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Alright, so I actually received my BBB several months ago and I've been documenting my slow progress as I started the process. I haven't gotten too far yet, so I thought I probably should start my build thread before I get any further. So far I've done rough cuts on my armor and have taken apart my bucket to make some mods for personal preference. I'm gonna go ahead and post some of my documentation that I've taken so far and get caught up to date on my build, then I'll continue to slowly update my thread as I progress. I'm aiming to get as high level of approval as possible. My armor is slightly large for me so I'm going to need advice on modifying to get it to fit right. Anyway, so here we go...

Scammers like this make their money by people buying the rubbish. By even buying it even if you will refund it you’re helping them win. These scams are popping up a lot at the moment. A surprisingly large number people always say “well it’s worth a go” or “I wonder what you do get”. It’s obviously worth their while. The only winning move move is not to play.

First fitting ANH stunt TK

LOL!!!!! FREE Shipping on orders over $33.43 CAD After checking all the reviews/photos they are showing armors from at least 3 different makers, the last review posted Nov 7th 2018 is a AP build up and I know were that photo comes from. Mark (AP)

Wow! Great improvements! Keep up the great work. [emoji1]

I BELIEVE IN YOU FRANK! THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE SOMETHING! IT IS BETTER TO TAKE A RISK THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THAN TO NEVER KNOW! HOPEFULLY YOU RECEIVE ARMOR! Good luck.

I think the majority think it’s a scam and it most likely is, and one member said they would check on it for us. I’ve had the thought process that nothing will be delivered from the beginning and I’ll continue with that. I don’t recommend anyone doing it unless like stated before they have the $70 to gamble with. I’m by no means rich but I felt it was a fun gamble to take within this community of Star Wars fanatics, had it been more I probably wouldn’t have done it at all. I’ve seen this happen multiple times to hundreds of people and still made the decision to do it. I personally have done this before and had decent results but mostly not so decent results. It’s a horrible feeling when you get nothing but aggravation and no response. Did you contact your payment method? Like the credit card or PayPal. I’m full prepare to get the run around. If I get a decent costume then I win, if I get nothing I’m prepared, if I get a crappy costume my 7 year old kid will have an interesting toy to play with while I practice my hemming to make it fit him. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That part may need to flex a lot. I would leave a minimal return edge. A mm or two. Any larger it could crack. Taper those edges down for non poking comfort.

FYI I moved this to the Ebay section. It wasn't really relevant to the "replica section"

Yeah guys this is goin to be 100% a scam. Please take this as a warning. If you make a purchase and you are scammed then you have heard it here first. Please do not buy unless you have money to gamble with like Frank. Frank I really do hope it works out. I was scammed by a Chinese site earlier this year selling the levitating Iron Man. Lost $18 bucks. Good thing that didn’t break me.

Congratulations trooper

Thank you for the time to go over the kit. I’ll review the details and see where I can go. I’m very pleased to get it to EI status , and that most of the build was already there. I’ve got a troop this morning so it will be my first go in the new legs. thanks again.

