kaabous WIP first build

[kaabous[TX]]

So, I think I am getting close to completing this thing. I pretty much just have the boots and cod to go for basic approval.

 

A couple of questions about rivets. Is there a particular size for the rivets ? I didn't see a size listed for the belt, holster, knee or tank rivets. I was planning on 1/4" for all of them. Also the tank topper rivets looks like some people have a washer in some shots, is that something that needs to be there?

 

For the tank I am planning on riveting the top rivet (using a Pandatrooper style bracket) and applying some e-6000, then once that has set drilling the guide hole for the bottom and popping that rivet in. Is there a better way? I am a little concerned that the bottom rivet may not have enough space If anyone familiar with SC armor has any tips for that attachment, I'd appreciate them.

 

I did the pouches to the size Chef listed and they look good to me, they fit well in the space between the chest and belt. A lot of the pics I've seen here and BSN the pouches look too big. I think those new dimensions look good.

[retrofire[501st]]

The 1/4 rivets are good for the tank and holster as you will need the length but you might want to think about going with a shorter 1/8 rivet for the belt and knees. The 1/4 might be too long in those areas and it could "bite" into your knee or back. The CRL does not require a washer on the tank topper but I would consider putting one there anyway. The reason is that the SC greeblies are resin and you want to distribute the pressure of the rivet at that point so it doesn't crack. I used the same method for my TB tank and it worked well. I don't think you'll need any E6000 as the rivets will hold it solid. The method I used was to hold the tank solid against the back drill a pilot hole through the tank and bracket then set the rivet. I then did the same for the tank bottom. Make sure that you use backing washers for all your rivet connections as that will keep the ABS from cracking and give you a super tight hold.

 

That's great to hear about the pouches. We've been holding a lot of discussion over at the Pathfinders about their sizing. Sounds like you hit the sweet spot on those as that spacing is the area you want to fill.

 

Hope this helps and I look forward to seeing some pics of your kit.

[kaabous[TX]]

That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks!

 

I was thinking of putting a black vinyl washer on the tank topper rivet, figured it would have more give, then metal backing washers. Good idea? Or just got metal for all of them?

 

I also put ABS scraps on the knees for the rivets (and have ABS strips to back the holster rivets in side the boot), did you do backing washers on them too?

[retrofire[501st]]

You could use vinyl but you'll get more durability with metal. I used them for all of my connections. The ABS strips are exactly what you want to do. It gives the connection more strength at the knees where the plastic is thin and on the boot since the vinyl there can stretch. The ABS strip in the boot will also give your holster strength when you have your blaster holstered.

[kaabous[TX]]

Cod time.

 

I was trying to work from this post by Chef:

http://forum.specops501st.com/index.php?/topic/3186-no-toe/

 

Here is my first mock up. It is just card board and cloth, so it is stiff, but I am just trying to get the dimensions right:

 

This also the first pic I have put up with the pouches and drop boxes (these are not placed yet, just strapped loosely), so any critique on them would be helpful too.

 

As always, thanks for all of your help.

[kaabous[TX]]

Getting down to the last few pieces. Working on the boots, got the toes glued down tonight, I'll hit the calves and dog bones tomorrow. Also did a most of cod tonight. I went off of some picture measurement Mickey posted over at BSN. How is the size and fit? Does the arc placement look right? It looks like it should go down an inch or so to me.

 

Thanks.

[retrofire[501st]]

Good eye. I agree that the arc needs to drop a bit.

 

This is a pattern made by one of the Lancers over on the Pathfinders board. Note that the arc is closer to the bottom.

[kaabous[TX]]

I am getting pretty close to done enough for basic, just need to finish boots and the drop boxes.

 

The holster seems a bit big, but it is hard for to tell from picture if I should trim it or not. Is there a general consensus on the SC holster?

 

How does the placement of the drop boxes look in the picture above? I am planning just using hook and loop to secure the straps inside the belt. It looks like most people use snaps. Is hook and loop not good for those connections? I was also going to use one piece to attach the boxes, it looks like a lot of split the straps and do separate ones for front and back. Is there an advantage to that?

 

I'm also starting on the vest. It seems like most people use scrap from the bottom of the t-shirt for the sleeve quilting. I was planning on using the duck cloth for that. Will that impact approval? I think it looks more like a flak vest with the heavier cloth, but I want to do it in a way that will get approval for when I get everything ready for specialist.

[retrofire[501st]]

It wouldn't hurt to bring your drop boxes up a bit. They should be about 1.5" from your belt.

 

Hook and loop is ok to use but I wouldn't recommend using adhesive backed Velcro. Trooping takes its toll on adhesive type Velcro and you'll be repairing it more than you would probably like to. I would highly recommend sewing those connections. Some even use E6000 for those connections.

 

For the vest I would reconsider using the duck cloth. That's a pretty heavy weight material for the vest. I would stick with the cotton as that will allow it to breath. It's going to get a bit toasty under your chest armor. Chef made my vest and I really like the material. You can PM him and ask him what material he uses.

 

Regarding the holster if it is the standard SC that came in the box they I would say that it's probably too large. Can you post a picture of the holster assembly? That way I gage if you need to trim it out or not.

 

You're doing great and keep up the momentum and you'll be approved before you know it!

[kaabous[TX]]

Ha, thanks. Yea totally agree on the duck cloth. I did a test sleeve. It looked good but wasn't functional or comfortable. I'll try again with softer cotton.

 

I can pull the drops up easily. My prospective squad is having an armor party today, so I can get the placement right on those. I was planning on sewing all of the H&L connections, except the one inside the front "buckle." I could just sew that one to the belt, potentially.

