TK Keith

Well, I think I am just about done with this build. My dad helped me complete the boot armor last night. He's an architect so he's WAY better at drawing straight lines than I am. I put a clear coat of paint on my forearms and boot armor today, so those pieces are currently drying in the bedroom of my soon-to-be-born son. I still need to add a little padding inside the forearms, and I need to attach snaps to my thigh garter strapping system, but other than that, I'm ready for submission photos. I hope to get those done this weekend or early next week at the latest. From that point on, I will be keeping my fingers crossed.

Great pic, and a Happy New Year to you as well!

How is everyone else doing on their costuming goals for 2013? The year is almost over, and I'm feeling pretty good. The fortune in my fortune cookie today read, "You will soon gain something you have always wanted." Well, I don't know if two years qualifies as "always," but I'd like to think that this could be referring to finishing my acolyte armor and getting it approved. Lots more progress to report, although a few little pieces needed to be re-painted, thus preventing me from progressing as far as I'd like. Man I hate painting! 1. Boot armor is in place and the glue is drying as we speak. 2. Cloak hood has been perfected by adding a little wire to help the hood keep its shape. 3. Paint lines were added to the ab armor 4. Belt and ammo pouches riveted to the ab armor 5. Center section joining the ab armor to the chest armor was created, and painting has commenced 6. Elbow armor has been fitted. 7. Lots of pieces have been clear-coated. 8. Belt canister has been finished. (USPS delivered the holster spring clip a week later than predicted, but at least it got here!) I can feel it...... I'm getting close to finishing this build!!!!

Nice job troopers. I love the guitar pics. I really want to do a Toys for Tots events one of these days-- what a great event.

I just bought more E6000 today for my ongoing Sith Acolyte build. I love having that stuff around.... you never know when you'll need some!

I also use Echo's fans. I usually run one fan which blows up and across the lower part of my face. When it gets really hot, it's nice to have the second fan available to use.

Congratulations on your one year anniversary. It's a fun milestone. And boy have you been busy along the way. 6 builds? I am jealous! My most recent one is taking so long that I'm getting depressed. But again, congrats, and I hope you have an amazing second year!

Congratulations! I hope you will have the opportunity to get suited up in service to the Empire in the near future.

Congrats Ray!!!

Great idea!

Great pics. It looks like you guys had a great time!

Today was a successful day! My dad came over and we worked for a few hours on a lot of little things that needed to get done. We touched up the paint on my thighs, added detail lines to a lot of the armor including the boot armor, finished up my glove armor by adding a clear coat, and prepped a few other pieces to work on more later. For the first time during this entire build, we actually got more done with our time than I had anticipated. It's amazing how much can get accomplished when someone else is helping you out!

Nice! Wish I had seen this earlier though. 😉

It looks like you guys are having fun! The arrival of those brown boxes is an exciting, memorable experience. You mentioned being overwhelmed. Just take it one step at a time, and the assembled pieces will add up quicker than you know it. Best of luck on your build.

I find the armor itself easier than the helmets even when they're lined up next to each other. That sounds like a fun web app to create doesn't it? -Eric That's a cool idea!

Here are a few options... http://trooperbay.com/yellow-foam-costume-or-armor-fitting-strips/ ------

Wow, that's quite a helmet. I don't know what else to say....

So after a long hiatus, I have started working on my Sith Acolyte again. I wanted to get a lot done last summer, but it just didn't happen. My wife and I became pregnant with our second child (a boy!) and we spent the summer relaxing and enjoying time with our two year old daughter. Oh, I got a few little things worked on (made progress on the boots, got the Sith robe 99% completed, experimented with some strapping ideas, etc.) but nothing like I had envisioned. I just spent a few hours in the garage working and made a bit of progress, but my build still feels a bit scattered at the moment. I am hoping to put a lot of time in during my winter break (3 weeks off starting next Friday) and while I may not reach my goal of finishing this build by the end of the year, I am hoping to make some significant progress. This has certainly been my most challenging and most time consuming build.

I have a little bit of padding on the inside of my forearm to keep it from wobbling around too much. Underarmor or an long-sleeve shirt will make a difference to the fit though, so it'd be great to see what it looks like with a layer on underneath the armor.

You'll always be in demand if you go with a clean TK.

Congratulations trooper!

Your build fits you really well. Nice job, and congrats on your approval!

Those are looking good Ray. Great perseverance! (I hadn't heard anything about funerals until now. I hope you are doing ok!)

I think I am going to have to invest in a pair of black long underwear.

Congratulations- it is a great feeling, isn't it?