AnjelRedemption

Hey everyone, More work on the armor. I got the inside back strips in the thighs and the tops trimmed up. and then i worked on the shins. I decided to go w/ 25mm (7/8 - 1 inch) cover strips as to get the most room available for the velcro i'm going to use to hold them together. The one on the left is the right shin and the one on the right is the left shin, They will open up to the inside. as the shins and thighs are gluing, i went ahead and finished the belt by adding some snaps to the ab plate. First i test fit where i wanted the belt to be and found the best spot to place the snaps. Turns out it is on the raised ridges on either side of the ab buttons. I drilled the holes and then added the snaps. I realized too late that i only had the hand held snap tool and had a hard time messing w/ the snaps w/ a phillips screw driver to get them to hold. so i came up with an idea to fix it. I used a small screw that fit perfectly inside the snap and then tightned it down w/ a nut on the back end. I used the bottom part of the snap as a washer so to speak. with the snaps in place on the ab plate, i put the belt on and got it to where i liked and marked the spots for the femal snaps. and viola!! Thats it for now. up next is the sniper plate and the thigh ammo belt. (not looking forward to this) and then just a lot of trimming for mobility I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for sure! Stay tuned!

You don't have to have return edges on the biceps and forearms. the only requirement is no return edges on the wrist side of the forearms for centurion. I kept mine on, but after i started to connect all the peices together i could bairly move my arms, so i will be trimming off all the return edges on the biceps. You can also look at the screen shots of the screen armor and they didn't have any return edges on the biceps.....it's really a personal preferance. If you leave them the armor looks a little thicker is all.

You can also PM him on here His FISD name is zhongvador He usally responds within a day or two.

Hey Violentcaleb, Welcome to the FISD! I would suggest looking in the getting started section for starters. once you have done that, you can look as some build threads here http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/forum/45-heavy-weapons-trooper/ and make sure you check out the CRL for the criteria for Heavy Weapons Trooper on the 501st website. Good luck!

Jason, I just had one of my friends tape them up when i was wearing them, and i made sure i could still slip them on and off so as not to make them too tight. I did make sure that the bottom ridges lined up because i will be trimming at the top. Since i have some skinny thighs, there is not too much of a bell shape, but i did make sure that there wasn't a huge difference in size between the bottom of the thighs and the top of the shins. It's kind of like when you are measuring the bicep and forearm, you don't want one to swallow up the other! lol with a little help i think you can do it!

Jason: i just had them resting on the shins in these pics because i havn't made the garder belt yet. This was just a test to shape the thighs and shins to my form and to see how everything looks so far all put together. I'm short for a trooper as well (5'8) but i think if i cut the back of the thighs and shins it won't be to bad...i just won't be able to sit as the thighs would dig into my hips. Thanks for the comment!

Hey everyone, I got some help over the weeked to size my shins and thighs. and while i was doing that i though i would take some shots of me wearing the armor. Please let me know what yall think BTW....i could barely move so there is a lot of trimming to do! enjoy! i'm hoping to get the shins and thighs finished by the end of the week and then i can focus on trimming and mobility. Stay tuned!

AWESOME!!! GREAT JOB I'll be looking for your EIB application!

If you are going for Centurion, there needs to be NO return edge on the forearms at the wrist. Forearms For 501st approval: Forearms are fully closed. For level two certification (if applicable): For level three certification (if applicable): No return edge on the inside of the front of the forearm is allowed. Forearms must be constructed using the butt joint and cover strip method. Overlap construction is not allowed. Hope this helps!

Greg, They are pan head slotted (iphone camera sucks lol) the clips turned out better than i expected to be honest LOL

Hello Everyone, Since I got some great feedback yesterday I jumped right in and fixed some of the issues and then finished up on others. First, i took the advise and fixed the belt. I started by trimming the bolts that hold the fabric. Then i trimmed the top and bottom of the belt and added the 45 degree cut corners and installed the drop boxes I didn't put the belt covers on the edge of the belt because of the pre drilled dimples, and the fact i already drilled the holes! but looking at a lot of EIB, which i'm going for, it hasn't stopped anyone from getting it. Then it was time to add the holster. I decided to go w/ Snaps because it would be easier to take of the holster if for some reason i needed too (like a party or work function were i can't bring a blaster) I measured 3/4 inches from the edge of the plastic belt and from the bottom and installed the male snaps. and the finished product... and a shot of the back... I then wanted to complete the belt by finishing my TD all i needed was the clips, so i decided to make my own. I started w/ a flat sheet of aluminum. I measured out 1 inch strips and used the score and snap meathod...it worked really well! The metal is really flexable, so i was able to shape it with no assistance from tools once i got the shape i liked i drilled the holes and attached the clips There was still a lot of extra metal, but it cut right off w/ some sissors! and the finished product (i still need to paint the screws black) Let me know (other than the screws needing to be black) what yall think. and I also got the inner stips gluing on the thighs.. WHEW!!!! Did a lot of work yesterday, and plan on doing a lot more this weekend. stay tuned!!

Very nice! I've been looking at a lot of EIB applications to get ideas on what i need to do still and fix. Not to take away from anyone else on here (everyone who applies to EIB has great looking armor!) but you sir have some of the most screen accurate armor i've seen That pic of your thigh.....looks like the photo reference of the original suit! absolutely awesome!!

