New members first build

[BrianD]

So here is another update. Got the kidney plate shims primed and prepped for paint. I work in a body shop so my painter will be color matchig the plastic and spraying the 1 piece of armor for me. It should come out pretty close. Also worked some more on the shoulders and biceps and got the proper hardware for the cod and butt plates. I made some strap hooks but they didn't hold well with E6000 so I may have to use CA glue on them. Also got the knee plate installed and had to do a bit of shaping to the shin with some boiling water which worked really well. Any advice would be more than welcome right now. I have been pretty much doing this based solely off of build threads here and a little help from a couple local squad members. My local squad has over 90 members so I have a huge group to get info from but being as they all have jobs and a life I am trying not to bother them any more than necessary. Any way, here are a few pics of my progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BrianD]

A few pics of the buttons installed and my personally organized workshop lol! It's a mess but I know where everything is.

 

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[bobafret[TK]]

You are doing good work with that kit man. The button fix was clever and your strapping system is looking good. Seems to be coming together nicely.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Nice work Brian 

[ritzmike]

Check out Trooperbay channel on You Tube also Panda Props and C.. both have great building info!

 

 

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[BrianD]

Painted the buttons. I had some issues with the decals I had so I decided to hand paint them. No stencils, just free handed. Look ok?

 

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[Toddahhhh[TK]]

Looking good, you can also clean up the edges with a sharp toothpick once the paint is set.

 

 

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[Novak Dimon[TK]]

Niiiice work! Thumbs up!

[ritzmike]

Sweet!

 

 

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[68Brick[TK]]

Looks Good.

[BrianD]

Is it ok to remove the return edges off of the shoulder bells? I need to get them closer to the chest armor and that would help a lot.

 

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[bobafret[TK]]

Is it ok to remove the return edges off of the shoulder bells? I need to get them closer to the chest armor and that would help a lot.

 

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Yes that is perfectly acceptable. Return edge is all a matter of preference. The only place it is addressed in the CRL is actually where it requires REMOVAL of all return edge on wrist of forearm for higher levels of approval. All other return edges are personal preference. While I am a strong proponent of leaving edge where possible to maintain illusion of armor thickness, trim for fit is sometimes inevitable. Shoulder bell is definitely one of those areas.

[BrianD]

Thank you very much!

 

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[ukswrath[Staff]]

Painted the buttons. I had some issues with the decals I had so I decided to hand paint them. No stencils, just free handed. Look ok?

 

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Looking good Brian, keep up the great work. Though I'd mention something now being it will most likely get brought up if you apply for EIB. The vertical ab button plate should not overlap the raised area it is glued to. Should look more like this. 

 

[BrianD]

Thanks. I'll get that trimmed down.

 

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[BrianD]

Trimmed the button plate and started on the belt. Cut the 45° angles on the ammo belt and added some snaps to attach it to the belt. Waiting on a belt I ordered from TKittle and a holster (and neck seal) from Darman. Also got the kidney plate painted with the shims installed. Turns out the closest color was either a Porsche or Ford white. My painter did a great job matching the color of raw plastic. Also made a belt to attach the thighs. Once my belt arrives I will fine tune the body armor to make sure the thigh placement is dead on. From there I will trim if necessary and then start fitting the shins. Also plasti-dipped the inside of the helmet and got a bicycle helmet liner instead of the foam I had in it previously. Much more comfortable and looks a lot cleaner. I'll post pics of the helmet once I get the fans installed. Anyways... Here are some pics of my progress.

 

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[A.J. Hamler[TK]]

I'm curious about the bicycle helmet liner you used. Post a link to where you got it? Thanks!<br><br>

A.J.

[BrianD]

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/126-502?redirectedKeyword=126-502&totalResult=1

 

This is what I got. It fits nicely and doesn't lift the helmet up too far so I can see. I plan on just using Velcro to attach it so I can remove it easily for cleaning.

 

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[ukswrath[Staff]]

Nice job Brian

[BrianD]

What kind of rivets should I use to attach the drop boxes to the white elastic straps?

 

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[Toddahhhh[TK]]

If you can find rivets that are long enough to get a washer on both elastic and plastic side, I'd go with those. Pulls out pretty easy without washers to reinforce.

 

 

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[ukswrath[Staff]]

What kind of rivets should I use to attach the drop boxes to the white elastic straps?

 

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Accuracy - Cap. 

Non accurate but quite efficient - Pop 

[BrianD]

Finally got a chance to do a quick update. I'm waiting on a replacement part. In the meantime I have been working on my helmet and building a blaster kit. It is a 3D printed kit that was a blast to build. I'm not expecting it to be perfect but I'd like to hear opinions.

 

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[Toddahhhh[TK]]

Looking good! Is that a Blaster Master?

 

 

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[BrianD]

It is.

 

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