New Attempt at ANH Stunt build

[bartonajb]

Hi guys. I hope you dont mind if I start over on a build thread. I proved my internet ineptitude by starting my build thread exactly in the area titled "please dont post build threads here." I dont mean to clog up the forum but I really  enjoy following other members threads and I hope to be able to glean as much expert advice from you all as possible. I had posted a bit in my other thread that maybe I will summarize and repost here for completeness sake as long as you all dont mind. 

[Frank75139[501st]]

Lol no problem. Summarize and repost away.


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[TheSwede[TK]]

9 hours ago, Frank1769 said:

Summarize and repost away.

What he said

[bartonajb]

Alright... here we go. So I started on the biceps first followed by shoulders and forearms. Those are pics I had posted elsewhere so I will repost here later. I moved onto all the torso pieces next. Trimmed the return edges to 1/8 inch except for bottom chest, top abdomen, bottom back, top and bottom kidney and top butt which I trimmed to 3/8 inch to mount hanger brackets to.


I drilled the holes for the mounting brackets using a 7/64 bit. This required me to gently use a screwdriver to get the screws through however they don’t fall out as I manipulate the brackets. This has been particularly helpful as I have already removed each one at least once.


I wasn’t going to countersink the screw heads for fear of weakening the plastic however I have already found how often they catch on each other and snag so I’m going to go back, remove them and countersink the heads.

I am also adding reinforcing strips to each bracket on the return.
More updates to come!


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[bartonajb]

After installing the brackets I needed to wait to get the elastics sewn so figured the TD was low hanging fruit to complete. As others have pointed out RS installs the clips to the tube for you. One of mine was a little crooked which was bugging me so I removed them and replaced them both strait. I penciled a line at 20mm on the end caps, trimmed them close to this with scissors and sanded them to size on my palm sander which gave a nice flat uniform edge.

Attached the caps abutting the clips and then trimmed the control panel( I think that’s what it’s called) to square.

I found that a dowel wrapped in sandpaper worked well on the curved edge

I painted the screw heads black while they were backed out repositioning the clamps then made sure everything was square prior to gluing.





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[TheSwede[TK]]

Looking good

[Harbinger[IPM]]

Good job on the TD. Maybe add some felt to keep the aluminum brackets from scratching your kidney plate.

 

PS: Keep an eye out for galvanic corrosion on your brackets, mismatched metals and such.

Edited December 27, 2017 by Harbinger

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Keep up the good work Andrew 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Coming along nicely

[bartonajb]

Thanks guys. I’m sure I can find some black felt in the kids craft bin for the TD clips.


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[bartonajb]

Thanks guys. I’m sure I can find some black felt in the kids craft bin for the TD clips.


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[bartonajb]

Thanks guys. I’m sure I can find some black felt in the kids craft bin for the TD clips.


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[bartonajb]

Thanks guys. I’m sure I can find some black felt in the kids craft bin for the TD clips.


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[Poseidon[501st]]

I used the soft side of velcro, which I had readily available and works pretty well for me. There are a dozen ways to skin that cat though.

 

[bartonajb]

Thanks for all the input everyone! A few days ago I attached abdomen to kidney. I first had to trim a little off the sides of the abdomen. I used the pre installed snap on the right side as a starting point and measured over 20mm to draw my cut line.

Once the right side was trimmed I took a little off the left to fit. Next was left side rivets. I marked the first drill hole on the abdomen 20 mm from the top return and 10mm in from edge.

Then the bottom abdomen rivet hole 10mm up from the ridge.

Marked the middle rivet hole midway between them. On the kidney side the top was marked 20mm down and 10mm in.

Marked the bottom kidney rivet 40mm above the notch.


Made sure both sides lined up and drilled 1/8 holes.

Next I cut three pieces of 1inch strap and used a leather punch to punch two holes 20mm apart in each piece.

Then placed the rivets and attached the straps.




Next I took the pre snapped right strap and cut it down to about 2.5 inches. Glued it and clamped it with 15mm from return to mid snap.


Bracket loops coming up next.


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[bartonajb]

Hoping to grab two quick opinions. First, do you think these bridge edges look trimmed well? I’ve looked at several pictures but just hoping for reassurance before attaching them.


Second. Do you think that placing the right shoulder strap snap this far down in the chest will give me any fit issues? I’m 5,8 so in test fitting I don’t appear to require a lot of exposed strap at the gap between chest and back. The snaps were all pre installed by RS but you can see that if I leave it as is it will connect a couple inches down instead of at the edge of the chest.


Thanks guys.


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[TheSwede[TK]]

Bridges look great although I would remove the return in the front of first bump for screen accuracy

And I would put a new snap higher up, making the elastic shorther to help the shoulders to better stay in place, you could also tape it up like it is and see how it works before you make any changes

[bartonajb]

Thanks. Took your advice and sanded those front edges down.

Gonna have to make a trip to the hobby store for snaps since I haven’t had to actually install any since everything came with them pre installed. Appreciate the advice!


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[bartonajb]

Two days ago I got all the torso straps on. I sewed various lengths and tried different ones until I felt that the alignment of the pieces was good. For the back/kidney/butt 1inch seems to work well (2inch piece folded in a loop).

For the chest/abdomen I used 1.5 inch loops (3inch piece folded in half).

I guess I will see how these longer ones work. They seem to allow the chest to drop down more to better fit my torso height. This does however allow some range of motion of the chest piece. Don’t know if this is normal or not.


Left shoulder strap chest to back fitted and glued.


Here’s the whole unit so far.




Throwing the belt on was a piece of cake since it all came pre snapped
Planning on attaching shoulder bridges and cod strap tonight. Still working out the right shoulder strap issue.


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[TheSwede[TK]]

Looking great - good work

[magni[TK]]

You'll be Trooping before you know it!

[bartonajb]

My arms are close to completion at this point. Some of this is a bit retrospective as I started on the arms first.
Shoulders were trimmed down to 5 inches measured across the bottom from the edge of the ridge and 12 inches along the ridge from bottom to top.



Glued in the shoulder strap with enough tension to pull the shoulder edges in about 1/2 inch to hug the bicep.


I had posted some questions while working on the biceps elsewhere. There are still some odd edges on top where the two halves come together. They don’t show so I guess I’ll see how they feel while wearing them if they catch or not or cause discomfort.




Made the bicep clips out of a 4 inch piece of cover strip material.

Heated with heat gun and bend into shape while wearing heavy gloves.


I think the fit looks good and is fairly comfortable with test fits so far.



The left forearm was fairly strait forward to trim and fit.



Return has been cut off wrist side and double cover strips on all parts.

I’m still struggling a bit with the right forearm. I initially assembled it but felt it was too wide so I just ripped off one of the strips to trim it down more. I also think I need to take more off the return on the underside at the elbow which should make it fit better.



Updates to come on this one.

Glued the latex hand guards to the gloves with CA glue. I learned after the first one to be careful not to slop glue onto the gloves as it begins to dry white fast, smears and looks awful. I had to use quite a bit of nail polish remover to remove it from the gloves. This is the only place on armor I would ever allow polish remover to be used as it is acetone and will damage anywhere else.


No more progress for the next 12 days. Headed to Disney World with the family tomorrow!
Everything boxed and awaiting my return.

[TheSwede[TK]]

Way to start the New Year  Happy holidays 

[Harbinger[IPM]]

Enjoy your vacation!

[AngryEwok[501st]]

Looking great so far.