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The shoulder straps are done. I'm at the point where I'm finding I need to redo a couple of things because I'm not quite satisfied with the fit. I made the elastic shoulder straps a little shorter. Next I want to take apart the biceps and make them a little smaller.

So it begins.... I've been lurking around the 501st and Rebel Legion for years at cons and other events, and now that my kid is off to college, I'm ready to take the plunge. I've been going back and forth about the hero vs stunt build, but I think I want to do the Hero. I placed my order and now I'm awaiting my BBB arrival of ATA armor. I've never done anything like this before, I'm a computer guy, not a builder so I'm horribly afraid I'm going to screw something up and cost myself some major money, so I'm reading all the info I can find on the forum, watching YouTube videos, and I'm awaiting my approval for the forums on the garrison (Tyranus) in my area so I can hope to find a build party or someone local who might be willing to come over and help me not screw it up. LOL Thanks everyone for your help thus far, I'll be posting photos and updates as thing get rolling.

Starting to make headlines now... https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywood-docket-studios-sued-missing-cosplay-merchandise-1215368 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Since I'm starting work on the thighs, I need to do a little prep work on the holster. I decided to reverse engineer the Anovos holster and create an aluminum version. Not that the Anovos holster is in any way bad. I just wanted it even sharper and more durable. I'm using glazing putty to fill in the seams so it will be one solid piece when I'm finished. Still work to be done but, I think the metal version looks much tighter.

Looking forward to seeing the pics

Almost there, looking forward to seeing you kitted up.

The Novos polish #2 is basically the same polish as what's in the 3M kit. Glad to be of assistance

Thanks Tony. Unfortunately my little friends family have moved away so we don’t get to see her at events very often now. She has also outgrown her FO so is rocking a Dinky Darth at the moment Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for the heads up! It just came in today and I took it to a piece that I have been testing on. It really did bring that shine, I could not believe my eyes. I do need to work on getting better at the sanding because I can see some scratches in the armor after I buffed it. I need to order more of the compound that came with it, there is only a little packet and I don't see it lasting long. Thank you for the tip on the buffing equipment, it is very helpful! Here's the list of things that I still need to do. -Glue sniper knee (The sides came undone during the bath) -Glue back cover strips for shins -Hot water bath back piece -Check belt alignment -Add button on crotch (only have 1 right now) -Paint rivets on kidney and ab (paint came off while putting together the right side) -Sand down and buff left side oops -The helmet is it's own list of things to do -Check to make sure everything looks good. I put the rivets into the right side of the kidney and ab piece today. It seems that they are a little short but, are doing the job. Tonight I should have a photo with myself completely suited up for the first time! Just need to do a hot water bath for the back piece again, currently the back is not touching the kidney piece. There is a good 2-3 inches of space.

Dan I've seen these diagrams and know about the changes, but thanks for the info. These forums are great I have already sourced some tan leather through another member. Theresa local hardware store that apparently has most of the snaps, rivets, etc that I will need.

Awesome photo Brien Both are looking great

Regarding the 3M HR kit, forgot to mention practice on some scrap to get the hang of it.

Welcome to the Legion!

Welcome to the Legion!

Dude. You the man. Took me about 3 hours to put together. Only had to redo 1 wire. @ukswrath https://imgur.com/a/n5XrlE5

Welcome to The Legion!

Congratulations and welcome to the Legion Trooper

I just got word late last night.... TK-12037 reporting for duty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sounds awesome but you know - all Troopers for the Empire are Heroes We will help you as much as we can - welcome to FISD

Hey Joe I cut from both sides, it´s importand to keep the forearm level so to speak. If only cutting from one side they won´t keep the "square" shape. As for measurements I checked fit (with gaskets) to see how much I could remove, they were really big so I quickly realized I could remove as much as needed to make it look more like reference material on the greeblie side and then just trim the other side to keep the shape

Just a note to day GREAT job on those changes, sir! It's always fantastic to see someone who takes suggestions to heart and wants to have an awesome looking set of armor. Well done!

Also if anyone on this website has a spare tfa first order stormtrooper kit/costume (maker does not matter at this point), please PM me asap. I will buy it.