Hi Davin , thank you for your EI application and your patience! CRL and EIB Application Requirements: All required submission photos have been posted, and I am very pleased to announce your armor displays all the necessary elements to qualify for Expert Infantry. On behalf of the D.O. Staff, 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. First, many thanks and FANTASTIC job on fixing those cover strips!! As you know, the higher levels are all about the small details, and here are a few issues that are recommended: 1. Your shoulder bridges are really high up in the back, and should lay flat against the back plate tabs. A hot water bath would help you (gently) get these into the correct shape. Reference image 2. Your forearms are riding a little high, and there should be a gap. You have room at the bottom, so lowering them by adding about an inch to the forearm/bicep strapping would make them look loads better, as well as make it much easier for you to bend your arms. Reference image 3. The right ab/kidney connection appears to be at a much sharper angle than normal. The seam should run vertically. It may just be that the overlap is off, but if you (hopefully) submit for level 3, please check this. Reference image 4. The ends of your TD clips are flaring out, so we suggest re-shaping them to where they are flush to the TD. They should fit tightly against it which will prevent them from snagging on anything. The screws appear to be correct, but should you submit for Centurion please provide a close up of the screws themselves. Reference image 5. Not a deal breaker, but your posterior snaps are a little too close together. In theory they should have about a 1/4 inch (5 mm) gap between them. Reference image 6. I would suggest cutting down the tops of your thighs a bit as seen in the photo. The center area is perfect, but there should be a small gap. This will also help immensely for comfort and mobility. Reference image 7. Looking at the shadow underneath your sniper knee plate there appears to be a gap where there shouldn't be one, and it should fit snugly against the top of the calf. Reference image 8. Excellent job on trimming the large ab-button panel, but the small one could use a bit more. Also, the gray on the ones circled could use re-doing , and the bottom blue ones are oversized. Note in the reference image that the paint does not leave the actual button, and that it doesn't even cover it completely. Reference image Centurion Suggestions: Because Centurion photos show much more detail than EIB, items pertaining to Centurion might be seen there and not here. We try to point out all we can from what is seen but the final accuracy is the responsibility of the trooper. 1. The outside edges of your drop boxes will need to be aligned with the outside edges of the ABS belt. Some E-6000 on the back of the strap should do the trick! Reference image 2. There are a few issues with your E-11, sir, but nothing that can't be fixed. Again, for level 3 it's all about the details. a). The rear sight is backwards. The small ridges need to be in the back. b). The charging handle is backward. c). The T-tracks need to be fitted more securely to the barrel d). Most of the finishes are great, but we highly suggest that you fill/sand down the 3D print lines on the barrel which will give you a much more realistic look. Reference image Reference image Nice job on this armor, Davin, and I hope you will consider taking the suggestions to heart (after seeing what you did with those cover strips I know you have the talent) so that we can see your Centurion submission soon!

Whoop!! The journey continues... :-)

Keep rocking on, my friend. The end is in sight*! *yes - another pun! ;-)

They will look fine when you alligne then like Matt suggested

Hi friends! I am getting into a groove of sorts with painting and weathering...hope I'm not too much off the mark [emoji28] 'More is less' when it comes to weathering....please check out my painted scratch built magazine. Base coat is steel looking paint with flat black overtop. Applied some toothpaste before spraying the black, to knock off any cleanliness on the look. This is advice took to heart from TenantLim, here on FISD. Applied some fine grit sandpaper to reveal steel underneath. Applied some wrinkle paint to the magazine cap; its shinier than the rest. Still want to apply some brown eye shadow makeup to give it a rust look on some parts and still to apply a mat clear coat to seal everything in...check it out [emoji2] Sent from my SM-G390W using Tapatalk

If he's doing brackets will need to build a return edge on the top of the butt plate and bottom of kidney as WTF TK those parts come as one piece and you need to cut them apart

Building off what Frank said, think about what strapping you will be using. Are you using snaps? Brackets? Velcro?

There is nothing that says you can’t take the whole return edge off. Whatever makes you comfortable. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats and good luck future Trooper!!

Can do! Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

Nothing better than a BBB on your doorstep. Good luck with the build, research is the key

Forgot to reply via your message- added the message via the thread instead- oops Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

Oh, shoot, yes! I'm sorry I didn't update on here! My armor is finished for the most part! I just gotta trim the legs a little more and add the knee plate [emoji106] my goal really was to just get it wearable enough for Halloween. I was able to get done thanks to the many many armor parties I went to before Halloween Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

Congrats on that BBB and lets see ya build a stormtrooper. Good luck. Sent from my VK815 using Tapatalk

Just make sure to use acetone or something to take the sheen off the boots first if you don’t want them to peel.

