RAIDER

Does this look right or do I need to trim it down more and fit more inside the boot piece? Also...when I rivet this to the boot I should be drilling holes in both the armor and the actual boot correct? Thanks!!!

Thanks for the red line markers...now I actually know what the trim lines look like and that helped get this tank trimmed better. Haven't worked on reattaching it but that's a goal for this week. After the trim, it looks as if the rivet holes may not overlap...the fix of this should be easier as well as smoothing out that minor crack. I got the package w/ the boots and vest...UK sizes must run slightly small...the boots fit but are pretty snug and uncomfortable...I will probably have to look into redoing those at some point for extensive trooping...maybe sell and reorder if I can swing it. Flak vest...just to make sure...it's supposed to stretch across the chest but not extend up around the neck like a shirt right? The arms should be snug as well correct? I'm guessing so by the material but just want to verify. The only thing that's a big problem at this point is the cumberbund...it just doesn't fit. You suggested removing the 2" velcro and replacing with a 1" velcro to gain an inch. Even that wouldn't be enough...I need 2-3". Any ideas? Thanks as always!!!

So there are my pic updates...everything else (except the helmet which I haven't touched yet) is painted and all the armor is slotted and ready for strapping. Main thing I need advice on at this point: 1) How do I reattach this tank at the bottom if the new rivet hole will overlap with the old one? 2) How do I fix that crack? 3) Based on the last pic, is the spacing between the tank and backplate good or is there something I can do make that better before I reattach this thing? THANKS!!!

This is what the tank SHOULD look like after I bring it down further and tighter. Not sure I should trim more or not...if that will help the tank fit the mold of the backplate better or just make the gap worse. Not sure what the boy is doing with his face in this one haha.

Here is the original placing of the tank (the guys who helped said it was fine but I want it more flush). Son holding it in place in the reflection lol.

Another pic of the tank...here you can see the line I marked where I need to bring the tank down lower/tighter on the back plate. The problem I see is that the old rivet hole in the backplate is going to overlap with a new hole I drill.

Testing if this works...if so...it's a pic of the crack in the tank at the bottom of the rivet hole...

Ok...so I'm having trouble uploading directly here (a limit of some sort maybe...I dunno)...I will upload the pics elsewhere and post the links. Sorry.

Here are pics of the tank...one you can see the up close small crack around the rivet hole. The others show where I marked how far I need to bring the tank down so it's more flush, the original placing (notice the large gap) that caused me to remove the rivet, and then what the spacing would look like when I've attached it lower/tighter. I trimmed it some, but I'm a bit shaky on if I should do more to get it more flush or if I'll just make the spacing worse. So my questions...how do I get this reattached since the new rivet hole will overlap with the old one slightly? How can that crack be repaired...glued/sanded/painted or something else? THANKS!!!

Well...some pics...first one is just a test photo paint comparing satin to the original gloss.

Ugh...I think I may cry. Plastic between the rivet hole and the edge of the armor on the bottom of the tank cracked when trying to remove the rivet. Not a big crack but it def split even though I thought I worked on it slowly (almost 2 hours lol). After that, I'm not touching the top rivet on the tank that goes through the topper piece. I think I'm going to need someone to help me attach the new rivet at the bottom. Did trim some more off the tank and I think it can be reattached slightly more flush...the trick is getting it attached and somehow fixing this crack. Yay. I suck at this. On a positive note, I started painting...tested one of the belt boxes and it looks great. You know Chef...homes in Florida aren't too expensive and I know of some nice ones near my house ; )

Man ur tank is much closer to the back plate than what we did. The guys were pretty adamant it wasnt an issue so thats not a really concern. I just know me (and my OCD-like perfection seeking tendencies)...it will bother me till I fix it. I guess Ill have to redo (repurchase) the backplate/tank at some point after approval since this one is already riveted in place.

Getting to the point where pics are coming soon. Met up w/ 2 biker scouts yesterday and we cut all the slots in the armor pieces and attached the tank to the back plate. My next step is to paint...followed by strapping. As they are bikers, they aren't totally familiar w/ the Storm Commando specs so I have a couple more quesions... 1) The rivets on the top and bottom of the tank...should they be painted or not? 2) The tank is not 100% flush w/ the backplate...they said that's normal (and one of them is the CRL model for the snow scout). I'm assuming that's correct but if you have other input on that, let me know please. 3) Since painting is next I've gotten different feedback but I think I want to roll w/ mi maestro Senor De Chef. Just to clarify...no primer necessary (you don't recommend it actually)...just a wet/dry 400 grit and satin black paint. I plan on painting this week and getting to strapping...hope to have everything but the bucket done before Christmas. Thanks!!!

