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Here are the before and after on the forearms. I may need to redo it. With the forearms rotated I may have needed to lengthen then elastic. I'll try to dress out this weekend and confirm if it needs adjusting. Before: After:

I went out and got a heat gun and boy is that what I needed! I played around with some scrap ABS and can see how this can be very dangerous. I would be wary right now to use this to shape bigger pieces, but can also see how over time and if you are comfortable this is an amazing tool to have. I was able to get all the ripples out which I am very happy about. See pic below for the result. Before: After: Thanks, M

Whelp, the box has arrived. I rummaged through it, did a poorly made unboxing video where I likely got most of the pieces wrong in my excitement and now I have a bit of "where do I go next" paralysis (I will get over it). Rumor is the helmet is the best place to begin so I will start researching that. Given it has the most complex parts (fans, voice box, lenses and so on) I will make sure to do lots of research before starting.

Found a new and useful technique by accident last night. Likely guys that have been costuming a while already know this, but figured it could be useful for newer troopers. I always check my kit after a troop to see if any repairs are needed. Discovered last night that shining a torch from behind your armour is great for highlighting cracks that you could otherwise not notice or are 'only just' starting to form. Here's my shoulder bridge with no back-light. You can just about see a crack forming. But with a torch behind its impossible to miss. Catching cracks early while they're still small could save a real headache during a troop.

I'm right down the road if you want some help Phillip

Good to know, Should go over my armour now trooping is returning.

Regarding using wood blocks for helping the shaping of the return edges, Cricket made a jig that she used several times to recreate return edges and to flatten out the creases made from shaping those areas. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/41502-crickets-wtf-hero-build-even-more-tk-for-the-vertically-challenged/?do=findComment&comment=592439

So neat and tidy Steve, nice job.

Been a while since I did an update, lots going on with work... I know this isn't the most exiting build log... but maybe it will contain something helpful down the road for someone... The scarping is DONE! found another seam needed to be re glued... It was time to start learning how to do snaps. I got a bunch of Tandy line 24 snaps and the setting tools. first attempts proved that using a hammer and setting tools, don't work so good in soft materials like elastic... got some crazing bending... making one side not remotely aligned with the other in this case... So I bought some snap pliers off Amazon. That made all the difference! (right tool for the job is a thing) I'm going to use webbing for the armor side in most places, not squares of plastic. This 1" black will likely work, but 1.5" wide will give just that bit more glue surface.

The hensoldt lower dial after the bead knurl

Since my last update, I have my TK number and am now an official member of the 501st. I've already done a troop at a local zoo which was a blast. In a few weeks I'll be doing one at a local minor league hockey game for their Star Wars night. Going after my Expert Infantry is on hold until the new helmet arrives, but I am getting some of the other fixes done. The easiest was shortening the shoulder to chest straps. The only difficulty there was that the snap is now so close to the shoulder bell it was hard to hold the snap while hammering it against the anvil. I still need to trim a little return edge, but once that is done I'm hoping to get the gap I am looking for. I also removed and reattached the forearm to bicep strap. The length was great, but it forced the forearm to twist. I reattached it in a way that should keep the cover strips lined up much better. And finally, I'd like to say I installed some v-tabs for the butt/kidney armor... I'm going to call them u-tabs instead. First time using a heat gun to bend PVC and it was a learning experience. Fortunately, I managed to do it without any burns on the fingers. Calling that a win. I'll post pictures once I get them uploaded into imgur.

I just ordered my boots from Crowprops. They custom build and can do wide boots. I have a size 13 US sized foot with an E width. here is the email they sent me; ”Yes, we make tailored products in every size, wide sizes too. Just make the order through our website and in the PayPal notes write “US 13 E Wide size” and we will ask you for additional information when we write for the measurements.” They also ship worldwide through DHL.

Well I am attempting to join the Facebook page. I’ll check it out once approved. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I made a crude texture and a Blender turn table animation. I did not add the 501st color nor the vent stripes. Of course I credited everything. Colors are probably not accurate as well. I just wanted to add another gorgeous render to this thread. 4K, 60fps. 200mm render focal length, 300 samples.

ASK THE D.O.s For those of you who have a particular issue (or issues) before or after submitting for Expert Infantry / Centurion level approval, in order to get you an answer faster you can now privately contact the entire Deployment Officer team at one time! Questions about fitting, repairs, CRL standards/requirements or anything pertaining to reaching Levels 2 and 3 are not only welcomed, but encouraged. Keep in mind that no question is too small, and that your queries will only be seen by the D.O. Staff. We are here to help in any way we can, so please feel free to send us a message by clicking on this link: @Deployment Officer Team and we will get back to you A.S.A.P.!

As expected the concept art does show OT style Stormtroopers, but please swap your leg armor around troopers Yes it's only concept art, we'll have to wait and see what era armor they use, I'd guess R1/Mandalorian since that's currently being used in other series but then again it has been getting pretty beaten up as seen in Series 2 of The Mandalorian.

This set image from Kenobi proves they are R1 style TK's

Every troop and cause can find a home in the three "c"s of the 501st. Costumes. Charity. Community. Centuri...ok not that. Disney , themself, said the 501st is ok to go for pride events. GLB used to be about sexuality. LGBT became about gender. LGBTQA is still about gender, both for those identifying as LGTBQ, and those who just support their friends', and strangers', rights to identify as whomever they wish. Im in the A camp. Occasionally thats followed by hole. In this regard it means Ally. I feel really dumb for even posting this:. This thread wasnt a discussion about lgtbqa members. It was a call for shout outs to themselves, if they wanted to. OP: BRAVO ZULU for stepping up and out. Enjoy the prides. My garrison marches on the 27th in Ottawa. Ill be there suited up and rainbowed in support.

This is my view on the matter Sent from my Imperial data pad using Tapatalk

Exactly that! If a member has a particular personal objection to a local approved troop, simply don't sign up. I'm happy that in most cases, we're making money for our supported charities. Whether it's trooping at a football stadium, shopping centre, hospice visit or anything in between. I'm not religious, but I trooped at a church, for a Star Wars fan's wedding. They made a donation to our fund, so it's a win!

This thread was obviously not started as any sort of political discussion, just someone curious to find out if there were any other gay Troopers. Nothing more. No "agenda" or anything of the like. Although not gay myself, I would march in a gay pride parade, just as I would troop at a synagogue charity fundraiser if it was approved, even though I'm not Jewish. At the end of the day, we are all just shiny white spacemen (and women), out to add a few smiles to the world. Before leaving any sort of negative or potentially inflamatory comment, I would suggest reading the 501st Code of Conduct in the Operations Protocol area: http://databank.501st.com/databank/OperationsProtocol

This is a 501st forum and the 501st doesn't tolerate discrimination based on age, race, gender, or sexual orientation. If you don't like those rules, then you are free to join the Legion and agitate for change via the Legion Council. Until then, FISD will comply with all 501st guidelines. End of story.