We are here to help Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I cut more off the left side, but I don't think you can tell from my pictures above. I will get a close up this afternoon as well once I retry everything on with help. My mom is going to help me put everything on and try to situate the arms better. My garrison hasn't done an armor party lately, there's a few of us that have been asking but if they plan one soon I might reach out to a neighboring state to see if they have a party on a weekend that I can travel a couple hours for. I am in Nashville, TN so a 4-5 hour drive wont be too bad for me I'll make a weekend out of it if I cant get it fixed without needing person to person help from a trooper.

Hi Katye To go back to your question in the eye sockets; :-)

I like the experience of building. It's Pepakura (paper) plus Bondo.

I would very much like an EIB certificate with Dan’s signature - thanks.

Hi all, I've gone and put my scope into stealth mode with black semi-gloss paint! I'm beginning to understand how to weather with some black paint at parts chipping away from the brass paint underneath...will take fine sandpaper to introduce some weathered edges soon. Sent from my SM-G390W using Tapatalk

Had the same worries on my first build, but weathering is really fun - just remind yourself, sometimes less is more.

Thank you HSM76 and Tino for your valuable input - I've since added brass colored paint overtop my rose gold paint job. It was too rosey for my liking. The comparison picture is quite revealing. I think I will then go for semigloss black with a little flat black to take away some shininess and a Matt clearcoat to seal it all in. Thanks for dropping by! Here, I make sure the underside has sufficient paint as blaster reference calls for scope feet bottoms and the sides of the back foot remain brass in color. Will need to tape before spraying black [emoji1]

This better? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello folks, excited for the time ahead... glue areas masked off, time to add grey primer paint to my scope! Pictures to come shortly!

Just moving along here with more updates - remaining two screws for the side of the scope installed. Green stuff came to save the day having drilled holes a tad too wide. All good now but man, working with micro screws was pretty tedious. [emoji2957][emoji28] Sent from my SM-G390W using Tapatalk

Today is another few minutes of work. Installed two micro screws on the scope, two more to go. All four screws came from a glasses repair kit I found at a dollar store. I has to shorten them 1mm or so. E-6000 was used to glue in place. I couldn't afford doing all four or I am bound to have a screw or two jump away from me!! I remember justjoseph saying to have a carpet to catch any falling pieces during a build, this has saved me twice today!! I found given the size of these screws, peace and patience was a must for successful execution. Check it out [emoji28]

Hi folks, more progress this afternoon on the scope! There is something utterly satisfying when your screwing in a bolt and the resin squeaks! I screwed in the small screws provided in Tinos completion set. I noticed the smaller set of two are sunken and the other relatively larger set of three sat normally. Glad I used a flathead screw driver that was the correct length and width as I applied pressure to the install process as I was breaking into the resin, creating that squeaking sound I like so much. I mostly left the screw heads quite clean despite all the pressure applied, very pleased =) Have yet to install the four micro screws .... that update to come soon!!

Sorry to revive this, but I am trying to do the same thing for a Death Trooper E-11D, but I cannot find an Element M300A that has the correct "KX1A" marking. Anyone know a reliable source for the correct version?

501st Submission and EIB Submission Finally I was ready for submission! It took a couple rounds (mostly minor strapping/dressing changes, as well as cleaning my armor) but I was approved into the Golden Gate Garrison on October 7. TK-19233 reporting for duty! Since I built with Centurion/EIB in mind, I submitted by EIB application shortly after and was approved as well: They gave me a few suggestions for Centurion, but to be honest the biggest barrier is getting the rubber handguards to stay stuck to the rubber gloves long enough to take a set of submission photos! Since I don't plan to use the rubber gloves for trooping, I don't want to attach the handguards permanently. I tried velcro but the adhesive didn't seem to want to stick to the rubber gloves, so I'll have to explore other options. So far I've gone on two troops: a holiday lights parade and a surprise end-of-chemo party for a 13-year-old battling brain cancer. They were both everything that I had hoped to get out of the experience, and I plan to do many more troops next year. Thanks to everyone on FISD who came before me for sharing all of their armor building knowledge; I hope this thread helps out a few people in the same way. Onward to 2018!