RaiderNick's Blackhole

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Its hard to tell with out some overlap. Are you able to take a picture without flash and place the strips on top of the thigh armor?

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Raidernick.....where did u buy the black padding for inside of ur bucket

 

I believe he sells these separately so feel free to message him.

[Evilboy[501st]]

what is the size of that bucket compared to the AM and ATA?

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I was lucky enough to be able to get replacement shims that aren't cloudy. Before I glue them on the thighs I need some help.

 

Do I glue the shim from A to B or A to C in terms on length? I see some people who cover up the entire front of the thighs and some people who only cover from A to B.

 

[RaiderNick[TX]]

While I was waiting for the cover strips to dry on the thighs, I decided to finally install the ab buttons and plate.

 

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I riveted the ammo belt to the thigh and painted the rivets black.

 

The AM ammo belt is a monster pain to get attached properly.

 

 

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I riveted the belt together.

 

Note: You won't see the holes in the belt once it's totally finished since I will cover them with velcro and overlap the belt in the back to attach it.

 

[Darth Agnon[501st]]

Lookin good. One thing you can do to keep the ammo plate from moving is put some velcro under it. Less movement, less chance for rivets popping.

[RaiderNick[TX]]

OK IT'S FINALLY FINISHED AND POLISHED!

 

 

I didn't get the newer thermal det yet so I have to use the AM one.

[RaiderNick[TX]]

First test fitting. There's some minor problems like a sagging belt. The entire torso keeps sagging down, maybe I should use suspenders?

 

 

 

 

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

The first thing that stands out to me is the overlap in the back. There should be little to no overlap between the back plate and kidney plate. I think this can be accomplish by doing two things: 1)Bring the back up a little bit - not by much, but you have a little room there, and 2) trim a little off the top and the bottom of the back plate. To give you can idea, here is Apok's Nova:

 

I would definitely connect the sides of the chest plate to the back plate to hold them in place.

 

Your belt is a bit off centered and sagging a little. How do you have it connected on the sides? - Just saw the pick above where you have everything laid out and I see its not attached to to the ab armor. You can connect the ends of the belt proper to ab armor which will help keep it tight and in place.

 

You mentioned to me your ab was dropping. Sounds like an elastic issue. I highly recommend replacing the ab to kidney connector with adjustable suspenders.

 

Do you have a heat gun? It is hard to tell, but it looks like your ab chest and back plate, where they hit the shoulder straps, could be contoured a bit more. That will help with how the armor sits. I didn't own before I started armoring, but it is one of my best friends now.

 

Another recommendation, but not required, is to reshape the chest plate. This is a good tutorial for it. Really makes a nice look.

 

Most of what I mentioned likely wouldn't hold up approval. The only thing I mentioned that is specific to the crl's is the back/kindey overlap. You did a great job Nicholae!

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I will try to cut down the back a little more. I already trimmed the kidney and I can't trim it any more without losing it's shape. (I'm just too short for AM really)

 

Yes the belt isn't attached at all so it moved around as I walked, I will find a way to attach it so it doesn't move.

 

I will also get a heat gun and use it to fix the chest plate.

 

Thanks for the advice.

[Griffin-X[501st]]

Great work Nick. I know you had some challenges with this build.

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

You could also reshaped the backs of the thighs a little if you like. This could be accomplished by only trimming the inside of the thigh. from the back center point down. You could make it contour a little more with the butt plate as you it here:

 

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

I will try to cut down the back a little more. I already trimmed the kidney and I can't trim it any more without losing it's shape. (I'm just too short for AM really)

 

Yes the belt isn't attached at all so it moved around as I walked, I will find a way to attach it so it doesn't move.

 

I will also get a heat gun and use it to fix the chest plate.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

I updated my post, I think you can accomplish what you need by trimming the back plate at the top and the bottom which will keep it proportional. Yep, most are too short for AM, but you can definitely make it work

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Yes the belt isn't attached at all so it moved around as I walked, I will find a way to attach it so it doesn't move.

 

 

I thought the AM had the little drill bump spots on the ab armor ends. Double check yours, they might be there. I am pretty sure the kit even comes with the screws for it.

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I don't see any bumps, and I've used all the hardware that came with it so no extra screws. I'll just add velcro to the belt to keep it from shifting on the ab plate, I don't want to permanently attach it.

 

I am taking your advice about the back plate though. I trimmed a little more off the neck and shortened the webbing shoulder straps between the chest and back to pull the back up more. I'm also currently cutting webbing to attach snaps to that I will use to make straps between the chest and back on the sides like you said.

[RaiderNick[TX]]

On a side note, I'm not even going to attempt to trim the bottom of the back plate. I don't want to lose the return edge and I have horrible hand/eye coordination and I would completely ruin it if I tried a sealing iron to make one. If someone wants to physically help me do it then I'd be glad to, otherwise I need advice on another way to shorten the overlap more.

 

Not that I think it needs to be shortened more(neither does my GML, but I'm waiting on izzi). I see several with a larger overlap and mine WAS 2 inches now it's less, depending on how I am standing, probably an inch at most.

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Everything I stated were recommendation, but as I said, nothing would hold up your approval. The back overlap may not hold up your approval, it usually more of a specialist requirement, but I would still recommend doing it if you can. You will definitely find many with more overlap.

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I didn't mean to come across in an insulting way, I'm just in a bad mood now because of some trash talking people on fb that are giving me crap about my armor.

 

I'll try to get someone in my garrison to help me trim and make a return edge on the back and chest at some point.

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

I didn't mean to come across in an insulting way, I'm just in a bad mood now because of some trash talking people that are giving me crap about my armor when I wouldn't use theirs to wipe my butt.

 

No worries, Nicolae. It's all meant as constructive criticism to make us all the best we can be. Armor is a never ending project, there is always that one other thing you can do. You absolutely should be proud of what you have accomplished!

[RaiderNick[TX]]

I edited my earlier post, this is happening on facebook and has nothing to do with this detachment.

 

It's too bad other sites don't have rules about trashing other people (not constructive criticism, just general hurtful language) like this one does...

[RaiderNick[TX]]

Here's the elastic I added to the side gaps. I also raised the back up as much as I could. I wore a white shirt for better contrast.

 

 

 

[Griffin-X[501st]]

You're doing a great job, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We all got your back Nick.

[RaiderNick[TX]]

Do you guys think It's good enough now for basic approval? I have a troop soon I want to wear it to and my GML is waiting on izzi to give the ok before approving it.