What have I gotten myself into?

[TheSwede[TK]]

1 hour ago, Zinfer said:

I am going to try Option A; Slim down.

Great choice to make, not only investing in your health but at the same time getting the added bonus of looking and feeling just like the Troopers on screen 

Here’s a little something to get you going, I recommend looking up the site for more inspirational workouts

[Zinfer[TK]]

Thanks Daniel.   Yea over summer I ride my bike for miles every day.  But winter ugh.  I mean I can look at other options if I can't starve it off.  I do have a treadmill, but I prefer biking.  I think running would do the trick, but I'm always twisting my ankles when I run.  Then I crack my knee and I can't decide which one hurts more to grab hold of.

 

Edited December 12, 2020 by Zinfer

[Zinfer[TK]]

So, tonights project was attaching the holster to the belt.  I'd picked up some 24 line snaps earlier as I considered using web material rather than elastics on the armor.  I got all the holes punched in both belt and holster.  I then used female snaps on the front of the leather straps of the holster to fasten them onto male snaps on the inside of the belt.  Done.  Now for the belt, which actually is a bit thicker than the leather.  Seems in order to get the male snaps on the belt I'm going to have to use 1/8 x 1/8 rivets as the 24 line snaps don't have enough meet on them to get through it to bend them over the inner snap.  I'm trusing a 1/8 x 1/8 rivet won't draw straight through the holes on the belt.  Considering a second washer on the rivets. I'm ok with rivets, but not an expert.

Initially I went with around 2" gap, but changed my mind to 1" below the belt for the holster hang.

Holster snaps on there good.  That half is done.

 

So now comes the problem of rivet size.  I need to buy some regardless as I don't have any 1/8 x 1/8 -  What does everyone else use for these?  My snaps are 24 line as I mentioned before.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Some use rivets, some use chicago screws (note below image is a Hero version  )

 

 

I used split rivets, same as ab/kidney, thigh ammo strip approximately 5/16"(8mm) diameter

 

 

 

[Zinfer[TK]]

Ok, I reverted back to the chicago screws.  Drilled out the snaps and started over.  

I didn't really think they were going to fit, but they did.  Punched the holes a little larger.

 

 

 

[Zinfer[TK]]

Began assembling the armor today.  I reinforced every point except for the bottom of the kidney.  Have to come up with 3 more plastics and fit them.  I was a little surprised how much the chest plate can come above the codpiece.  I may be with 1" pieces there instead of 2".  But we'll see when I can actually climb into it.  For now I at least have to get some straps on the chest plate and back to even try to get it together, but not much point until I get some weight off.  

I feel that, the more I assemble, the more firm and tight the unit will become.  Right now parts are just kinda flopping around.  But I wish I could have done a trial fit tonight.  Can't really do that without the straps on the chest and back.

Striving for a nice snug fit.  If the elastics don't feel right, I'll go tighter, but right now it's all about cutting. 

May need to make the chest straps shorter?  This is a 2".

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Zinfer

[Zinfer[TK]]

Paint arrived today!  Started with the tubes.  

 

Hope this meets specs ok

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Zinfer

[Zinfer[TK]]

Question; I'm about to paint the frown and I'm curious; Do I paint any black after the last of the gray teeth.  Looks like a spot of black may be appropriate there.  Checking before I do it for the Stunt.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

No black is present on the teeth area, references here:

[Zinfer[TK]]

Odd, seems like there should be a black dot on either side.

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Zinfer

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

There can be a dab of grey paint on the ends, not all had it.

 

 

Some helmets had an extra section cut out between the last teeth as you can see on the right top frown in the image below

 

And here

[Zinfer[TK]]

Yea I think I'd like to go with a little more gray if it's approvable.  The frown goes a little further.

 

 

Edited December 16, 2020 by Zinfer

[TheSwede[TK]]

Just a heads up regarding the cut outs, for approval a total of eight is present - no more, no less 

[Zinfer[TK]]

You made me go back and look!    I'm good.

[Zinfer[TK]]

First coat for the traps and tears.  Also brought the corners down a little on the frown.  These traps and tears are tricky and hard.  And I haven't even gotten to the outlining yet.  Just freehanded the first coat.

 

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Just a tip, it is a a little easier to paint the black around the edge first as you can go a little wide, then when you paint the grey inside you can get a finer edge line  

[Zinfer[TK]]

Picked up some bright white fingernail polish to take care of the ear screws, just a few dabs on the heads.  

 

[Zinfer[TK]]

32 minutes ago, gmrhodes13 said:

Just a tip, it is a a little easier to paint the black around the edge first as you can go a little wide, then when you paint the grey inside you can get a finer edge line  

I will try this.  I am terribad with straight lines, never mind painting them.

[Zinfer[TK]]

These lines are a little broad but I may be able to deal with it on the inside(gray).  I am going to try to use pencil lines for the outlines.  One thing I've found is it helps tremendously is if I cradle the helment in my left while painting with my right.  It tends to steady me, between that and my pinky.  

 

This is really quite hard.

Edited December 16, 2020 by Zinfer

[Zinfer[TK]]

Ok, that's an improvement, I think?  

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

A strange question for you, Rodney:  Can you post up a pic of the actual brush (just the tip) you are using to paint the lines?  I may have a suggestion or two to help.

[Zinfer[TK]]

Sure.  It's a number 4  

 

[Zinfer[TK]]

Doing some digging and I did see one video reference for using a 10/0 liner.  Going to make yet another run to Hobby Lobby to see if they have any 10/0 liners.

Hope the Humbrol comes off easily after drying.

Edited December 17, 2020 by Zinfer

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

A few threads which may be of help

 

[Zinfer[TK]]