m3tal_man84 Posted November 22, 2022 Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 Hey folks! It's been a bit since I was around these parts. I had received my BBB of goodies back in 2018 and begin my journey. Things came to a halt in 2019, life got busy and the build got put on the back burner. Now 2022, life is still busy, but I am now able to spend time on the build. So back at it I go! Will post a few pictures when I get home later!Have a question though, probably one of many... which system does everyone prefer underneath the torso armor, straps or hooks? Not sure what to purchase... Thanks! Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKSpartan[Staff] Posted November 22, 2022 Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 Hi Andy and welcome back !! Bellow I found some threads about strapping systems that could be useful for you. Additional the first one is a general index for different TK related topics. Good luck and looking forward for your advances. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 22, 2022 Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 Hello and welcome back, real life always comes first. I found straps/snaps to be a little kinder on your armor, the bracket bolt/screw system although accurate can crack between the bolts/screws depending on the thickness of your armor and how hard you troop in it. I also like to use double snaps, occasionally you can have one fail and have a second snap there helps you to still be able to troop. Basic placement of the strapping and double snaps 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK 17654[TK] Posted November 22, 2022 Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 Double snaps is the way 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted November 22, 2022 Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 Double snaps have served my armour well for over 8 years now, definitely a good way to go. Welcome back to FISD! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2022 Hello and welcome back, real life always comes first. I found straps/snaps to be a little kinder on your armor, the bracket bolt/screw system although accurate can crack between the bolts/screws depending on the thickness of your armor and how hard you troop in it. I also like to use double snaps, occasionally you can have one fail and have a second snap there helps you to still be able to troop. Basic placement of the strapping and double snaps I love the diagram, thank you! Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2022 Hi Andy and welcome back !! Bellow I found some threads about strapping systems that could be useful for you. Additional the first one is a general index for different TK related topics. Good luck and looking forward for your advances. [/url] Thank you for the links!Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 23, 2022 Report Share Posted November 23, 2022 10 hours ago, m3tal_man84 said: I love the diagram, thank you! Just note on the diagram it only shows single snaps on the shoulder bells, bicep and forearms, personally I add double here too, I've had a snap come off at the shoulder straps and have the second snap there saved me from not being able to troop at an event 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2022 Just note on the diagram it only shows single snaps on the shoulder bells, bicep and forearms, personally I add double here too, I've had a snap come off at the shoulder straps and have the second snap there saved me from not being able to troop at an event Yeah, I am definitely going to be doing the double snaps then. If I wanted to make those myself instead of buying the straps from TrooperBay or somewheres, is there a link to custom made ones in here?? Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2022 I am having a hard time figuring out which side is which for the thigh pieces. It's an RS kit. Is there an easy way?? Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2022 Also, how does my TD look?? And how am I supposed to do these clips? RS didn't send them bent already... Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 25, 2022 Report Share Posted November 25, 2022 1 hour ago, m3tal_man84 said: Yeah, I am definitely going to be doing the double snaps then. If I wanted to make those myself instead of buying the straps from TrooperBay or somewheres, is there a link to custom made ones in here?? Strapping Systems Rivet Setting 101 by justjoseph63 (Print PDF) Snap Setting 101 by justjoseph63 (Print PDF) Snap Setting Hardware Solutions by TheRascalKing E6000 and Snaps Discussion by Harbinger, Snap Options by ukswrath Snaps with Rivet Heads by TheSwede Split Rivet Placement by DroidHunter How to Use a Rivet Tool by huttman How to Make Snap Plates by stukatrooper Elastic ABS Reinforcement by Cricket A must when building a TK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 26, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2022 So I am a little worried about my ab section connecting with my kidney piece. It's definitely not going to be flush. Is that a problem against me getting into the 501st?? It's been 4 years, my body has changed slightly from when I bought this thing... lolSent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 26, 2022 Report Share Posted November 26, 2022 6 hours ago, m3tal_man84 said: So I am a little worried about my ab section connecting with my kidney piece. It's definitely not going to be flush. Is that a problem against me getting into the 501st?? It's been 4 years, my body has changed slightly from when I bought this thing... lol When in doubt check with the CRL's Abdomen Armor The abdomen armor has a button area that matches the color pattern shown (3 blue + 6 gray); buttons are approximately 7/16" (11mm) in diameter. OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Any gap between the abdomen and kidney armor is no more than 1/2" (12.5mm) wide. Any shims used to achieve this effect are of a similar material and color as the abdomen and kidney armor. Shims fit flush and seams are allowed. A split (bifurcated) or single cap rivet is present on the lower tab (cod area) of the abdomen armor. Rivet does not need to be functional. Rivet on must be brass or silver in color, approximately 5/16" (8mm) in diameter and is not painted. OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable): Ideally there no gap between the abdomen and kidney armor. Abdominal and Kidney Plate align horizontally at top. A single visible seam line is present. Some add side shims so this gap is reduced, here's just a few threads on how to achieve this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2022 When in doubt check with the CRL's Abdomen Armor The abdomen armor has a button area that matches the color pattern shown (3 blue + 6 gray); buttons are approximately 7/16" (11mm) in diameter. OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable): Any gap between the abdomen and kidney armor is no more than 1/2" (12.5mm) wide. Any shims used to achieve this effect are of a similar material and color as the abdomen and kidney armor. Shims fit flush and seams are allowed. A split (bifurcated) or single cap rivet is present on the lower tab (cod area) of the abdomen armor. Rivet does not need to be functional. Rivet on must be brass or silver in color, approximately 5/16" (8mm) in diameter and is not painted. OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable): Ideally there no gap between the abdomen and kidney armor. Abdominal and Kidney Plate align horizontally at top. A single visible seam line is present. Some add side shims so this gap is reduced, here's just a few threads on how to achieve this Here is what it looks like.. that's the gap right now on both sides.... Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2022 Left side adjustment... Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted November 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2022 Looking for gap adjustments and proper placement of armor on my body... Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted November 27, 2022 Report Share Posted November 27, 2022 I would add side shims to the Kidney, the gap is a little large, you may get basic approval as is but you would need to discuss that with your GML, some are a little stricter than others. Also you could trim some return edge off the backplate, you have quite a lot of material still there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3tal_man84 Posted December 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2022 How much trimming should I do for the back plate?? Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKSpartan[Staff] Posted December 22, 2022 Report Share Posted December 22, 2022 25 minutes ago, m3tal_man84 said: How much trimming should I do for the back plate?? Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk You can still trim a little more. check out the bellow thread please. it will be helpful for the other armor parts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmrhodes13[Staff] Posted December 22, 2022 Report Share Posted December 22, 2022 When in doubt you can compare references in the gallery sections Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justjoseph63[Staff] Posted December 23, 2022 Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 I normally leave about 1/4 inch or less on the sides of the back plate. For the bottoms I leave 1 cm (3/8") and the same on the top of the kidney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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