First Build - Recon MKV(B)

Maybe somebody might know, but I need some help in reference to attachment on my shoulder pieces to my bicep. They are a little heavy since they are 3D printed and I am worried contact cement won't hold for them since vertical cementing doesn't hold weight well. Anyone have any ideas?
I know someone mentioned to me to screw them in in 2 spots minimum for both pieces. Not sure if that's a great solution but it is a solution.

Also I have my shin pieces separated per katanabeatspaper.industries suggested and will be trying out the elastic and buckle method. I'm a little concerned over how I can attach the knees to the shin as they printed a little bigger though. So hopefully it goes well :D
 
eeeeh my suit's foam and therefore my shoulders are light as a feather and contact cement hold just fine... but for you perhaps super glue may work? I like the idea of using screws or tensions pins to give it some more support. Ideally, the piece would be modelled to accept a pin or dowel to support it. It's a bit trickier to reinforce after it's printed.
 
2 part epoxy is your best bet for making sure they stay secured. I agree with adding a screw/pin/dowel connecting the 2 in addition to the epoxy to prevent shearing!
 
2 part epoxy is your best bet for making sure they stay secured. I agree with adding a screw/pin/dowel connecting the 2 in addition to the epoxy to prevent shearing!
I never thought to use epoxy with the screw but even then using e6000 with the screw might work to secure it?? I might try that. Unless epoxy is better in the long run?
 
I never thought to use epoxy with the screw but even then using e6000 with the screw might work to secure it?? I might try that. Unless epoxy is better in the long run?
epoxy will be better in the longer run. e600 is a more flexible adhesive meant for attaching "Soft" parts to "hard" parts.
Ex: strap to printed/foam piece

Epoxy is a "Hard" to "hard" part attachment and will have the most durable bond between the 2.
 
epoxy will be better in the longer run. e600 is a more flexible adhesive meant for attaching "Soft" parts to "hard" parts.
Ex: strap to printed/foam piece

Epoxy is a "Hard" to "hard" part attachment and will have the most durable bond between the 2.
Just ordered some cause I just broke my knife with e6000 attached on it and that reenforces your point fully haha
 
It has been a long time since I updated my progress here!
That is partially due to multiple conventions, life and honestly burn out from the sound of my printer cause it needed grease, and new belts.... :whistle:
I will be spitting this up between two posts at least since there is so many photos.

So without further ado:

The tac case:
It is lined on the inside for shuffling around and magnetized lid. I do need to add foam on the back for when I stick it to the thigh piece as it is not the one that has a opening already made for it. I will likely be screwing it into the thigh piece for stability instead of just epoxy and chancing it.
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The Cod / Belt:
Honestly might make foam pouches for the middle piece as its slightly to big for me, but that should make it smaller and more manageable.
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The Forearms:
One of my favorite pieces of the whole armor. While a little big, it will be nice to have around the con and someplace for my phone to sit for the one arm. I still need to make the seal for the from and back of the forearms tighter though, but it is fully padded inside so it is comfy.
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The Shoulders have been a big challenge. Both sides weight about 2.5lbs and no glue would hold the pieces on, so I used screws which actually worked fantastic. It will also be nice cause I can swap out different shoulder pieces or just skip them all together and just have 2 simple holes that no one really sees. When making the harness, I will be using the screws as a focal point of contact where I have a hole in the cording and it will be X shaped sewn together so that it holds on both screws. maybe even X with a _ under it like a bridge.

The knife has faux leather glued on, I will be weathering it a little later for the black in between leather. It was initially magnetized but I had a slight issue where you could see the magnet, and also couldn't remove it from the magnet it was to strong.

The dragon shoulder was a PAIN for painting / bondo, I gave up after the 25th coat, it is next to unnoticed for one cut line. Besides that, if anyone has tips on how to travel and keep the horns safe, would love to know, they're slightly sharp tipped and might snap.