Hopefully in the lawsuit the person should also mention that Anovos’ Fraud is also clearly evident in how they are making tlj instead of the tfa armor that they were supposed to give us on top of the delays. This is blatant fraud and lying on their part because they technically never and will never fulfill the tfa armor that was ordered. I ordered tfa armor, and now anovos is going to not even going to make it and instead make me wait for a tlj armor that I did not order. As everyone has pointed out already, tfa and tlj are virtually completely different molds, build, appearance, etc from top to bottom, they are different everywhere at a glance. And where’s the inner chest/back piece that is not supposed to be fused with the outer chest? You’re better off replacing the entire top. And rework is worst than building from scratch. That was supposed to be completely separate from the outer, but now it’s one piece. And they mutilated the joining between the front and back torso, which was not advertised in their preorder and did not exist in the alpha/beta kits. I really hope that Roger Dalton and his lawyers are reading this forum as well. Anovos better start pulling out their old alpha/beta molds, start cranking out the tfa armor they promised from the beginning, and send each tfa kit out everytime 1 is done like ALL the other vendors that make star wars armor now without delay. If not, this fraud they are blatantly committing is going to hold true.

I highly suggest buying a headlight restoration kit. 3M makes one that I use on all my armors. It works fantastic on ABS and since it's designed to be used with a power drill it spares your body a workout. Basically you toss out the heaviest grit sanding pad as it's designed to really chew into the plastic. Take the second finest grit pad with water and polish the area smooth. Afterwards use the finest grit sandpaper to prep it for the polishing pad and compound. Finally hit the area with the polishing pad then lastly the buffing pad and polishing compound. If done correctly the area will closely resemble the rest of the armor. Amazon sells them if you're interested https://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2ROQ0G2E40F8J&keywords=3m+headlight+restoration+kit&qid=1559675914&s=gateway&sprefix=3m+%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-3

Yes.... EVERYONE listen to Just Joseph he’s a good guy and will NOT MISLEAD U !!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point. I guess I could use the magnets to make sure it is always aligned the same and velcro to keep it secure.

Clouded the future is! Lets hope for all those who have showed the utmost of patience, will not be met with further disappointment due to this apparent time frame information. If the rumors are to be believed, Anovos have signed another 3 year license agreement with Disney.

Wow! Thanks for the help. I haven't introduced myself there yet, but will ASAP. I'm just about to have my wife take pics of me in the armor, so stay tuned! I only spoke with Andy briefly on the phone and by email, and he was very helpful. I didn't realize he made holsters and belts. I have the Imperial Issue canvas belt, and just need to source the rivets and tan leather strips to start the modifications. I'll contact him to see if he can help me with those.

Beautiful work mate - I got one of those buckets from Jsin too. Can’t wait to work on it, after I finish my other little project! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

So here are some updated pics of my in progress bucket... HUGE thanks again to Eric Dyck's YouTube channel. Set up a small area to work. Added decals, installed the brow, and got things lined up and clamped. Installed the visor and ears, and tube tripes. PLEASE let me know if there are any critiques. Got the teeth and ears painted and the frown mesh installed. DAMN YOU hot glue gun! Got the "beard" and ears finished up. Hovi mics were painted and installed next... I also installed these little cap nuts on all the exposed threads inside the bucket for a little safety. Going to be working on the finishing touches tonight. Went to the store(s) to get some of the other tools and equipment needed, but looks like I'll have to order some of the odd snaps and stuff online. Thanks again!

Looking good!

Looks great, nice work

A Hasbro can be approved for EI (Level 2), and you're correct... not Centurion (Level 3). I had the same dilemma as you. I wanted pewpewpew, but I wanted Centurion as well. I ended up buying a Hyperfirm to satisfy the Centurion requirements. I've never trooped with it, actually. My Hasbro is lighter and (IMO) much more fun to troop with. I don't think Hyperfirm produces blasters anymore. Praetorian Blasters seems to be the new go-to for rubber Centurion-qualified weaponry (and since their blasters are all rubber, they are super con-friendly). I had heard great things about them, and they had some e-11 blasters recently available, so I snagged one. Holy cow, it is epic. The Praetorian e-11 is a huge upgrade over my Hyperfirm with regards to detail. It's a little pricey, but you really do get what you pay for. It is gorgeous! (I ended up giving my Hyperfirm to my hubby because he needs one for his upcoming TK.) You can find more info and pics of Praetorian Blasters here. Send them a PM, and they will hook you up.

Just to update, received blaster today, looks great as expected!

As I agree with Greg some of us can't help being a little short to be a trooper lol.. Get ready for sww it's gonna be along weekend for you bud!! But in all seriousness the replica award would be cool.. I'm not a fan of the high brow but I must give in and get a highbrow hero kit and a new right bicep clip to be able to mimic Han better..(learned my lesson adding that to my centurion tittle) all the comments were great and constructive and learned what needs to be done for the replica award.. Maybe Greg will have his Luke done and we can troop as a dual.. Thank you Sith for you nice comments as I can assure you I look good with or without my armor.. Do you and build your armor to the specs you want while following the crl you can go above and beyond it's up to you.. I don't know of many troopers that have EIB stunt/hero awards and shooting for centurion awards for both.. That's something I wanted to do.. Anyways good luck to you