Vest Question re: Grommet Armour Attachment Method

[Short4ATrooper]

This isn’t really a question as such, I suppose I’m just thinking out loud and want to see if my assumptions are correct. I have my chest armour pieces and I’m waiting on a set of test pieces so I can go about fitting the bolts to my “real” armour pieces ahead of painting.

I’m aware of the technique - drilling holes through test pieces of armour and using those holes to report eyelet locations on the vest, fitting eyelets to the vest and bolts to the armour e.t.c. Whilst researching what size eyelets to use, I came across this old thread where Bobamaker lays out how he does it, which is very similar to the RS Props video in their now discontinued ‘Building Boba Fett’ series (anyone know why they stopped that?)

It differs in one respect though…

In the RS Props video, Rob uses test pieces to report the eyelet holes onto the vest, then puts the bolts though the eyelet holes before applying glue to the bolt heads and then placing the armour pieces directly onto the bolts. The idea of doing it this way makes me INCREDIBLY nervous. One slip and you could end up with a splodge of impossible to remove superglue visible on the vest, or inadvertently glueing the vest itself to the armour. Two possibilities I would love to eliminate if possible!

In the BobaMaker thread, he says “I mark the points on the armour using the same method I did on the jacket.” To me, that means using the test piece holes to report the bolt locations on to the back of the ‘real’ pieces. Here is the relevant step from Bobamaker’s thread:

I can only assume he’s laid the test piece over the back of the real piece to report the bolt locations, like this -

The issue I can see is keeping both pieces properly aligned while they’re stacked. I suppose you could tape them?

 

[BudaFett]

Here's how I've had success with grommet armor attachment without having an armor template or drilling holes.


1) Buy jewelry pins with backing and hot glue them in the spots where you're going to place the nylon screws. Mark the area on the armor.
2) Attach the armor to the vest. Mark on the back of the vest where the pins have been punched through.
3) Punch holes in the vest, attach grommets.
4) Remove jewelry pins from armor and replace them with nylon screws.

 

[Short4ATrooper]

Here's how I've had success with grommet armor attachment without having an armor template or drilling holes.


1) Buy jewelry pins with backing and hot glue them in the spots where you're going to place the nylon screws. Mark the area on the armor.
2) Attach the armor to the vest. Mark on the back of the vest where the pins have been punched through.
3) Punch holes in the vest, attach grommets.
4) Remove jewelry pins from armor and replace them with nylon screws.

This sounds like a pretty good idea. I've already ordered the test pieces from MinuteFett though. He only charged me shipping but I suppose I'd better get some use out of them!

I have no problem drilling holes into the test pieces so I think I'll try what I describe above - use the holes in the test pieces to mark where the eyelets will go on the vest, then lay the 'real' pieces on top of the test pieces and use the holes to mark where to attach the bolts on the real pieces.