themaninthesuitcase

This is how I have mine: Gluing on the shin hooks. by Christopher Pearson, on Flickr In hindsight, I'd add a bigger gap from the hole to the edge of the shin and move the hooks over to match. The key bit though is I need to pull the elastics to fit them. The tension holds the hooks in well. Also I found it was important having the hook bend angle just right. Too closed and I couldn't get them in the hole, too open and they can pop out.

Not a costume but who doesn't love a droid? Today I picked up a sheet of 3mm and a sheet of 1.5mm HIPS. The 1.5 mm is more as it's handy to have, and this is the smallest sheet size they sell. Both are 1220x915mm. HIPS, lots of HIPS by Christopher Pearson, on Flickr I'm going to print the plans later and get started patching them back together. I'm sure that will be a horrible job... The plans call for 3 sheets about half the size of the one I got but sheet 3 is just the trench so I figured I'd work something else out. Worst case I buy more. I may have to anyway as I'm hoping to make the chassis out of the 3mm. Glue I'm going to order some Dichloromethane from eBay and some little LDPE bottles with needles to apply it. Though I plan on a dry build with masking tape first. I've also made a start on some CAD work to help design the design the drive train. MSE-6 CAD WIP by Christopher Pearson, on Flickr Once the shell is built I will update the CAD dimensions to match reality which should make things easier. I've got a plan for a solid rear axel done, fairly basic but similar to what was using on screen. Going to aim for a 8:1 gearing from a 540 motor, which was recommended by Mike Senna in his build. Wheels I've designed my own from the reference. I don't claim them to be perfect but they look nice. After a couple iterations and some advice on the FB group I've ended up with a 2 piece design which means they print cleanly and quickly. They are designed to fit the foam tires available in the US. Test 2 piece wheel by Christopher Pearson, on Flickr The PCD is 20mm and it uses M3 screws to hold it to the hub which will also be 3D printed. Assembeled 2 Piece wheel by Christopher Pearson, on Flickr The photo shows PZ1 screws but they're far too long so once I know what I need I plan to order some button head hex drives to replace them.

I've got an Anovos kit and so far only one crack. Granted I don't troop as much as some but the crack is actually in one of the thicker areas of the kit. I suspect a lot of the issue is the Anovos trim lines leave a pretty wide return edge which leads to stress cracks as the armour can't flex. At the recommendation of my CO I reduced mine significantly and have yet to see any cracks. The ABS is quite flexible if allowed to be and so shouldn't crack as easy as a thicker part. How ever their blend can tear and I saw this when trying to use score and snap during my build.

The helmet is EFx and so shouldn't clear, but I'm sure some will. Boots have a seam at the front, fine for basic but you'll need something better for levels 2 and 3. The E-11 isn't right either. But the main armour looks okay for at least basic as far as I can tell but I'd want Evette images to be sure.

If some one has them send me a PM and I'll put together a gallery post of reasonable matches.

Any idea how close the colour match is Paul?

I've seen some reasonably good matches made, but you'll never get perfect. I wish I'd made notes now but I think RS PVC and RWA ABS was reasonably close. I'll go back and research. Though with some effort you can save some pretty serious mistakes, post up what happened.

Not an EIB issue but it looks like you're sniper wants to catch. If that happens a block of upholstery foam in the front of the shin and/or behind the thigh knee will help hold the pieces away from each other and stop it catching. For more accuracy you'll also want to swap out the tip mesh for something a bit less dense. But in all an excellent looking build, love the DLT. Good luck trooper.

I'v heard negative about RS but it was hard to figure out if it was an issue with the maker or the wearer. Though being unhappy upon opening is a clear issue with the maker, did RS not make it good after the fact?

I messaged one of them: They were injection moulded and came in a couple of stiffnesses. Some where rubbery (his words) some stiffer. It was all a bit mix and match when they did their shoot.

I know a couple of people who were in TFA as troopers, next time I speak to one I'll see if they can answer this or if there's some NDA still.

Just take care with the exact measurements. They are probably based on a TM kit knowing Bill and so may not map exactly to your anovos armour. Go with getting the proportions right rather than exact to the mm.

I'm starting to plan an F-11D build and will be using Alclad-2 for the metal parts. The biggest down side is it means I'll need an airbrush but can give exccelent results. They do a clear coat for it too.

A big if. I don't see them seeing it as good business decision to do parts outside of breaking open the odd kit at the end of a run. I wish they would but their market is more "mass" market and spares don't really fit in there.

2 more added in the Helmet section.

I think they only let you use the super premium options so have to pay for that. I suspect that some stuff doesn't need it but if it's their policy to only use "good" shipping it explains the price. I just wish they'd follow up on their talk of a EU warehouse to help things a long a bit more on price and shipping costs.

The actual stuff is good bar the occasion manufacturing issue or damage in transit. The service less so. Delays of 3 months, sometimes more are common on pre orders, some where 2 years late. Getting hold of someone when there is an issue can prove to be tough too.

You're good people Tony. Good luck to those in the draw, but I still don't like you as you get to go to Celebration.

In the UK fit would probably be covered under distance selling regulations but 1: I don't know where you live and 2: I doubt those would apply to private imports (like this would be) anyway. Is there anything in the US law that covers online purchases like this? Rough gist of the UK law is you get up to 7 days after reciept to change your mind with a few asterisks applied. If there's nothing similar I fail to see how Anovos is in the wrong? Their terms state that all sales are final and they reserve the right to refuse any exchange. Now whilst I may have their TK I'm not on team Anovos here. Their service is proving to be alarmingly bad and I'm vocal on this in a number of places. But in this case, I don't see what they did wrong.

Good luck trooper. All I can comment on is the same thing as Joseph, the kidney ab alignment is off a bit. Though you have some pretty short straps.

I only used line 24 style snaps for the whole thing (the ones I used are made by Prym). It's not as accurate as using the poppers for the belt but as no one can see it I didn't see it as a big deal and won't affect clearance at all.

Congratulations Martyn!!

Yeah, this will be both of our 1st anniversary troop. Shame it doesn't look like Steve is coming or it would be all 3 of us. I think I applied for Centurion a week or so later.

These look amazing! Any chance you're going to MCM London on the Saturday and can bring one to look at?

I saw him post those on FB but never saw a price, do you know what it was as it's "Sold" now.