TheJace's ANH Stunt Anovos Build

[TheJace]

Welcome one and all!

 

The idea of this thread, like many others is to post my progress and ask all the silly questions that I should already have the answers for!

 

A few years ago, I went to the Ottawa Comic Con and spotted my local 501st group. I had seen them around town before but never up close. I was in awe. Like seeing a celebrity you admire up close and personal.

I told my wife "Someday... I will join them and help do the good work they do!" she encouraged me to go for it. Life got busy and things got pushed to the side. Every year since then, when I go to OCC I tell myself “IM GOING TO DO IT!”

Last year’s OCC was different. I ordered my TK kit from Anovos and was just waiting for delivery. I was able to help the Ottawa Garrison in their booth for a few hours as a handler. It was great! I met a bunch of them at other events. It felt nice to finally get to know these people. I finally got my BBB last summer and started trimming. That’s when baby #2 was born and well… armor building stopped.

 

 

It is now time to start again! I have set a deadline for myself. This years Ottawa Comic Con is May 12^th. I want to be approved and have at least one troop done before then.

 

 

My Goal: Basic approval.

 

Over the years, I have read a few posts of people saying “Do the work for at least EIB and it will be better in the long run”. I fear that might take a bit more time/expertise than I have. I want to get out there and troop. And when this entry level armor starts to break down I will upgrade to a new suit and go for higher!

 

Progress sofar: I have trimmed everything to the trim lines on the Anovos Kit. I have also removed the return edges from the bottom of the forearms.

When I test fit, I find there is some discomfort in the top inside return edge. It’s okay if my arm is down. But If I pretend to hold a blaster, I can feel it will be a sore spot.

 

 

Question one: How much do people trim from this location? As much as needed?
 

[themaninthesuitcase[Admin]]

My Goal: Basic approval.

 

Over the years, I have read a few posts of people saying “Do the work for at least EIB and it will be better in the long run”. I fear that might take a bit more time/expertise than I have. I want to get out there and troop. And when this entry level armor starts to break down I will upgrade to a new suit and go for higher!

I'm going to say go higher. The anovos kit is really well made and EIB is basically a trivial amount of work more than basic. The only real issue is some helmets had over spray on the frown and the 2 extra rivets on the belt. All the rest will be great as it comes.  Centurion is a little more work from there, but again not alot.  Mostly it's the gloves and flexable hand plates and a bit pickier in a few places.

 

If you've not done so read through a few builds, mine Anovos build is linked in my signature, also Ukswraths build is pinned somewhere. Also have alook at a few EIB and Centurion posts, theres really not alot of extra work to do (well unless you need to shim) to get these awards if you build it right in the first place.

 

I started with the same attitude as you but very quickly changed my mind, lost some weight and got my Centurion award.

 

Question one: How much do people trim from this location? As much as needed?

None of my returns are much more than 5mm (1/4" ish) some are FAR less.  On my arms the returns are around 3-4mm I think.  

[starsaber25[Admin]]

Hi JC.  I'm with Chris on this one.  Anovos is a great set and I think that it is minimal effort to make it go EIB.  You said you already removed the return edge on the bottom of the forearm.  See you already started on your way to EIB and you haven't even broken a sweat!    Anyway, as far as return edges go, it is good to leave some because it adds a level of illusion that your armor is thick.  But of course it is always best to build your armor to make it feel the most comfortable.  But Chris has given you some good measurements so far. 

[allan1313[TK]]

I am with Chris and Steve. Shoot for centurion. I have an Anovos kit and it really was only few things that need to be fixed/adjusted on this kit to get it to centurion.

 

It was my first kit and I got it to centurion with ease.

 

As for the return edges, as my buddies said, keep as much as you can as it adds to the "look", but cut away where you need to for comfort.

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[TheJace]

Update!

 

I sat down again last night and worked on my right forearm. trimmed the return edge so the two pieces together are the width of the coverstrip. 

I then tried to work on the bicep and got frustrated. I was reading Tony's build pdf and for some reason the information just wasnt sinking in. I re-read the same section 5 times and did a test fit of pieces and decided that I will need to remove some plastic so its not as big around my arm. I was having problems getting the right fit by overlapping because of working with 1 hand.

