ESB TK WIP - UKG - first build - hoping for centurian

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Hi All,

 

I joined the UK Garrison a couple of months ago, and have been posting on there with my WIP updates for my esb tk build.

 

I'm not very far in, but because I'm aiming for level 3 centurian my armourer suggested I post on here too (as it'll be FISD that approve above basic). So, I'll do a few catch up posts of what I've done so far, and then start posting updates as I do them.

 

If any of this seems wrong let me know (as I'm new to all this).

 

Thanks

Rich

 

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

First thing I tackled was the boots.

I don't wear leather, and finding suitable boots was a challenge. Got some synthetic ones eventually which my UK armourer was happy with.

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-chelsea-boots-in-black-faux-leather-with-black-sole/prd/21328697

I think I maybe rubbed down (with nail polish remover) a bit too hard. It took A LOT of coats of dye to cover them, but maybe that'll be a good thing in the long run.

Got good coverage, even on the elastic, and just had to tidy up where the top meets the sole with some gloss white and matt black enamel paint. I know that'll chip off quite quickly as it doesn't flex, but I can keep touching up if needed.

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Because I'm tall (6'4", 193cm) I needed to look at armour that was going to fit properly.

RWA was suggested in a lot of UK posts as having XL armour being suitable for big and tall guys (you can order a full XL set, or just the specific pieces you need in the bigger size).

I messaged Ross (Mr RWA) a fair bit before ordering (really nice guy), and we agreed on a full set of XL armour.

He makes his armour in 1.5mm ABS, 2mm ABS and 2mm acrylic capped ABS. Ross recommended 2mm ABS for the XL kit, as it has to stretch a bit further over the molds (therefore gets a bit thinner), so it's a good balance between strength and detail in the molding.

I chickened out and paid extra to get Ross to build and finish the helmet. I know that is 'cheating', but having the helmet ready to wear right from the start was pretty cool.

From reading the CRL the helmet is fine all the way up to level 3 (s trim, stickers not paint, etc), but the hovi-mix tips were all black. I've painted the insides white already, but I need to take them off again to paint to rim white as well.

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

In the last couple of days I've started rough trimming the armour (2mm using lexan scissors is hard on your fingers!).

The only areas that have been fine trimmed are the limbs under where the cover strips will be (not biceps yet though). The rest I'm still unsure how much return edge is needed for level 3 clearance, plus I'm finding it hard to get a neat edge using just the lexan scissors, so I'm hanging on until I get a dremel (probably next month).

If there are any videos or pics that clearly show how to trim armour for level 3 clearance could someone please share links

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Almost forgot!!!!

My e-11 blaster arrived this week

Ordered the Sheartech rubber esb blaster, and (again) looking over the crl and pics online it looks to me like its good for level 3 clearance as the promo blaster. Looks like a replica of the Pugman promo.

If there's any issues please let me know.

[justjoseph63[Staff]]

 

Hi Richard!  Great to hear that you are aiming for the higher levels, and everything is looking good so far.  Instead of removing the Hovi tips to paint the rims, I would suggest just (carefully) dabbing a bit of white paint on them.

 

 

Looking forward to following your build thread, and keep the questions and photos coming!   

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Thanks! Really good to know I'm heading in the right direction. Will get the hovi-mix tips touched up this weekend, and post a sanity-check pic.

Should be getting some better padding for inside the bucket today too. Would love to paint the inside black as I've seen some others have done, but nervous about ruining a helmet from the outside is pretty much perfect (hmm ).

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[CableGuy[TK]]

Thanks! Really good to know I'm heading in the right direction. Will get the hovi-mix tips touched up this weekend, and post a sanity-check pic.

Should be getting some better padding for inside the bucket today too. Would love to paint the inside black as I've seen some others have done, but nervous about ruining a helmet from the outside is pretty much perfect (hmm ).

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Hey Rich,

Welcome to the other side. ;-)

You could try self adhesive black EVA foam. I used that for one of mine abs it worked really well. :-)

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Thanks Dan,
Had a delivery of some pads today, but not sure they're thick enough. Will have a try and post some pics and words

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[CableGuy[TK]]

Thanks Dan,
Had a delivery of some pads today, but not sure they're thick enough. Will have a try and post some pics and words

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Sorry Rich - I meant for blacking out the interior. Check out this vid to see the interior of one of my buckets. The EVA foam sheets are around 2mm thick and self adhesive, so you just cut them to strips of various sizes and apply within the helmet. :-)

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Sorry Rich - I meant for blacking out the interior.

