TE Armor assembly

[JBReplicas]

Ok, got my forearms trimmed to size, am I right in thinking the extra strips of Styrene go on BOTH sides of each part, i.e. 2 strips per forearm, 2 strips per thigh etc?

 

[troopermaster]

You are correct

Basically the strip is what holds the two halves together...easy as that.You can put a strip on the inside too for extra strength.

 

[DW Design Studios]

Yes, thanks so much for the photos, I am starting to put mine together also.
Darren

 

[JBReplicas]

Good luck Darren, mind if I post some of my progess photos here Anson? Dont want to hijack your thread but if its ok with you?

 

[AnsonJames]

Originally posted by CommanderCody@Jan 21 2006, 05:05 PM
Good luck Darren, mind if I post some of my progess photos here Anson?  Dont want to hijack your thread but if its ok with you?

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Please do mate.

 

[DW Design Studios]

OK everyone, I did some work this weekend. I trimmed out all the parts for the arms. I glued the biceps together but I am not sure how to put the forearms together. They fit okay with the bottom half shoved under the top half. Should I just glue it together this way or should I do the same thing I did with the biceps?
Thanks, Darren

 

[CMANavy]

Thats good, with the side that faces out on the top. You will not need to add a strip over that, if you do I will look way to tall.

 

[DW Design Studios]

So my real question is, have some people built their suits this way?
Thanks, Darren

 

[troopermaster]

Darren,

If I was you I'd build up the forearms just like you have the biceps.Just cut the overlap width in half on both sides and add the strip.I usually put a 15mm strip on the arms but go for whatever is best for you.

Do the same with the legs too.Butt the two halves together and join with a 20mm strip,front and back,leaving the calves open at the back.

 

[DW Design Studios]

Thanks guys. I will post some more photos this weekend.
Darren

 

[Dark One]

The biggest complaint I have heard about styrene is that it yellows. Once it is painted, does the yellowing of plastic/styrene cause the paint to yellow as well??? I am assembling a TE as well and was wondering about the whole yellowing process.

 

[troopermaster]

ABS yellows too,at least the AA/SDS helmets do

I'm pretty sure that the yellowing will show through the paint eventually?


-Paul.

 

[SethB6025]

I've never had trouble with yellowing showing through paint (keeping in mind the piece was painted before any yellowing would have occured). The yellowing is a characteristic of the plastic. I have seen people re-paint gloss HIPS that had yellowed, and it looked great when it was done. So, unless the paint you use is prone to yellowing, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[troopermaster]

I'm no expert on ABS but I remember a TE ROTJ suit in the junkyard recently that was badly yellowing and beleive it was painted ABS.I don't know the history of that exact suit so maybe it was painted after the yellowing occured?

I do know that I have gloss HIPS suit's for over 4 years now with no sign of yellowing what so ever.

 

[Studio Stasis]

I have owned a GF ABS suit and 3 TE painted styrene suits. I didnt have the GF long enough to see it do any yellowing, but none of my TE suits had yellowed either. Actually the paint had changed a bit to look a little more tan or something. When it chipped in a few parts the plastic underneath looked bright white next to my paint. I think the paint did a bit of yellowing, but I think that will happen to anything.

 

[Lear60man]

Did anyone mention heating the left bicep? It is not smaller but rather eliptical shaped and thus harder to slip on your arm. I heated mine with a torch and reshaped it. Dont try this if you arent familiar with heating sty or ABS.

 

[Stormtrooper]

I think know the TE ROTJ suit you're referring to, Paul... it was owned by Joe (The Dark Side) and I believe only the helmet had been repainted... the armour was still bare styrene and had yellowed significantly.

In fact it looked considerably worse than my 24-year old ROTJ armour.

Cheers,
John

Originally posted by ANH trooper@Jan 24 2006, 06:30 PM
I remember a TE ROTJ suit in the junkyard recently that was badly yellowing and beleive it was painted ABS.I don't know the history of that exact suit so maybe it was painted after the yellowing occured?

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[judz dwedd]

Most white plastics and paints yellow over time, unless they have a UV inhibitor added during manufacture. Automotive paint should be the answer here.

 

[troopermaster]

Hiya John,

I've asked Joe to see if he knows what the material was on his suit,and if it was painted or not.I was under the assumption that TE's ROTJ suits were all ABS due to the lack of detail on them?I believe TE had problems pulling the ABS or something.

Paul.

 

[OldKen]

Originally posted by ANH trooper@Jan 24 2006, 06:46 PM
Hiya John,

I've asked Joe to see if he knows what the material was on his suit,and if it was painted or not.I was under the assumption that TE's ROTJ suits were all ABS due to the lack of detail on them?I believe TE had problems pulling the ABS or something.

Paul.

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supposedly TE let someone else "try" to make ABS with his moulds way back, cause they were certain they could do it with the same ammount of detail... from what ive heard he was displeased and very few actually got out there.

correct me if im wrong.