justjoseph63

If I could make a small recommendation, Adam, it would be to finish removing the last of the return edges on your butt plate and cod area and give them a really good sanding. They still looks a bit raised, and will more than likely either chafe the heck out you or wear holes in your under suit. (They are not required at any level). If you need some of the 1/4 inch white elastic, just PM me and I'll send you some no charge. Build is coming along great!

You did it, Jose! Great job on the fix, and welcome to the Centurion ranks, sir!

Ditto.

REALLY nice, clean build, Chris, and that is one outstanding paint job! Well done, sir.. should be an easy pass!

Way to go, Scott! Congratulations and welcome to the 501st, sir!

Awesome build, Chema! I noticed the left drop box as well. It looks like it is on the outside of your ammo belt and overlapping your holster in the "left arm raised" photo, and way too far inside in the "drop box back" photo. Great job on the paint!

Great ingenuity and attention to detail, Jeff! I made my ammo belt removable as well so I could switch out from TK (clean) to HWT (battle scars). I applied several coats of Scotchguard to my TK belt, and it cleans up really well.

Looks like you are pretty much there, Jim. At this point I would just sand down the edges a bit to smooth out the burrs, especially around the area opposite the pencil. Nice paint job on the frown!

Looking great, Scott, and hopefully you will be aiming for EIB and then Centurion! When you work on the drop boxes this weekend are you able to get the outside edges to line up with the edge of the ammo belt? The height is perfect! Also, do you have snaps on the inside of the canvas belt to connect to your ab plate? The first photo shows it at the ideal level, (just touching the bottom of the ab button plate), but later ones show it riding down a bit. Just a thought, and keep up the great work!! Side note: When you make it to EIB, let me know via PM and I will send you a comlink/belt clip for your costume if you like, no charge, just pay shipping.

I am all for weathering the packs, Wayne. IMHO, if you are going to be a HWT, you should look a bit "battle scarred"... otherwise it looks a bit sanitized. I can bounce between HWT and TK as needed, since the black weathering on my armor is not permanent. Quick note... The pack is looking great, but is there any way you can re-position the PVC tube to where the TD plate faces the back?

A certain auction site that shall remain nameless. ebay.

I have a spare AM ab, Ken, which she (or I) can cut up and use as needed. Also have a back and chest piece available if she needs it, (no charge). Just let me know the best way to get it to this courageous young lady.

My apologies, Carl! Let me say that my knowledge of the Metric system is flawed, to say the least, and thank you for catching the fact that my measurements were off. What it should have read is 20 mm (2 CM) wide. I will change that immediately, and for the inconvenience I will mail you a set of 10 the correct size at no charge. Please PM me your info. and I will get them in the post as soon as possible. Thanks again for pointing that out!!!!

Mis-post... oops.

If you mean the ones I posted, Dan, all the double snap plates are nylon. I find that the nylon better conforms to the shape of the armor, especially in the curved areas like the kidney and abs.

Wow, Ben... I can't believe RS hasn't got back to you yet, especially after all the trouble you have had with the fitting. They really should have stepped up to the plate by now, since you have to do so much extra work after paying for them to build it, and having to return the thighs, only to have them come back the same size! Hopefully someone who has recently completed a RS build will have some extra they could spare.

The U shape in the elastic looks a little more like an upside-down V, but these should get you through basic approval after being painted, Will. My main concern would be like Kris mentioned... that they may not be high enough, and that after several steps they would pop out of the shin armor in the front and back, which looks awful.

Missed that one, Rob... could you provide a link? Thanks!

I can't honestly see anything wrong there, Jeff! Interior strapping is a matter of personal preference, and can be (and has been) done a thousand ways, lol. It won't affect your EIB or Centurion submissions, (hint hint).

Looking great, Jeff! I especially like the last photo, (outstanding)! With your permission, I would like to add that to my library and use it in the future if you don't mind, (I would give you credit, of course).

Congrats, TK 81477!! Now, time to move up the ladder to EIB and Centurion, Chris. Jason was right about the cover strips lining up. I had the same problem, but fixed it with a couple of strips of foam, (1 inch square by 8 inches long) velcroed inside the calf to keep it from shifting. Works like a charm

Great information from Ryan there, Joshua. I am almost certain that E-6000 glue is available down-under, and I would suggest getting in touch with one of the Garrisons there, like http://501st.com.au/ to find out what their source was. Yes, you may have to wait a bit, but the advantage of using the E-6000 is that it is somewhat forgiving, and can be removed if you make a mistake.

I can't tell if the ones in the photos are the actual shoulder straps or the snaps that are glued to the armor itself. I wouldn't suggest gluing elastic to your armor here, but rather mounting the snaps in nylon (or ABS) and then attaching that to your armor. (See the ones in the pic I posted). If they are the shoulder straps, you might want to double over the elastic and either glue it or sew it before putting the snaps in, for strength. Those areas get a lot of use, and constantly doing/undoing them can cause the elastic to wear out over time and the snap can come out.

Just got my kit from Tino for yet another DD build. Wish I had known about these when I did my first one... would have saved me a ton of searching!

Is that white nylon or elastic you have the snaps attached to on the shoulders, Adam?