tkrestonva

I've had the same problem in the past, as have other members. The solution is a couple of straps on the inside of the chest and ab plates, connecting the two. Billy came up with an excellent diagram showing exactly how it's done - it's around here somewhere.

Woah! Great job - especially with the pauldron & flamethrower!

What kind of glue did you use?

Agreed - I'd lower the chest plate & raise the back plate. Good build.

Nice!

Mine is glued in place using E6000, and I've never heard of anyone using Velcro to attach the ab button plate. It certainly doesn't sound very secure. Still, if you attach it using E6000 it is possible to gently pry it off at some later date.

Perfect! Now I know what to do with the Ep3 501st clone I have sitting in a cardboard box and that I'll probably never wear - thanks!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish Vern (TK Bondservnt 2392) a happy 49th. Cheers, bud.

Matt pretty much covered it - including getting youself over to the New Member Introduction section. The only thing I would add is to locate your nearest 501st garrison and make contact. After you're done reading the first 8 - 9 topics of this section - read, read, and read some more. More than likely every question you have has been asked and answered many times over. You simply can't do enough research, and the FISD will tell you nearly everything you need to know.

Great find, Paul. On another note, I know you're one of the old-heads around the garrison, but since you're new (at least according to post count) here - mind posting an introduction in the New Member Introduction section?

Thanks for the birthday wishes, all. This week I'm down here in Orlando with the family. First part of the week doing the tourist thing with the family (Busch Gardens, Sea World, Universal Studios, & the water parks). Latter part of the week - Celebration V! Couldn't ask for a better week, and I'm sure I'll see at least a few of you down here for C5. I just need to remember to take photos.

Let's all try to keep our comments - be they praise or criticism - constructive, please.

Congratulations, Mike.

I'd add a black stripe to one of the ear bumps, but maybe that's just a personal preference. Regardless, looks good.

I'm here! I decided to come down a couple of days early and do some of the Orlando tourist stuff (Sea World, Universal Studios, etc.) with the family before the con starts. I'm in the Doubletree lobby right now - and I'm pretty sure the other guests have no idea what's in store for them later this week. It's going to be great!

Thanks all - hope to see at least a few of you at C5.

Easily 501st clearable - congrats in advance.

Read the Getting Started sections

You can always cut up a white plastic trash into strips and use it for shimming material.

The color match is pretty close, but what's most noticeable between AM and RT Mod is the difference in gloss. AM is extremely glossy, RT not so much. When I get some time, I plan to polish up the RT parts to try to bring them up to a similar gloss level. I know it doesn't help now, but if you refer to my build thread I compare the two side-by-side. I think replacing the chest and back plate makes a real difference in the overall look, and were really the only AM parts I was unhappy about.

Now the details: Other details can be found in my build thread.

Finished my new kit in time for C5 - time to see if all the work paid off. The kit is mostly AM but assembled in a non-standard way (used butt-joins with overlay strips versus the standard overlapping seams), and with RT Mod chest/back/straps, and TM helmet & handplates.

I'm sorry that this happened, Karin. Without knowing the details of what happened, I've always considered you one of the most reliable sellers here, and I'm glad you reconsidered your decision.

Also, if you have you arm completely strapped together (shoulder <-> bicep <-> forearm), it makes it harder for the shoulder to rotate, as all the other pieces would have to rotate as well.

I bought my rare earth magnets online. I used K&J Magnetics, but I understand that Applied Magnets offers the same quality for less money. http://www.magnet4less.com http://www.kjmagnetics.com