The Shoulders:
Right:
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Left:
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These are my biggest struggle, I added clips with epoxy for the top and will be adding elastic for the bottom connection, I have no idea how to secure these to me, and I need some suggestions. I saw someone say use velcro but is it attached to the top, top and bottom or both sides etc. I need a reference haha They will be padded later though just need more 10mm /5mm foam.
The shins:

20240521_100426.jpg


I need to know should I stay open thigh gang or add the foam for the wrap around? Let me know thoughts! This one also took over 20 coats and I gave up on the singular line issue on one side and just weathered it lol
The Thighs:
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Also if anyone has foam patterns for shoes / the knee pads, I would appreciate links! I decided to not attach the 3D print of those as they are too heavy!!
 
The Shoulders have been a big challenge. Both sides weight about 2.5lbs and no glue would hold the pieces on, so I used screws which actually worked fantastic. It will also be nice cause I can swap out different shoulder pieces or just skip them all together and just have 2 simple holes that no one really sees. When making the harness, I will be using the screws as a focal point of contact where I have a hole in the cording and it will be X shaped sewn together so that it holds on both screws. maybe even X with a _ under it like a bridge.

The knife has faux leather glued on, I will be weathering it a little later for the black in between leather. It was initially magnetized but I had a slight issue where you could see the magnet, and also couldn't remove it from the magnet it was to strong.

The dragon shoulder was a PAIN for painting / bondo, I gave up after the 25th coat, it is next to unnoticed for one cut line. Besides that, if anyone has tips on how to travel and keep the horns safe, would love to know, they're slightly sharp tipped and might snap.

The Shoulders:
Right:
View attachment 348865
View attachment 348864
View attachment 348866View attachment 348867
View attachment 348868

View attachment 348869
View attachment 348870
Left:
View attachment 348871
View attachment 348872
View attachment 348873
View attachment 348874


These are my biggest struggle, I added clips with epoxy for the top and will be adding elastic for the bottom connection, I have no idea how to secure these to me, and I need some suggestions. I saw someone say use velcro but is it attached to the top, top and bottom or both sides etc. I need a reference haha They will be padded later though just need more 10mm /5mm foam.
The shins:

View attachment 348875

I need to know should I stay open thigh gang or add the foam for the wrap around? Let me know thoughts! This one also took over 20 coats and I gave up on the singular line issue on one side and just weathered it lol
The Thighs:
View attachment 348876


Also if anyone has foam patterns for shoes / the knee pads, I would appreciate links! I decided to not attach the 3D print of those as they are too heavy!!
This is gonna be sick
 
Small update. So my printer has basically been a broken mess since my last update and I have almost nothing worked on due to it. However I did manage to get my knee pieces redone and actually 3d printed with an idea on how I wanted to wear them! :) I will be using epoxy to add straps to the back of the knee cap pieces and buckles most likely. The bottom half I attached directly to the shin itself.

Yes I tried to weather them but I still am not the best at it
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Following your build now since I’m printing my Reach armor as well! Stuff’s looking really good. For the knees I saw someone use an elastic band to keep the kneecaps against the leg, but I have yet to get a shin printed that fits me so I can’t tackle that yet. I’m super intimidated by the undersuit. What are you planning for that?
 
Following your build now since I’m printing my Reach armor as well! Stuff’s looking really good. For the knees I saw someone use an elastic band to keep the kneecaps against the leg, but I have yet to get a shin printed that fits me so I can’t tackle that yet. I’m super intimidated by the undersuit. What are you planning for that?
The shins are a little big on me and I am hoping that I can either use some foam to fix that / I will reprint them at a later date in a more accurate size. I redid my shins multiple times and the knee pieces about 8 times total before I was happy with them. It was a big eye opener for how hard armory can be to use when your adjustments aren't perfect / adding in clothes etc.

For my undersuit, I plan on compression top and bottoms. Then for the chest piece, I am looking to do a foam underside to it. Kitkatgoose on instagram has a crazy good foam top undersuit and I want to try my hand at that.

(I don't know if that will make it to the first run of the suit but that's fine for me since this is such a big project haha)
 

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