C0bra_M3nace

I'm blowing this up today I'm sorry! These bad boys. It's one of the only problems with the AP kit so far. Anyone have any luck fixing these? Or know of a method I could use. I have no heat gun so I may have to boil if I need to heat it. Or would I be better off ordering replacement inner boxes?

Another update! Got my posts set for the lenses. I used motherboard posts set in JB Weld putty. It's basically a plastic repair putty, supper easy to deal with (stinks) but works great. The motherboard posts are perfect because they have a male screw on the bottom and a female socket at the top. I just made posts with the putty and set the posts in there. I'll drill the holes in the lens afterwards for accuracy and better placement. I went with 3 at the top, but I'm going to place foam supports at the bottom of the eyes to hold that in place but I'll see when I get to that point. I forget who I saw this method from. It was in another build thread, Danny's if I remember correctly. THANK YOU! I love this method and take no credit for it. Lol.

Another quickie. Before I glue these bad boys together, which will be tomorrow, is it okay to have the return edge on the inner forearm near the elbow? I've read many conflicting statements on it. I know for Centurion there is not supposed to be any at the lower part (wrist) which I don't, but I've read it's okay to have one at the inner top? I left it just in case, I like the fit and the look better personally. Just thought I'd check though to be sure. Other than that! Fitting is going spectacular and much better than I expected. Shoulder bells trimmed. Biceps trimmed, fitted and currently drying. Forearms fitted Thighs Fitted Shoulders straps fitted and currently drying. Ab plate/Kidney plate fitted (Awaiting snaps/straps) So far so good!!

So I trimmed up the ab plate to line up with my kidney plate. Very happy with how it fits and looks. Which will obviously be better with no tape. Haha. I taped the butt plate to the kidney plate about where it will be so I could use it for guide as to where the kidney plate will actually end up. I'll also line it up a bit better when I can work with the strapping.

Awesome thanks!!

I do have a quick question though guys. I'm far from this point yet, but thigh attachment. I know people who've attached them simply via snaps to the front of thigh then to a snap at the inside of the ab plate. Second method is the girdle system. Any preferences? If so why? My first thought is to attach them to the ab plate. However, if anyone has a good reason why I shouldn't I may look into a girdle style approach. Thanks!

Thanks Mark! Loving the armour by the way! The new improvements are fantastic! Thanks for the tips! -Justin

Thanks guys!! Gonna start getting the biceps and forearms put together Friday. Then maybe go back to legs.

Finished my bucket on Monday morning after having to walk away from it Sunday night. I had a hard time getting the right ear to fit. I had a very large gap at the back. (About 15mm) so I was getting frustrated and I didn't want to make a mistake so I took a little break. Came back to it in the morning and worked at the solution. Now I'm very proud of how it turned out, the helmet was something I was afraid of doing and I'm still a tad nervous about painting, but that's a problem for another day. Here's the helmet, any feedback if you see it please pass it on! I'm happy with it, but I'm always happy to hear things I can improve on!

Okay so I think I did take off a bit too much. I went back to that piece this morning confident that it was okay but it may not be. Ironically enough, the cut does look similar to the original reference pic you uploaded; where it has one corner edge cut in too far. What do you guys think?

Yup! Tested all fits with my under suit on!

Will do! On my test fit (with tape as the "cover strip") I had to twist it to get it up to the top of my thigh where it needs to be and very tight as well. I thought I'd seek advice before I went too far into them so I did other things. When I get back to them I'm gonna leave about a 5mm gab in the front and re-tape it so I can try that see if it's any better. Thanks!

I'm sure I left about 8mm or so all around it. The picture makes it hard to tell. If I did take too much off could I just take it all out then glue the plate to another piece of scrap ABS?

I do have a question about cover strips though; because I can't find anything difinitive about them. Most say 15mm for arms, 20 for thighs/shins and 25mm for back of thighs/shins. BUT! When I watched TK1636's videos on YouTube I noticed the cover strips on the thighs he built were more like 30-40mm; which I can only assume was meant for someone with bigger thighs. Now, I have somewhat bigger thighs and I'm probably going to need something like 25mm cover strips on the front and 25mm on the back maybe 30mm. (After initial sizing) Is this okay? From the info I've gathered and observed, the cover strip sizes listed are more of a guideline like "If you can, do that, but if you absolutely can't then stray keeping it as close as possible!" Thanks!

