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AWESOME fitting job on those gaskets, Jasper! Once you get this complete, I genuinely hope you will consider taking it to the next levels (EI and Centurion) of approval. With your amazing attention to detail you should have no problem, brother. Keep up the great work!

Working on it as we speak. Waiting on some deliveries to complete and then send pics for approval!!

I used to go crazy at the inconsistent armor from the film but I’ve come to embrace it, realizing guys like us were building the suits and we’d all have differences. I have heard two stories on higher level approval with the tab indicating that perhaps the rules have changed. I see no harm in submitting with the tab and removing it if I have to. I’ve learned so much with this build I’m good with anything. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Imperial Gaskets is back in business and listed on the FOTK Supply list. Also, Imperialsurplus makes FOTK armor, comparable to Anovos. I'm actually commission building a set as we speak, it's very nice. You can find them on FB.

I've been working on this blaster off and on for way to long between work, kids, fixing every vehicle I own and of course some trooping. Originally, I had planned to build one strictly off the E-11 blaster reference using a Doopy doo and then another one with electronics. Then my wife says to me "why don't you just build the one you really want?" I am planning on installing the TRamp electronics so my biggest questions I guess is will a functional digital display be satisfactory for EIB / Centurion? Here are some pictures of what I've accomplished so far. I replaced the globs that represent the bolts on the business end. And added a 3d printed front sight. There are a few other things too but I will add them in the coming days.

ONLY 5, 4, 3 2 1 SPOT LEFT, TROOPERS, SO TIME TO STEP-UP! 1000 Expert Infantry reached! Now that many of us are unfortunately stuck at home and boredom is beginning to take it's toll, it's time to wipe the dust off of that armor bin and become a part of FISD history! Instead of binge-watching re-runs, we are suggesting that you put the D.O. Staff to the test and spend some time on that white armor you miss wearing so much by applying for your Expert Infantry badge! As you may be aware, we are aiming to have #1000 approved by the end of the year. We only have 2 to go, so in order to reach that goal we are asking that you read over the CRLs for your particular armor, (this thread will help) make any necessary adjustments and post up your submission! Photo Checklist- Link here Apply Here Questions: 1. Not sure if I have what it takes to get my EI badge- You don't know until you try, and you have not only the D.O. staff but an entire Detachment to help! 2. I need some repairs/fixes first- This is why we are here! We honestly want you to succeed and are here to help in any way we can. 3. I am happy with the way my armor looks, so why bother?- It not only makes you look more screen accurate, it instills a sense of pride and "esprit de corps"! 4. What if I don't make it? No worries, we will provide detailed suggestions on how to reach your goal! Benefits: 1 Bragging rights for being one of the "Original 1000" 2. You get a cool badge under your name here on the FISD. (Street cred). 3. Access to EI rocker badges (coming soon) to go above your FISD patch (also coming soon)! 4. Access to coin runs for EI awardees only. 5. Certificate for your accomplishment. 6. You will have a more screen accurate looking set of armor, and be one step closer to Centurion!! 7. We are planning a VERY special piece of one-time-only FISD Exclusive merch to honor hitting this milestone! Know that the entire Staff and those who have reached Levels 2 (and 3) are here to help in any way we can, and that you are more than welcome (and encouraged) to ask any and all questions you may have here on this thread, or contact myself or Sha Sha. You can do it, Troopers. Let's turn this "anno horribilis" into a banner year for the FISD!

this is my latest RT-97C build during our "Circuit Breaker" time. files are from Thingverse, no moving parts. please enjoy.

Received the last of my supplies!! Setup my corner of the garage and unpacked my bucket! Question: what is recommended to trim the lens? I didn't realize it came like this. I have a Dremel with cutoff discs. What about the router attachment? Washed and scrubbed the fiberglass pieces. It all looks so great! No major issues or anything. It seems stronger than I expected, but there are still some parts that I can easily see through and want reinforced. The kids (7y b, 5y g) were so excited to help me scrub it <3 The wife, on the other hand, has already found other reasons to be pissed... I need to be on my best behavior if I'm going to get her onboard with the full armor someday...she's already upset about the cost of supplies. Next up (probably tomorrow): use Bondo fiberglass resin and cloths to reinforce the interior After that: use the Dremel with cutoff discs to open the vents

Here my personal opinions on the AM tab: (No hate, please, lol). Photo 1 shows an AM posterior plate with the elongated tab removed. IMHO it's not a big deal, but the snaps are noticeable from the rear. Photo 2 shown that the screen used tabs were actually pretty long, enough that the snaps would not normally be visible. Photo 3 shows the tab with an even longer length than photo 2. Trooper (Han in this case) is bent over at the time, so this would normally not be seen if he were upright. Photos 4, 5 and 6 show that the snaps were pretty much hidden from view. Note that we have traditionally passed AM armor with the extended tab at Expert Infantry and Centurion levels.

Congratulations trooper, welcome on board!

I'm doing my part!

Great work. It’s too bad Anovos is being the way they are, it really is a great looking set of armor! You’re killing it. Glad to see someone else had a set of rubber, I’ll be doing mine soon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice and Shiny!

Thank you! Yes, I am hoping to bring this to Centurion level. Keeping fingers crossed!

The calf and thigh pieces look spot-on, Shane. Super nice job on those! As for the torso pieces, you shouldn't have to bend any of them. The strapping on the ab/kidney connections and canvas belt will bring them in for a more form-fitting look.

