Geaux Saints

To install the crotch strap, I made sure all original strapping was done and my side and shoulder snaps snapped. Paul instructed me to hang the torso and then just bridge the gap with the strap. I snapped into the first snap on the butt piece and then bridged the strap over the crotch hole (starting to sound dirty here) and marked the hole. The strap was then secured with a split rivet. I'll have to trim some of the excess. It's a little difficult putting the split rivet in at this stage, so I had my wife hold up the torso while I secured the strap with the rivet (she was "thrilled"). Here's the results...

Can't wait to see how the kit will look.

It would be nice to have a resource of a good blaster States side.

Looking at this link, which part numbers do you have available? http://www.doopydoos.com/stormtrooper-e-11-complete-anh-e-11-blaster-kit-offer-2685-p.asp

People usually use snap plates and elastic to attach the body parts together. I haven't heard of a Velcro method.

Thanks! I'm going for Centurion. I tell you what....it's a pain in the butt trying to snap those shoulder bells to the white strap with the torso on and one of the bells already on.

I glued my shoulder strap in the groove of the bell. I didn't use a snap plate. Thanks for the input!

Here's a little test fit of the upper body for critiquing. I don't have the white elastic shoulder ties on, obviously no belt, and the crotch strap is not installed, yet. Waiting on mic tips as well.

Here's a few shots of the placement of the white shoulder straps to secure the BACK piece to the CHEST piece. This is the RIGHT side with the CHEST on the bottom and BACK on the top. This is the LEFT side with the CHEST on the bottom and the BACK on top. Notice SHOULDER BELL snaps are on the NECK side in each picture. Another little thing I like to do throughout my build is get a lighter and melt/seal the fraying on all of my straps. Not sure if it is necessary, but it makes me feel better.

I got mine from ebay as well. I bought twenty 1/2" wide by 1/8" thick N52 magnets (pull strength of 7.8 pounds) and ten 1" wide by 1/8" thick N42 (12 pounds of pull strength). Like Glen said, they will break or chip pretty easily if they jump together too quickly (and they WILL try to jump to each other). Also, prepare for plenty of pinch blisters because these things will "bite" your skin when you are trying to handle them sometimes. Looking back, I probably would have bought double the amount I got.

Thanks, Derrek! That makes me happy to know somebody got something from my (ongoing) build thread. You've done a really good job! I hope mine ends up just a good. I just added my shoulder bell strap assembly to it. I'm getting really close to finishing. What did you use to paint your latex hand guards?

You can send messages by clicking on the person's name and then click on SEND ME A MESSAGE.

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/127-anh-blastech-e11/

Not sure if you are still looking into an E-11, but some people (myself included) have been having issues with Doopydoo and getting their E-11 shipped. Just an FYI.

I worked a little tonight on the shoulder bells. Here's my "instructional" pics. If anyone sees that what I'm doing is wrong, PLEASE speak up. I don't want to misguide ANYONE. I go a little overboard with the pics, but if you're like me you like plenty of visual stuff to reference. These pics are for the RIGHT shoulder bell. Note the snap on the white strap (for the shoulder bell to snap into) will be on the neck side (inside) of the strap with the CHEST snap being forward (chest side) and facing UP. This pic is for orientation purposes...looking into the RIGHT arm hole. And these are just the white strap clamped into place for reference/orientation pics. The top is the CHEST, and the bottom is the BACK. This would be the orientation of the RIGHT white strap if you were looking from the bottom up through the neck. The BACK would be to the LEFT and the CHEST would be to the RIGHT. And here's the same shot with the RIGHT shoulder bell strap snapped in place. With the BELL strap snapped to the WHITE strap, the shoulder bell should be brought right to the edge of the WHITE strip. RIGHT bell orientation....CHEST would be UP, BACK would be DOWN, and NECK would be to the LEFT in these pictures. Once everything seems to be in the right spot, glue the black strip down the inside groove of the SHOULDER BELL. I left the BELL strap snapped to the WHITE strap to make sure the BELL was right up to the WHITE strap. Once I was happy with that, I applied magnets and a clamp and then unsnapped from the WHITE strap to let the BELL strap dry. Sorry, so wordy. It seems like overkill, but that's how I learn better. Hope this helps.

I'm considering seeing if anyone has all of the parts that I am missing, and I will buy them from them, OR seeing if someone with better luck can get one ordered/shipped and then I would buy that from them. I really like how the DD looks when finished and also the price range.

I'm sorry things have not gone you're way.

I've been emailing both accounts from the beginning.

I finally threatened to file a refund request to Paypal and miraculously heard from them after no responses for a month. They said the refund email was the first one they received (even though I made sure each email I sent had my previous one attached-which they saw I had sent). They said they didn't know what was going on and that they had sent my replacement parts several weeks ago along with an email saying so, neither of which I have received. Regardless, they refunded my money. I told them if the parts they claimed they sent show up I'll send them the money back. I'm not holding my breath.

Remember, you can always trim more, but you cannot add back, so trim some and see how it looks. If it needs more, then trim a little more.

Paul told me the depth should be 15 mm.

Great pointers! Thanks! A little test trial felt like the chest piece was digging a little in under my arms. How much return edge should be there?

Started working on the strapping tonight. Paul suggests painting all the screw heads before strapping which would make sense because they would be a little more difficult to reach once strapped together....not impossible, just difficult. Unscrew one screw from each bracket so that you can put one end of the strapping loop over it, then retighten the screw. Paul suggested to start with the kidney first (make sure you have attached the side strapping to the abdomen with split rivets before finishing the bracket strapping). Add all the loops to the kidney first. Attach the butt piece, then the back. Next attach the chest to abdomen. Here's kidney to butt plate. Kidney to back. Chest to abdomen with a closeup of one of the chest brackets. And finally a very rewarding sight to see. Ladies and gentlemen.....we have a torso!

Remember....that 100 mile journey starts with that first step. I decided the first thing I would do (after loving on the Big Brown Box) was just open it up and look at the parts. With my kit, it was pretty obvious from most of the parts where the trim lines were, so I decided to go ahead and start trimming all the pieces. I used a pencil to run along the trim edges to give me a reference point. Remember, there are tons of reference pics and people here to help you with the trimming. If ever in doubt, take a picture and ask. Once you trim all the pieces, you get that feeling of accomplishment and that determination to get started building. Lexan scissors are a MUST. I didn't get mine until about half way through my trimming, and regretted not getting them earlier. Also, remember....MEASURE X times (where X= 2 or more), then cut. Never be afraid to ask questions. That's what we are all here for. And lastly, don't forget to just have fun with it. Most makers of the kits can/will make individual parts if you mess up, so IF you do make a mistake, it's not the end of the world.

Thanks, Craig. I take from the Master (Paul), and pass it on. Good luck with your build, as well!