I then decided I would trim the right calf outside piece so it would be ready for the coverstrip and found that the return edge around the ankle is non-existant and that caused me issues with the measurements. so I decided not to cut that piece either...

 

I decided that instead of getting frustrated and make a mistake I would stop for the night having done very little progress.

 

 

My local Garrison is having an armour building party on April 3rd so I plan to be there and ask for an extra pair of hands and get all my fitting done at the same time so I can start glueing now that the weather is better. I still have two more hobby nights in my schedule before then so lets see if I can get past my mental road blocks before those!

[Eynonz]

I'm currently building a RS kit and also didn't have anyone to help measure my biceps, so I did the following which is from Fragarock's build thread.

 

"I measured the circumference around my flexed bicep, then around the taped armor piece. Subtract the difference and you know how much material to cut out. Remember to leave about 1/2" all around the inside between the plastic and your arm"

 

Worked pretty well for me, but remember to do it with your correct under-suit on.

Edited March 24, 2017 by Eynonz

[68Brick[TK]]

Good Advice from Thomas. Get some blue painters tape and tape the various armor pieces on you, then go stand in the mirror. It helps for sizing, binding, and looks. Also, Regularly check Centurion photos/builds; they're great for reference when you're wondering "do I cut this?". I'd agree with other members, shoot for Centurion or EIB ... your TK will look it's best in those ranks!

 

Your armor party will probably help the most. Keep posting!

Edited March 24, 2017 by 68Brick

[TheJace]

Hey!  Thanks for the advice Thomas!  I will try that out on Friday night when I get another few hours to sit down with my gear. One of the local members offered for me to go over and take a look at his kit for references but due to my busy schedule I wasn't able to yet. 

 

I was looking again at the EIB levels and I THINK it should be do-able. so who knows where this leads!  

 

 

and another update! :  I found I had a bit of time to myself last night and decided I could start sanding pieces. I knew I didn't have enough time to play around with sizing and I don't have the paint for my buttons yet so why not do something constructive with my time?

 

I was able to smooth out my shoulder bells and my chest/back plates.

 

The armour party is next Monday and I plan on maximizing my time there. Last time I went I talked a lot with the members I hadn't seen in a few weeks and didn't manage to trim/mark my lines enough. This time though I plan on getting my arms and legs all sized so I can start slicing/dicing that night or even in the following days.  my deadline is coming up sooner than I thought and the warm weather looks to be coming shortly. I wrote my steps down so I can visually remind myself of what needs to be done:

 

Step 1: Size everything. (hopefully Monday night)

Step 2: Cut everything.

Step 3: Glue! (once weather is nicer)

Step 4: Sand.

Step 5: Strapping.

 

This all has to happen in the next few weeks. I told my wife that I will need more 'me' time to work on my stuff and she said she would help the best she could. 

I might even take some time off work so I could do more stuff during the day when im not tired.

 

I didn't sand much last night but when I was done with the 4 pieces I was happy and relaxed and for the first time in a little bit, I felt like I was actually moving forward in this project. It was a huge moral booster!

[TheJace]

Hey everyone, we had an armor build party this week with the Garrison and it was super helpfull/informative.

I managed to size up MOST of my armor and got some pointers on how to strengthen my armor. 

 

 

I was going to use the strapping system that Anovos supplied but a number of people suggested I build the snap plates and go that way. 

 

So now my question, Tony's build thread lists a few different sized snaps. Some are "S" snaps(15mm) and others are Line 24 snaps.

 

Could I get away with only getting Line 24 snaps?

 

I understand why he uses the Dritz sew in Snaps for the Shoulder to Bicep location but don't know why he changed the snaps in other areas.

[themaninthesuitcase[Admin]]

So now my question, Tony's build thread lists a few different sized snaps. Some are "S" snaps(15mm) and others are Line 24 snaps.

I only used line 24 style snaps for the whole thing (the ones I used are made by Prym). It's not as accurate as using the poppers for the belt but as no one can see it I didn't see it as a big deal and won't affect clearance at all.

[TheJace]

Thank you Chris for the clarification! time to order some snaps!

[lucnak[TK]]

Let's finish this thing!