Specialist question...

[DarthDyer76[501st]]

So even though building my armor is still a little ways off while I'm on the waiting list, I'm trying to make sure I understand the specialist requirements... this part is the only thing that I'm just not able to "see" in the photos you guys have posted:

 

* Shoulder straps should not be attached with visible rivets or snaps, and may free float in the back rather than being permanently attached.

* Armor side gaps need to be closed. This should be done by adding a shim or shims of material that must be of similar material and color as the ab and back plate. Shims should fit flush and may have seams. Ideally they will be seamless if possible to the ab and/or back plate, resulting in a single seam between the ab/back rather than extra seams for where the shims are joined.

 

Please explain/offer photos for the newbie... LOL

[DizzyStormtrooper[501st]]

Shoulder straps are glued to the chest piece but are not to the back piece, and there should be no gap between the ab and kidney plates when viewed from the side

[trooper[501st]]

Hi Doug

 

* What it means is you have the option to have the back part of the Shoulder strap to free float or you can attach it the same as the front of the strap.

 

*With the sides of the armour if you have a wider girth and there are gaps on the sides between the kidney plate and the Ab plate you need to close these so there are no visible gaps.

 

If you go to the specialist area on this forum there are a few application photo's that you can view from some of our members which should give you a bit of a idea on what to expect if your going to submit your armour for the specialist program.

 

If you have Any more questions don't hesitate to post them here.

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

For the 'no gap', here is a pick of ACJay's armor. See how there is not a gap between the kidney or Ab. It should either overlap/butt perfectly or a shim should be added to fill the gap. Mine are shimmed.

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

For the shoulder strap float, a strap is used to keep the chest and back in place and the shoulder straps float in the back

 

[DarthDyer76[501st]]

AHHHH... got it now... forgive my dumbness and overall lack of armor-type experience... I'm sure it won't be the last time I ask a basic armor question... LOL

[Tekket[501st]]

Heres some pics of my recently built armor

 

 

Note correct six correct size side rivets left side

 

 

Note correct back of snap placement Right side

 

Also note both sides closed

 

 

Also note placement of correct cap rivets for right knee belt

 

 

and no visible rivet or join for sniper plate

 

 

Rear shoulder straps Free float but can be held with elastic like this

 

 

Front of shoulder straps glued in place like this (in my case with Black ABS cement ...........Thanks Peter)

 

 

 

Finished pic

[Wildcatnate]

This answered my question as well. I wasn't quite sure how the straps even worked if they weren't connected. It makes sense now that I know there is another set of straps underneath.

[Griffin-X[501st]]

Yeah, everyone has a slightly different take but it's all similar. The idea is that the chest/back parts are connected, but the shoulder straps are setup to "float" as mentioned earlier. This is how the original Stormtrooper in the 1977 Star Wars movie were done. I have mine with elastic on the underside, then glued in the front, and free-float in the back. This also makes it easier to put the chest/back on.