Revvek[TK] Posted October 27, 2021 Author Report Posted October 27, 2021 (edited) I removed it for a second time and walked away for the day... But the next time I had time to work on it I got it installed properly! and applied paint last night! I use a hole punch the same size as the head of the rivet to make my mask. and also a hand torch quickly brushed over the paint to pop any bubbles. I used Testers White Enamel Edited October 28, 2021 by Revvek add photo Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted November 18, 2021 Author Report Posted November 18, 2021 (edited) Been a while since I did an update, lots going on with work... I know this isn't the most exiting build log... but maybe it will contain something helpful down the road for someone... The scarping is DONE! found another seam needed to be re glued... It was time to start learning how to do snaps. I got a bunch of Tandy line 24 snaps and the setting tools. first attempts proved that using a hammer and setting tools, don't work so good in soft materials like elastic... got some crazing bending... making one side not remotely aligned with the other in this case... So I bought some snap pliers off Amazon. That made all the difference! (right tool for the job is a thing) I'm going to use webbing for the armor side in most places, not squares of plastic. This 1" black will likely work, but 1.5" wide will give just that bit more glue surface. Edited November 18, 2021 by Revvek 1 Quote
Sly11[Admin] Posted November 18, 2021 Report Posted November 18, 2021 So neat and tidy Steve, nice job. 1 Quote
justjoseph63[Staff] Posted November 20, 2021 Report Posted November 20, 2021 Really glad to see that you went with the "double snap" method, Steve. Pretty much guarantees that nothing will ever come apart during a troop! Since the black nylon straps that hold the shoulder bells to the shoulder bridge elastic are normally 1" wide, you can still use the double snap method on these as well. Just be sure to put a piece of elastic under the snaps on the white elastic for some added strength (blue arrow). Paint the tops white and you are in business! 1 Quote
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 20, 2021 Report Posted November 20, 2021 I also find if you offset the snaps on the shoulder straps more towards the front it helps to rotate the shoulder inwards when moving the arms around. Double snaps have helped me on more than one occasion to keep on trooping 1 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted November 22, 2021 Author Report Posted November 22, 2021 On 11/20/2021 at 1:23 PM, gmrhodes13 said: I also find if you offset the snaps on the shoulder straps more towards the front it helps to rotate the shoulder inwards when moving the arms around. Double snaps have helped me on more than one occasion to keep on trooping Ok, I see how making them a bit forward would help... So, you put the black strap under the white elastic and snap down onto it? Interesting... I like it. is there a good reason the shoulders are elastic and not 2" white webbing? I have been considering just using some webbing. Some use sew on snaps, I'm thinking of gluing some reinforcement around the snap area, and just using holes like the ends. First, I need to figure out how long to make the things. Probably going to start by just making 9" long straps, attaching the snap points on the back plate, then sorting out where to put them on the front and that should tell me how long to make them... Quote
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 22, 2021 Report Posted November 22, 2021 4 minutes ago, Revvek said: Ok, I see how making them a bit forward would help... So, you put the black strap under the white elastic and snap down onto it? Interesting... I like it. is there a good reason the shoulders are elastic and not 2" white webbing? I have been considering just using some webbing. Some use sew on snaps, I'm thinking of gluing some reinforcement around the snap area, and just using holes like the ends. Yes black under the white, this is in case they pull then you will see white from the top and not black. Webbing doesn't allow any movement, plus it is what was used on screen armor Adding some glue to elastic before adding snaps will give a little extra strength, I used to do this until I discovered using a soldering iron enforced the hole so no longer required glue. 1 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted November 25, 2021 Author Report Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) Found time this morning to start making some snap mounts for my shoulder straps. I cut a bunch of white webbing nuggets, then used 123 blocks to help isolate the edge and sealed them with a torch. Then I marked the hole placement using a template I created and punched holes with a soldering iron. Counted out the snap parts and started to go to town with the crimping tool! This thing works great! Edited November 25, 2021 by Revvek 1 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted January 6, 2022 Author Report Posted January 6, 2022 (edited) First snaps finally getting glued in place! e6000 in place and let the clamps at it. (They were hungry) am I doing this right? Edited January 6, 2022 by Revvek 4 Quote
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted January 6, 2022 Report Posted January 6, 2022 22 hours ago, Revvek said: am I doing this right? Looks good to me. I used some scrap pieces of ABS on the top and bottoms of the snap plates to hold them down flush, then clamp, I don't bother clamping the actual snap. Note some in the past have had issues with a reaction between the snap and E6000 which can cause heat so try to keep the glue away from the actual snap, I've not experienced it myself but doesn't hurt to be cautious . 2 Quote
