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laser cut and bent !!!!

So, unfortunately I started out with a set of fiberglass eBay armor. Man, do I regret that. I had to do a lot of work just to get it wearable. Now I plan to upgrade each piece to better armor. Sorry I didn't take more photos along the way.  This is the armor after the coat of red paint, but before the final weathering. In between working on the armor I made a pauldron, a pouch (made out of foam), a sandtrooper style backpack, and the flamethrower. And finally, here is the finished armor. I know the Incinerator troopers don't wear backpacks, but I'm not applying to the 501st, and I like sandtroopers...so there.  

I got two packages of Tandy line 24 snaps, at different times and at different stores. The packages were slightly different, but all the Tandy paper inserts in the packages looked the same, as did the package labels, logos, etc. But the snaps themselves are vastly different. Here's what they look like, in matched pairs, looking at the upper sides: The top pair have the Tandy name on both pieces, while the bottom pair has no branding at all. Also, notice how very different the left post is in the lower pair. I set these two pairs in some ABS, and here's what the reverse side looks like: Again, very different. All the packaging looked legit, but is the one with no Tandy branding possible a counterfeit? Or do I have two different kinds of Tandy line 24 snaps? Again, there's nothing on the packaging to indicate that these are different types. However, a close look at the packaging shows that the snaps with the Tandy branding on them were made in China, and the ones without the branding are from Taiwan. Any thoughts? More importantly, should I avoid using one or the other? Thanks! A.J.

Looking good!

I haven't been posting but work has continued... I fitted, glued, and rough sanded/shaped the biceps and the forearms. I still have to do some fine tuning with a dremel and sandpaper. I also need to finish cleaning up the squeeze out from the E6000. I'm pleased with how they've turned out so far. I was able to use 15mm strips and everything fits fine. I guess I am "standard Stormtrooper size". : ) Today I trimmed and sized my thighs. After having done the arms, these went together fairly easily. I feel like I'm getting the hang of the process. I will glue with 20mm strips. My plan at this point is to finish all the appendages and then start strapping everything together. I think I'm still on target to be finished by Halloween (October 31). I may not be Centurion approved by then, but will hopefully have a usable costume by then. As always comments, critique, and suggestions are welcome.

Getting closer and closer

Welcome Yu! Lots of folks to assist, so ask away!

I ran out of Tandy Snaps with JUST the externally visible ones left to do when I ordered new ones back in 2015 I think? the new ones arrived with the names so I had to find a spare that wasn't stamped! I got lucky!!! Still swear by Tandy Snaps though!

Tandy changed to the stamped snaps well over a year ago, but there's a lot of old stock still on the shelves. New shipments/orders are all the new style... they don't manufacture the old ones anymore, as I understand it. As Harbinger notes, it's actually pretty accurate, other than the word itself. LOL

Hello and welcome aboard, good luck with your build

The film suits had ‘Newey’ on the bases so IMO this is actually more accurate.

I think I saw people talking about this on the Anovos group a while ago. I don't recall there being any real quality difference (there may well be but it wasn't mentioned) but people really didn't want the Tandy branding on the visible bases.

Had a similar issue with local Birch snaps, new packaging and found they are slightly different in size compared to the old packaging, could be they have changed to a cheaper supplier and are a differently quality/size. I know have to check each time I purchase them as they do clip together but just not strong enough to hold, a few other members have been having the same issue here too.

I know haven't done anything in a while! real life and all happened but did start making progress again, finished the biceps tonight then starting on forearms! picture was taken in mirror that's actually the right bicep! =D