TK Monkus

Thanks Glen. On the rounded edge front that is how it came from RS unfortunately so not much I can do on that front :/ Hopefully it passes inspection Thanks, M

Thanks Glen. I know you did mention this in my pre approval thread. Given I don't think I can get the ends caps off...should I just try to cut with a razor blade and then bang them in closer to keep them up against the metal clips? My control panel is actually at 4 1/2" so theres not much I can take from there and looking at that reference pic, it actually sites closer to the inside of the metal clips while mine sits at the outside. The other thing is the overall length should be 7 1/4" but mine is right at 7". I could trim some of the end caps, but they then wouldn't sit flush with the metal clips...would that be better than what it is currently? Thanks, M

Thank you Justin! And thank you for all you are doing helping out Hellhounds!! M

Hey Caleb, As Justin said it is! It took a little bit to get it, but boy was it worth the wait!! M

Hey Mario, Sorry about that! Please see below the additional pictures. 1- Left side of your Ab/kidney section to see the 3 rivets location (no need to suit up). 2- Complete Ab belt 3- Thermal Detonator showing the clips both screws 4- Interior side of your thigh ammo pack to see the correct rivet type. both sides Thanks, M

Thanks Joseph. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First/last name: Matthew Landes Forum Name: TK Monkus TK ID# 66007 Garrison: Southern California Garrison Armor maker: RS Propmasters Helmet maker: RS Propmasters Cloth belt maker: RS Propmasters Neck seal maker: RS Propmasters Boot maker: Imperial Boots Blaster maker: Hellhounds Props Height: 5'9" Weight: 130 lbs TK type: ANH Stunt Front Back Left Side Left Detail Right Side Right Detail Action Shot Ab Buttons Cod Interior Strapping Wrist Helmet Front Left Right Back Hovi Tips Lens Accessories Neck Seal TD Holster Belt Boots Gloves Blaster Left Right D-Ring Additional Sniper Plate Thigh Ammo Belt Thanks for the inspection! M

Hey Guys, Well I did my first "troop" at Celebration and it was a blast!! I had such an amazing time and met many great people from the 501st. It was awesome to walk around in my armor, but it also helped me find a few other issues that need to be addressed. With Celebration behind us I now want to get my EIB application in, but I have a couple things to fix first. See below some cool shots from the weekend, but they also highlight the issues I am having. First issue is my backplate. I normally had it tucked "inside" the kidney but was told it looked better out, as well as it didn't make noise like it does when tucked in from scraping. After looking through pictures I see that when it is outside the kidney there is a huge gap that you can see through and does not look good at all. This was one reason I initially had it tucked in, but I think it is an issue that just needs addressing. I think this should sit almost flush against my back? Question: Can I trim the bottom of my backplate or is there a better solution? It is really the corners, but it could all probably come up a little bit. Second issue is my sides. Both sides of my ab and kidney still are not lining up. I cinched the belt fairly tight and that helped a little, but they still sit unevenly. I am not sure what the issue is. We thought maybe the thighs (when they were butting into the buttplate) may have been a cause, but those have been trimmed and there is still a mismatch. Question: Maybe I need additional strapping on the inside to hold these level on both sides? If you need any other pictures just ask and I can try and find some, or just suit up and take more. Thanks, M

I would also love to have the one taken by the photographer if anyone can find it. That being said I had a friend take one from my phone. See below M

Thank you! Yep that's the plan!

I added a piece to the inside of the butt plate over the crack so hopefully it stops it from getting bigger. Thanks, M

Thanks Joseph, will do. I was planning to use E-6000 so good to know that will kind of replace the ABS paste. I will post up a pic of the completed once it's dry. Thanks, M

My first crack! I noticed a crack on the top of my butt plate. Pretty sure it is from when I sat down trying to take a picture. My plan is to sand the inside and then score across to make a "T" as I have seen in a couple other threads. Then I think I am going to glue a small piece of ABS to the inside and ABS paste the outside. Once dry I'll sand it down but it will mostly be covered by the bottom of the kidney. Does that all sound like it will work or is there a better way? I saw something about t-shirt fabric and super glue? (in the pic I am pulling it open a bit to give an idea of size, it sits pretty flush) Thanks, M

I guess I kind of already did this on my pre approval thread but figured I would post in the proper section as well. I was approved last week and really could not have done it without the help of many people here at the FISD. It was a long road (and not completely over) with some bumps, but in the end it was way worth it to build my own armor. I have learned a lot and competed something I dreamed of as a kid, so thank you all very much for the help! Can't wait to get out and start trooping. TK66007 ready for duty! Thanks, M

Thank you Mario for all your help through this process! Thanks, M

Thank you Glen! Your help has been invaluable. Thanks, M

Thanks Chemi! Thank you for your help and advice. M

Thank you to all who helped out here and gave me tips on my pre approval. I am happy to announce I was given my ID number! I know I still have work to do for the higher levels here in the FISD (which I will continue to work on), but this was a dream and the very start of it. I have requested access so hope to be official here soon as well. TK66007 reporting for duty! Thanks, M

TK 66007 Requesting 501st access. https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=34858

Thanks Glen! M

Once again posting this here in addition to the pre approval to keep it all in my build thread. I trimmed the tops of my thighs and there is now no overlap! There is also far less noise when I walk haha. I have also found cinching my belt tighter helps to keep things where they should be. I still need to deal with the butt plate snap area. I am thinking of heat gunning it so it sits more "flat" if that makes sense? That is the only area where there is still some rub, but when I hold it where it should be (pointing more towards the cod then towards the ground) there is no rub. When I bend it there is a point that shows in the side. I will circle it in the pic below, but can I just heat that flat again or will that pose a problem and potentially crack? See pics below (excuse the back pick. I am holding the phone over my head to get the shot in a mirror) Butt plate as currently is Where I think it needs to be Thanks, M

I trimmed the tops of my thighs and there is now no overlap! There is also far less noise when I walk haha. I have also found cinching my belt tighter helps to keep things where they should be. I still need to deal with the butt plate snap area. I am thinking of heat gunning it so it sits more "flat" if that makes sense? That is the only area where there is still some rub, but when I hold it where it should be (pointing more towards the cod then towards the ground) there is no rub. When I bend it there is a point that shows in the side. I will circle it in the pic below, but can I just heat that flat again or will that pose a problem and potentially crack? See pics below (excuse the back pick. I am holding the phone over my head to get the shot in a mirror) Butt plate as currently is Where I think it needs to be Thanks, M

Thanks Chemi, will do! Thanks, M

These are helpful thank you! I am not planning on trimming the fronts at all, but do I need to add the return edge back on to the sides/back of the thighs, or is it ok to fade out of the return on the front to none on the sides/back? Thanks, M

I posted this in the pre approval thread also but just in case see below on trimming the tops of my thighs. I put on my torso and thighs to see how much I would need to cut off the thighs, and it looks like there is a good amount. I stood in a stance where each leg would have the most overlap. I have marked where I think I'll need to cut and hopefully you can see the marks and these will look alright. I then put it on again to see if the marks were in a good spot and the left side looks ok but the right seemed like I needed to go further so I marked further then tried again. Second time I tried them on it looked like the original line I made would actually work so I think I will cut to that line first as I can always cut more if I need. I also think I'll cut out the mobility cuts on the bottom. See pics below for where I am thinking of cutting. Honestly a bit nervous as I don't want to ruin my thighs :/ Left Side Right Side First try Second try (first line is from the first try, second line was the "fix") Mobility cuts Thanks, M