Thanks for advice. I will be in the Tampa (Florida) Garrison. There's only one Shadow Scout in the Tampa Garrison itself...she has gloss armor. I really don't want to do gloss though. Showed Tampa heads a pic of the satin and they loved it. Not sure if they are GMLs (?) though. We'll see what happens. Noob question...what's a GML and how would I find that person lol? Either way, I'm going to paint the armor so this should be the last question on that...do I need to some sanding of the armor with an ultra fine grit prior painting to help paint stick or is that unnecessary?

Awesome! Thanks for the update. Attended an armor party today. Basically sanded for 8 hours, met some troopers that are more than willing to help as well, and finally got going. On a cool note...the biker scouts in attendance were extremely impressed with your armor kit Chef...one even said "jealous." : ) They also didn't seem to think much trimming needed to be done as you did most of it and the armor works well with my size (standard 5'9"/5'10"). I did have a question as I am going to meetup with one this week to keep working on it... Paint. The CRL mentions gloss or semi-gloss. You mentioned satin (which I love the look of yours). The satin should have no approval issues? Also regarding painting, on your site you recommend straps after painting...doing the satin...is it still possible to do that after straps? What about the t-bits and greeblies...do those get painted or are they attached as-is after painting? Final question...the side straps on the chest/back armor...elastic or the thicker textile? We started using the thicker textile to make those straps and then I think I read elastic should be used (either on your site or the CRL). Thanks in advance for the input. Hope to have some update pics after this week.

No problemo... Was just checking the status of the boots, flak jacket, and blaster? Thanks for the help!!!

Chef....check your PMs when you get a sec plz. Other than that...I am attending my first armor party this month so will finally make some good progress on this hopefully!

Here is a sample closeup pic of the inside shoulder "strap" of the armor (I took a couple other shots further out). I'm trying to find the trim lines if any. I'm not really sure how to identify them and determine how much I should trim, if any. My fear being, once I make a trim, I can't get that plastic back lol. Sorry if the pic is poor quality...took it on my phone and had to resize it to upload here. I also notice the bowing out of the plastic at the end which I'm guessing I just need to sand down. Thanks for your help.

Congrats! I would love to see it!

Dremel, snips, and paper purchased. Im going to post pics of some of the armor because I dont see where I should be trimming (and it looks like Im of the body type that most of it should fit me well w minimal trimming).

I looked around for Dremels...lots of options (and similar brands). Corded or cordless? For what I'll be using this for, how much power should I be looking for? Aviation snips ordered. Thanks squad!

Thanks for the responses. I'm picking up the tools I need to do the sanding and trimming today. I suppose I would need to look through the kit again to see if how those are actually supposed to attach (Chef could say for certain). I just assumed everything was strapped and hadn't considered that it could be glued. Is it typical to attach padding on the interior of the armor? As far as where I was thinking of starting...I didn't really know but was eyeing the chest/back simply because it's the largest and most noticeable lol.

So I have had my armor and bucket kits (THANKS CHEF) for about a month and I've just been staring at the box in fear. This weekend, I think I'm going to put my big toe in the water and get this rolling... Keep in mind, I've never done this and probably don't have the tools...so being as specific as possible as to what I need would be super helpful. I'm more of a visual guy so seeing the tools (links) and any pics rocks. Thanks so much!!! A couple starter questions: 1) Is there a piece of the armor I should start w/ first that's easier to make progress on than the rest? 2) I noticed in Chef's tutorial on his website, trimming is listed as step one. Tools rec'd for this? Also...can I use a palm sander (I have one) for the sanding or should I use actual paper and do this by hand? 3) The armor is black, but I've heard that painting the armor is recommended regardless. What type of paint would be best? Does the painting need to occur before I attach any straps/rivets/etc.? That's it for now I think. I'm saving the helmet for last...definitely the most intimidating piece of the bunch...hoping to get help on that one at an armor party soon. P.S. Armor and bucket kit are from Chef as are all soft goods. I already have the suit, bund/pouches, gloves, balaclava...just waiting on boots, flak vest and blaster...all courtesy of Chef as well. He's been a huge help already up to this point.

Hey Chef did you get my PM reply? Thx!