LadyInWhite

Yeah, 99% of photos and views of your bucket will be from the front. Get the front-facing part of the earpiece as close as you can, and don't worry as much about the back of the earpiece. Some guys use bondo or whatever to seal up the cracks if they're significant. Not saying I recommend this.

That's what made me think of it I like the blog idea.

Hmm. As the queen of thigh problems I want to help here. But I am afraid of steering you wrong. Some of my potential solutions for my own issues lie in this area. It might be best if I wait to see how the guys respond. But my thinking is that you could probably trim it a little bit off the bottom, or at least flatten it out so there's no return edge biting into you there, BUT first choice I would trim the top and forego the return edge at least in back, because return edges aren't required but the bottom of the thigh is part of a defining "look." So now I'm watching closely...

You figured out your side shims?

Personal preference. I tried to get about 1/4" white to show but once I screwed in the screw holes it kind of moved forward and was level with the top of the eye sockets. But if you look at reference photos from the films, the gap is all over the place. I like the wonky trim, it has a kind of a "one raised eyebrow" look.

Exactly my cues. And the ear pieces are flush and sealed. Also there is the fifth eye tooth taken out, so it wouldn't really pass muster anyway without filling that in.

Who has Star Wars Kinect and can make the dance video? OR (better yet) who has great dance ability (and SIMPLE moves) and can make the dance video themselves (and thus less cheesy)? We are doing this people, even if we don't all make it to CVI. Femme Troopers can dance along side us! Someone pick music, someone dance, send it to TKs only, try to keep it a secret, and BAMMO!

I totally with Tom on this, and I wish it were that easy to convey to ALL folks looking to buy armor.

I've read a few other solutions that people have posted. One might work depending on your situation. hold the mic between your lips until the bucket is in place, then "ppft" it out and it'll be right where you need it wear the mic inside the balaclava (mine comes up to my lip, can hold it in place, but I don't like the feel of the balaclava there myself) attach mic to helmet and tape down all wires, have an attachable wire/end come out of the bucket instead of the mic having to come out - mic is permanent, wires can be moved around to go inside neck seal, attach to amp etc. use a lavalier mic or throat mic you can clip to the top of your neck seal or somewhere Good luck!

Take it from a girl with lots of thick hair: balaclava. And pull as much back as you can without distorting how the helmet sits on your head. I have no padding in the back of my bucket. I like the "bigger bucket" suggestion. And that's the bottom line, because LadyInWhite said so.

That's a mess all right. Is that fiberglass? Why is that far tooth hole red? You could straighten curves with a file and sandpaper, fill the gouges with bondo and stuff. Ugh. Can't respace the teeth for proper 4-teeth without filling in all the teeth and measuring out new ones so that 4 fit. Bleh. You'd have to repaint, reform the curves in the plastic that were gouged out (lips, etc). If time is money, think of what your hourly "worth" is (i.e. hourly wage or how much you would charge per hour to do this work for someone else) and how much money you'll lose in opportunity cost by doing this fix yourself plus supplies vs. saving up to buy a new one as soon as you can.

Just curious - how many of us have a backstory for our TKs? My GML (love him) said he has been asked for signatures (this is common at, say, Disneyland, same idea) and he signs his TK info and "Jaz" or something like that. I was "friends with" a costumed character at D-land once and they all have backstories. In theatre your character has a backstory, even if you don't say a word on stage. It goes along with the kid questions: Is that blaster real? Is it on? Do you shoot people? What planet are you from? Why is that one dirty? -- Are you stationed on the Death Star? Where were you when it blew up? What ship are you on? Where do you get stationed? Who's the officer in charge? Are you a clone? Where did you "grow up?" If you have a backstory, what is is, and if not, why not - or would you?

Yes, if you haven't heard the news, WE LIKE PICTURES!!!

Trim out the eye flashing a little more. Actually a lot more. I made that mistake at first... afraid to cut too much... but not all the way, you need some "socket" depth showing. Maybe 3/8-1/2 inch? (Guys feel free to slap me if I'm way off.) First of all, you want as much visibility as possible. Second, if you can make it all curve nicely on an even (curved) plane, not too bumpy, your lenses will lie flatter.

Haven't read it but sounds interesting. I thought some 50% or so were still clones, and some 50% or so were human recruits, or some proportions thereof... of the clones, none would be female of course. People assume automatically that's you're male, unless you're pretty obviously female. So as long as I fit that assumption, I prefer it. Then there are those days when I'm happy not to be. "TK-MOM!"

OMG I want pics and video... and that sounds so totally fun!!! HAHA someone else will have to pick one because I am to nerdy to know what's "hip" Make it something very dance-able!

OK OK OK I can't resist this - FISD FLASH MOB! All you gotta do is practice with Star Wars Kinect... we all memorize the moves for one sequence (you know, the CHEWIE HUG and DOUBLE BLASTERS and so on), practice at home... someone can make a video for those without the game... then just before or just after the 501st photo, someone blasts the music and all the troopers get down!!! and/or any time any place! Jabba's Palace! Guaranteed to be the most memorable event of the show, and way more original than a Thriller flash mob!

Yeah I kinda liked it Mr Nostripes. That video is living proof that no matter how good you feel in your armor, no matter how awesome you look in character, stairs are a pain the tuckus.

I love my "build buddy" most of all! *hugs* <-- okay too girlie for ya? Also, the humor and sense of community really shines through, it's beyond just helping or fixing. It's like that place at the mall where the cool kids can hang out, check out each other's kicks, and find out where to get 'em. And the fact that I have lasted this long without anyone telling me to shut up.

Obviously my SL/TK personality disorder has got the best of me. (There's a reason my SL costume isn't finished.)

This is a walk down memory lane!

What? I have a minion? That's for Sith Lords... how about wingman?

Looks like a ton of fun in addition to being an awesome cause!

I come because I like helping out, and getting to know fellow troopers around the world a little better. When i got to Hawaii, I'm going to crash at Eric's - wait, okay, maybe not getting to know them that well. We can start with a beer. (This can so go the wrong way. ) Anyway, there's always something new and interesting going on with people's builds, people joining, questions for the never-ending tweaking process, etc. For a lot of folks, though, I suspect that once the build is done, unless they like helping out too, what's in it for them? I built my TK, going off to hang with my garrison buddies now. What could keep them coming back even when it's not about the build?

My local Home Depot people had never heard of the Stanley's, so I got this exact one as Dan on Amazon and had it shipped to my house. (Free shipping with Amazon Prime!) Was about $60. Pretty much all the guys with armor of any type, even TBs and DVs, use them. If you figure out how to stack everything in there just right, you can fit the bucket, boots, e-11 and all with room to spare. Of course the Rebels just drive to locations already suited up...