Armor trimming tutorials?

[vaders wingman]

Looking for a good armor trimming tutorial. Couldn't really find a thread with good pics on actually doing it. Are there any videos on this?

[Blackwatch]

well, it kind of depends on exactly what you want to do.

I have always practiced Scribe and Snap, and there are hundreds of model buildign tutorials and videos posted to the web in forums all over. its a simple process of making two very light cuts exactly where you want the break line to be, and making a thrid on the back side of the part where the stress line will be. Think of cutting glass.

i also use plastic or metal shears , cutting directly on masking tape, with my cut line drawn on the tape.

What are you needing to cut?

[Tydirium]

Not OP, but I was hoping this thread would take off. I've got a set of vacuformed armor, not trimmed at all. Looking for a guide, and maybe a template, to know where/how to trim it down to the correct size/shape.

[Blackwatch]

look at the inside of the armor. you can generally tell where the armor part stops, and the bukl of the waste material starts. it will generally get lumpy and poorly defined at that point.

i mark this line with a silver sharpie, and using either my dremely with a cutting disk, or heavy shears, i start cutting the majority of the wast away. Then final trimming can take place without all the bukl in the way. some armor has a 'return edge" on it, that gives the appearance of a finished, rolled edge. Take that edge into account when you cut yoru armor.

if it does NOT have this and simply blends into the waste, mark out where you think it should be cut in tape, and then move the tape outward 1/2" from your original mark. its better to cut twice, than cut once and cut it too short.

[vaders wingman]

I'm cutting my t/a tie armor. I was hoping for like a video demonstrating cutting and showing which bits to use and dremmel techniques. I figure I'll tape off the lip and cut along the tape. I plan to practice on scrap first.

[deadvision]

I have thought about doing a video tutorial for this when I get my armor. Much like the trooperbay videos for tks/tds. Only issue there is I have never built tie armor befor.

[poniatowski]

Is edging on the Tie body armor 501st approved?

[Blackwatch]

check with your GML first. I have it on mine for comfort, but some GMLs will say no. I use body edge stuff on a big roll I found at the parts store. I give it extra glue (BARGE or E6000 cement) to help it stay on.

[kingyeti]

I've been most successful with the score and snap method. You just have to be very careful and take your time. It's easy to slip off your line if you get impatient.

[kman]

Old thread, but just in case it helps, I did a score and snap tutorial video a while back. It's Stormtrooper armor, but the principle is the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnEjDUMMKV8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jediwannabe]

VIdeo was helpful. Thanks. I'm finally making some progress with my kit.

[jethroskull]

Since this thread came back to life I’ll jump in:
Trying to find a TIE helmet tutorial where you can actually see what they’re doing! Ross and Tarrif both seem to know what their stuff but their lighting is less than desirable. It is incredibly difficult to see where they’re marking the cuts.