BobbyFromBUF

I should add the pictures showing how I arrived at this location for the upper back piece. The armor has been rough sized from the "cod up" to ensure proper coverage.... IMAG5171 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5172 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr

So, after a more proper fitting (thanks for the tips Maxsteele), I have come to realize that the shape of my upper back is not suitable for my frame without a bit of reshaping. It may be difficult to see in this photo, but the top of the upper back (where the shoulder bridges would cover) curve too soon and dig into my shoulder blades. I will do some searching through the forums for someone who has encountered this issue before, but I will also post some pics here hoping it will get some "eyes on it"... If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated... IMAG5178 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5177 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5174 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr I hope this isn't a "deal breaker" for this set of armor. I hope I can make a mod that will keep it 501st worthy... :-/

Hi again. I reached out to Ward from Tupperware TK and he confirmed that my armor is an NE. With that settled, and my new found clarity about the size of my armor I am hoping my build can move forward. On the subject of shoulders. Wow, mine seem huge! Has anyone out there solved this already? Take a look... IMAG5172 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5171 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Also, I have realized that part of the problem is that the upper back is not the proper shape to fit me. At 5'8" 197lbs I am sort of stocky and barrel chested. Using some great suggestions I have fit my armor together from the "cod up" so-to-speak. It seems as though I may need to do a bit of reshaping on the top of the upper back to give me the length I need. This will ensure that upper back and kidney portions match up... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! IMAG5162 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/25333013@N04/]

Now that you mention it, those white velcro pieces are almost certainly for the drop boxes. I stopped by our 24 hour Walmart after the movie and was able to pick up some 1" nylon webbing in white and black. As well as some Dritz 1.5" Non-roll Elastic. I'm not certain this is what I'll want to use, but how do you argue with $2.77? As for the sizing. Your concept to work from the Cod up makes so much sense. Off course, I didn't re-read your suggestion until after I had done a bit of taping. So, just for fun, here are some pics of my chest and back taped together. IMAG5148 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5157 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5156 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5149 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr More work (and hopefully updates) tomorrow. Goodnight friends...

I'm off to see the Amazing Spiderman 2, but I might do a little work when I get home.... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Thanks so much for the great pointers! Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

I would like to attach the snap plates to the chest and back for the shoulder strapping system, but I'm not sure of the exact best placement... I have been performing forum searches all morning without being able to find an exact photo or explanation that will give me the confidence to move forward. Any advice? Should I tape the chest and upper back together, and see how that fits? Also, my kit came with Tupperware TK's strapping system. The straps are made of elastic, so I was thinking I might use these straps, but also make identical straps out of nylon webbing. I have built Iron Man armor previously. For that project I used nylon webbing instead of elastic. I preferred this fit for wearing the costume. It helps prevent sagging, but does limit mobility a bit... Thoughts are appreciated. Also, in my strapping kit there were 2 white velcro straps included. Should these be used on the shoulders under the bridges? I see some troopers on the FISD using black strapping in this area... I would like to do this area "right" as it is highly visible, and being near the helmet will end up being a focal point for onlookers... Elastic Strap Guide from TupperwareTK Shoulder Question by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Thanks in advance for any advice...

So, I wanted to make some progress, but was struggling with direction. Hence, I just made a bunch of randomly sized snap plates. IMAG5144 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr I trimmed my shoulder bridges, and added filler strips on the underside of the trenches. Like this... IMAG5145 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr IMAG5146 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr

I love that idea! I had read about it somewhere along the way, and I had totally forgotten about it! Thanks!

Thank you guys for responding. I'll leave them alone then. When I'm all done, if it still bugs me, I'll consider it then. My main concern is when I raise my arms forward - the top inside corner of the bicep part rubs against the front side of my shoulder, and then the bicep part seems to slide down my arm a little bit. When I return my are to my side the part is then sitting lower on my arm. I really can't trim the parts any smaller. As of right now, when I flex my bicep I feel as though I may break the parts apart at the seam. Obviously, I won't be doing this while trooping, but I will likely be holding my blaster which causes my muscles to contract in a similar way... I realize that when my shoulders and chest are done, and it's all attached to each other inside - this will prevent that sliding a bit. This is my first set of armor, so I am just trying to troubleshoot all the problems that arise along the way.

I realize that this is obviously personal, and mostly a matter of opinion, but I am curious about your opinions. I have an NE kit from Tupperware TK and I have done a little bit of trimming on my biceps. However, I think I could dramatically increase the comfort level by taking off another half inch on the front side where my pectoral muscle and shoulder come together. IMAG5140 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr Basically, I am considering trimming off the part above the pencil line. IMAG5138 by bobby_whalen, on Flickr I realize that this part is under the shoulder bell and also sort of in my armpit, but I want to get it right. If this was your armor, what would you do?

Awesome! Thanks!

So, I think I started this thread before a separate ANH Build Forum was started. I realize that now my thread is in the wrong place. I will stop posting in this thread and begin a new one in the correct place. Sorry for any inconvenience...

Thanks, good tip. I'll be sure to wait until the chest is finished before I do any cutting.

Hmm ok. Maybe I don't have an NE Kit then... My mind was just blown away!!! Well, to clarify. My armor is from TupperwareTK. It was sort of new still when I made the purchase. Between being scared about cutting the plastic and life getting in the way my armor has been sitting on my workbench for nearly a year... So, I have reading NE threads all along... I need to search AM? Wow, I feel like I just reached a turning point in my life, haha... Thanks for helping me realize my blunder! Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

I was under the impression that NE is a larger set of armor... PandaTrooper mentions the size as being "big" throughout his build thread. Now I'm feeling really confused :-/ Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Closer look at the return edge. Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Here are a bunch of pictures. There is a slight return edge, but I feel the main reason it is bulging is the the shape of the part vs. the shape of my shoulder. I'm 5'8" 197lbs. This armor is made for bigger guys. My neck is over 17 inches. That sort of puts me in that category... I'm just not sure why I can't get the bells to "sit" lower on my shoulders... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

See how it's not snug to my body... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Okay, thanks. With this NE armor I think I am going to have to reshape and possibly trim my shoulders. Currently, when I hold them up they seem too bulbous. In the reference pic, the shoulder bells conform nicely to the Trooper's body. Mine have a gap between my body and the inside of the bell... Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk