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So the great tape experiment with the left forearm did not work. It resulted in an oval shaped wrist opening that simply looked terrible. So i went on to removing the coverstrip and the inner shim, and following Rystan's build, i found the edges that prevented a flatter gluing surface, trimmed those areas, and got it to sit a lot more...user friendly. This seems to be an issue with the left forearm on the new AM kit, and i only conclude that from now 3 builders running into the same issue. I apologize, but i did not get any pictures of this fix. I did reglue the inner shim, and after an hour, went on to glue the cover strip on both sides of the forearm(after cleaning up the previously dried E6k of course!) Here is my completed TD. From what I have read and researched, the total length from end cap to end cap should be between 7.25" and 7.50". So, here it is

From my understanding, and I could very well be wrong, you want that gap to be around 1/2". I ended up taking a bit off of my TD tube to get to where I am at. Once I get home I will update it with pics and using a ruler much like you did

Thats going to be the issue with every subject though. I can't say that I am not guilty of doing the same, I am sure most members have asked repeated questions at least once in their ventures. I do have my kit, and am nearing completion. Like I said, this knowledge is not for me, but for future troopers.

Should be about 1/2" gape between control panel and the end caps each

Looks a little spacey there bro. Whats the total length on your TD from end cap to end cap? From what I have read, it should be between 7.25" and 7.50" according to Steve(Gazmosis), and in the reference photos, the TD is shown to be a little over 7.50"

Point taken, but why deny a howto when theres howto's on just about everything else, you know? I am not trying to argue with you Mathias, and its not a howto i personally need to have. Just trying to help out those in the future. Research is a must for any TK build, or any 501st build in general for that matter. but if theres a chance to lessen the load on ones research, then shouldn't we help make that happen? Troopers helping troopers right?

Thanks Andrew! I'm hoping it stays that way. There are some smudges of left over tape here and there, but will be addressing those before I submit my hopeful approval pictures. My new center an button plate should be here tomorrow or the next day, in the mean time, I still have to attach my ammo belt to my an plate. Hoping to get that done at some point tomorrow. If it all does work out right, I should be able to submit my pictures. I have yet to trim down my other ammo belt(the one without recessed rivet hiders), but will get to that before submitting my EIB application. I don't think I have missed anything even up to Centurion standards, besides the obvious chest and back plate replacement, latex handguards, and replacing my Hasbro. I do have my TD completed, just need to add some Velcro to the back to help keep it steady. I truly hope my build helps those that need the help down the line, and people can learn to avoid the mistakes I have made during this build. I have not revolutionized anything whatsoever here like some have before me, but I do believe this can at the very least offer some guidance

Was just simply stating that to help others who may have the same question. Seeing how the HOWTO is really broad and won't apply to all armor, just thought it would be a good idea. With as big of an investment as armor is, I am sure there will be a lot of happy campers with a tutorial on this. Nice step by step Vern!

Could also use a heat gun and try to soften the plastic a bit and flatten it out a hair. Im going to see how mine comes out first, ill be the second test subject after Mike on this matter lol

And i used elastic, not webbing for the drop box

I riveted them. Both on the back of the box and on the canvas. If this doesn't work, I will try to reglue my inner shim, sand iff the e6k, and reinstall it. Why is it ALWAYS the left side! First the helmet, now the forearm lol

Heres my attempt to get the cover strip flat on my left forearm. Hoping beyond hope this works!

And for the record, on the topic of my bicep straps, I did not follow the HOWTO. I simply gathered two strips of scrap ABS, heated them up with the heat gun, and bent them until I got the shape I desired. Still have yet to test them out, perhaps later tonight.

Updates! Here are my newly completed biceps. Coverstrips being set on my right forearm Thigh cover strips being glued. I used a bunch of 2" painters tape to hold these down. There isn't a whole lot of curvature going on here, unlike the forearms, so i decided to glue them on using more E6k. And have my snap installed on the top right if my abdomen armor Also, not pictured here, i made new shorter straps for my ab/kidney connection on the right side. I had about a 1/2" gap with my old ones, these shorter ones should take care of that. Also not pictured, i trimmed a little more off the butt plates return edge on the piece that connects to my cod strap. Without doing this, my butt flap stuck out too much for my liking, so by using a heat gun on the low setting, I heated up about halfway down the butt plate all the way down the flap to heat up the entire area so I could try to bend the piece while retaining the same curve(only slightly more curved). Really wish i could have gotten a before and after picture, but i simply cannot snap a picture of my own butt...plate very easily! Emporer Wifey has grown tired of my armor build and how long it has taken. So hoping to complete this before Order 66 1/3 is executed on me. Luckily I am treating the family to Oktoberfest at the Renaissance Festival this weekend! She has assured my safety for the price of one t shirt and a turkey leg, minimum.

Thanks Kyle! Will be posting a small update soon. Also found a local source for blower fans! Going to pick some up tomorrow after noon hopefully.

You'll want to use double cap rivets, or speed rivets. 7mm head diameter with a 8 mm post length

Thanks for the topic and thanks for sharing your knowledge Steve! Perhaps its time for a HOWTO on this method to make it easier on the noobs to find the info.

I didn't really heat bend mine at all. Just being so long it curves itself with little tension. Ill be working on that new belt today

Im gonna have to do the same thing with replacing the belt. Good thing i also used snaps to attach it to the canvas!

I can already see a struggle with my cover strip on my left forearm lol. Not having those flat edges really makes it a little difficult to properly place the strips flat. Curious to see how yours turns out. Ill be moving onto forearm cover strips tomorrow on my build. I am also using those same screws on the TD clips. You will want your clips to be lined up more with the caps of the TD though.

Edit: found my answer through digging into build threads. Thanks DarkCMF for your detail on installing the snaps onto the canvas of the belt

Thanks Andrew. Will do. Not much i can do about that side panel, but will definitely do that for the center buttons.

Alright more updates I have both biceps getting cover strips glued with some trusty E6k. The side panel ab buttons are glued to the ab Elastic glued to the inside of my handplates, may end up redoing them as they fit pretty tightly. But they don't shift at all when wearing them. Perhaps i will just try to stretch them out a hair. I decided to go after both biceps tonight. Using E6k is awesome, yes there is a waiting period, but if I were ever to outgrow my armor or even lose weight, it will be pretty easy to take the armor apart and resize everything. One more thing, the AM armor comes with 2 ammo belts, one with recessed rivet covers, one without. I just want to be sure of this before I cut these buttons up, are these supposed to be the rivet covers on the belt that has NO recessed spots? Want to make an edit notation here. After getting excited that the build is almost completed, I naively glued a 20 mm cover strip on my forearm. Deleted the picture in complete and utter shame of myself. Ive since then removed the strip, and will be gluing a correctly sized 15 mm strip. Lesson learned here, don't let that light at the end of the tunnel make you ignorant! And thank you E6k!!!!!

Thats odd how the right arm doesn't line up on yours, it lines up pretty evenly on my build. But yes the cover strip should address it. If you want, you could even trim it to blend it better.

Chest and back will be replaced in about a month or so. I just figured I can build the rest of the armor to where all I have to do for Centurion status is replace the chest and back, armor wise that is besides latex handguards. I'm debating whether or not to buy a pipe build E-11 KIT, or just save for a DLT 19 For EIB the AM chest and back are fine, not for Centurion though