Highlander’s AP ANH Stunt Build

[rwmead10]

6 hours ago, gmrhodes13 said:

Looks great, I cut a lot of thin pieces of ABS offcuts to lay on both sides of the nylon when gluing, saves a lot of clamps and magnets.

Do you have a picture of this?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

4 hours ago, rwmead10 said:

Do you have a picture of this?

[rwmead10]

I splurged and got a Quest Designs E-11 to upgrade my hasbro conversion. Does anyone know where to get the correct sized spring to add?

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Many make a spring from a coat hanger and wrap around a broom handle 

 

[rwmead10]

Well I’m back. Life has been crazy since my last post.

 

On with the torso assembly. I cut some strips to help in gluing the snap plates. I am starting the strapping on the chest, back plate and shoulders.

[rwmead10]

I guess I am rusty. After months of researching the measurements for the butt plate male snaps, I measured 5/8” and 1 3/8” and centered the holes. If you can see from my picture, I actually measured 1 3/16” which put the holes too close together...something i didn’t notice until after drilling the holes. After drilling the correct hole, you could see light through the extra hole that wasn't covered by the snap. So I got a leather punch, punched an ABS plug and used the snap to keep it in place. The process was infinitely more frustrating than that. Hopefully this passes approvals. 

[rwmead10]

More progress. I used the back plate and butt plate to line up the snaps on the kidney. Also glued the snap plates for the shoulder bells. 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Nice positioning of the snap plates to the ends of the butt plate, many position these too short and the butt plate can flare out.

 

Nice work, coming along great

[rwmead10]

Moving really delays hobbies.

 

I finally got my build out and made some progress. Following Mayo’s AP build, I made 4 plates to reinforce the shoulder elastic. These are 2” x 1” and the holes for the snaps are a 5/32” drill bit. Then I used a 13/64” drill bit to make the snap sit a little more flush. My chest and backplate are about 3.5” inches apart at the shoulder. I glued the plates into the elastic and clamped to dry.

 

 

[rwmead10]

I found a belt on Amazon and am waiting for the Velcro and straps to come in to make the thigh garter. While I wait I glued the snap plates 2 inches from the top of the thighs.

WOLF TACTICAL Heavy Duty Simple... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BKTXXN1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[revlimiter[Staff]]

Trim off the return edge on your butt plate (and cod if present) so that it's just flat plastic. You'll crack the butt plate from just crotch-strap pressure otherwise. With no return edge, there's no stress fracture waiting to happen.

 

That Wolf Tactical belt is great. I've used it and recommended it to locals.

[rwmead10]

I finished the garter belt straps. I also created some boot straps to hold them closed, inspired by the company boot snakes. Since my boots are size 13, the tops are too wide for the shin armor to fit over. This helps but I will need to reshape the right shin because it will not fully close.

[rwmead10]

First suit up of the legs. There are a lot of sharp edges and pinch points, mobility cuts are needed. I may need to make the thighs bigger so they go higher. Am I on the right track?

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Your shins should sit a lot lower. You could perhaps use some heat to open them a little more OR try larger cover strips on the rear which will definitely give you more room

  

Here's a comparison with another AP, note how much room around the knees there is.

 

Definitely don't go cutting mobility cuts until you are wearing all of the armor, I've seen a few that trim them then are left with huge gaps on the back as they really weren't needed

[revlimiter[Staff]]

The thigh height looks pretty good to me. As Glen said, try to shove those shins downward a good bit. It'll give you a lot more mobility and give a little nicer gap to match the thighs more.

[rwmead10]

Should a do a hot bath to reshape the shins? Right now they are pretty round and won’t push down over the boots very well. 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

59 minutes ago, rwmead10 said:

Should a do a hot bath to reshape the shins? Right now they are pretty round and won’t push down over the boots very well. 

A hot water bath may help your issue.