ANH TK Stunt Armor Modifications

[JSchmit[TK]]

Hello, everyone! It's been a bit since I've posted on the forums. In the time since I last posted, I had my ANH TK Stunt armor approved by my local GML and have been actively trooping. In the process of using my costume, I've run into a few functional issues that I'm trying to solve. Below is a picture from a recent troop:

 

The first issue I'd like to bring up is my shoulder bells. This has been a recurring issue since I was assembling my armer. This is mostly personal preference, but I feel the shoulder bells look better riding closer to the chest piece. I currently have a sewing snap connected from the top of the shoulder to the white elastic under my shoulder bridges, pictured below:

 

The issue I'm running into is the snap's accessibility. If I make the elastic pieces too short, it makes it very difficult for whomever is assisting me in putting these pieces on. Even with the elastic straps double-sided, the shoulder pieces end up drifting away from the chest piece.

 

The other issue I'd like some advice on is my thigh pieces. As I walk in my armor, the thigh pieces shift and become out of alignment with the shins. This becomes most prevalent with my left thigh, as eventually the piece shifts and the bottom clashes with the sniper knee as I walk. The bottom of the thigh and the sniper knee begin to audibly click as I walk, and eventually the thigh piece shifts to the point where my left leg locks as the top of the knee meets the thigh bottom. I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to place pieces of foam in the interior of the thigh pieces in order to restrict lateral movement. Any advice to any of these issues would be greatly appreciated!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looks like your stud is upside down, normally I use 2 snaps facing upwards on the shoulder elastic and 2 facing down on the shoulder strap elastic, if you also add the holes further to the front it will help pull in the shoulders after you move your arms. Doubling over the elastic from chest to back plate is also a good idea to make it tighter and less likely to pull outwards. 

 

When attaching the snap is pushed upwards which is easier to hold. This elastic is industrial which is tighter  and tighter woven than regular elastic so less stretch

 

The other issue I'd like some advice on is my thigh pieces. As I walk in my armor, the thigh pieces shift and become out of alignment with the shins. This becomes most prevalent with my left thigh, as eventually the piece shifts and the bottom clashes with the sniper knee as I walk. The bottom of the thigh and the sniper knee begin to audibly click as I walk, and eventually the thigh piece shifts to the point where my left leg locks as the top of the knee meets the thigh bottom. I'm wondering if it might be a good idea to place pieces of foam in the interior of the thigh pieces in order to restrict lateral movement. Any advice to any of these issues would be greatly appreciated!

 

Your belt is sitting low in the image, can't quite see the tops of your thighs, raising the belt and thighs could help, also raising the AB section will give you more room at the tops of the thighs.

 

Tighter strapping my help to keep your thighs up, doubling over can also help as it increases tension. Adding foam inside leg pieces can help keep them in alignment, I have a block of foam on both sides of my thighs as I have skinny legs. You could add a loop of elastic on your boots, attach snaps and secure them inside your shins, this will stop them moving around and also make them pull down to the boot after moving. 

 

Also adding a block of foam behind the front of the shin can keep it away from the thigh.

 

A good idea is to add velcro to foam pieces so you can remove and wash if they get really sweaty, although I know a few troopers who just glued them directly with E6000 to the inside of the armor.

 

A couple of builds for shin rotation, one has elastic at the back (I prefer front)

 

Another with velcro

 

 

[JSchmit[TK]]

What brand of snaps and elastic do you use? The reason I switched to the sewing snap was because the snaps I was using were too difficult to fasten and I fasten when I was putting my shoulder pieces on. Because of this, the snap on the white elastic would often get ripped out of the piece and I'd have to replace it.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

7 hours ago, JSchmit said:

What brand of snaps and elastic do you use? The reason I switched to the sewing snap was because the snaps I was using were too difficult to fasten and I fasten when I was putting my shoulder pieces on. Because of this, the snap on the white elastic would often get ripped out of the piece and I'd have to replace it.

I purchase mine from Aliexpress, most purchase Line #24 snaps, with either industrial velcro or doubled over for extra strength.

 

Some great info here, using a soldering iron (or heating something metal and sharp) can seal the hole and prevent pulling through. You can also add a drop of glue which also helps prevent pulling through

 

[JSchmit[TK]]

Thank you! I do have a few other quick questions. Is there a specific type or brand you if elastic you order from AliExpress? I just want to make sure I order the right item. Also, is there a specific brand of snap you use? I've tried two. I tried Tandy first, and I found that they didn't fit together very well which resulted in an insecure connection. I then tried Fasnap, which work well throughout the majority of my armor kit. The only issue is that the connection is too tough, which makes it very difficult for the person helping me to fasten. This is also the cause of the eventual pull through.

[JSchmit[TK]]

Also, what is the Velcro used for?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

41 minutes ago, JSchmit said:

Thank you! I do have a few other quick questions. Is there a specific type or brand you if elastic you order from AliExpress? I just want to make sure I order the right item. Also, is there a specific brand of snap you use? I've tried two. I tried Tandy first, and I found that they didn't fit together very well which resulted in an insecure connection. I then tried Fasnap, which work well throughout the majority of my armor kit. The only issue is that the connection is too tough, which makes it very difficult for the person helping me to fasten. This is also the cause of the eventual pull through.

No brand, generic snaps and elastic, you can usally tell if it's an industrial elastic, thicker and tighter woven compared with other elastic. Soldering iron or glue around the post hole does help.

 

I've had no issues with "too tough" connection, I dress myself so it may be easier for me to do it as I'm actually in the suit, ever tried to dress someone else? it's not that easy from the outside. Angle also makes a difference, snap can get quite loose the more angle there is.

 

39 minutes ago, JSchmit said:

Also, what is the Velcro used for?

That was an example of boot connection to shin, I prefer elastic as it has some give. Some use velcro in other places on their builds but again doesn't have any give.

[JBar[TK]]

What I've done to help is to put the snap underneath my elastic shoulder straps and close to the neck. Putting them closer to the neck will allow a tighter pull of your shoulder bells to your chest while also preventing the shoulder straps from getting tugged away from under the bridges.

Also I've noticed there are a few types of webbing. Some is really stretchy and some barely stretches at all. I personally like the latter as it makes everything tight and stay in place better. It also doesn't lose its strength over time as easily