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Ah look my wife knows exactly what to get me for my birthday!

I have over 100. Yes, it's really sad.

About the thighs, they are looking pretty good, but if you can manage it, try sizing them with the cod piece also taped to your body. That way, you can make sure the tops of the thighs aren't knocking against the cod. You basically want a minimal gap at the top of your legs while still not allowing the pieces to touch. They look a little low in the picture you posted, so sizing them with the cod will likely help you figure out how high they'll sit on your legs as well. I let my hooks sit in boiling water for 2-3 minutes (I waited for the ABS to start looking a little (keyword little) floppy) before pulling them out and bending them against a ruler to get 90 degree angles. EDIT: Just thought of something else. Does Mark provide set strips for the hooks with the trimmed kit? I got the untrimmed kit and cut them out of the extra ABS he provides for making cover strips, etc.

Dear Neil Oliver, Your clearance submission for the costume of 'Stormtrooper ESB' has been reviewed by the GML. Congratulations! Your costume has been cleared for trooping. We are pleased to welcome your Stormtrooper ESB into the ranks of the UK Garrison. Your UKG forum permissions will be updated shortly, as necessary. Happy days....! [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji6][emoji6] Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Coming from someone who took early overlap AM/FX armor and custom built a SWAT Cantina Captain here's my thoughts. The fact remains a few years ago we removed the FX helmet from the approval equation for a very obvious reason. The FX armor itself does not have the same issue as the helmet IMO. There's armor out with very soft details, do we ban them next? All out ban on FX at basic is a NO in my book because as Danny mentioned if any expired members want to rejoin the fold it shouldn't cost them another arm and leg. That said it's time for "overlap construction" to be excluded from anything above basic (outside of ROTJ). As for armor intending to be built a specific way I believe it should fall under the same reasoning as the Kidney notch. If it was produced to have a specific component then it must have it.

Great news! Thank you so much. I’ll crack on with those tweaks over the next few weeks and apply for centurion. Thanks again! Happy trooper right here.

Happy B-day

So in waiting for the E6000 to cure on my right forearm and thigh cover strips. I'm doing them one side at a time, lack of magnets and it also lets me not rush through. I decided it was time to tackle the ab/kidney section. So I drilled holes for the split rivets and snaps and then got those in, they're not pretty, but they're in and secure. Sent from my VK815 using Tapatalk

Hi mate. As per PM, here a good shot. You’ll see here the metal parts vs plastic parts. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello all! I recently ordered my TK armor from AP and am now in the process of working out all the other details and nuances that will go into this build. While researching boots I came across this option that, surprisingly enough, is sold via Wal-Mart. It looks like the manufacturer is Pleaser Shoes. https://www.walmart.com/ip/TROOPER-12-1-Flat-Inch-Heel-Pointed-Toe-Men-s-Boot/115629685?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=5780&adid=22222222228045512533&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=95409564170&wl4=pla-217979465810&wl5=9010522&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=114221082&wl11=online&wl12=115629685&wl13=&veh=sem 1'' Flat heel Pointed toe Pull-on Chelsea boot Available in Sizes: Small (size 8-9), Medium (size 10-11), Large (size 12-13) and XL (size 14) Item Includes: Pair of Boots Material: Polyurethane Item Dimensions: 1" Heel Care Instructions: Spot Clean Does anyone have any idea if these would work for 501st approval? I am hoping to go for centurion level as I have heard doing so from the outset of your build is not too much extra work. Any thoughts would be most appreciated! Thanks.

TK85421 Requesting TLJ Centurion Status (Anovos) Applicant Information Name: Glen Rhodes Height: 180 cm Weight: 74 kg FISD Name: gmrhodes13 Legion ID#: 85421 Profile Page: TK85421 Requesting TLJ EIB Status (Anovos) Approved Garrison: Desert Scorpion Build Information Armor Maker: Anovos Helmet Maker: Phoenix Props Boots: Imperial Boots Gloves Imperial Boots Electronics: Aker Neck Seal: Anovos Blaster: JJ's resin

Oh this diagram is exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you!! And that makes total sense to trace something round. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sound advice... I’ll give it a try as is but at least have a good idea how to fix it if I really have to. Now my next challenge is to explain to my wife when she gets home from work what I just did to her sewing machine trying to sew my thigh garter straps... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congratulations and welcome to the Legion Trooper

Thank you Tony. I will adjust and then get new photos for Centurion. Before I go ahead I just want to check so I understand. It is the bell and bicep on the right that should go down a bit? You have circled the elbow area as well. Should that be adjusted too or is it just a consequence of the right bicep and bell being a bit too high? Fixing the ab button should be easy enough and I can tighten the elastic on the back-kidney a bit.