GASKETS PART 1 Had a set of Imperial Gaskets back when they were still in operation. Now that they're not, I was really worried when tackling this in case I made an irreparable mistake. But all is well, and here is how I did it. First, measure the inner circumference of the following parts of your armour. Do not measure your arm, as if you have skinny arms like me, your gaskets will look shrunk under the armour. I wanted the gaskets to fill out the armour nicely. A. Inner circumference near top of Bicep Armour B. Length from your armpit to your mid forearm. C. Inner Circumference around middle of Forearm Armour Then I proceeded to cut my gasket according the the dimensions: Once, cut, I started to join the ends RIB BY RIB using CA glue. I wanted to create as seamless a joint as possible. CA glue cures fast, and actually holds the rubber really tight. The problem is that they cannot flex, and the whole joint would need to be reinforced from the inside with a shim using flexible glue. Here you can see the mid-progress of the CA gluing. Tedious, yes, but the end result looks great. And here are both arms done. I have not glued the shims on the inside yet. As my arm Armour pieces are still with the painters, I want to have them back for a fitting before I finalise the gaskets and shim them permanently. Also, I did not cut the gasket into "Shoulder" and "Elbow" pieces as many others have done, as I want to see how it all fits with the armour before I do that. Remember: MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE. Same with the knee gasket. Measure the inner circumferences of the bottom of the thigh armour and the top of the shin armour, and join the 2 ends together. I was pretty confident with the thigh, so I shimmed it. Here are both pieces done. And I also test fitted my arm gasket to see how it looks. Pretty happy with it. Strappings and final adjustments if any when my armour pieces are back from the painters.

For the sizing of your ears, I'm not so sure. That's more up to you, but I'll leave it to others to advise you in any way there. As for the placement, there are some things you can do for it to be more screen accurate. Those helmets had the ear screws aligned with the front traps, and your left ear is fairly spot on, the right one should be aligned to match though.

Welcome Gavin, things should get a little easier for you now you are here. Welcome aboard.

Depending on your frame you may not need to size down any pieces, I am thin and just added some foam in places to stop it moving around, you ideally want to keep a consistent sizing/look to the costume rather than sizing down to your frame (depending on how big the pieces are of course). I don't have any gap between my boots and the shins, I have a piece of elastic looped through the top of the boots which goes up inside to the shin and held with snaps, helps to keep the shins down and stop rotation.

I do not have a picture ready for that at the moment, but I will not move along on that until i have posted a pic of the chest for sure!

I do like it. But not enough to build another character. I’d go Mandalorian or get better quality pieces to upgrade my Obi Wan. I gotta get me one of those printers. Seems dangerous though. The ability to make things.. I don’t have the room to display all the stuff I’d wanna print! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thank you so much. Yeah specops doesnt have a dedicated thread. If its okay I would love your feed back. Let me get some pics up. Thank you.

Saw on instagram that this is happening.. in case anyone needs another bucket to add to their collection. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CHEST PART 2 Another tricky part. The problem for me as I am 170cm (5'7"), which means I am a smaller size compared to what the armour is meant to be for. As such, I need to make my chest more snug than it is meant to be. With the girth of the abdomen piece with the TD, I had to make my chest piece wrap around these snugly, almost no play. If I give some gap, the chest would look oversized. The lucky thing about my size is I am able to glue shut one side of the chest and still squeeze my head and hands through, so I only have to make one side functional, which I will do with magnets. So here is one side glued: And this is how it looks from the outside. On the other side, I indicated where I would drill 3 holes for the magnets to be insetted. And here they are drilled. They are 22mm holes, and I will be using 20mm magnets, so I needed the holes to be slightly bigger for the magnets to go into this recess easily. Next up, I fabricated the "female" magnet holders. I drilled an acylic plate with a 20mm hole to snugly fit the magnet, and another plate wth 22mm hole which will be glued above it, forming the recess of the female magnet. After I glued the magnet into the 20mm hole, I glued the plate with the larger 22mm hole over it, and sanded and rounded the sides. Had to make 3 sets of these. Then I glued these sets below the 3 holes I drilled on the back piece, and then added a thin layer of black foam into the recess, so that when the magnets clasp, the force is cushioned and I don't risk breaking the very brittle Neo-dy magnets. Finally, I glued the "male" magnets on the end of the chest piece. The joint is snug and strong. The photo below shows the inside of that clasp with the 3 magnets. And this is me test fitting it again. As mentioned, notice how snug I need the chest and yoke set up to be around my abdomen piece. But I think it looks sleek. Next is the covering of the pill boxes (with mesh and gaffer tape) and the centre vent (with gaffer tape). They are both secured with Duct Tape. How both looks from the inside,. And how they look from the outside. And finally, can't help to assemble what is completed onto my manny. Getting excited now that it is looking more and more like a Shiny!

I feel inspired! I will be posting pictures tomorrow, hopefully I can get approved as one of the first thousand Expert Infantry, and if not, well I’ve got plenty of time on my hands to make the necessary adjustments. Thanks Troopers!

Can't Wait! Just him my EIB!

I've been looking at battery packs and 5v fans for my bucket, but I am not sure with battery pack would provide the best performance. I don't have a great knowledge of tech, so I need some advice. I don't want to overcharge my fans and risk damaging them, or undercharging the fans by draining the battery life faster causing me to buy more batteries. I am definitely going for 2 fans to install, so which option should I go for:- One pack that contains 4AA batteries (6v) and connect it to 1 fan. One pack that contains 4AA batteries (6v) and connect it as a split system to 2 fans. Two packs that contain 3AA batteries (4.5v) and connect it to 1 fan. I'm leaning more towards 2 battery packs that contain 3AA per fan. But how long would a 5v fan last powered by a 3AA battery pack (4.5v)? I'm thinking that it would be too bulky in my helmet and expensive down the road to buy 2 battery packs that contain 4AA batteries each and connect them separately to the fans. Any advice would be great.