Gotcha. I'll source some and give it a go

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Went tool shopping yesterday, so today was cover strip cutting day.

6 x 15mm for the arms
6 x 20mm for the thighs and shin fronts
2 x 25mm for the shin backs

What are the pros and cons of having inside cover strips?

Also trimmed the belt, knee ammo pack and 2 x buttons for the ab.

Fun fact:
The time it took to measure up and cut all of the above was exactly the time it took to listen the ESB movie soundtrack.

Need to tidy up the belt and knee ammo pack with sand paper as didn't get a clean line. Not cutting the 45 degree corners of the belt or the knee ammo pack radius till they're ready to fit to the canvas belt.

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[tat2trooper[TK]]

You can just use a cotton swab also dip it in a small dab of white paint and do the hovi tips. Your bucket looks nice and clean. 

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

You can just use a cotton swab also dip it in a small dab of white paint and do the hovi tips. Your bucket looks nice and clean. 

Thanks for the tip, and the compliment!

Didn't get round to the hovi tips this weekend, so I'll remember the cotton bud for one night this week

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[justjoseph63[Staff]]

Nice trimming on the ab-button plates, Richard!  When painting them, remember that the paint should not go all the way to the bottom of the actual button, and don't be tempted to round out the corners. 

 

                                                                    Reference image

    

 

Also, when attaching your canvas belt to the ABS belt, remember that the lower angle of the 45 degree corners need to line up with the top and bottom of the canvas belt as seen below, and the button covers should not have too much space between them and the ends of the belt (green arrow).

 

                                                              Reference image

     

 

Keep up the great work, and keep those photos coming!  

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

don't be tempted to round out the corners. 
 
Also, when attaching your canvas belt to the ABS belt, remember that the lower angle of the 45 degree corners need to line up with the top and bottom of the canvas belt as seen below

Thanks Joseph.
If it wasn't for the link you shared a few posts back I wouldn't have known about much of this. Thanks for everything.

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Had a go at lining my bucket with 2mm eva foam, and adding some better looking pads.

The top round pad and large pads by my ears are definitely an improvement (although the smaller pads at the top are really just aesthetic and don't do anything).

The eva foam hasn't come out as neat as I'd like, and the carpet tape I used isn't holding well in a lot of places, so I think I'm going to have to rip it out and start again.

Tonight's job is painting those hovi-mix rims!

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

First crack at trying to make the rims of the hovi tips more accurate.

Thoughts?

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

I've commited a cardinal sin. I havent followed the advice of my designated garrison armourer!

I didnt get the 2mm self adhesive eva foam he suggested, instead i got 1mm self adhesive eva foam , and honestly its amazing. It follows almost every part of the molding like paint, and most of the inside was done with 3 x complete a4 sheets (so less joins). The only part that got a bit messy was below the mouth, and even thats pretty cool in my book. All fitted without taking helmet apart.

Still gotta put the pads in around the ears, and might need gorilla tape to secure it on the foam sheet(?)

Dremel on order and should arrive tomorrow, so easter weekend i can crack on with fine trimming the armour (along with lots of questions)

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Did a bit of work on the belt and knee ammo packs today.

Used a hand file and foam sanding pad to tidy up the long edges. Have left the short edges on both until ready to fit to the belt and leg (to make sure the length is correct).

Drilled the 3 x 3.5mm holes in the belt ammo pack ready for the rivets. Location for the holes was premarked in the molding, so hope they're in the right place(?). Haven't fitted the fixings yet as need to use the holes to mark the canvas belt (which I dont have yet).

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Toys!

Gonna have fun this easter weekend!

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

Fine trimmed (before fitting and measuring) the first bicep. Absolute minimal return, based on info from the link below (could go a little less, but want to retain a little appearance of thickness).

https://www.whitearmor.net/for...ic/48166-return-edges-101-ottk
(Ref pics copied across)

[Rough trimmed with lexan scissors. Fine trimmed using dremel 4000 and large sanding barrel, course grit at speed 15]

I'd never used a dremel before, and I found this video very useful, especially about sanding from around 4:10

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[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Coming along nicely, a Dremmel can certainly be your friend, it's just makes a mess, made the mistake of wearing a sweater that all the fine trimmings stuck too, that was fun picking them all off.

 

Great to see you are using the reference library 

[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

My issue has been hot plastic chips flicking into my eyes! Eventually persuaded myself to go downstairs for eye protection

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[CallMeMrTibbles[501st]]

What's the minimum acceptable return edge for centurian for the top of the shins?

Struggling to find reliable info or reference images.

Thanks

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