Digz Graavz First Build - ANH Stunt from AP

[ukswrath[Staff]]

Looking good Chris. Looks like the crew has given you some pretty sound advice.

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

Thanks everyone!  I think the combination of Brad's guidance and experience along with the cuts I put in the corners may be a not-so-secret-any-more recipe.

The shoulder straps are overcurved from the boiling process and that's why they look so close together in the photo.  We aligned the heck out of everything and they're glued dead on the lines we used.  I'll post more pics later with this morning's progress.  Time to go unclamp and move on to more stuff.

Ammo boxes, TD and the last of the strapping.  Brad had me trim my forearms a bit so I need to redo those cover strips.  If all goes well I might be doing basic submission in a day or two.

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

5 minutes with a hair dryer and the curve is much less aggressive.  Here is it with just the elastic to retain it.

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

So... All strapping is done, other than the thigh garters and attaching the drop boxes to the belt (they're drying and the straps are on the belt).  I want to complete the TD tonight, maybe get the thighs done.  That will just leave replacing the cover  strips on the forearms, which are not bad but can be better.  Submission pics tomorrow unless the Universe throws me a curve ball

Right now it's mostly Velcro unless snaps are required for Centurion.  I figure the best thing to do is get it fitted 100% with the Velcro, then mark the positioning and add snaps.

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

You can use anything for inside strapping for IE and Centurion, snaps are only needed for external decoration on side of ab and butt plate  

 

Hope you throw those approval images on the pre approval forum, looking forward to seeing them.

[ABS80]

Chris,  you can trim off the shoulder straps rear big tabs the movie original didn't have any, I just made my straps longer for larger people

 

Mark (AP)

[mjweller]

Man you're going to have this thing done in no time!  Hopefully I'll get some more done this week on mine.

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

9 hours ago, Digz Graavz said:

Right now it's mostly Velcro unless snaps are required for Centurion.  I figure the best thing to do is get it fitted 100% with the Velcro, then mark the positioning and add snaps.

As Glen mentioned, internal strapping techniques are up to you.  Smart idea about changing over to snaps, though.  Velcro holds up well at first, but will begin to get weaker over time from repeated opening/closing.

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

Thanks again everyone.  Rob (twosolitudes) will be here in about 90 mins to take my submission pictures!

Check out these sexy TD screws!  (They've since been painted black).

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking forward to those photos  

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

It's UP!  Thanks Rob (twosolitudes) for your gracious assistance.
 

 

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking smart, feedback posted on pre-approval thread, good luck and hope to see you approved very soon (be aware the membership database is in lockdown until after Feb 19th and membership submissions can not be approved until after that date)

Good luck

[Twosolitudes[TK]]

Glad to help Chris! 

 

Standing by if you need anything. 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

Thanks again everyone.  Yeah, the Feb 19th timing sucks right now, but I'm pushing hard for approval before March 15th Comicon in Toronto.

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

OK - touch up time.  As per comments in my pre-approval, I will be touching up the vocoder paint (well, actually removing some) and making a good thigh support system. I've found my belt and 2" black elastic so I'll get that glued up today (SNOW DAY!!!),

 

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

So today I repainted the vocoder, fixed the chest strapping (one of the brackets was off by over 1cm Rob- I think that's why the right side kept riding up), glued in new thigh support straps and trimmed the large section from the backs of the shoulder straps.   

 

I finally found the Sugru that I KNEW I had ordered so I am going to mount the mouth grill thingamabob properly.

 

Mic tips question:  It looks like I need to paint the inside of the tube white, correct?

 

Thanks again. 

[wook1138[TK]]

3 minutes ago, Digz Graavz said:

Mic tips question:  It looks like I need to paint the inside of the tube white, correct?

You shouldn't have to.  Some add a little paint to the outer edges to simulate weathering of the part. 

 

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

34 minutes ago, wook1138 said:

You shouldn't have to.  Some add a little paint to the outer edges to simulate weathering of the part. 

 

 

Actually they are white inside on the Stunt version, if you look closely inside you can make out the white. After recent conisations with ANH CRL it's been discussed in length and may become part of the CRL's at a later stage.

 

But for basic you can just paint the rim white  

 

and before painting they are white

 

 

 

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

Mic tips as they came straight from AP:



Also, if I want to fix my ear screws, here's where they will line up.  Also, not that on the right side it looks like I will need to trim a bit of the back helmet section (as marked).  Make sense?

  

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

White inside CORRECT, just give the rim a paint white and you are done.

 

With the ears the angle mentioned is the "ideal look" but at this stage not an actual requirement, make sure you check how the ears will sit against the helmet if you where to move them, in some instances you can end up with a bigger gap, or may need some more trimming. Also check they still cover the base of the helmet so there doesn't end up being a gap where the S trim sits on.

 

Here's one that isn't quite the at the "ideal look"  

 

 

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

Mic tips:

 

[Digz Graavz[TK]]

25 minutes ago, gmrhodes13 said:

With the ears the angle mentioned is the "ideal look" but at this stage not an actual requirement, make sure you check how the ears will sit against the helmet if you where to move them, in some instances you can end up with a bigger gap, or may need some more trimming. Also check they still cover the base of the helmet so there doesn't end up being a gap where the S trim sits on.

OK thanks.  Not going to bother then.  I checked the fit and the gap at the bottom would have been horrible.  Too bad...  At some point maybe I'll order new ear covers.

[wook1138[TK]]

1 hour ago, gmrhodes13 said:

Actually they are white inside on the Stunt version, if you look closely inside you can make out the white. After recent conisations with ANH CRL it's been discussed in length and may become part of the CRL's at a later stage. 

yeah, I meant that AP comes with white on the inside already - no need to paint.

[ukswrath[Staff]]

FWIW  the ears don't have to be perfect.