Hey guys! Held off a bit making this because, of course, I've been busy just working on my build. I got my brown box on the 21st, which was an awesome surprise considering I was only supposed to be getting it today. So far, I have quite a bit done. I got the majority of my rough trimming done Friday night, finished it all Saturday morning. I started fitting my shins and thighs and they are ready for cover strips. I also finished helmet construction this morning, after fighting with it most of last night. Looking to go for Centurion; why not do it the first time right? I have everything I need, I just have to do it. Thanks in advance for all the help you all will provide! Look forward to finishing this so I can TROOP! WOO! -Justin

This thread is going to be my lord and savior here in about two weeks when my BBB arrives.

Awesome! Thanks for the replies guys! So I have 1 experienced member in my area willing and very glad to help me build, which will be a huge asset. I'm ready (hopefully able) to give myself a couple hours a day on it and more on weekends. I will be ordering my boots by the end of this month, which I learned TKBoots has plenty of my size in stock. I have most of the other parts with the exception of, boots of course, neck seal, holster and a lot of the equipment. Although it will only take me one day when I know my BBB is coming to head to the department store and pick up the glue, tape, etc. I'm working with my friend in town here to secure my snaps and other various odds and ends such as paint, templates and snaps and he's offered his clamps, some earth magnets and his dremel whenever I need it. (WOO! Thanks Chris!) Overall, I feel ready and comfortable starting. I've read through Danny's build thread which is AMAZING and full of detail and have been researching and poking around for several months now. Maybe I'll even shoot for Centurion in my first shot but time will tell. (Definitely Expert though!) I'll have my build thread rocking when I get my box so stay tuned and I also started a blog for some of my non-501st friends. It's very satisfying, though, to know if I work at it I can have it done in my timeframe. I'm very motivated and getting VERY excited with each passing day to get my BBB. (I'm like craddling my phone in my hand jumping at every email that arrives, just hoping its Mark telling me my kit is ready to ship!) Thank again guys! -Justin R

What is a realistic build time? I'm hoping to have my brown box sometime in February. Is having it completed by the end of May, or early July off the table? Reason I ask is that there's an event in August that I would LOVE to attend. Just trying to get an idea of if I should get my hopes up for being able to go to that event. Thanks!

They are different, yes. Slightly. Here's the best info for them. http://www.501st.com/databank/Costuming:TK_anh_stunt

Thanks! I've never worked with ABS before so it's probably why I'm so uneasy about it. What I was kind of thinking. Mainly because it's my first build. So far I am starting to lean more towards untrimmed though. Great idea! Could even find some black tape somewhere, might help with the under suit on to see what I may look like afterwards! That's what I'm afraid of! Not fitting properly. I am an average build that's why I wasn't overly concerned with trimmed but yeah, being able to control it myself isn't a bad idea. Exactly! Thanks! Thanks guys! Great feedback. Love this site Probably going to go with untrimmed. Save me the money, and yeah i'll definitely make a build thread.

Hey guys! Savings are going fantastic and I'll be pulling the trigger on my brown box muchhhhh sooner than I hoped. Should be good to order by the end of the month! SO EXCITED. But enough about me and my sheer joy. I have a tad bit of a dilemma. I have a friend in town whom I met through connections. He's a TD and I'm pretty sure he ordered AP which is the kit that I'm getting. He's assured me to order I trimmed but, I'm VERY nervous about the trimming itself. Not that I don't trust the help and guidance of my new trooper pal, I just thought I'd throw it up for debate. See what kind of answers I get. So my main issue is the actual trimming. What happens if I, you know "mess it up", to put so lightly. I'm nearly SOL right? So getting to the point; I'm afraid that I won't be able to do it. Is it frowned upon because it costs more or for other reasons? I don't really mind spending the extra to have the piece of mind knowing I can't butcher my very expensive armor. Thoughts? Thanks in advance! -Soon to be TK

I'm jelous.. Mainly cause when I get set up I'll never have the ability to do this. Lol. Love it though! It's very well done!

I'll have a look around! Thanks man!

Sorry to dig up an older thread. Doopydoos; do all of their blasters meet 501st requirements? I'm very interested in the Ultimod Hasbro converted E-11. Just wondering if it's even worth the effort getting one? I can't be bothered to make one myself, I'd truly mess it up lol. Thanks!

OMG. Its things like this that make me want to be a part of this community and the Legion so badly. Bravo to everyone involved!