Vader Rocks

I just finished my build using E6000, line 24 snaps from tandy and webbing material as the snap plate. I too read about the snaps and plastic causing heat damage, so I followed another members suggestion and covered the back of the snap with tape so the metal on the snap didn't come in contact with the glue or the armor. It was done as a precaution or just in case kind of thing. But it doesn't hurt to experiment like Mathias has suggested already. Hope this helps you out.

Feels great, got the itch to get back out there and do some more.

Thanks Andrea, it was a good time and can't wait to get back out there.

Thanks Mark, had a lot of fun.

Looks like a good time was had by all. Nice work, I like the pics.

Thanks for the acknowledgement Jenny, had a fun time trooping with you guys today, hopefully next time work will stay away and you can fit a little more trooping time. Congrats on the first autograph. My first pic of the day (ever actually) someone had me hold their homemade sign and they were taking pic of me with the sign and making it the invitation to their Star Wars themed birthday party. Can't wait to get back out there and serve the empire.

I finally made it. After months of hard work, today I got the payoff, I was able to take part in the B&N Star Wars Reads for my first troop. It's amazing to see the reactions of both kids and grown-ups, you really seem to make their day. First pic of the day for me was someone asking me to hold up their homemade sign they made for someones Star Wars themed birthday party and this pic was going to be the invitation to the party. Was a very fun couple hours, hope for many more to come.

Thanks for the thought. Removed the plate last night, put some foam between the plate and shin to help push it forward a little instead of angling back at my knee (angle change suggested by fellow garrison member). Reglued last night, I'll see how it worked after work today.

Thought about trimming some of the return edge, but was worried about the plate being too thin and more fragile causing it to break if the thigh were to hit one too many times.

The foam in the shins is on each side, left and right, to keep it held straight. Shins are already tight on my leg I don't know if I'd be able to add foam to the back of them.

Going through my armor tonight, getting prepped for my first troop saturday and making sure everything is in order. Unfortunately i've hit somewhat of a snag. It's an issue with my sniper plate position. I've put foam on the insides of my shins to keep them from spinning, which has worked great, but the sniper plate is digging into the front of my knee. I could live with this if it wasn't for the plate hitting the thigh and then pinching my knee between the plate and the thigh. Haven't been able to figure out a solution yet. If anyone has any suggestions i'd really appreciate it, thanks. This material in between the sniper plate and thigh is the meat of my leg.

Thanks guys. Sure does Isaac. Looking to make my first troop next weekend so ill see how it goes.

Helping a fellow trooper (my dad) assemble an AM kit today and we somewhat stuck at the thigh assembly. We are using the existing overlap assembly merhod and couldn't decide if the inner panel of the thigh overlaps the front of the outside panel or fits inside of the overlap of the outer panel.

Got some good news to share. As of yesterday, i'm now a member of the 501st. TK-32380 REPORTING FOR DUTY!!!!! Thanks you to everyone for all the help and advise. Next up, submit for EI.

TK-32380 requesting 501st please. http://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=14984

Unfortunately, this week didn't exactly go as planned, had some family concerns that required attention. But I was able to make some more progress last night and today. Have to redo ab to kidney shim (again) correctly and redo plastic shoulder straps. Which leads me todays question, sorry, but on this kit the plastic shoulder pieces just don't seem that they'll fit correclty. The straps don't want to lay flush on the armor with the way the armor is contoured on the front where it starts to angle toward the armpit area. I attached it last night figuring i'd see how it would do and it's so misaligned with the back plate that it's not funny, so i'm gonna have to take them back off and figure out a different mounting location. Anyone know how to line them up correctly and still not have that huge gap showing in the front??

Awesome video. Very talented trooper there.

Thanks a lot Tim, gonna have to make a stop after work tomorrow.

Thanks Isaac, I sure will. Can the Chicago screws be picked up at a place like lowes or more of a craft place like Michael's???

Little bit of a build progress update. Using TrooperTim's snap suggestion, I have the plastic belt attached to the canvas belt, inner drop boxes are attached, sniper plate is installed on left shin, ab plate buttons are attached (thanks GnrlGrievous), thigh pack reshaped with heat just waiting to be riveted on, thermal detonator assembled and painted (got a good deal on some money clips today to hold it) and I received my holster and neckseal from Darman last Fri. (thanks for suggestion Isaac) Things are starting to shape up and hope to have my 501st submission in by this weekend. With all of this I do have a question. I want to install the holster but i'm unsure of what fasteners I need to use. Is it snap, rivet or something else?? If it's rivets, what size diameter is required and how do you prevent the rivet from scratching the armor??

Thanks Frank. So the plate doesn't need to fit down in cavity on ab plate?? I've used only E-6000 on my build, just didn't know how well it would hold the plate just sitting on top of the ab. I'll give it a try though, thanks again.

Ok, I've got my ab buttons painted and going to install them on the ab plate, but i'm confused as to how they attach to the ab. I don't like the way it sits up on the ridges of the ab cause I don't think it'll hold very well. I've seen some posts about cutting/sanding down approx 1/8" but i'm not sure what and where the trim is taking place. Anyone done this trim or have any other suggestions on how to correctly install the ab plate???

Ok, so i've got the canvas belt made, now i'm wondering what the best choice is to secure the plastic part of the belt to the canvas. Do I rivet or can I use snaps to hold them together?? If I can use snaps, what precautions need to be taken to prevent cracking the plastic belt when assembling the snap?? I've used the soldering iron method to make holes in webbing and elastic so far, didn't know if this works for the canvas too or if I need to make the holes with something else??

Getting closer. Got a few more little things done this weekend. With Isaac's suggestion and encouragment, I decided to go ahead and get the materials and build my own canvas belt (well, kinda. I was able to enlist mom's help with the sewing and assembly. This build has officially become a family affair). Hear are a few pics of the custom belt and the first armor pics out of the house and in public. It gets quite a few looks that's for sure. Even got my first real armor bites today. Rite of passage??

Cool. I've got a PM sent to Darman last night. No response yet do well see what he says.