Thumpy~

I trooped a charity event earlier in Sept. and sweated in 100+ degree heat with several others - unusual Sept. weather for our area of Virginia. We sweated profusely, bitched, and moaned the entire time. I've never met half of them. But now, if I come across them again, we have something uniquely in common - that sucky, extremely hot troop.

Welcome Ashton! If you haven't done so, check out the Getting Started threads. Lots of interesting info. that might be pertinent in your build, including an armor set that's right for you. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/38-getting-started-read-this-first/ Our screen reference picture gallery is an additional resource for you. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/gallery/ If you're interested in shooting for L2 and L3 standards, take a look at those who have come before you. Lots of quality build references! https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/ Enjoy your time here with us!

dude, hardly noticeable!

Welcome Carmen!

Congrats Matt!

In continuing on with some post-WIP work, which might benefit the next guy/gal, who has a go with this costume or something similar, back in June, during a Stars Night baseball game troop, my armor absolutely got punished. A thigh strap came loose, which stressed the lower posterior side that led to some cracking. Below are pics where I applied epoxy over the affected area, reinforced with plastic and liquid solvent cement from behind, sanded, and repainted. Also during that fateful troop, I had tightened the backplate/jetpack, too much, which caused some cracking at the lower 2 points where the jetpack is attached. I applied the stop-drill method, applied epoxy, reinforced with 1/16" and 1/8" ABS, sanded, and repainted. I did this for all four corners. I also painted the metal attachments and washers - washers for more reinforcement to protect the plastic in the future - for a more consistent look with the rest of the armor. I also glued internal straps within the bicep armor to keep the painted grey stripes on the shoulder bells and bicpe armor more aligned for better costuming presentation. For this ABS Sky bucket ver1.0, after several iterations and attempts to make it look better, this is the final rendering. . Thanks for your interest.

Welcome Kieran! Congrats on finishing college! Taking a look at the CRLs is one of many good places to start. http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:FISD_CRL Also take a look at the WIP threads. See folks currently building TKs and using their tools. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/31-costuming-and-builds-501st-approved/ Have a fun build and take your time!

welcome Lance! LFL screenshots are some of the best sources for your build. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/gallery/ Our CRLs offer the best guidelines around to build a screen-accurate TK. http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:FISD_CRL Take a look at the EIB and Centurion threads that offer excellent build models and constructive feedback from highly skilled L2/L3 costume judges. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/ Enjoy your stay here with us!

welcome John!

Welcome Andy! take a look at the “Getting Started” section. You’ll find some of the info. interesting and pertinent in your research. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/38-getting-started-read-this-first/ WIP threads can offer a variety of methods on how to approach your build. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/31-costuming-and-builds-501st-approved/ The CRLs offer the best available guides for all the questions that you might have to meet the Level 1, 2, 3 standards. http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:FISD_CRL our EIB and Centurion threads highlight some of the best builds as models for your build! https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/

Welcome Anne! here are some good reference pics in our gallery of the TK commander. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/gallery/category/15-tk-commander-reference/ Consider going for the Expert Infantryman Badge! https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/ have a fun build!

Welcome Brendan! if you haven’t already done so, take a look at the Advanced Tactics section as it offers practical build references by others. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/ have an enjoyable build!

Welcome Marie!

Welcome Richard! Don’t forget to check out our picture gallery for screen references. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/gallery/ for build references, see our advanced tactics area. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/ CRLs can be found here: http://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:FISD_CRL have a great build experience!

Welcome James! check out the advanced tactics area. Lots of finished costumes for your reference. https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/113-advanced-tactics/