Thanks Bone! Thanks Tusken! 1. I will be cutting the bolt down and covering them up w/ E6000 or some rubber so it doesn't mess up the ab plate 2. That's what i thought but wanted to be sure! 3. the pre drill spots on the belt stopped me from placing the covers on the edge....could i just remove some of the belt on the edges to make these flush?) 4.Thats a good idea. it does flare out a little on the sides and this would help. 5.Perfect! 6. I will add some snaps to the ab and belt. 7.Thanks for the conformation! 8. Thank you! just need some elastic straps to hold them down 9.I didn't know this was 501st required, i will add them soon. 10. The elastic is behind the elbow on the forearm and bicep, it is ridding right on the cover strips (i can change this if need be) 11. the hand plate sticks out a little, i'll add some more elastic to wrap around the wrist. Thanks! 12. I'll post some pics of the cod/ab connection. WOW....I still got a lot of work to do! I will be going for EIB only, i can always make the changes for Centurion later. Thanks for all the comments guys! I'll get to work on fixing this stuff right away Before I go.... Look what I got yesterday! And i had to put them on immediatley! lol Thanks again for all the feedback. I should be getting some help this weekend so i can get the correct size on the shins and thighs and get some pics of me wearing the armor! Stay tuned!

HELLO? ANYBODY? Hey FISD!!! Nobody has commented on my post in almost two weeks!!! Either i'm rocking this build.......or it's so bad no one wants to look at it! I'm at that stage where i would like to have some comments or feedback on the work i've done...this will let me sleep at night, and not pull what very little remaining hair i have left, out of my head. Also, if i did do something wrong i can go back and fix it really quick. Thanks everyone, hope to hear something soon! *Edit I really don't want to sound needy....i just want to make sure i'm doing everyting right...not just saying "LOOK AT ME!!"

congrats!!!

More progress on the armor. first is the finished shoulder straps. now i just need the elastic strap to hold them down. I then started on the shins. First step is to cut the return edge off the bottom Then some of the return edge off the top... Then i measured out 10 mm from the edge of each half for the 20 mm cover strips. and i used the score and snap method. Then a quick check to make sure there is not too much ridge showing on either side Then is was time to glue the inner strips for strength I think i have them correct....The one on the right is for the Left leg and the one on the left is for the Right leg. They are pretty close already, but there is a slight more curve on the insides in the pic above for the calf muscle. Please let me know if i have the shins backwards. While the shins are drying, i wanted to work on the belt. I had some left over screws and bolts from my helmet kit, so i put them to use. Here are some pics of it on the torso...due to the wonkyness of the NE ab plate, it doesn't sit well, i guess thats why they put snaps to hold it in place. Let me know if i have the placement right on the belt.... I still need to cut the corners of the belt, but there doesn't seem to be a standard, i think i will angle them to about 45degrees and stop at the fabric belt. Then i made the covers...again, i looked through a bunch of EIB applications and everyonther one had the covers either on the edge of the belt (on the sides) or in the middle. Since my pre-dimmpled holes where in the middle, i just left them there. I can always cut the sides of the belt to make the covers flush w/ the sides if need be. and that's all for now. As always any and all comments are welcome. stay tuned!

Very nice! You can't beat the Rubies blaster for the price! Good job!

Hey Brian, I just PM'ed Jim (he's the guy who sells them) about his icomm system. First, you have to have a voicebooster for the icomm to work. Secondly, he stated that the icomm was made to work only w/ the one that he sells w/ it. I asked if i could use a different one and he stated it wouldn't work. hope this helps. Edit* here is the responce i got.... No, it will not likely work. the iComm relies on the voltage of our VoiceBooster amplifiers in order to activate. Cheap amps like the one Mike sells (trooperbay) use cheap batteries and do not deliver the needed voltage. My listing are pretty clear that you need a VoiceBooster for the iComm to work correctly. Even if it does work you may damage the iComm or the balance between voice and static burst sounds will not be right.

Thanks for the response Joseph! I got the shoulder straps trimmed down and glued (see build thread below) I used E6000 so i can always redo it if i need to!

NO!!! Sorry to hear that....but it turned out great though. Here is some updated pics of the weathering I did on mine. I know I still need to trim the T tracks and make some custom power cylinders. Ollie, i'll be using your pics as a referance!

Update on the armor.. I got the shoulder straps trimmed up and then attached them to the armor I'll try to get some pics of the torso fully completed w/ me wearing it, but i need help to do that! Next I will be working on the shins and thighs, (thats were the help comes in) Stay tuned!

Hey guys, I reached the point of my armor and got stuck, I couldn't really find a straight answer to this question. When it comes to the shoulder straps, the CRL states this Shoulder Straps For 501st approval: These shall be securely mounted in front and may free float in back. They may be affixed with rivets, Velcro, or adhesive. They do not mention where they need to be placed on the chest armor. Also I couldn't find a rule of thumb on how much trim if any i need on the sides of them.... I looked at a lot of screen stills and even EIB and Centurion apps and there doesn't seem to be a uniform requirement on them. Any advise would greatly be appreciated! Thanks.

I accept and appreciate all comments, concerns and "HEY YOU DID THAT WRONG!" lol you can find my thread in my signature! Thanks!

lol, i didn't see that you already had Centurion status! The armor turned out really nice!! Congrats! I was searching for something else to be honest but found your thread, just wanted to give props were props are due!

Tony you are an insperation! I was nervous about my NE build when 90% of the armor was already trimmed for me..... but the fact that you stuck w/ it and put the time and effort to save the armor......pure awesomeness!! It definatley makes me feel better about my skills and willingness to complete the project, no matter what happens. Can't wait to see the finished product! Also I vote to have this pinned! Especially when it's done! This will be a great source for all future TKs!!!