(Please see updated information on E-6000 below, after #49 before purchasing).
2. Binder or notebook- Purchased.
3. Dremel or rotary tool- A "must have". Be sure to get the sanding drum attachments.
CSM-RM 129
4. Small plastic containers- Keeps everything organized.(NP)
5. Lexan scissors- Curved and straight, for cutting ABS.
6. Small clamps- For holding things in place while gluing. You can't have too many!
7. Line 24 snaps 5/16th post- For strapping. You will need at least 30, and do NOT "cheap-out" on these, but purchase quality ones. (Steer clear of Wal Mart "Dritz" snaps). Note: Anything shorter than a 5/16 th post is too short, and not recommended. Tandy is recommended.
8. Snap setting tools- Used for, well, setting snaps.-Purchased
9. Hammer- For setting snaps. (NP)
10. Pliers/vise grips- (NP)
11. Screwdrivers- Slotted head and phillips (NP)
12. Rivets-** 5/16 (8mm). Round head bifurcated/split rivets with washers. You will need 7. (3 for the kidney, 3 for the ab, and one for the cod piece). You will also need 5 "speed rivets", 2 for the ammo thigh pack, and 3 to attach your ABS belt to your canvas one. These are attached by hand and not to be confused with the aluminum ones listed below. For examples of split rivets, please see last photo.
13. Elastic- 1 inch wide black for shoulder bells, etc. (4 ft.)
2 inch wide white for ab/back plate shoulder connection (1 ft.),
1 inch wide white for drop boxes, (1 ft.)
1/4 inch wide white** (1 ft.) for shoulder straps.
14. Nylon strapping- 1 inch wide black, at least 6 to 8 ft. long. 2 inch wide black for high tension areas if you are using the double snap method. (NP)
Ordered-Ali express
15. Exacto knife/extra blades- For trimming your helmet and cutting nylon strapping.
16. Heavy duty razor knife/extra blades- For cutting cover strips.
17. Heavy duty scissors/tin snips- For (carefully) cutting large sections of ABS. (NP)
18. Metal ruler or straight edge- (At least 18 inches long). For use as a cutting guide, especially cover strips. (NP)
19. Rivet gun/aluminum open end blind rivets- For putting your helmet together. Available for about $10-$12.00, EASY to use!
20. Metric Ruler-
21. 2 x 2 or larger piece of carpet- Protects work surface, keeps dust down, and stops small parts from rolling away.(NP)
22. Rags/paper towels- And plenty of them. (NP)
23. Blue painter's tape- 1 inch and 2 inch widths. For keeping glued parts in place and dry-fitting your armor.
24. China marker/pencil- For marking cut lines.
25. Sandpaper- I highly recommend Sandblaster Pro Flexible sanding sheets from 3M, 220 grit. You will never use anything else, I promise.
26. Sanding block- The sponge type, 180 grit.
27. Band Aids- You will need these. Might as well keep them handy.(NP)
28. Rare earth magnets- (10 minimum) SUPER strong! I use the 20 mm x 3 mm round ones. Cover them in blue tape to prevent scratching your armor. You cannot have too many!!!
10x3 purchased 10
20x3 purchased 10
29. Butane Lighter- For sealing the ends of nylon strapping. (NP)
30. Large "half-round" coarse file- For smoothing out edges before sanding. I used this a LOT!
31. Small "Needle file" set- Very inexpensive, comes in 6 different shapes, and is perfect for the teeth and eye openings on your helmet.
Purchased.
32. Foam padding- 1 inch thick. Great for helmet and armor padding.
33. Velcro- 2 inch wide black (various uses) and 1 inch wide white, for calf closures. (NP)
34. PAINT:
Gloss black: Humbrol # 21 or Testors # 1747 for vocoder, trap/ tear drop/ear bar outlines/stripes, ROTJ and ESB frown.
Gray: Humbrol # 5 or Testors # 1138 for trap/tear drop/ear bar background and ANH frown.
French Blue Humbrol # 14 or Testors # 2715 ForTube stripes/ab buttons.
Mediterranean Blue Humbrol (Tube stripes alternative color) Testors: No exact match
Gloss white for rivet caps
Mineral spirits for brush cleaning
35. Small paint brushes- Assorted sizes. Try to buy quality ones.. Cheap brushes, cheap looking results.
36. Wire or fiberglass mesh- (Window screen). For inside the "frown" of your helmet. A piece 3 x 8 inches will work fine, and you can trim it as needed.
37. For your Thermal Detonator, (TD) clips: (Note: There are some GREAT pre-made ones you can buy on this site, or, you can use the following 4 items).
38. Aluminum strip- 1 inch wide
39. Screws- Size #6 round slotted wood screws **, 1/2 inch long, You will need 4.
40. Hacksaw- For cutting the aluminum strip.
41. Drill- Electric or battery operated, with various size bits. (NP)
Vise
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
42. Heat sealing iron- For making return edges. There are some great tutorials on this here on FISD. Try it on a scrap first, though!
43. Soldering Iron- For making holes in nylon strapping and sealing the ends. Pretty inexpensive, and worth the cost!
44. Plasti-Dip- A black rubberized coating you can spray inside your helmet, (also available in a brush-on). Or, you can use spray paint. Just remember to sand and prime first!
45. Heat gun- For shaping ABS. Use this CAREFULLY, and practice on scraps first until you get the hang of it. (NP)
CSM RM 129
46. CA (super) glue- Not really recommended for first time builders, as it is PERMANENT, and you can't fix mistakes. Also, if it drips on your armor, it is near impossible to remove.(NP)
47. Acetone- For use ONLY in making ABS paste for filling small gaps, (see tutorials). Do NOT put this on your armor, as it will melt it. (NP)
48. SUGRU- This is a kneadable, like Play-Doh (Plasticine) glue that can be used for attaching hard plastic lenses in your helmet. Just roll a small piece into a little "snake", press in onto the inside of the eye opening, press the lens in, remove any excess that seeps through. no problem. Dries in 24 hrs., and is removable if needed. I found it at Lowe's near the paint counter, but it is available online at www.sugru.com(NP)
49. Respirator- An informative post was made recently by Clint, (cm325i) concerning the effects of E-6000 glue on some individuals. Definitely worth a read: http://www.whitearmo...r-a-respirator/
50. Cut resistant gloves- Especially helpful if you are prone to cutting yourself. Usually available online for about $12.00