Thanks and today just got better Hello Imperial Citizen! Neil Oliver, due to the work you have done for the Empire, your application to join The 501st Legion has been approved! Your new TKID is: 71545 Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Thanks for taking the time to look over those Tony. As much as it will pain me to ruin the canon of my kit I’m thinking that even one strap in the middle could pull the chest down about a cm or so. You can see here how it sits currently but how it could come down. And it’s effect on the front view Daniel, thanks for the perspective on TK movement expectations. I guess I’ll give up considering downward dogs and sun salutations in suit [emoji12] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Superb. Well done, Neil. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've never got into vests but instead have jackets. I'm up to 5 jackets and one dickies shirt, all displaying patches I was close to buying a vest last year but at the last minute got another jacket instead!

Good news, you have plenty of room to work with and it appears you've done everything correctly. If it really bothers you may need to add a couple additional connecting straps from the Ab to Chest to pull the chest down over the Ab further increasing the space between your neck and armor. As much as a fine job you did with the canon brackets, your situation may call for additional help.

How about vests. Funny story, most of my family members are Disney freaks and most of them have a vest. I told everyone "That's lame I'll never do that". I now have 5 vests and counting lol

Thanks Dan [emoji106] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thighs look alright from the one photo, but hard to tell. Just be sure that they are comfortable. As Greg mentioned, try to keep them as high as you can get them. Regarding the clips, I used a heat gun. Have you asked anyone in the FI if they might have one you can borrow? They might be able to give you a hand and even maybe some help in person!

Hey David. The thighs look really good to me. Try pulling them up a little - if they still fit then you should be good (just in case you realize they need to come up once you have your cod/posterior pieces on). But with two fingers space, you should be good. For your knees - is your right knee (right in the picture) a little larger around your knee than the left? Or is that just the angle of the picture? Still looks good, I just ask because I found the thighs to fit quite differently from right to left. Bicep hooks. I had a tough time getting these to bend as well. After many attempts with one piece and a hot water bath, I finally got it to bend. I had to hold it in the water for about a minute, take it out and bend a little, cool with cold water, and repeat about 6 or 7 times. I broke the abs on two other attempts (I lost patience and was pushing too hard). For my last try, I got a slight bend started with the hot water, but ended up just holding the piece over the open flame of my stove. I have a feeling that these pieces are a little thicker than what others use with different kits. I bought a heat gun from Amazon for about $22 CND. I love it! It scares the hell out of me every time I use it, but it does work. Keep up the great work! Things are coming along nicely!

Nice one Tom. Congratulations

Well done, Andreas. Great job. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats on your EIB!

Hey Andreas welcome, thank you for your patience and EIB application. Let's get started CRL and EIB Application Requirements: All submission photos have been posted and we have great news, your armor displays all the necessary elements to qualify for Expert Infantry. Congratulations! Other-Armor Fit/Assembly: In this section we review observations made by your fellow troopers and ourselves. Some observations may lead to suggestions to improve the overall look of your armor. We have a few minor suggestions to mention here. Areas to work on to enhance the overall accuracy and look of your armor. Starting with your right bell and bicep that are higher then that of the left. It may be a simple photo issue or maybe a strapping adjustment that's needed to bring them in line. Reference photo Back plate to kidney gap. Just a note here to be aware of the gap. It should be very minima.l Reference photo Next up the left Ab button has too much surface area. Technically it should be smaller than the surface it's glued to. Take a look at the reference photo provided. Reference photo Centurion Suggestions: Because Centurion photos show much more detail than EIB, items pertaining to Centurion might be seen there and not here. We have nothing to add here at this time. Congratulations again and hope to see you in Centurion review soon

Huh...what about the left side? I mentioned it just as a fitting thing, but not a deal breaker. What about for EIB/Centurion? Would you ideally like the two to butt up vice overlap? (p.s. man, look at the top of that kidney...talk about wonky!)

Forgot to mention this last night, for the record there's nothing in the CRL that prohibits overlapping of the Ab and Kidney plates on the right side.

Thank you all, so many decisions to make it all gets a bit confusing after awhile... Think I'll stick to the AP, buying local is always nice you don't get those nasty duty charges & I think I will try the untrimmed version! Now just to pay for it!!! LOL

Because of the hinge system built in it won't allow straight through viewing, the tutorial advises black acrylic for the appearance of lenses, I will play with a few different ideas to see which gives the best realist look.

