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| My armor is Here!!! | |
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| Topic Started: Oct 18 2007, 02:45 AM (625 Views) | |
| Shadow | Oct 18 2007, 02:45 AM Post #1 |
TX 7763
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When I got home from work today I had a nice surprise setting on the front porch.
   And here is a glimps of all the armor layed out, for the most part.  Now, what is the best way to trim the armor? I am in no hurry because I want to do the best on this. Is a dremel the best way to do this? I am new to this part of costuming but want to learn!
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| bactareality | Oct 18 2007, 03:12 AM Post #2 |
TX-9889
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Cool, congrats on your new kit. It's probably a good thing you're not in a hurry to complete this, especially if you've never done something like this before. I know of two ways more commonly used to trim, the first being a dremel, which does take some getting used to handling, depending on which model dremel you're using, and the second, using the score and snap method, where you take an exacto blade or something similar and carefully trace the outline where you want to cut, and slowly trace over that line several time over with your knife until you have a fairly deep score line. After creating that deep groove with your knife, you should be able to bend the excess plastic to the point of it snapping off, giving you a fairly clean edge that only needs to be sanded a bit to finish it off. I personally just use a dremel, which I'm comfortable using by now, but I should also point out it's extremely important you use a professional respirator, and protective eye wear when using a dremel. I would'nt recommend using a dremel indoors either, as you're going to get a lot of dust and debris along with some serious fumes from the melting plastic filling up a room or entire house depending. You don't want a bunch of toxic particles floating around or getting tracked throughout your house and possibly contaminating yourselves. Putting armor together is pretty serious business, and even when it comes to painting, or gluing, I'm always using a respirator, and gloves. I guess too you could use a combination of both exacto and dremel, where you get your basic cut done with your knive, then use your dremel to essentially sand or straighten or trim the edges down more. Either way, good luck and have fun, but most importantly be safe.
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| Shadow | Oct 18 2007, 03:27 AM Post #3 |
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TX 7763
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Thanks for the tips!! I'll remember the safety issues. It's easy to forget about because we all can get in a hurry to try to finish things to quickly. ( I have done this way to many times. :lol: ) Side note: NEVER use plastic wielder in the house. Late night and wasn't thinking, couldn't get the stuff outside fast enough! :lol: :lol: :lol: Lesson learned! I might try the snap method first. Later, as time allows, I'll try a few pieces with the dremel. See which works the best for me. |
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| Goose | Oct 18 2007, 03:31 AM Post #4 |
1385
  ![]](http://209.85.48.22/static/1/pip_r.png)
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Dremels are fun! |
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| SpitFireScout | Oct 18 2007, 04:07 AM Post #5 |
Advanced Member
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watch out for the spin off, since its a spinning tip if you don't keep a firm grip and a steady hand the tip can skid off your intended path and make a nasty gouge. When cutting it out with a knife, dry wall knives (utility knives) work very well, very much like the xacto, but a larger blade and usually larger handles (easier on the hands after hours of cutting;)) and they are pretty cheap to buy with cheap replacement blades as well. Be careful with the knife to use lots of little cuts without using lots of pressure, if you press really hard on the blade to get all the way through on the first go it can be very dangerous. You can also do lots of little cuts all the way through, kinda like a sewing machine, lots of little cuts, place the blade on the line, push through, move forward, repeat, jsut don't try to do a long cut while applying lots of pressure. Good luck and have fun! 
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| BrieKalan | Oct 18 2007, 04:42 AM Post #6 |
TX 3774
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My armor arrived today too, but I wasn't home to get it, so I have to trek to the PO to pick it up. I can't wait. I'm fairly comfortable with a dremel, and I have a brand new 300 model, it works good. If you use a slower speed, the chances of making nasty gouges are less, and also work from the wrong side...that way if you do gouge, it doesn't mess up the shiny parts. I have a weekend project for the next two months! YAY |
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| bactareality | Oct 18 2007, 04:42 AM Post #7 |
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TX-9889
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This is true, I did'nt go into detail, but there are certain positions that you'll want to handle the dremel to avoid having the dremel spin off onto your flesh, or armor(I dunno which is worse).  Your dremel should have a speed control setting, that I really would'nt recommend cranking up all the way, it's overkill, and prevents you from having as much control. I'd start off on a 50% level, and gradually raise the rpms until you feel it's getting it done right. Depending on what type of plastic I'm cutting, particularly ABS has a tendency of spitting hot molten chunks of hot plastic at you, so either wear a long sleeve, pants, and gloves, or get ready to get burned. It won't leave a mark or anything, but it can sting pretty bad and distract you enough to cause you to accidentally make a mistake cutting. I recently started trimming a set of HIPS armor, that surprisingly did'nt spit hot fire like the ABS did. I would'nt say it hurts too bad, I guess I would rate it close to getting burned by a drop of hot candle wax or something. 
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| bactareality | Oct 18 2007, 04:50 AM Post #8 |
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TX-9889
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Oooh, a 300 model! (I've no idea which one that is.) :lol: I use a dremel that has an extension attachment that's about the size of a fat marker. It's soo much easier to control and handle with, although it may be time for a replacement. It seems to have gotten some serious wear to it, so now it vibrates the hell out of my hand. I now have to wrap the attachment in a small hand towel to create a semi-shock absorber. Don't you hate how your hand feels after having cut with a dremel for a few hours? It almost goes numb, and it's all tingly. |
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| txshifty | Oct 18 2007, 04:58 AM Post #9 |
Det Merch Officer - TX-5882
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Actually I kinda miss that feeling now that I've been done with my armor for some weeks... damn you guys and your new projects! 
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| SpitFireScout | Oct 18 2007, 06:58 AM Post #10 |
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Advanced Member
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has anyone ever use a sawzall or jig-saw to cut? Both use a recipicating style saw, but they are a little larger, jig-saw might be the best... |
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| Goose | Oct 18 2007, 07:15 AM Post #11 |
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1385
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I've only used a dremel and xacto knives on my armor kits. |
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| Peregrinus | Oct 18 2007, 07:23 AM Post #12 |
Advanced Member
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A sawzall would be okay for rough-cutting, but not detail work. And use a fine-tooth saw, like for tile or metal. The large-tooth wood and drywall saws can very easily catch and tear the plastic. For the Dremel, I recommend the small cutting wheels (about a half-inch diameter) for cutting out armour. They're a flat blade, so they'll want to follow a straight-ish path, but it's small enough to be coaxed into a curve. Practice on flashing before you tackle the actual pieces. --Jonah |
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| BrieKalan | Oct 18 2007, 03:06 PM Post #13 |
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TX 3774
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ROFL!! The two newest models are a 300 or 400. The 400 costs more, has more accessories, and is higher powered. I had one of the extensions in the past. They do have some pretty fine control, and your hand doesn't get so tired! |
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| jeepbuckspa | Oct 19 2007, 04:26 AM Post #14 |
TX-1396
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I second that emotion Tim, almost sad, really, that my suit is done... onto refinements!! Guys, post pics of your progress, we love pics!! Congrats!! Andy
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| BrieKalan | Oct 19 2007, 03:53 PM Post #15 |
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TX 3774
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Of course, pics are good! What really stinks is I won't have much time to work on this until Halloween is over. Our garrison has so many events going, I'm trooping every weekend, and some weeknights. Maybe I can work on one piece on Sunday...
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5:34 AM Nov 28
