TK Monkus

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

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

Thanks Glen, I'll check it out. Thanks, M

Thanks Glen, I'll try the foam first and see how it all sits. Cutting my thighs may help a bit also. I'll leave my det as is for now and see what they say. Thanks, M

Thanks, will try that! Thanks, M

Thanks Glen! I need to get some foam for my arms and legs as well. I do want to bring the sides of my ab/kidney and bottom portion of the chest in more, so that may also help? I don't want to cut any off. On the detonator looks like I may need to trim down the end caps a bit as they are a bit longer than the 3/4" noted. Not sure how I am going to get them off When you say the "brackets don't get rounded", are you talking about the silver metal part with the screw in it? Unfortunately this is how it came from RS...I could maybe unscrew and try and cut that, but it would shorten that a bit. Thanks, M

Thanks Mario. I'll mark up my thighs and post some pics as to where I am thinking of cutting! Thanks, M

Thanks Chemi! I knew the butt plate was going to be an issue, so thanks for the tip on cutting the thighs. I will mark something up and post it, probably in my build thread? Maybe I'll post in both places. For the shoulders straps can I just use a heat gun and bend them? I also plan to add some foam inside my arms, thighs, and probably midsections as well. That will hopefully help with the "wideness" look. Thanks, M

So I kitted up and boy do I still have some work to do. I posted in the pre approval forum to see what needs to be done and if I can pass at least for basic Thanks, M

Thanks Caleb!

Thanks Glen!

Hey Guys, So I have completed the main build and would like to join the legion! After suiting up I can see I still have many areas to work on (which I knew I would), but hopefully what I have will be ok for basic? Once I get basic I can then work on it from there (hoping to get to centurion). See below the info and pics. If you would like any others feel free to ask. Also see below areas I think/know there are issues. Problem Areas: Whole midsection needs to be tapered in on front and back. Looks too wide. I need to adjust forearm placement( strapping issue) Both sides of ab/kidney junction do not sit even. The kidney pushes up. (maybe add middle strap to the left side?) But plate overlap on sides and back of thighs. But plate back side snap area should be more tucked in I think? (maybe heat gun?) Think I need to add mobility cuts to backs of thighs and shins Trim down backs of shoulder straps? Sure there are more... Information Matthew Landes Southern California Garrison/Los Angeles Squad RS Props RS Props RS Props RS Props Imperial Boots Still waiting for blaster N/A 5'10 125lb ANH-S Thank you @gmrhodes13 @TKSpartan @justjoseph63 Thanks, M

I put the second coat of blue on this morning and just pulled off the stencils. It looked almost perfect! There were a few spots where some of the blue came up with the stencil, but after minor touch ups I think it looks awesome! This means my bucket is now complete, which means my suit is now complete! I will let the touch ups dry a bit then do a full suit up for my 501st submission pics. Very exciting! This has been quite a journey. I know it is not done yet as I have some tweaks to make here and there and will tackle those, but it feels good to have a presentable suit in time for Celebration! (and hopefully by then those tweaks will have been made as well). Thank you to everyone who has helped along the way, especially @gmrhodes13 @TKSpartan and @justjoseph63 . I will post up pics once I do my suit up, but for the tweaks and fixes should I post those here or make a new thread? Thanks, M

Thanks Glen, I think it may just be the pic but I may try and scrape a bit off.