theisaac

Wait to trim the shins until you are all suited up with your boots on. I can tell you what I did for my shims for my gut.... Took the extra ABS that was for the belt in my AM kit and cut them for the shims. Glued them to the kidney on each side and boom.. done. Left side has the snap rivets to be screen accurate and the right side is open and clam shells together with a row of three snaps and webbing. The fitting process feels like it took as long as the build in terms of time. Don't hesitate to take a ton of pics and put them up here for help. If the FISD can get me fitted right, they can help anyone. good luck and keep going, almost there!

any updates on your build buddy?

I can say from my own experience that this place is why I was approved for my TK in the first place. I started my research here and used it as a resource to complete my build. The willingness to help and more importantly challenge newbies like myself are what its about in my book. I have watched threads where pride and ego can push people's buttons but for the most part its in the name of accuracy and wanting to see the best the person can do. I'll be honest, there was a time when I posted a topic asking if anyone was selling an e-11 and Vern's reply rubbed me wrong. Then I took the time to research what he builds and saw his passion for his art and I now appreciate and respect his craftsmanship and knowledge of them (still trying to buy one Vern.. hint hint) . If he comments on a build and its about the blaster, you can take it to the bank that he's right. If it wasn't for people like Vern and the rest of the "locals", I know my suit would not look as good as it does and I'm thankful for that. Troopers helping troopers is more than a motto its really what makes this place special. So thanks again to everyone here that makes this community what it is for newbs like myself. You guys are building up the next generation of trooper and motivating us to build better suits than we thought we could when we found FISD.

Duck tape for the frown is a genius idea.

zap-a-gap would do the trick. You can pick it up a hobby shops or Trooperbay

Congrats buddy! Its a great feeling isn't it!

Today I had a chance to fix the knee ammo belt and lower it. I know I had already passed but I still wanted to move forward and make my suit as accurate as possible. The knee ammo belt was one of the comments.

BOOM! Grats on the Centurion badge as well!

Got approved for EIB as well! Thanks everyone who helped me though this project and anyone who posted feedback.

Good work buddy! Congrats

I had that issue with snap plates as well. What I did was stopped using the little circle thing that comes with the snap kits. I just put the bottom rivet part through the plastic.. placed the snap part over the plastic and lined them up. Used the cement floor instead of the circle thing and hammered the metal pin/rod thing on the snap. Not a technical way to describe it I know... I noticed the circle/round part that comes with snap kits leaves a gap and doesn't make the snap come flush with the plastic. If you use a flat bottom like cement then the metal pin that you hammer down and makes the bottom fold back over the snap and holds it in place will also pull the bottom of the snap up flush with plastic every time. If this doesn't make sense then I can post pics of what Im talking about. Either way the e6000 doesn't cause the same heat that ABS cement does so you don't need to worry about warping. Or just go the other route and use webbing like Brian suggested. He's the AM expert and knows what hes talking about.

I cant thank the FISD community enough for getting this far with my build. I started out just wanting to be a part of the 501st. I never thought I would even fit in a TK. "They dont make them to fit anyone my size...." "It wont work unless you are 150lbs...." "You're gonna mess it up and ruin it..." (and I did more than once but the FISD came to the rescue). These were the reasons I did'nt want to try. Then I looked at threads and saw other builds. Learned about armor vendors. I went with AM based off of the size alone. I did'nt know TM could make armor that might fit with some shims that I had to use anyway. Its not the most accurate suit but Im really proud of it. When I do it again, I will know what pitfalls to avoid. I started with the goal of EIB but wasnt sure I could pull that off. I wanted so badly, SO BADLY... to be part of the 300 goal for this year with EIB status. Just thinking about submitting for approval was cause for anxiety. I had the same fears. "They are going to think I suck..." "They are going to hate my build because its AM..." "You'll get laughed at..." I went for it and made it. barely... but made it. Mike TK1636 from the DSG, you were a huge help and I cant thank you enough. Tim from the DSG, your help at the armor party was clutch. Brian TKRESTONVA, your build thread and your posts saved me more times than I can count. Thank you Everyone who commented on my build thread, thank you for your insight, feedback, and encouragement. I hope that thread helps others avoid the mistakes I made. The FISD as a whole, I hope I can give back and help the next guy coming up who thinks they can't do it. We did it! -Isaac

Took some more pics after getting adjustments done today. Lifted the thighs up so they sit higher Showing the rivet that I added today left side out of habit. Showing the cut off wings/flaps from chest thanking YOU for taking time to even look at this post. Also showing the flaps/wings cut from the chest Showing the new calves with the cover strips open on the insides. I have to wait for the glue to fully cure before trying to rub off the goo from peeling off the velcro so its still a little dirty. You get the idea though I hope. Note the chunk missing from cutting off the cover strip on the left shin. shouldnt be an issue though.

I have also trimmed down the chest flaps on the sides 3 inches at the suggestion of another EIB trooper so they look less like wings. Im happy to suit up again after the glue dries on the shins and it cools off a bit. Its 117 degrees today in Phoenix Rob, Thank you. Its the spirit of being as accurate as possible that drives us all here.

I believe I have the correct sides placed together. I went over that shin tutorial 100 times. If you look at the photos above you will see that the AM shins have a shelf on one side and a long piece of non moulded ABS on the other. Mine look like the corrected pictures shown in the tutorial. I may be missing something so please correct me if I am wrong. It looks like I had the cover strips glued on the wrong side and I have removed them and switched it. They are drying now. See pics below. I have also returned from the hardware store with the cap rivets installed and painted them. I wanted to make these fixes regardless of the shins removing my EIB qualification. I want my suit to be as accurate as possible regardless of the status title. I respect what those before me have done with their builds and I admire their dedication to the FISD and costuming as a whole. I have cap riveted the knee ammo belt and I believe my shins are correct with the cover strips on the correct sides now facing the inside.

Thank you Mathias. Do you mean just glue the cover strips on the other side of the calves? That is something I can do. If not then I would have to replace the calves and I'll respectfully resign the request as I cant afford new calves.

1. Thank you all for looking at my build. This is for those who check it out and especially those who take a moment to comment. I have followed many of your builds as I waited for my armor to arrive so to have feedback from you is important to me. 2. Im off to the hardware store for those rivets for the knee ammo belt. Thank you for that feedback. 3. The blaster. sigh.... I know its a hasbro. I feel the same way about it. I am looking at other options and it is important to me as well.

Armor= AM with FX biceps Helmet= ATA Blaster= Hasbro/Doopy Doo's Height = 6'0 Weight = 240lbs Boots = TKBoots.com Canvas belt = Wife made it Hand Plates = AM Electronics= None Neck Seal = Darman Holster = TKBondservant Vern Dune Sea Garrison

Goof luck bro! Ask as many questions as you need. I knew NOTHING when I started and my build page is huge because I asked every question I had. The FISD will come through and the collective knowledge here is amazing. We're here for you cheering you along!

To ask in this forum what is better between screen accurate and idealized.. its like asking a Chevy club their thoughts on a Ford. Both will pass for 501st, but if you want those next tiers for your build, then its going to be screen accurate.

best picture ever! They grow so fast.

Since you wont use the ABS that came with the kit to make the belt, use one of those to fill the gaps on the kidney. Cut to size and glue on each side of the kidney. It will close the gap just fine.

I used the foam from a jr size batters helmet I got for 10 bucks. Cut out the foam and used Velcro to hold it to the sides of the helmet. It even has holes cut out for your ears so its super comfy. Good Luck.

And the TK mp3 loop. Ive been dying to see what that is for 4 months.