pandatrooper

I would avoid them. Overpriced and you can get better quality for less.

Just trim the ears to fit carefully. A dremel helps to fine tune the shape. While ABS can be painted, I don't see the need to do that if it already matches the armor in terms of color and finish. Just polish it with Novus polish, or buff it with fine scratch remover (autobody) and then polish it. Trust me, it will be very shiny!

Might help to post what type of armor you have. Regardless, a heat gun could be used to reshape it.

Couldn't agree more. Great idea. One thing that popped into my head: why not create a 3D file of it (even in Illustrator, just use bezier curves). This could be converted to a profile view in CAD and that could be used to make the die for extrusion.

How will these be made? Extruded material? Injection molded? Interested, and count me in for a few sets!

Hi Dan, it's looking like a good test fitting. Here's what I would suggest. It all starts with a solid foundation. Torso: just make it functional and solid. If you're using velcro (and not doing elastics / rivets on the left or leaving it for later) make sure you have fuzzy velcro on the edge of the ab and the edge of the kidney. Then have a really wide piece of hook velcro (an easy way to make this wide is apply 2 strips of 2" industrial velcro a 4" wide strip of plastic, running the length of the seam). If you do this on both sides, it will be solid for Halloween. Worry about accuracy later. Kidney: Judging by that side picture, it looks like your kidney is too long for your torso. I would cut 1.5" off the lower edge. Butt plate: male sure you're using 2 or 3 elastic straps included with the AM kit to secure the butt plate to the kidney. Use the shorter / wide ones. You might be using ones that are too long causing that butt to go out of alignment. Thighs: It's hard to tell if they are too small at the top, but if you built them too small, you might need to take them apart at the back, apply an inner shim and spread the top an inch or so, glue the shim, then hide the back with a cover strip. I agree that they are also too low. Take a wide / tall belt, throw some 1.5" wide elastic over that to make garters, and connect the ends inside the thighs a couple inches from the top. You should try and get some of the black showing in the thigh / cod area, and a similar amount in the knee, but really it's what works for you. You need to raise them a good 3-4 inches. I like to use V shape garters myself (I believe Mighty tank is selling some). but you can make something at home that will do for now. Thigh / knee plate. Pull your thighs up. They are hanging way too low. Shoulders: Not sure of this this what you mean, but run a strap from the inside of the shoulder bell to the top of the bicep. You can also add the one that wraps around the bicep, connecting the bell edges. This will prevent it from spinning.

As described in the diagrams, the inner left shin is actually just a duplicate from the outer right shin. So there will be some alignment issues. Some people leave them, some people re-shape them using a heat gun / heat sealing iron. I would just follow the build threads and assemble yours the same way. You can always change the overall shape of the shins later with a heat gun (I usually do this to make them line up better so that the back closure butts together).

You don't need the silver stickers for the Thermal detonator anyways. Just paint it grey (screen accurate).

Hey guys, I’ve gotten a few questions about the T-21 build, so I thought a video might be a good way to describe some of the features. Here’s the build thread http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11017 I also just did a cool electronics upgrade to the T-21. I thought you might like it! Video

I also just did a cool electronics upgrade to the T-21. Thought I would attach it here so that the info is in one thread. Video

Very nice collection! So many great TM lids! You have a good start on an Ewok drum set.

Wow, looks great Rolf! Your builds are always so inspiring. Looking forward to seeing it!

Thanks Brian! Cover strips are strips of plastic that go on top of the butt seam when you join the armor halves. You can cut these from the extra plastic that AM includes. The AM kit was designed with overlap seam construction in mind, but if you read this thread thoroughly, you can see that butt seam construction is possible. For more info, see the "How to assemble thighs" tutorial.

I think some people have used Plasti dip or truck bed liner type paints inside to "black out" the helmet, which may also make it slightly more rigid. I know Jesse TK4702 painted on layers of liquid resin to make it more rigid and stronger.

Hey Bill, looking pretty good so far! Are you going for HWT with the pauldron? The only thing thats is a little off for me is the shape of the cut on the bottom of the chest. I know it's tough because we're both "shorter" troopers, but the cut seems a bit too "scoopy" - that's the only way i can describe it. The AM chest also isn't round as the screen accurate armor. It's very flat in the chest / pectoral area, so it tends to pop out in the bottom like in your pictures. I would suggest using elastic straps connecting the side of the back, going to the sides of the chest, to keep it closer to the ab plate. I hope one day that AM will consider updating their chest and back armor forming bucks / molds. I would also suggest putting a little foam padding inside the upper part of the shoulder bells to raise them a little, and trim a bit from the bottom of the bells. they are quite long compared to the other armor makes. *BTW: I would embrace the floppyness of the hoslter. That's what being a TK is all about!

Han carries one when him and Luke and Chewie are in disguise. There's another TK carrying one during the search inside the Falcon.

Hi Lee. You don't "need" to do all the fancy heating, bending, etc. Even if you simply trim your kit to your size, you will get good results. This build is just an example of what "could" be done. Just make sure to use reference pictures from the films. I'm sure yours will turn out great!

Mots "clubs" and parties where I live do not allow weapons of any kind. I remember I had some friends that dressed as SWAT guys, and had their toys guns held at the bar, etc. or not allowed in at all. one group dressed as "Kill Bill" and the Uma Thurman girl and the guys in suits / masks (Crazy 88's) had their kiddie plastic and foam blade ninja swords taken. It's all in the name of safety. All it takes is some drunk guy to start spinning a wooden stick around, and someone is going to lose an eye.

Heres the tutorial for thigh assembly in the tips and how to section. ---- The advice from the other posts here should help too. You basically need to make wider or tapered shims / cover strips. If possible, make the front closer to screen accurate and make the back wider.

A photo with the shins on would help us diagnose this.

The absolute best website to look at all the armor makes is the one you're on now! Read these threads Getting Started After you have familiarized yourself with the terminology, armor makers and finding ones that suit your needs, then browse through the armor threads. Pretty much every make of armor has been built by people of various sizes. These builds will give you a good idea of what each type is like, and how people built them. You need to invest some time and research your needs and what suits you. Don't rush out and buy the first thing you see. Kits generally come unassembled. Some makes that are in your price range are AM, ATA, and on the higher end TE2, and AP. Theres lots of build threads on those. You are the right height for a TK. You might be a bit slim, but thats easy to deal with. You have a budget in mind for the armor, but have you budgeted for everything else you will need? Eg. Helmet acessories like a fan or mic amp neckseal undersuit gloves belt holster blaster boots tools and parts for assembly like elastic, snaps, glue, etc this will all add at least a few hundred dollars on top of your armor total. Just several things to keep in mind and plan for. I dont know if someone has already mentioned, but stay away from Ebay. You can find all the legit makers on Fisd.

Other than making your own, theres 2 sources on Mepd for people selling accurate 3 slot pouches. http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=6979&pid=90067&st=0entry90067 http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=7342&st=0 I wouldnt get the ones you posted.

Thanks Noel, that's very kind of you! Brandon, I forgot to attach: here's the link for the Badlands Garrison which covers BC, AB, and Sask. http://www.badlands.ca/forum/ucp.php?mode=register

Welcome aboard! I say: Build it, troop in it, modify it, troop in it some more. You will learn a LOT more about armor, and down the road you might sell it and upgrade to something better / more accurate that suits your needs.