TheRascalKing[TK] Posted January 7, 2022 Report Posted January 7, 2022 (edited) 17 hours ago, gmrhodes13 said: I don't bother clamping the actual snap. Note some in the past have had issues with a reaction between the snap and E6000 which can cause heat so try to keep the glue away from the actual snap, I've not experienced it myself but doesn't hurt to be cautious . This^. Clamp the webbing, not the snap I also scuff up the plastic underneath to promote mechanical adhesion, if you aren't already. Edited January 7, 2022 by TheRascalKing Quote
Morgi[Staff] Posted January 7, 2022 Report Posted January 7, 2022 (edited) vor 18 Stunden schrieb gmrhodes13: Note some in the past have had issues with a reaction between the snap and E6000 which can cause heat so try to keep the glue away from the actual snap, I've not experienced it myself but doesn't hurt to be cautious . I've had this happen to me. Didn't clamp the snap, took care not to get E6000 on the metal... Must have missed something and now got a nice, snap-shaped imprint on one piece of armor Thankfully it isn't very noticeable, unless the lighting hits just right or you see it up close in person Not the best quality picture, but you can spot the slighter brighter (and raised, ouch) half-moon circle. Yay for heat-reactions and heat-bending... Edited January 7, 2022 by Morgi Added picture Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Posted January 11, 2022 E6000 causing heat when it touches metal? That’s interesting. I don’t think it heated up… Now I need to check! I clamped the snap because it wanted to sit lopsided otherwise, but I did make sure the edges got more clamps…. Those are going to be more difficult to clamp in some areas, and magnets just wanted to all stick to the snap! 1 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Posted January 11, 2022 (edited) Made my first snap straps, starting with white 2inch elastic for the shoulders. EDIT- I folded the elastic over twice giving me 3 layers, the then glued the layers together before adding the holes. Had a bit of help getting the size of the straps figured out. Not easy working on such areas alone without a mannequin… But here they are. Edited January 11, 2022 by Revvek Added a missed nugget of info! 1 Quote
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted January 11, 2022 Report Posted January 11, 2022 Just a tip, if you have a soldering iron you can use that to make the holes, it will seal the edges and prevent the snaps pulling through. Or another option is dab some glue on the hole before adding the snap. Some may think it's overkill but I've had a couple pull through elastic in the early days. 1 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted January 11, 2022 Author Report Posted January 11, 2022 I should have mentioned, I folded the elastic over twice and glued the layers together before adding the holes. (after the first one) adding this to that post now. Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted February 1, 2022 Author Report Posted February 1, 2022 Show progress for life reasons thee last several weeks have kind of sucked… But, it finally got the front snap points attached. I am considering options for strengthening the bridges. I know some glue more plastic in there, but I’m thinking of other options with a bit more flex. We will see… 2 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted March 10, 2022 Author Report Posted March 10, 2022 Been hard to get anything done these last few weeks… my 17 year old cat Daisy died on Jan 9th. (Raised her from 5 weeks old)… my mom died at the end of Jan… and then my dad died end of Feb… but I did get around to doing something more on my armor the other day. I added elastic straps for holding the shoulder bridges down. this is how I did it. aligned the ends stapled together added e6000 heat shrunk over that and they work 2 Quote
revlimiter[Staff] Posted March 10, 2022 Report Posted March 10, 2022 Sorry for your loss. No words are sufficient for that. However, that's a brilliant way of doing the elastic! Mine are just tied together... 1 Quote
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted March 10, 2022 Report Posted March 10, 2022 So sorry to hear of your loss 1 Quote
Chemi[Staff] Posted March 10, 2022 Report Posted March 10, 2022 Sorry for your loss Steve .... 1 Quote
Sly11[Admin] Posted March 11, 2022 Report Posted March 11, 2022 Oh my goodness Steve, I am so sorry for your loss. 1 Quote
ukswrath[Staff] Posted March 11, 2022 Report Posted March 11, 2022 Looking good Steve, very sorry to hear about your family member. 1 Quote
Revvek[TK] Posted March 24, 2022 Author Report Posted March 24, 2022 (edited) Started to do some cleaning on my bucket after pulling it all apart. plan to spray the inside with truck bed liner, before putting pads and fans back in… (Not pictured) I also decided on how I was going to add structure to the shoulder bridges. Glueing white webbing to the underside. side note I present to you R2! He was finally publicly presentable a few weeks back! and I’m playing with how to hang buckets on my walls. Edited March 24, 2022 by Revvek 2 Quote
TKSpartan[Staff] Posted March 24, 2022 Report Posted March 24, 2022 Nice work Steve and Awesome R2!! 1 Quote
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