulder bridges as they should be easier to remove if I have a dodgy tube of the glue (a few have been floating around).

Edited July 18, 2016 by Darkblitz

[lucnak[TK]]

The chest and back symmetry isn't too bad usually, but you will notice the difference between left and right overall shape for the biceps and the shins, especially.

[Darkblitz]

The chest and back symmetry isn't too bad usually, but you will notice the difference between left and right overall shape for the biceps and the shins, especially.

I have noticed some of those little symmetry differences in the pieces, that drives me and my perfectionism a bit mad. Given that this was trimmed with the assistance of a well-respected UK armourer, I should just leave it as is and press ahead.

[lucnak[TK]]

I have noticed some of those little symmetry differences in the pieces, that drives me and my perfectionism a bit mad. Given that this was trimmed with the assistance of a well-respected UK armourer, I should just leave it as is and press ahead.

To clarify, this is done intentionally based on the original armour. You can see "idealized" helmets with a quick Google search. There's asymmetry all over!

[Troopacoola[TK]]

How's it coming along Ian?

[Darkblitz]

How's it coming along Ian?

Hasn't advanced much further since the last update, as my mother has fallen ill. I've only been able to order the the tool for the snaps and mark their locations on the backs of the torso pieces. Will see how things go tomorrow,  but I'm hoping to tape up the arm pieces to work out how much I need to chop of before I deal with the fun of the cover-strips.

Edited July 22, 2016 by Darkblitz

[Troopacoola[TK]]

Sorry to hear that mate. Hope she's ok. I got fed up with trimming so did some work on the helmet. Man, those ears are a nightmare! I was so nervous trimming out the eyes and teeth too, as I didn't want to remove too much material. I'm glad that's out of the way! Again, hope your mum feels better soon.

[Darkblitz]

Sorry to hear that mate. Hope she's ok. I got fed up with trimming so did some work on the helmet. Man, those ears are a nightmare! I was so nervous trimming out the eyes and teeth too, as I didn't want to remove too much material. I'm glad that's out of the way! Again, hope your mum feels better soon.

Thanks. Head pieces are always a nightmare, which is why i paid Ross to do mine. Given past projects, it would taken until attempt 40 to get something barely passable.