DarthDadio

Congratulations Michael.

Congratulations.

Requesting access for 501st status please. TK76626

Woke up this morning with the news that I've been approved for membership. TK76626 is ready to serve.

I guess the hard part is figuring out how to mold the letters/numbers. I am thinking of using a thick wire and soldering the letters.

I will read up on the process a bit and then give it a try. I have loads of scrap to play with for now.

What would be a way to press small type into pieces of abs? I am looking at making some keychains out of the leftover pieces from making my armor. I want to stamp letters and numbers into the pieces.

The EIB request threads contain a lot of reference photos showing the codd/butt trimming and snaps/rivets.

I trimmed mine down. Also trimmed down the other have on the butt plate.

Have fun, take your time, and ask lots of questions.

I know all the buzz is about TKs but I think there is also a lot of potential that their may be changes to the tie pilots, if they are ever shown. Wonder if its possible to extrapolate a new tie helmet based on what we know from the new TK design?

Submitted my application and I waiting for approval. Tinkering with my armor to improve fit and movement. My 10 year old son has turned into my mini-handler. He helps me get dressed and undressed. Making sure everything is tucked and in its proper position. Here are the pictures I used:

Thanks for the advice. I will have to give that a shot. I should have room. Day 31: Trimmed to the return edge on the top and bottom of the kidney, and the top of the butt. Helps the fit. Had to replace the straps on the torso held on the split rivets. One of the straps had already pulled loose. Here is a full set of pictures. Please let me know what I should adjust. I will take my application photos tomorrow. Sorry for the shadows.

Day 30: Cleaned my armor to get rid of excess glue and sticky tape residue. Got my first full test fit tonight and it was great. I still need to make some adjustments before I submit my applications. This would include: Replace elastic straps between chest and ab plate. They keep creaping apart on me. (See picture) Add elastic to hold shins down Trim the return edge on the butt and kidney to help them sit better and to keep from getting poked by return edge corners. Other than that I think I am good. What do you all think? My daughter got to inspect my armor a bit closer....

Even better.

Congratulations sir.

I think I am going to pick up one of these to play with over the weekend.

Day 29: It's finished....all the cutting, drilling, sanding, riveting, strapping, cursing, worrying, cursing, gluing and clamping. Tonight I assembled the belt and attached it to the ab plate. It took a lot more work than I expected to get everything placed but it takes time to do things right. Tomorrow I'll clean up all of the pencil marks, stray glue, and scratches. Then it will be time to wear the complete set for the first time.

If I didn't have to be at work I know what I would be doing right now.....it's going to be a long day having to wait. I am just as excited as I was anticipating getting my big brown box four weeks ago.

It might be easier to help if we could see some pictures of you wearing the armor pieces in question.

Day 28: Trimmed the wings on the chest, attached the battery pack to the right thigh, prepared the drop boxes, trimmed the ammo boxes for the belt, and Amy finished making my cloth belt. Bought a storage container and cleaned up the living room. All I have to complete is putting the belt together and attaching it to the torso. Looking forward to finishing tomorrow.

Just got back from Home Depot and this is the box I wanted. It was locked and noone could find the key. The cashier was really nice and told me I could get the Stanley box (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-37-in-Mobile-Job-Box-037025H/202300294) for the same price and then she knocked a couple of extra bucks off on top of that. I like the part where I can padlock it. Now I need to figure out how to pad the armor in storage so it's not scratched up in transport.

Thanks Andrew, I bought some suspenders yesterday but I haven't tried them yet. If they work well enough I might work on encorporating something with strapping material like I have seen in other threads. Shopped around yesterday for a storage/travel container for my armor. Wife says I need to have it picked up before tomorrow so she can start cleaning for company this week. So far I haven't found anything large enough with wheels and doesn't cost a fortune. Any suggestions? Also, do you also pack your helmet in the container with the rest of your armor? Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks for the advice. I went ahead and reworked the bridge and shoulder straps. I'll see how the changes work tomorrow after the E6000 sets on the bridge elastic. At this point there's very little to do. - Trim the wings on the chest plate - Finish sewing the belt (just needs velcro - trip to the store) - Attach ammo belt to cloth belt - Attach drop boxes - Attach holster to belt - Attach belt to ab plate - Attach ammo belt to thigh This will all have to wait until tomorrow after work.

Day 27: I reworked the ab buttons a bit, but the square from the kidney plate, started attaching the velcro for the should bridge, and corrected the issues with the garter. Here are some test fitting pictures. All comments are welcome. My wife is working on the final piece now, the belt. I need to do something to pull the shoulder bells up a bit. How is the length of the thighs? I am still considering trimming the top and rebuilding the return edge. Also looking at trimming at the back of the knee to make walking a bit easier. One other thing. My wife is concerned with my butt. Particularly this little bit of overlap after I walk around some. I think it will be better once I have the belt in place.