Every step adds up in the end, looking good, keep it up

Welcome!

Nice concept! I'd like to keep the stars on the top if I could, but otherwise the update is awesome. One cog is nice if it can be fit in?

Welcome to the 501st, finally.

I would suggest checking out the UKG in the meantime! Handlers are almost always helpful at troops and you'll start to make some contacts who could help you out when you finally get to building!

Congrats and welcome aboard trooper!

Welcome to the 501st, Greg. You’ve deserved it. :-) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats!

I have 2 pairs of Imperial boots (1 dirty for HWT 1 clean for regular TK) and I gotta say that I couldn't be happier with them. Shipping was actually quite fast (2 weeks) and the customer service was great. One thing I would recommend, though, is that you order one size up from what you normally wear as they tend to run a bit small. As Daryl mentioned, they are close until March but you should be able to get in touch with them beforehand.

Looking forward to the progress. Don't forget copy the DIRECT LINK of your photos into the post

Cheers, I'm not to bothered about centurian, plus the brackets are hiding a lot of previous holes [emoji23], not mine though. Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

If I could throw in my 2 cents worth (again), I would still go with a 2 piece set-up. As I mentioned before, if you get a snag, tear or hole, (yes, it happens) with a one piece you will have a difficult time sewing lycra. It mentions in the ad that they can add a zipper. Has anyone ever tried to GET to a zipper in full armor? It also mentions that they can add thumb stirrups to hold your sleeves down. This is actually a good idea, and keeps your wrist covered. Alternatively, you can cut a one inch hole at the end of your sleeve for the same exact effect. I did this on my first 2 shirts and never had any fraying or the like. Nowdays, I just use gloves with extra long wrists. Please don't think I am knocking this company in any way, it's just that after a few dozen troops you will have fraying of the material, holes, etc., (especially us HWTs since we carry a pack) and it's a lot less expensive to replace a shirt or pants than to purchase an entire new one piece.

You can get them at places like sporting goods stores, but they tend to be a little pricey. I suggest trying Amazon as Brien suggested, just search Men's black compression pants (and shirts). Here are a few links: Pants: ------------- Shirt: https://www.amazon.com/Compression-Performance-Crewneck-Long-sleeve-Pack-Black/dp/B071YC27KM/ref=sr_1_8?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1511084525&sr=1-8&nodeID=7141123011&psd=1&keywords=black+compression+shirt+men Some prefer the one piece, but I personally suggest using separate pants and shirt as it makes it a bit easier to answer the "call of nature". Also, if you get a snag or tear you can just replace that part. Just be sure there are no manufacturer markings or logos visible.

HWT is probably your best bet, and what I'll be shooting for next. The backpack, giant blaster, and pauldron really make a visual impact and aren't crazy expensive to assemble. Plus, the general consensus I've heard is that pauldrons aren't appropriate for general wear outside of TDs and HWTs, so.... http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_hwt Otherwise it might be cool to do a Space Pack, that would really stand out: http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_anh_stunt (at the very bottom) Or Anovos just released a bunch of new TK helmet one-off's from Battlefront and possibly TLJ or future R1 style movies. The Stormtrooper Commander is my current favorite. Could be a cool jumping off point to mod your armor into something really unique for cons: https://www.anovos.com/collections/star-wars/products/star-wars-stormtrooper-commander-helmet-accessory Otherwise, fun accessories I've seen include: Binders (handcuffs) Comlinks Scanning datapads Electrobinoculars

I started with the hard hat liner but after about 30-40 minutes trooping, it would start to irritate my head. So then I tried the tactical padding, but that didn't work as well as I'd hoped - the bucket wouldn't always turn with my head turning if that makes sense. Then I tried some motorcycle helmet cheek pads, and those worked out great. They hug the sides of my head and now when I look left or right, the bucket moves with me. I still use some tactical padding on the back and forehead and some thinner padding on the top.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, vinyl/pleather neck seals can make you sweat like there's no tomorrow. I used an Anovos seal once and was miserable after an hour in the Florida sun. Besides being "breathable", Darman's are made to order with either Velcro or zipper closures, and are also 10 bucks less than those. Plus, the back is higher than the front, which helps cover the back of your neck better so people can't see your skin when you look down.

You could add some binders (handcuffs) or a different weapon (DLT-19)

I have purchased one of these for both my sets of armor, and they work GREAT! Takes me all of 30 seconds to put them on, and they never,ever slip or slide: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/29991-thigh-garter-system/?hl=%2Bthigh+%2Bgarter+%2Bsystem