hikeba

I love that box... I sent you a message on etsy about a possible custom job. Thanks!

I got the white (not off-white) which I have had on both my TK kits. As they start to show some wear I think they match pretty well. Belt gets faded armor stays polished = a closer color match! I had so much trouble with the forearm (really just the one side that is not round) that I ended up having to replace it and start again. I am short and squat and had to trim the tops of the thighs and ended up with a bit more "black" in between the thigh and the cod then I would have liked. My kit is basically done with just the finishing touches on the helmet and cover strips on the forearms to go. Great work!

Agree - I need lots of elastic!!!!

Ouch - please don't make me admit that! I am rather large (fat) and have broad shoulder/chest (225lbs) Oh, I'm also short (5'6")

Here are some updated pictures I have a strap I need to fix on the should that sticks out. The tops of the thighs are too tight. The kidney plate flares out funny. The top of the cod flares out funny. sigh..... Any suggestions or other help would be greatly appreciated.

Yeah the sniper plate is basically falling off in the pictures because it bumps into the shins.

First "test fit" and discovered a bunch of issues. Shins are too long and can't bend my legs.... Need to cut the clips on the det as they stick out below the belt. Need to "narrow" the ends of the thigh (at the knee) to fit better. Need to fix the biceps - they are too big around after all - and need to add straps to the should bells so they sit in the correct spot. Adjustments to back so it doesn't pop under the kidney

Okay. New ears trimmed and installed! Better? Thanks!

Sigh... I was hoping if I shaved down the right areas they would fit better. I swear I left more material than is on my other helmet! Looking in to new ears and a new forearm (thats another story!)

So how do I trim these so they fit better? I'm not sure where I trim (which side how much etc.) Any help is appreciated!

Okay getting ready to start on the helmet. Not sure what to do.... I glued the dome to the back skirt - the face is just sitting there right now. Where do I need to trim?

I didn't think of that.... I've always made them this small and have had only limited success with them staying put. I usually e6000 the heck out of them and clamp the ends so the plastic is glued to the the plastic of the armor but they "bow" a bit the middle. By backers do you mean just another piece on the back? I'll make them bigger in the future. Thanks

Cool. I'm not sure how I missed this but the NE kidney plate seems to have the notch... And cut... I am intentionally leaving on the extra material on the sides as I am rather round (translation big fat guy) and will probably need to shim the sides to eliminate or reduce the side gap. A bit of other progress.... Clips QUESTIONS: How do a close the back of the shins with a butt join and still leave them open-able (is that a word?) to get my leg in? I have big calves and cannot slip them over my foot. I see that overlap is not allowed for Centurian but appears to be okay for Expert. Is there a good link to a helmet build - perferably a NE since it has 3 pieces instead of 2 - I've watched and read a few but none with a 3 piece design and want to know if there is a go-to doc or vid for this. Thanks again guys!

So how do I velcro them closed in the back (which is the only way I'm going to get them on) with the butt join method? Do you have a cover strip glued on one side and have the velcro on the other (inner side)? Yes - they are off the the side when closed : ( Thanks guys! I'm not sure I understand the "notch" - I'm not clear on what I'm looking at in this picture. More explanation please! Sorry!

Okay a few more questions... Here are the cod and kidney - which way is correct? [/url] "A" or "B" Got my paint.... Are these mic tips approvable for Expert and/or Centurian? Here is the trimmed panel for the ab plate... Does it need to be trimmed more so that it sits "inside" the borders of the raised section of the ab plate or should it be flush (as possible) with the edges or even inside a bit? Same question with the buttons.... Thanks!

UPDATE Shin with finished cover strip Other shin Shin back with velcro Shin back with velcro closed - top edge needs to be cleaned up a bit Thigh with cover strip Back of thigh being glued shut Finished bicep with cover strip Forearm with the inner strip being attached - needs more clamps! QUESTION: (I should've taken pictures) The kidney plate seems to flare up (or down at the edges) Is there a correct side to attach to the cod or which ever way it seems to go best? Thanks! I appreciate feedback!

Hello. I have started my NE build. Although I have built armor before, I want to get as close to Expert Infantry as possible while building. I have inlcuded pictures of the work so far. Left bicep with cover strip Shin be glued together in the front with an inner strip - the length is pretty much sized - the width is not and will be done on the back. Thigh being glued together with an inner strip - again, roughly sized but adjustments will be done in the back. The inner strips were glued with E6000 on one half and left to cure overnight. This is the next step - attaching the fronts. Other shin marked for length Cut and edges sanded FIRST QUESTION Here is the AB plate with the button pieces that came with it laid on top. Here is my finished MAGMA AB plate - I cut ALL of the ridges off the button pieces and laid them on top and secured them. Is this correct? There seems to be a lot to take off on the button pieces. If it all comes off, why is it there in the first place? So does it fit over the raised sections on the AB plate, or do you cut them out and glue them on? I think the way I did it on my MAGMA armor is correct - although a bit sloppy! More to come as I work on it... Thanks in advance for your help!

Wow! I thought this was a simple question... didn't mean to start a war! I will be covering the ridge as completely as possible with the cover strips and will post pictures when I'm done. Thanks!

Which also means that this shin has the same problem.... Shown without the cover strip and with a 1" cover strip for reference.

Howdy! This is the 4th set of armor I've built (TK "ready to wear" lol - TB - MAGMA and starting on NE) and the first time I've done butt join with cover strips. Man! You have to be more accurate as the adjusting of velcro won't help! So my question is this: When the pieces are joined - the "ridge" on each side should not be seen? In other words the only "ridge" that should be visible is the cover strip? Here is the front of one of my thighs Before the cover strip (which is 20-25 mm which is basically 1"?) there is 2" of space (1" on each side) I added the (star wars) ruler for reference but you can't see the numbers! I need to trim this so that the cover strip "hides" the ridges (or is the only ridge) correct? Thanks!

Love it! I'm in as well!

I have a Jedi-Robe stormtrooper kit and I love it!....... Sure it took a year to get approved, but hey.... Oh and I had to shim the thighs and calves - order new boots - under armor - gloves - trim almost every piece - restrap and velcro pretty much everything (including adding snaps and elastic) - replace the belt - fix the shoulder straps (as they broke pretty much right away) - I also had to redo the fastening on the O2 cartridge in addition to normal stuff like adding fans and sound. At least it was only about 1500.00 with shipping and it took about 2 months for them to send the boots. Oh and the day it came out of the box, it took about 2 hours of messing around for me and my wife to kind-of get it on because of the quality of the directions. Upside? I am getting good at mods and my next kit (cause there will have to be a next kit at this point) I will know what I'm doing. So that said - I'm short and "husky" - what's a good kit? 5'7" 210lbs. I love trooping and my armor doesn't look bad now - but the things you wish you had known! Oh I forgot to add - I'm embarrassed when other troopers ask me what kit I have and I hem and hah...... before answering under my breath....

OOppps Heres the link as well http://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=13335 Sorry TK9591

Requesting access to 501st section Chris Pellitteri Southern CA Garr TK9591 Thanks!