Zefram

Thanks for the feedback. I know it is a bit odd that I want to start building again just as i finish. As much as I am looking forward to trooping for the first time, I'm also going to miss all those hours on my front porch with my dremel, sandpaper, and E6000. I found the process to be very therapeutic and guess I'm having a bit of difficultly putting away my tools.

I'm just about to finish my AP build (ANH stunt) and I'm very happy with it. I'm 5'7 and weigh 135 pounds so shortish and skinny. My AP fits like a glove. The length seems good with very little black space between each piece. I really enjoyed the process of building and now that I know what I'm doing, I'd like to try it again (maybe ESB this time). I'm considering a TM kit but am worried about the size. Given that AP is about as small as you can go, the larger size of a TM is concerning for me. I've seen a few comparison photos and I know TM isn't terribly bigger but because I'm short, little differences can look big on me. Basically, I don't don't want to spend more money on a suit that will not fit as well as the one that I just finished. If anyone has experience with both sets of armor, I would appreciate any advice or reflections that you have.

I'm completing an AP build and am at the point of bending and placing the shoulder straps. I am a short guy so don't have much of a gap between the chest and back plates. Even if I place the shoulder pieces as far back as possible (so almost abutting the console in the rear), they still come pretty far forward on the chest. I have attached a photo (ignore the tape) to illustrate this. I'm wondering if this is too far forward of if it is alright. I really don't think I can pull the chest and back plates any further apart and it still fit. Any advice or suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks! I will give it a try.

I finished assembling the calves/greaves on my AP armor and initially used Velcro to close them. But I have found this to be too bulky and awkward. I think there is a way to use hooks instead but I haven't been able to find a thread on this. I was also wondering about a lacing system. I would appreciate any alternatives to Velcro that members could suggest. Thanks!

I am in the process of assembling AP armor in an ANH stunt configuration. I wanted to get some clarification on the exact placement of the cover strips. It seems like the cover strips should end at (and abut) the sniper plate and battery packs and NOT continue underneath them. Is this correct? For the front left thigh, does the cover strip end about an inch or so short of the bottom? Finally, aside from these, do all other cover strips should run the entire length (top to bottom) of all joins that they cover? Thanks for the help!

Thanks! I will shorten the strips asap!

I have been working on my kit for a while and wanted to get some feedback. I have just finished with the arms and would like to confirm that I am on the right track. My only concern is that the forearm capping strips might be on the long side. Even after using a heat iron to make the return (elbow end of the forearms) more of a right angle, the plastic still jutted out a bit. I made the capping strips slightly longer so that when the piece was viewed straight on, they would cover the protrusion. Now that they are together, I am not sure if this is the right look. Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the help. I have an AP kit coming and am 5'7.

In anticipation of trimming my armor, I am wondering where and where not to leave room for a return edge. After reading through a few posts, it seems like the bottoms of the shoulder bells and tops of the thighs take a return edge but the sides of the chest plate and wrist opening should not have a return edge. What about the other pieces?