tkrestonva

Armor looks great!

Perfect answer/solution. Add to that a set of hand plates from Karin, and you're all set.

How's the visibility when wearing it?

Looks like Paul recently passed his 1000th post. Thank you, Paul, for your immeasurable contribution to this hobby and community. Regardless of whether or not one is lucky enough to own a set of your armor, we have all benefitted from your knowledge, passion, and committment to excellence. Cheers, bro.

I also work full-time in the aerospace industry, part-time as an Air Force Reservist, and am going to grad school for what I hope will eventually be a PhD. Not to mention spending time with the wife & kids. Oh, and there's that thing I like to do that involves white plastic and some of the best people I've ever had the honor of interacting with. You'd be amazed how much you can get out of your day by cutting out the frivolous, non-value added crap in one's life (watching TV, excessive sleep, etc.) and if you're willing to push yourself past what you think your limits are. Couple that with the extra energy reserves that come from eating clean and regular exercise, and life becomes a lot more fulfilling.

Go get'em Nate! I'm definitely rooting for you. I agree that the food you put into your body is as important (if not more so) than the exercise you get out of it. Basic formula for weight loss: Calories burned - calories consumed = lost weight. Cut back the junk (or cut it out completely), eat clean foods such as lean meats, whole grains, and fresh fruits & veggies, and you'll start to look, feel, and perform better. Can't expect the body to respond like a high-performance car if you give it cheap, low-grade fuel. Or as I'm sure Paul and other software guys would tell you: garbage in = garbage out. As for the weightlifting, here's where I disagree. Yeah, cardio can make you skinny, but if that's all you do you'll simply end up being a smaller version of your current self. Smaller - yes. Better, stronger, faster, leaner - no. I believe the term is "skinny-fat person". Like cardio, weightlifting also burns calories, but unlike cardio, the larger, stronger muscles you get from weight training burn calories 24/7, even when you're at rest. Cardio burns calories, but only while you're doing it. Ever wonder why bodybuilders, powerlifters, football players, and other strength athletes don't seem to stop eating? It's because all the muscle they carry demands a near-constant supply of fuel. More muscle = higher metabolism (especially important for us 40-somethings), stronger bones, tougher connective tissue, better body fat ratio, you name it. Muscle is heavier than fat so you may gain weight but you'll be smaller, leaner, and more energetic than with cardio alone. Best advise out there is to balance both cardio (heart health, immediate calorie burning) and weight training (everything else). Throw in yoga or some other form of flexibility training, and you've got your bases covered. Am I just talking trash? Nope. I'm 6'1", 215 lbs, I've got a 44" chest / 34" waist, & less than 10% bodyfat (my goal is to get down to 8% and keep it there). Been lifting for over 20 years. Got a 400lb squat, 300lb bench press, 200lb military press. I also run (2-3 miles 3x/week), practice karate, train Parkour, and do yoga. As far as the libido goes ... I didn't grow up the athletic type - hell, I couldv'e been Steve Urkel's stunt double. Now - I'm physically better than I ever was, and it doesn't go unnoticed, know what I mean? Not bad for a guy who'll be 41 years old in August.

Great job!

Seconded - and add to that a happy Free Comic Book Day.

Armor maker: FX (pending upgrade to AM) Height: 73 inches (6'1") Weight: 215 pounds Chest: 44" Abs: 34" did you use shims? yes, approximately 3" on each side Waist: 34" Thighs: 26" did you use shims? no Biceps: 17.5" did you use shims? yes, approximately 2" Forearm: 14" did you use shims? yes, approximately 2" Calf: 17.5" did you use shims? yes, approximately 2" Any other mod? standard EIB mods; trimmed chest

Agreed, the frown is looking much better.

Your thermal detonator appears to be incomplete. Also, what color are the lenses in your helmet?

At the risk of stating the obvious - have you tried asking over at the RPF? I have to think that would be the place to go for the kind of info you're looking for.

Congratulations, and outstanding job!

It's not necessary to extend the blaster barrel. I suppose you could, but it's not required - even for EIB.

Trusted ebay seller. Bit of an oxymoron if you ask me. <_< Best advice is to avoid ebay, most (if not all) of the reputable sellers can be found on the fan sites such as this one, and you get to save costs by cutting out the middle man. If you're looking for advice on getting into a high-quality biker scout costume, head on over to the Pathfinders' detachment, http://www.bikerscout.net

It's definitely meant to be an E-11, but I've never seen an E-11 (or rather, an interpretation of an E-11) like that before. Perhaps someone on the RPF could shed some light?

Great picture, but what's up with your son's T-shirt? Apparently a bit of retraining is in order. I expect the next time we see a photo he'll be appropriately attired for the occasion, trooper.

I think that's a great idea! Especially given we only have 1 or 2 EIBs that opted for the grappling hook & comlink combination.

Looks great! Is that an AP kit? Regardless, should be a very easy pass for basic 501st acceptance, even with the Hasbro blaster. The undersuit seems a bit baggy on her, it's especially noticeable at the elbows. Do you have "Underarmor" or some other brand that fits more snugly available where you are? I'd also suggest replacing the handplates with some latex (or non-latex) handplates & rubber gloves from Sonnenschein or another vendor. The ones she has look a bit large for her hands. I personally think the chestplate looks fine as is, even though in some photos it coveres the top button. As I recall, Luke's chestplate did the same. Oh, and I love the fact that your wife is just as into this as you are. You're a lucky dude.

Looking good, and great job with the Hasbro! It definitely seems well-suited to your smaller proportions.

http://www.501stlegion.org/index.php Don't know how accurate & up to date the stats are, but according to the main Legion site there are 2,165 TK and 460 TDs. As for the "99", I don't see such a garrison listed. Maybe a different organization?

Seen this yet? -----

If you plan on staying with the Rubies, an ROTJ-style TK is really your only option. For a replacement helmet, I'd say it's probably best to get a (preassembled) secondhand ROTJ-style TE bucket. They come up for sale here every so often, it's just a matter of keeping an eye out. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, have a look through the For Sale or Trade - Personal Items section of the board.

- ABS Cement - E6000 - CA (Cyanoacrylate aka Superglue) - 2 part epoxy - Hot Glue At some point I've tried all of the above. No experience working HIPS, but with ABS it's a toss-up between ABS cement and E6000. The other three are IMO not even close (CA - too brittle, 2-part epoxy - too messy, hot glue - too weak). About the only time I'd use hot glue or CA glue is for emergency repairs at a troop, so it's always good to keep some in your trooping bag, but I wouldn't use it as the primary adhesive for your build. I like the ABS cement for its quick-setting time and the fact that it forms a permanent bond due to it being specially formulated to bond with ABS. Downside is that it's a lot less forgiving than E6000 - you have a limited amount of time to position the parts, and once it dries you practically need a crowbar to pull the parts apart if you discover a mistake. You also have to be careful in not getting any overspill since it dries quickly and forms a chemical bond to the plastic. It can also be expensive and difficult to source. E6000, on the other hand, is inexpensive, easy to find, and very forgiving. Takes longer to set, but that also translates into plenty of time to get the parts positioned just right, and secured (clamps, magnets, tape, etc.) properly. Further, if you find out after it dries that something isn't right, it's possible to gently pry the parts apart, scrape off the E6000, and essentially start over. Overspill is also less of a concern since it can be a lot more easily removed. Bottom line - I like'em both. For newbies, however, I'd definitely recommend E6000.

Damn. Obviously the toys & special offers have gotten much cooler than from when I was a kid. I need to eat more cereal.