CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 Well, I figured it was about time that I officially become a part of MEPD. I have always wanted to be a Sandtrooper and since I now have the packs down, I think I am ready to go for it. I am going to post my progress on here so people can review and let me know how I am doing. While I have built over 75 packs in 1 year, I have only done a few armor sets. Of course, I will have to build as if I am going for SWAT, so accuracy and detail are going to be very important to me. This will not be a rushed build. I figured since many build threads have been lost, I could make this one very informative so it could possibly assists others with their first builds. I just received my armor today from Jason Hill. He makes excellent armor and he also provides many of the pieces for the packs that I build. Armor: Jason Hill Pack: Crookknight's Imperial Trooper Packs Boots: Crow Props - Giovanni Rodriguez Pouches - Crow Props - Giovanni Rodriguez Pauldron - Crow Props - Giovanni Rodriguez Replica Sonic 75 Radio - SandieComms - Ian Havenhand DLT-19 - Hyperfirm T-21 - Custom Build (not by me) Here is the package I received today: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hausi 230 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 Nice mate go for it and have fun! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
henselmonster 322 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 Awesome! And welcome to the dirty side 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dutchy 436 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 ...and now your journey to the dirty side officially has begun Looking forward to your build bro'! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 Well, I guess you could say that I am the dirties of the clean TK's (being an HWT). But nothing like a Sandtrooper. Looking forward to being part of the MEPD. At least I know I can build the pack right. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarthStevius 150 Report post Posted October 4, 2017 It does seem about time that you did this The skills must be fully honed by now so you should be able to knock this out the park... no pressure! Good luck. I'm looking forward to following this closely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dutchy 436 Report post Posted October 4, 2017 16 hours ago, CrookKnight said: Well, I guess you could say that I am the dirties of the clean TK's (being an HWT). But nothing like a Sandtrooper. Looking forward to being part of the MEPD. At least I know I can build the pack right. All in all, it's just great that you've started with this process.....and we'll make sure that you'll end up into a mighty fine TD! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne Trooper 379 Report post Posted October 5, 2017 On 10/3/2017 at 11:07 AM, CrookKnight said: Well, I guess you could say that I am the dirties of the clean TK's (being an HWT). But nothing like a Sandtrooper. Looking forward to being part of the MEPD. At least I know I can build the pack right. You get points taken away if I see another canteen facing the wrong direction! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 5, 2017 1 hour ago, Airborne Trooper said: You get points taken away if I see another canteen facing the wrong direction! Haha.....I think i have finally learned my lesson.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 SHIN AND THIGH ARMOR I decided to build the shin and thigh armor first. As with any armor, there is a good amount to trim. However, there is an easy way to do this. Instead of using a knife or scissors, I use a sanding table. With this thing, you can trim all of your pieces to the size you need with ease. This is the sanding table that I use for everything (especially building my packs). It only costs about $75 USD and is worth its weight in gold. Here is the shin piece before I start. Sanded down all corners and pieces within about 15 minutes. By turning the sander vertical, you can match all of the angles of the armor easily by using the end. Initial trimming of the piece is all done. Next, I will trim the other 3 pieces to this state. Once completed, I will then size to my shins, which will involve additional trimming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarthStevius 150 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 I WANT A SANDING TABLE!!! If I say it loud enough it will happen. Or maybe I'll just add it to my Santa's list for Christmas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne Trooper 379 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Harbor Freight? I need to invest in one but the one I see most people use is the Ryobi and costs a couple hundred. Make sure you are sizing things so you're not removing too much material if you need a little extra! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Yes. Harbor Freight tools. Under $100. I have used this one for a year.Right now I'm only doing the initial trimming to get rid of the excess material.Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborne Trooper 379 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Sweet! They just built one close to my house so I'll have to swing by and get one soon! Must be a cool feeling to be able to finally build something for yourself this time! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 12 minutes ago, Airborne Trooper said: Sweet! They just built one close to my house so I'll have to swing by and get one soon! Must be a cool feeling to be able to finally build something for yourself this time! Yes. It is cool. It has been a while since I have done armor. That is one reason I am posting here, so people can let me know if I am screwing up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoCKo 45 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 7 hours ago, DarthStevius said: I WANT A SANDING TABLE!!! ME TOO! I've done my previous trimming with Lexar scissors and a Dremel but that looks just too easy... I thought of that at some point too but was always worried it would melt the plastic by producing too much heat while sanding! Great info, thanks for that! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 ME TOO! I've done my previous trimming with Lexar scissors and a Dremel but that looks just too easy... I thought of that at some point too but was always worried it would melt the plastic by producing too much heat while sanding! Great info, thanks for that! Of course you're going to want to practice a little bit before you use it. When I do my next piece. I will post a link to a video that kind of shows the process I use. You don't want to get over-excited and melt your armor or trim off too much. So I have a process where I work my way in the outside in and have steps where I check it while I go. I do a lot of this with my packs.Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deckard1138 29 Report post Posted October 23, 2017 Awesome! I’ve got the same sander. Harbor freight had it on sale. Worth its weight in gold. I used it on my pack build and 2 sets of armor. Really works nice for fine tuning pieces. Looking good!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cantina Security 1 Report post Posted October 25, 2017 Beltsander, yes sir. One in every room and in the house! Looking good Brother. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted October 25, 2017 6 hours ago, Cantina Security said: Beltsander, yes sir. One in every room and in the house! Looking good Brother. Thanks dude. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted December 17, 2017 Finally getting back to my build. Worked more on the shin armor today. I finished trimming down the remaining pieces, then I cut the cover strips for the shins. Each one was cut to length of the shin and 1" wide. Once cut, I sanded them down and glued to the shin armor. I glued to one side of each shin (total of 2). Since this is a point of contracting and expansion I just glue, with E-6000 one side at a time and allow for 24 hours to dry. In order to ensure it holds in place and adheres as much as possible, I use many rare earth magnets to hold them in place. As you may be able to tell, I am not going to overlap the shin armor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Knockerbot 4 Report post Posted December 22, 2017 I think you use them often in building your packs but just invade this may be helpful. If you wrap the Neo magnets in painters tape they are so much easier to pull apart when using but lose none of the power. They also are less likely to smash when your jerk friends come over and think it's funny to smash them together haha 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted August 26, 2018 I have made a lot of progress and will be posting pictures soon. I have been building so many packs that I have not had much time. One quick question though, what is the best way to attach the shoulder ammo pouch to the shoulder? (attach it to the strap of the backpack, or to the orange pauldron). Any ideas would be very helpful. Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hausi 230 Report post Posted August 26, 2018 If you have one of the typical canvas mp40 pouches it should have a loop on the back, you can just slide the backpack shoulderstrap through that loop, to secure it and keep it in place I have added snaps to the pouch and the strap. My backpack straps are quite thick so I attached them using some small bolts and nuts. Hope this helps. BTW can't see your pics. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrookKnight 65 Report post Posted August 26, 2018 3 hours ago, Hausi said: If you have one of the typical canvas mp40 pouches it should have a loop on the back, you can just slide the backpack shoulderstrap through that loop, to secure it and keep it in place I have added snaps to the pouch and the strap. My backpack straps are quite thick so I attached them using some small bolts and nuts. Hope this helps. BTW can't see your pics. Thanks for the heads up on the pictures. I am going to post new ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
