kiyotei

After a number of troopings, I've concluded that even with fans I get way too hot inside my helmet. I radiate a lot of heat from my head. I've decided that I must cut some vent holes in the helmet. Based on some previous posts I've seen, I wanted to get some updates from those of you who have done this. I'm planning on cutting out the black vertical stripes on the back of the helmet. I will then mount fans on the inside of those two areas which will blow outward expelling hot air and hopefully drawing in cool air via the mouth and neck area. FYI I've tried two different types of fans. I used two Radio Shack 12v fans but they just don't move enough air (I'm gonna use these to vent air). I also have a more powerful fan but it makes way too much noise and I have trouble hear people. I point of concern for me is that I will be cutting thru stickers and I wonder if the dremel with have any problems with that. I was planning on using the dremels milling bit to cut out the slots. I don't know if the stickers will mess up my plans???

I'm sure this is too late to help but I don't recommend mixing very expensive abs armor, power cutting tools, razor blades, AND BEER! Other than that have fun. I of course served a freshly smoked brisket and pork butt but I'm an ex Texan and that's just how we do things.

Because of my size, the one on the leg shows some times. The neck one is not a problem because my neck seal overs it. I'll try the sharpie. I thought of that too but decided I would ask around first. Anyone else want to chime in?

On the front of Underarmor pants there is the Grey logo. How do you remove it or cover it up?

I like that idea of adding the soft side of velcro. I'll give that a try. I've been thinking about what I could add that would stick really well and provide the protection I needed. I get some squeaking from my new boots to this should help as well.

I wanted to provide an update here. I bought the CaBoots and they work much better than my other boots. I had bought a pair of black boots and painted them white. The problem was that the boot was not tall enough to stay under the shin armor when walking. The CaBoots are much taller, about 2" taller. This makes all the difference in the world. The CaBoots are also narrower cut on the leg and so they fit much better under my armor. Now I should mention that the CaBoots I bought are a size smaller than the other boots I have. I bought my old boots at a second hand store so didn't have any choice in size. However, my old boots (made by Rockport) are a lot more comfortable. The sole of the CaBoot is not very springy. I have a wide foot (E) and was concerned with mail ordering boots. I have a lot of trouble finding shoes that fit my feet properly. The CaBoots are wide enough. They also will custom build boots for you but that costs a bit more. I'm not sure if the boots I got were in stock or made to order? I did specify my foot width when I ordered them but I can't tell if that mattered or if they make one width of boot unless you custom order them? Anyhow, I have a lot of room in the boot so I will be adding a cushion to the bottom. Does anyone have a recommendation for good inserts? I'm looking for one that really absorbs energy for those long walking troops.

My advice is just send an email to CaBoots about your foot size. They seem very responsive to questions and they make custom boots to order. I would think a shoe company could provide you with the proper shoe size based on your european measurments. Let us know what they say. You can, for a fee, send your foot tracing and they will make the boots from that, but I would only recommend that for people with really hard to fit feet since its very expensive.

Well that about clears it all up So how is it that after the success of ANH, no one held onto an ESB set of armor? How could they all just disapear or get thrown away? I realize this is the wrong thread for this but what the hell its Friday.

I found that the Testor's 1138 paint is lighter in color than the grey in the stickers. I don't know if this matters or not. I used their spray version which I think has a number 2138. I prepainted my frown and ears using the fusion flat white paint as a primer on the plastic.

Me too. Its a strange assembly. It does not really fit the way you would think. I was really surprised at how much plastic you are suppose trim off of it. Curtis has some good pics of this piece.

I'm 5'7" and have an AP suit. I have the same problem. I have to buff the top of the chest plate after each wearing of the armor because of the rubbing.

Paul we definitely need another "bringing of the helmets" party so we can do pics and measurements. I'm still mad that my pic of all the helmets came out blurry.

the tint level you want on welder masks is #3. I think most welding supply stores carry it.

thanks. Kinda strange that they would make one shoulder bell with a swoop and one with out. Or perhaps they just screwed up the original molds. One guy made the left and someone else made the right shoulder mold. One carved a swoop the other guy didn't??? We'll never know I guess.

When you say swoop, do you mean just the little bit at the bottom of the strip or do you mean the entire strip that runs from top to bottom of the shoulder bell?

fireblade, what armor do you have? The AP ab plate has a distinct line I think you can cut along. I have not done this but I am considering it. I would like better flexibility plus the bathroom thing.

I was in 6th grade when ANH hit the theaters and I was blown away. I never had any SW toys, mom thought I was too old for them. Over the years I would occasionally check the internet for a trooper suit. This past year I came across the 501st and the armor. Finally I could justify the price of armor. My dad loves Darth Vader so I may talk him into buying one and I could build it for him. Would be cool.

I've found that it works well to stick the shin piece inside the thigh piece and then stick the forearm piece inside the shin piece. This really helps with space particularly when you have to pack in a suit case for travel. I can take my chest and back piece apart. I unsnap everything to pack it. Daetrin loaned me a motorcycle helmet bag for carrying my helmet in. Very nice. Oh Daetrin, my armor arrived in NH with me so all is well. My nephew loved seeing my armor. He was in shock when he saw it. I didn't tell him I had it.

The hardest part of putting on armor is stretching that "under armor" over my less than chiseled body

I like to ask the kids if they are rebels. I ask girls if their name is Pricess Lea. I ask them if they have any droids with them, stuff like that. Kids like to ask if the gun is real. I tell them its a real blaster. I think Darth Vadar gets the best questions. At a toy drive we had recently, a girl asked Vadar why he was collecting toys for kids cause he is evil. she just kept saying, "but your evil". Very funny.

AP says use velcro on your seams but you will need to use glue on at least one seam per piece as the other guys stated. I would hold off on glueing the shin pieces until you have your boots. Getting the shins to fit over the boots properly can be a bit tricky with AP.

I came up with a good working solution now. I added a white elastic strap to the inside of my shin pieces. It loops around under my foot and pulls the shin piece downard. This works real well at keep the shin piece from sliding up over the boots. Some ski pants and long johns have a strap at the bottom of the leg that keeps the pants pulled down, same thing that I did. I also had to add a vinyl strip across the bottom of the back side of the shin. The vinyl is from a very large window blind, very flexible. This strip keeps the boot tops from trying to slip thru the seam. the strip sticks out a bit from the bottom of the shin piece. I only secured one side of the strip to make it easier to put the shin piece on. We had a toy drive troop this past weekend and it worked like a charm. Another problem I was having with the shins was that they would slide up over the boots and their tops would hit the thigh pieces.

using the black pinstripe tape is a great idea. I totally screwed up my ears when I painted the black trim on. I have to redo them now. I will go buy that pinstripe tape today.

21 helmets, damn! You are the master builder of helmets.

Just curious why you don't paint the helmet disassembled in individual pieces and then reassemble it?