tkrestonva

FYI - Mike A. (TK-4510) is now selling frown mesh, along with stickers and other assorted trooper supplies.

Yes, a garrison mate of mine used a belt sander on an AP kit he helped a new member to build. Made for quick work.

Based on what you said regarding your size and build skill, AM is a good choice.

Congrats! I'm eager to see photos of you and Conny suited up together. A dual ANH/ESB build is definitely the way to go, it's like getting 2 costumes for only slightly more than the cost of one.

I believe TK8224 is about your proportions. She is one of our EIB troopers and wears AP. Might be worth sending her a PM.

All, Please refrain from starting and/or participating in Word Association and/or similar threads. While they can be fun, they do not really contribute (directly or indirectly) to the mission of the FISD. Any such threads will be promptly deleted by the staff. Thanks for your cooperation.

Although I have a different kit, it's also ABS and I was also considering slightly reshaping the forearms for a better fit. I hear what you say about the heat gun, but what about using boiling water for (I assume) more even heating & less local distortion? Would that make a difference, or is it best just to leave as is?

Good on you, Rick. That is how it's supposed to be done. If you aren't doing so already, I'd add regular exercise to your regimen. I've heard both sides, but it really depends on what works best for you. I also like to do 6am runs, but I don't eat beforehand - doing so would make me wanna puke during the middle of the run. After I'm done I'll have a bottle of water and a piece of fruit, then eat a proper breakfast an hour or two later. However, I do like to eat a light snack (protein bar, piece of fruit, and a bottle of water) 1 - 2 hours before my PM workouts, as I've found it provides a not-too heavy fuel source for the coming load.

Well, since you make the best ANH handplates available and in fact you're the only person I know of that makes screen-accurate, Hero-specific handplates, I'm going to guess an ANH Hero helmet.

I'm betting it's a helment.

Slight thread derail: Can someone confirm the screen-accurate width of the finishing strips on the calves, thighs, biceps, and forearms? Thanks in advance.

For me, it was the first time I suited up. Granted, it was in my basement, but seeing a stormtrooper looking back at me in the mirror for the first time was an unforgettable experience. Actually, over 2 years later it's still a thrill. Right after that was seeing the look on my kids' face as I came up the stairs. Of course they immediately knew it was me, but still priceless nonetheless.

"Actual" stormtrooper boots were black jodhuper-style riding boots painted white. If you look closely at the screen caps, you can see the paint wearing off. Many troopers prefer going this route as it's considered the most accurate. Still, if you like accuracy combined with ease of maintenance, TKBoots they can't be beat.

Thanks for taking care of that, Terry. I did some test-fitting today, in terms of length everything fit near-perfect. My FX was/is too short especially in the legs, AM looks like it solved that problem. One thing I immediately noticed is that although the suit is designed to be symmetrical, there are definitely differences in the way the clamshelled parts (biceps, forearms, thighs, calves) line up, something I attribute to manufacturing variances. As such, I had to do some experimenting to determine which parts matched up best, and labeled them accordingly for greatest ease of assembly. Rule of thumb is to start with the easiest parts first, and move on to the most complex parts after gaining some confidence. Conventional wisdom says that would be the biceps and forearms, right? Not in this case. Getting the biceps and forearms to line up properly was giving me absolute fits. I'm going to have to do some creative trimming to get the parts to fit together properly. For the forearms, I'm thinking I'll line up the wrist end flush and trim the elbow end accordingly. Same for the biceps - align the bottom flush and trim the top accordingly. I plan to do so in a way that minimizes the loss of the return edge. Looking at my screen caps I realize return edges on the biceps and forearms aren't ANH/ESB accurate, but I really like the illusion of thickness the return edges lend to the armor. I've also been reviewing some of the more exemplary builds, especially Stukatrooper's TM builds, and they show a return edge. The openings of the biceps and forearms are also a bit too narrow with the return edge (I have 17.5" biceps and 14.5" forearms), so it looks like I'm going to have to use a heat gun to open them up a bit so that they're comfortable, fit properly, and allow me a full range of motion. More later.

Did you get any photos of the bewildered tourists and locals?

It all comes pretrimmed, including the return edges.

To all those who serve a cause greater than themselves, here in the U.S. or anywhere in the world, past/present/future, may you have a blessed Memorial Day. Enjoy your day, but take a moment to remember the men and women who make it possible.

It's been over 2 years as TK2918 in the 501st Legion, and I figure I'm due for an armor upgrade. I plan on using my new kit to (1) requalify for ANH EIB, (2) qualify for ESB EIB, and (3) qualify for HWT EIB. As for my current kit, eventually that will become a TK Commander. My goal is to be completed and triple-EIB rated by Celebration 5. As far as my selection of armor kit, after a lot of thought I decided to go with AM. Here's why: 1. Very reasonably priced kit 2. Quick delivery 3. Relatively easy to assemble 4. The kit is made of 0.090 glossy ABS - nice, sturdy stuff And most important in my case: 5. The kit is designed to fit larger troopers (I'm 6'1, 215lbs) without requiring a lot of shimming. While I acknowledge that this kit won't come anywhere close to the jaw-dropping accuracy of a TE2 or TM, for me it's a good compromise between form and functionality. - Oh, and it helps that TupperwareTK just happens to be a member of my garrison. I received the kit last Tuesday and was finally able to open the box and take inventory a couple of days ago: Big brown box, courtesy UPS and TupperwareTK Very well packed, the U.S. Post Office could learn a thing or two Taking inventory: The final photo is of parts I don't see myself using, either because I have better or they're for sandtroopers. Look for a parts sale in the near future. More to follow ...

Hayes, I think the right thing to do is (1) consult with a doctor to ensure there are no underlying conditions and to get a general health assessment, (2) meet with a dietician or some other nutrition expert to analyze your consumption and reorient it with the goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy body, and (3) work with a fitness professional to establish an exercise regimen that fits within your schedule, any physical limitations you may have, and will work hand-in-hand with your new eating lifestyle. Having said that, starting out with what worked for you in the past and going from there seems like a sensible thing to do. If a fit, healthy body came in a little pill, the U.S. wouldn't have the obesity problem it has (something like 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are considered obese), not to mention all the stuff that goes with it like heart disease, diabetes, etc. The oldest advice is still the best - there is absolutely NO SUBSTITUTE for time, hard work, and discipline. Not something most of us like to hear. Getting fit and looking/feeling good is about consistently eating right and being active, i.e. making it a permanent lifestyle as opposed to a temporary fix. There are no shortcuts (not counting plastic surgery and other extremes) or we as Americans in our inventiveness would've found them long ago. I'm not trying to dismiss supplements - I use them myself and I understand their value. But supplements are exactly that - supplements. If you're doing everything else right, they can give you a boost. But nothing you buy at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. will magically transform you into the likeness of a Greek deity.

Very nice! Even better than the Jawa costumes I often see Legion members' kids wearing.

Does Steve have an ebay store where he sells his ESB greeblie kits? I'd like to add these greeblies to my HF ESB E11. Very timely given ESB's 30th anniversary and with C5 in a few months. Alternatively, he could offer a run here at the FISD in the For Sale section.

Sweet - another AM-wearing EIB.

I'd like to nominate Sonnenschein (Karin), as she makes the most accurate ANH handplates available, provided D-rings to those who need them, and started up the German language forum.

I'd love to add a set to my HF ESB E11. Are the greeblies made of resin, or some other material?

Tantive IV raid - no question about it. I still get chills when I watch that scene.