TKRalf

Sorry for the late reply but this is how I modified my AM ESB handplates. As I mentioned before, you need to trim them so they follow the contours of the hand more. Narrower around the wrists and then expand to cover the back of your hand. You may need to heat bend them inward as you trim so that they won't be so flat. Once you bend them you'll notice you will have to trim them again to fit your hand better. Also follow reference pics to the original handplates to get a general idea of how they're supposed to look.

Looking good so far. A few tips: 1. To close the shoulder bells try shortening the strap from the shoulder to the shoulder bells substantially. 2. Tuck in that butt! (Shortening strap between butt and ab helps. 3. Yes the AM ESB handplates are ginourmous. You can either get a new pair (check the for sale threads some people sell and make some good ones) or you can also do what I did with mine is to trim them. Look at a pair of ESB hand guards up close and pencil out an outline. The ESB handplates should be sized to your hands. Also you might have to heat bend them a bit so that they aren't so flat. I'll post up some pics of mine when I get back from work.

Also go under the build threads and see what others have done. They may not be the same armor make as the one you end up getting but in the end the process is the same. When I first started I bookmarked build threads and all the tutorials and kept my laptop by my side as my trusty guide. And when in doubt just ask. Just be aware though that you are not just looking at armor as your only expense. You still need all the accessories that complete the stormtrooper, from gloves and the under suit to all the supplies needed to build it, clamps, glue, snaps, straps, and in my case a dremel. This hobby can be painstakingly slow and sometimes pricey but well worth it. Good luck and welcome aboard!

Well to answer some questions, 1. For EIB you should be using the cover strip method. The only part that doesn't need it would be the calves. 2. There is no real wrong way to start, some people feel comfortable starting with the small parts first, or some even start with the helmet. 3. Sounds good to me, that is how I started. 4. Industrial velcro will hold just fine without the need of glue. Whenever I need to remove some I usually need pliers to rip em off the plastic. 5. Ask away, and search will be a great tool. you will find that alot of the questions you have asked have been asked previously. Good luck and don't be afraid to post up some progress shots!

Great job and awesome ink!

practice makes perfect. not only to get used to suiting up by yourself, but also if you ever need to do so in a cramped space or on a time constraint. Once you get a routine that works for you practice it. also remember to set up things so that they are within your reach as you add more pieces of armor. But people will always be willing to help, and there will be times when you need them, but sometimes it might just be you by yourself so it's best to be prepared.

Great job! Spanish garrison always looking good.

Fans always clear up my eyes.

Awesome job. Just a few more tweaks and you go it. Also the drop boxes should be a little farther out to the edge. As for the sniper plate, you can avoid the tucked in look by raising up your thighs just a little bit more.

Is it bad that I automatically notice that he's wearing sneakers, the butt plate and kidney plate are not separated, and it seems to be an FX bucket?

Looks great!

well at least it's not this: I'm assuming it's the Zombie trooper that is being advertised lately O_O

Looking great! And yea I smirk in my buckets off pic too.

Congrats!

Another good looking ESB trooper!

looking good!

Congrats!

Whoa snap I forgot to respond. My bad. I'm using 4 lithium ion duracell batteries for one fan.

you're almost there!

Agreed. Never force people into things and never let yourself be forced into something if you feel uncomfortable doing it or if it makes the legion look bad. Just relax and remember, you're one of the coolest badasses in the galaxy! Yea we get a lot of flak for not being able to hit water if we fell off a boat, but people love us! So embrace it and the more you troop the more you learn to walk and act with swag.

Wow that's alot of tape! I was also afraid of scratchy when I first started but I found that it was easier to just tape the exact parts where I needed to cut. But hey I guess you can never be too careful either. The first cut is always the hardest but once you get into the groove of things it'll become much easier. Also when in doubt ask away.

nice build. Great to have another good looking trooper in SoCal

Wow already?! Awesomeness!

can't wait to see your progress. good choice on going ESB.