gazmosis

A lot of the return edge issues will be largely based on if you are going to use the metal bracket system to keep your armor together or if you are going to use snap plates. With the metal brackets, you want a little more return edge to ensure you have enough room for the screw heads. If not, I would say keep your return edges to around + - 3/8 inch but don't go more than 1/2 in. There will be parts that require less than this. You don't want much return edge on the inside of your biceps or the underside of your shoulder bells. Look over some build threads and reference pics to decide what you like best. But remember, the return edges were designed to give the armor the appearance of thickness without adding bulk.

You are starting off good. I would leave a tad more return edge, though. Especially on the ab/cod near the cod area, your pencil marks show that you are going to remove close to all the return edge is this area. Don't do that.

Although you may not have any plans for hitting the gym now, you do want a little room to grow. You don't want to make it tight around your arms. When fitting, squeeze the parts together until snug, then back off a little until it's comfortable with a little room to move around.

Hey Alex: First, you have the forearms listed backwards. The one pictured on the right is the left forearm. The easiest way to keep this straight is to look at the finish strip ridge that is molded into the forearms. That should be on the top. Yes, the one half for some reason is much longer than the other. Why I don't know. Trim the finish ridge portion first trimming each side down to 7MM making the total finish ridge close to 15mm when the halves are put together. Then tape the ridge side together and fit it to your forearm making sure it is comfortable but not too snug and that you can get your hand out. You will find that there will be quite a bit of material overlapping on the underside of your forearm. This is normal. Find a common line in the center of the overlap, mark it then use a straight edge to connect the marks. This will be your final cut line. You will inevitably need to do some tweeking and honing to the parts to get everything lined up. It comes with armor building. Have fun!!!!!

Many of he clamshell (2 half) parts are easiest fit by getting the help of someone else. The forearms start easy because of the ridge on the top of each. Your approach to that is right on so far. But with the final fitting, have someone squeeze the parts together overlapping what will need to be trimmed. With the forearms, when it feels comfy at he elbow side, and you can get your hand through at the wrist side, have your helper mark a common line between the overlapping halves. Do the same on the biceps but since you have no finish strip ridges like you do one forearms, make sure you take equal amounts from the front and rear. You want that molded ridge in the bicep to stay centered.

Looking good so far!

Although you are limited to how much you can take off the kidneys, you can take a bit more off that ab to bring things a little closer. The townhouse halves will never make a circle. It will be shaped more like an eye but it will fit around you.

It was a real honor to have been part of this

Good Lord!!!!! You, know, you should consider having a go at making Stormtrooper armor......you know from Star Wars. Your thoughts?????

Your camera distorts the pics. They looks squished. Anyway. I don't think EIB will be a problem for you. If you want to go for Centurion, I would make some adjustments in the way the armor fits. You have a good quality build but it looks REALLY big on you. If you are indeed 6' 1" and 175 lbs. you are a beanpole and I find it really hard to believe that you need side shims that are that big. They look like 3 inches on both sides. You have a huge amount of room in your biceps and you thighs look like they can be taken down considerably. This will tighten up your fit and probably make the armor more comfy to wear. Make sure the drop boxes are positioned under the waist belt's far edge. Hyperfirm REALLY accentuates the gold on the scope. I'd knock that down a bit. Good luck trooper!!!!!

it is sitting just a bit high. The top of the ear should rest right under the brow trim

This Legion is about Troopers helping Troopers. It was a pleasure to work with you and will be as much a pleasure to troop beside you!!!!

Nice Job. I don' think EIB will be a problem. It looks like with your efforts that you are going to shoot for Centurion. If so, there are a couple things that stick out to me. Your ab buttons are HUGE. You might want to tone those down a bit. Also, the angled corners on your belt seem to have been cut a bit extreme. Usually a belt corner is trimmed about 1/2 inch in from the corner on the top and the side then connect that to make your angle. It looks to me like you doubled that. The next thing are the cover strips on the backs of your thighs and shins Why so wide?? Those should be 25mm at most. I am surprised that you need the side shims. At 6' 1" and 190 lbs., you should fit into the ATA clamshell with no problem. ATA can accept a 38 inch waist with no side shims. I highly doubt you are larger than a 38 inch waist.

You may need to start over but that looks like ATA so you should have a second shot at it

Where do the nuts go?

YOu might want to hold off on painting those buttons. There is a lot to do with the ab and you will be laying it down on the front. I don't want to see you re-doing what you already have done. I held off till the very end.

Looking forward to your progress!

Refer to the reference photos available here. Approximate the top location (as long as it's 10mm in from the middle). Once you are satisfied with the top location, take measurements and duplicate it on the bottom. Then measure the distance between the two and divide it in half to get your center location.

Nice job on that trimming!!! Well done!

I am posting this because so many of us In the FISD rallied to support her and make her dream of becoming a stormtrooper come true!!! http://www.shapingyouth.org/upstanding-is-a-force-field-anti-bullying-gravitational-pull/

Duh!!! That's why you are the Troopermaster, Paul

No they are not. The way we did this was our only option because he is so tall and has such long arms. A bicep strap hook would still have held the bicep up way too high. Physically attaching your bicep has been done since armor has been around

Hold on!!!! You may not need to shim! The ab plate also has a buttload of extra material that the original did not have. After you trim out the kidney along that line, See if it still fits around you. The picture shows how the ab should be trimmed to meet the kidney.

Are you a bigger trooper? Do you need that extra material?

Looking nice!!!! I had a small heart attack that you mounted the knee pack on the wrong thigh until I saw the swoop at the top Nice shaping of your belt!!!!!! Those drop boxes are able to move all the way to the end of the belt right? The outer edges of the belt and the boxes should be able to align.