Mongoose

Yet another great example of troopers helping troopers. Much appreciated!

I used webbing everywhere, didn't want the elastic to stretch and things to move around. I tried using elastic to close my shins but then switched to velcro as it seemed to work better.

I used webbing with my snaps and just made sure to leave a lot of space on either side of the snap so as to avoid contact with the glue. I also read about it melting the armor and just wanted to be on the safe side. One thing I messed up on is with my heat gun. I used it to make some pieces fit more to my body so there would be less stress when I glued them. I taped up my shins and went at them with the heat gun so when the tape came off they would stay pretty much where they were taped. I guess what I'm trying to say is use the right tool. I bought a heat gun after trying out boiling water and failing. Then I read somewhere about using a lighter. Let me tell you that was a mistake. That lighter is the reason I bought another back plate. Oh well, live and learn. You are doing the right thing asking questions though. Just remember to use the search function first as your question may have been asked before. Good luck on your build!

Laughed my an impolite person off at the second picture. Good luck with the build!

Love my TK boots!

I found when I needed help I just posted pictures here. Just my 2 cents.

No problem. Happy to help.

I used non elastic, just in case the elastic sagged.

Congrats on your purchase. Here's my 2 cents based on my experience. Others will chime in I'm sure. 1. I used snaps for almost everything. They seemed to hold better. 2. I got boots from TKboots and they were good. My belt came from a vender in the ongoing sales section. Shouldn't be hard to find one. Just search for belt. 3. Going for EI I believe you need about 10 rivets. Just review the CRL's for the EI requirements. Should outline everything. 4. My kit was an ATA kit and there was 2 extra sheets of ABS plastic included for the coverstrips. For the snaps I used webbing. Just seemed to work better for me. Good Luck!

Can't wait to see this in person in Edmonton in Oct. Looks like it will be a good time.

Been looking for an FISD shirt. Will be following this topic.

Mine took about a month. Was to Canada though.

As far as I know as long as the outside looks okay you can put whatever you want in the inside. Fans, microphones, padding, etc. As long as the outside is in line with the CRL's all is good.

pictures will help a lot. As well what kind of armor is it (the maker)? Best thing I did was research build threads. Over and over and over. You get the point.

No worries, should have mentioned while the armor in the picture is ATA, the helmet is an RT-MOD. Still working on my ATA helmet. Life just keeps getting in the way. Good luck!

I'm 5 foot 11 inches tall, a slim 152 pounds. I have ATA armor. I trimmed quite a bit off my calves and thighs. The sides come together and there is enough wiggle room that I am considering adding some foam. I do have to move my biceps down a little yet. Too much black gap. Anyways, you get the point. -------------

I hunted on the for sale threads for armor before I got my kit. Any armor that goes up on the threads certainly doesn't last very long.

I was going to ask about battle damage as well, guess I'll just watch this thread and see what transpires.

That picture is pretty sweet. Grew up watching the TNG.

quick question with the speaker in the chest. Do you guys point the speaker towards the armor or towards your chest?

Another great read. I'd definitely be interested in the PDF of the FISD brochures. Even just to see it for myself. I'll be looking the them. With luck and if life permits I'll be helping with the road to 300 EI's.

I was going to do the overlap method when I was doing research. However with more reading and researching in the end I decided to do the butt join as it was the more accurate representation. I didn't find the butt join too difficult. Also when I had to redo my calves a few times it was relatively easy to get the cover strip off and redo it. This was my first build with no previous experience. Also like you mentioned it does seem to be a stronger bond. You'd have no problem doing the butt join method.

I too almost went with Rubies, the price stopped me cold though. Then I found the FISD and now I'm a registered TK working towards Expert Infantry. By working I mean trying to get the time to suit up again and get the close up pictures required. Doesn't seem like much until you add the 2 year old and the 2 month old. My days are busy. It'll get done. Hope to apply we'll say before Christmas as I'm moving in a month as well. I need more hours in a day. Great newsletter as always.

I have an ATA kit. It was my first build and it went pretty well. I am 5ft 11inches tall and weigh a slim 152 pounds. With my ATA kit I didn't have to shim anything and it all seems to fit just fine with even some wiggle room.

Pretty cool, makes me want to get out there more!