HeyItsAdam

I am working on an HWT right now and I have a backpack that has no antenna (I bought it from a guy who makes packs). The image at the TOP of the CRL has no antenna, but the image of the BACKPACK shows an antenna... adding to the confusion, the text says, "Backpack must be styled after and closely matches the backpack seen in the Battlefront series as seen in reference photos. No video monitors, extra greeblies. lights of any sort or attachments not seen in photos can be visible." So this is a worthless post and I've accomplished nothing by responding. The area is still very grey. I think the best thing is to email your local guy doing approvals and find out which he would prefer. Some are more stringent than others.

I actually have straps that connect my shoulder bell to my chest armor. I'll post a pic. It's unique to me because I have big shoulders.

Don't forget your link, Trooper! Hate for u to miss the next pass.

I have been approved for 501st membership! http://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=16466 (MY EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE 501st PAGE HAS A TYPO IN IT!! It's "heyitsadam@aol.com" not ".CON." I am working to get it corrected right now). I am TK31813 - Tampa Bay Squad, Florida Garrison Requesting access at this time....

I do not have fans in my helmet just yet; however, the mic runs along the bottom of the helmet and is very out of the way. I bought the tube thinking that I could run fan wires in that as well. I don't think you would have a problem. If I add fans to my helmet, I will update thread with new photos.

I recently purchased my Aker mic and speaker and at my first troop, I found that I couldn't get my helmet on without knocking it off my ear. My helmet fits kind of snug, so I was forced to figure a way to mount the mic inside the helmet. A couple of fellow troopers suggested using wire cutters to clip off the "head band" off the mic, but I don't want to damage anything permanently. I also wanted to be able to easily remove the mic to clean the helmet or if I need to transfer the electronics to another helmet in the future. Here's what I did: I picked up about 2 feet of clear plastic tubing from Lowe's. You can buy it by the foot. Total cost = about $3.00.-----------

I've had the same question as I am at the strap portion of my build. I have found that by browsing various strapping tutorials you can cherry pick which parts work best for each part for your body. ((This answer sucks, but it is honest))

I know we're a long way off, but I'm wondering if there will come a day where we'll just be able to "print" armor using one of those new 3D printers.

I'm currently working on my new NE armor right now, but I've run into an ongoing problem. I know how to trim and glue the armor together, but what I'm wondering about is, how do I know it "fits?" I am currently working on my NE armor and trimming it is not a problem. However what I am running into is I can get around my body but I don't know if I have it set up so it fits correctly. You see, I know how to pair of jeans fit because I'm trying on a bunch of jeans in the past. I don't know how are you supposed to bet because this is the first time I'm putting it on. Should I be able to run? Should I panic because I can't completely bend my knees. I know it is not the most versatile outfit in the world, but I don't know where to stop/start when it comes to trimming. I know I'm not going to be able to go out and pitch complete game shutout wearing this armor, but how much is too much? How much movement should I have? Should I be able to run? Jog? I guess I'm just looking for a little guidance in this department. I'm making good progress, too.

Quick question: how tough is it to slide your hand into and through the opening with both seams sealed shut?

If you have a Dremel and the sanding head, you can even out where the cover strip meets the armor. I'm OCD like that and I need a smooth edge.

; Couple of reasons. My weight fluctuates a lot. In the past year, I have been as much as 268 and as low as 220. Secondly, my thinking was with velcro on one side, I can tighten the pieces around my arm instead of keeping it one size and having to measure and cut to a level where I can JUST squeeze into it.

Jeez...it's "Attack of the Killer Clamps."

Why not? I can't use a velcro strip on one side?

To make the taper at the wrist, what I did was I cut a "pie" shaped piece of velcro that went down by the wrist so it overlaps a little more a the bottom than the top. I have to take a picture of it and post it. I've had to stop for a few days after making good progress because my freakin' Dremel locked up on me! The "lock" used to hold the bit in place so you can replace the heads wasn't holding the bit in place and I couldn't change from the sander to the cutting wheel. So... off to Home Depot.

This armor is VERY thick and VERY tough. It takes some serious elbow grease to do a score & snap (or maybe it's just me because I'm reticent about scratches and miscuts). I used the Dremel cutting wheel to saw off the extra chunk of white. I came about a centimeter from the pencil line I drew to even it out. Then I used masking tape to make a straight line and the Dremel sanding tool to whittle away the rest. I'm thinking if the aim is to get a good taper, I'll velcro/overlap the other side.

I'm a big guy and while they are taped I can just get my hand in the forearm without separating them. They look wide because they are wide... and I'm wide.

Here are my forearms, masking taped together..... no glue. I've put the two halves together, but as you can see, there is a lot of extra meat on the backside. So... is my next move to just trim off that chunk and even it out? (Follow the red line)

My son is confused how this works....

Hey Team... doing an informal survey here.... Does anyone (or has anyone) ever done TWO completely different sets of armor for 501st membership? I have an opportunity to pick up second set of armor (I came up on two wait lists within days of one another). Do you end up getting 2 TK numbers? How does it work? My new NE kit is BEAUTIFUL and I don't want to paint it to make it an Incinerator Trooper; however, I can get an ATA kit as well. Thought I might do both.

Check out the new NE armor. I'm a bigger guy and it looks like it's going to fit me pretty well. I just got my kit earlier this week.

I honestly believe that this is where the "fullbacks" and "linebackers" of the 501st are going to go for armor. If he would market it as such, he'd make a killing.

I tried screaming at my armor all night. This morning, it had yet to put itself together. Looks like I'll have to do it myself. So disappointed! Grrrr......

I would have opened it yesterday but I was traveling for work and was too exhausted to open the box.... A few general impressions right off the bat (this is my first armor kit, so here's an unbiased look at the armor as I have no frame of reference) It looks very roomy. I am a big guy. I'm 5'10", 235 and I was foreseeing problems with a wide chest and back along with the ab plate. I was able to hold up the pieces and it seems like I have plenty of room. Big-ups to the creator of the kit. It's fairly well trimmed right out of the box. I can really see this just needing to be "cleaned up" a bit. I don't see massive amounts of shaving and trimming on the horizon (then again, it might be because I might be needed every inch of white). The face and helmet are EXTREMELY sharp and detailed. The eye holes are pre-cut and the lenses are pre-cut (no "strip" of green film - nice touch). I was toying with making this an Incinerator build, but dammit... it's just too pretty to muck up with paint. I might just keep it as a standard TK ANH. I'd start doing some stuff, but the baby's asleep. The wife told me it's a light weekend as far as activities goes..........

In the words of Samuel L. Jackson... "Did you see the size of that (flamethrower)? It's bigger than she is!" Wow. Nice work!