 

Here are some shots of the holster:

 

Hopefully that gives you an idea of how it looks.

 

Thanks.

[retrofire[501st]]

Thanks for posting up a pic. Based on the length of your boot it doesn't look like it would need any trimming. I had to trim mine as I have a much shorter boot length and it didn't look right on my boot. That looks like it should be fine. When you assemble it be sure to use a couple of ABS backing strips and washers. The vinyl isn't strong enough to hold that connection so you need some "meat" for the rivet to hold on to.

 

Here's how I did it:

Drill your pilot holes into the holster

Flip your holster over

Get two strips of spare ABS about 1/2" wide

Mark the holes just drilled in the holster

Drill those holes out

Position your holster on your boot

Mark hole positions on boot

Drill/punch holes in boot vinyl

 

Assemble by placing holster on boot then ABS strip and backing washer. I would use a 1/4" rivet for these connections. Make sure the rivet isn't going to rub your leg or flight suit so you don't get holes in either😀. If it still feels a little rough you can use a file to smooth off the rivet top or cover it with tape.

[kaabous[TX]]

Thanks a lot, that is really helpful. SC actually includes 1 strip of ABS now with the holster and I had a strip from trimming the bells, so I am all set there.

 

Is there a guide line on placement on the boot calf? From what I can see it looks like the holster goes around .5-.75" or so from the top of the boot. Is that about right?

 

Thanks for all the clear guidance on these parts.

[retrofire[501st]]

I really like how SC makes sure you all the bits to make the armor assembly go easier. As for the positioning here's a pic of my Biker Scout boot.

 

 

I positioned it just under the top seam and just inside the rear Velcro seam. In order to make sure it's comfortable tape it on with painters tape then put your boot on and do some holster draws. Doing this will also give you some reassurance that the blaster sits right in the holster. If you find that the boots droops with the blaster holstered you may want to modify your top ABS strip with some 0.5" elastic and hook/loop. You'll put your foot through it and tighten it up and it will take care of any droop.

[furiosa[TX]]

 

We've had a big debate on pouch size over on the BSN and with the current research we've determined that they are 6"x5"x2".

 

For all body sizes the same pouch size?!

 

I find the size is for some costumes too big. Especially for slim and small people?! The stitching of the cummerbund is coverd very easily.

When I'm doing pouches I try to make them proportional to the rest of the costume/to the wearer. Till now thos worked perfect for me.

[retrofire[501st]]

 

For all body sizes the same pouch size?!

 

I find the size is for some costumes too big. Especially for slim and small people?! The stitching of the cummerbund is coverd very easily.

When I'm doing pouches I try to make them proportional to the rest of the costume/to the wearer. Till now thos worked perfect for me.

 

No, no. That's not the case at all. The focus was first on the ROTJ pouch size as a baseline. We agreed that there most likely would be a small, medium, large pouch size based on the body type. What we're emphasizing is the fit on the person. Pouches for you and I would probably not look right on someone that's over two meters tall. So we're encouraging folks to create templates and see how they fit on them. You're right on target as far as making pouches to fit the wearer. As an Armourer over at the Pathfinders I've seen some pouches that are just too large and wide for some submissions and we're trying to get members to think about the sizing to their frame.

[kaabous[TX]]

I'm down to pretty much the last bits for basic approval.

 

How does this dog bone look?

 

[kaabous[TX]]

Well, it is that time. I think I am done with basic requirements for this build, so here are some pre-clearance pics. Please let me know if there is anything I should fix before I submit for approval and entrance into the 501st!

 

There are a number of things I will tighten up and add to go for specialist, but I just wanted to focus on getting in first.

 

Thanks.

[retrofire[501st]]

The only things I would do is rotate your forearms over to the top of your wrist and pull the legs of your flight suit tighter. That first photo almost looks like you are wearing jodhpurs. A good way to beat that is to pull the leg tight then put your knees on. You can also sew some elastic stirrups into the legs of your suit and that will pull and keep everything tight. Overall it looks great and I don't see any issues getting approved.

[Force Crush[TX]]

Looking good!

[Darth Emphatic[CMD-DWM]]

Stirrups are they way to go. I use them on my flight suit and even my calf armor for my shadow stormtrooper.

[kaabous[TX]]

Thanks for the feedback. I saw how puffy the thighs got when I was uploading the pictures and thought the same thing (plus I've been considering my next build, potentially shore trooper or pilot, so jodhpurs are fresh in my mind).

 

I put the knee armor on first, so I think they moved around a bit as I got everything else on since I have not added the velcro to the suit yet. My next steps are the vest and finishing/specialist modifications to the undersuit: riding patches, mud flap, stirrups and taking in the legs and arms a bit. I think I can add the stirrups first without much trouble.

[retrofire[501st]]

Fitment is an ongoing process and you'll get it all down pretty quickly. I always have someone give me a once over before I put my bucket on to make sure everything is aligned and looks straight. Boots, TD and bund are usually the culprits since you're mostly putting them on blind. Give it a few times and you'll be putting it on like a pro!

 

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

 

[furiosa[TX]]

Good' n' fast built. Let us know when you get feedback from your GMO's

 

You definetly should head for specialist.

[kaabous[TX]]

Got an update from my GMLs. They said everything looked great and even thanked me for making their job easy.

 

So, I'll pass that thanks onto you all. Thanks for all of the help and guidance to make my first build successful and for getting me approved for 501st membership!

[retrofire[501st]]

Congrats and welcome to the 501st trooper!!!