Thigh super-shimming... opinions?

[suttontech[TK]]

Helping my buddy get a used Anovos Sandy that he bought up to spec.

 

It’s been fairly light adjustments except that his thighs are built like a cartoon turkey drumstick lol

 

Knees are average, tops are huge.

 

So far, we took a big piece of ABS to the inside that spanned the entire triangle gap we need, now we are gluing a piece on the outside cut to fit down in the gap.

 

We tried any other way but the gap on top was just too huge.

 

Once we ABS paste the seams, we have to figure out how to fix the bottom, since now the bottom has an upside down V shape... I think its too severe to say he notched it out ...

 

Anyway, just looking for input from the experts. Thanks guys. And please disregard my assistant photobombing

 

 

 

 

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[justjoseph63[Staff]]

Nice job on this so far, Pat, and EXCELLENT idea of putting a full size reinforcement behind the shim!

I would actually extend the mobility cut as seen below, and the back cover strip will hide the bottom of the V shape where the existing bottoms come together.  Some ABS paste, a few hours of sanding/polishing and you should be good to go!

Hint:  To make life easier, don't go overboard with the ABS paste.  You want to use just enough to fill the join with a tiny bit of a "hump" to make the join even after sanding, but not too much.   Adding it too thick can add a lot of time removing the excess and getting it smooth.

 

Keep up posted on your progress, and add lots of detailed photos.  The reason behind that is because it would make a great tutorial for those in the same boat. 

 

[suttontech[TK]]

That’s a good idea thanks.

Being my buddy’s first build, and my second, I will say that having it be a TD is kind of a good way to learn ABS paste.... the weathering will cut down the polishing and hide a lot of imperfections that would show up on a TK.




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[TKSpartan[Staff]]

41 minutes ago, suttontech said:

That’s a good idea thanks.

Being my buddy’s first build, and my second, I will say that having it be a TD is kind of a good way to learn ABS paste.... the weathering will cut down the polishing and hide a lot of imperfections that would show up on a TK.




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Excellent job Pat  ! , Being a Sandy  is going to be an advantage to cover the ABS paste traces . I'll be waiting for your next photos . Every day I learning something new on armor building.  Congratulations!!  

[suttontech[TK]]

Trial fit before the ABS paste and sanding.
It’s kind of hard to gauge without all the strapping done to hold everything in place but it seems like we’re on the right track.
Have to suck in those cankles on the bottom shins too I notice now haha




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[suttontech[TK]]

Still brainstorming on how to fix that lip on bottom to make it straight like it should be. The intense size of the new top splint has caused the bottom to make that harsh inverted ‘V’ shape


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[TKSpartan[Staff]]

Pat, I would suggest to make the strap first to test mobility before fixing that part. 

looking great that abs paste filling

 

cheers 

[suttontech[TK]]

Thanks! That was the first either of us have worked with abs paste. He seemed to get the hang of it pretty quick. May try to see how much we hate sanding it this evening XD



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[suttontech[TK]]

Also, my friend Mike, who this is for, just got 501st approved as DZ-53084. I need to get him signed up for FISD to chime in in this build thread I made on his kit haha


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[suttontech[TK]]

Update: tried to flatten down the behind-the-knee parts with a heat gun. Went horribly wrong.

 

Went to drastic measures and salvaged the thighs off of a crappy TK-UK kit (I was dumb before I applied to the 501st...) that had been retired to mannequin duty.

 

Getting more confident with the ABS paste, so why not... added some more support underneath shims as we did on the top shim and going for broke

 

 

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[suttontech[TK]]

Still a lot of sanding and another light ABS paste coat too, but seems ok.

Question for any ABS pros.. what causes the little spongy areas? I pre-wet the spots with acetone, too much maybe? Hopefully it dries all the way.



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[justjoseph63[Staff]]

I believe those are where the ABS paste was over-mixed a bit too much, allowing air bubbles to get in.  Some sanding may take them out, but you may have to fill those with a super thin layer of JB weld and than give them a final sand.

 

Looking GREAT, though... awesome job!    Can't wait to see the final product!

[suttontech[TK]]

On to the other thigh....


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[Sly11[Admin]]

Man, what a fantastic job you are doing with these shin mods, your buddy is lucky to have a friend like you helping out.
Keep up the good work.


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[suttontech[TK]]

Man, what a fantastic job you are doing with these shin mods, your buddy is lucky to have a friend like you helping out.
Keep up the good work.


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Thanks
Haha yea it’s been eye-opening.
But fun too, plus it’s easier to be brave with somebody else’s kit XD

Really, I am glad its a TD, so heavy weathering can help with mistakes.


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[suttontech[TK]]

Almost weathering time.
Honestly, if I hadn’t had extra thighs to scavenge, it would have been a pain to rebuild the bottom from scratch.

If I had to do it again, I would have originally cut out an hourglass shape instead of just the top triangle, so we could save the bottom lip section, and put it back on straight.

Lesson learned. I never foresaw them inverting upwards that badly when we split the top so wide, but it makes perfect sense in hindsight.




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[suttontech[TK]]

While we we were in the groove, we decided to go the same (but less drastic) route on his biceps



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[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

A lot of work but thighs came out very nicely, well done

[Sly11[Admin]]

Well you certainly nailed those thighs, great work.


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[suttontech[TK]]

Thanks guys. This has been fun.
Thanks everyone for the advice along the way.


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[suttontech[TK]]

Well, what do you guys think?


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[magni[TK]]

You are a MASTER of the ABS paste!

 

 

[Alay[TK]]

Wow!!!

[TheRascalKing[TK]]

I was concerned at first, but MAN, those look great! Awesome job!

 

I've done some big-boy shimming for friends before, but I went the lazy route and didn't add in the rear lip/ridge like you did - props!

 

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Edited January 10, 2022 by gmrhodes13
link not working removed

[Sly11[Admin]]

Brilliant work, perfect outcome.


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