TK-8224

I have an AP, and have to trim that a lot too. The shins and thighs are not very comfortable, but the rest is actually ok. I borrowed an FX suit once, and that was so much more comfortable without the return edges! It's almost tempting to swap my AP for an FX just to be more comfortable...

We're trooping today, would be so cool if he gets elite status before that!

I'm 5'4 and the FX is way too big for me. You will be fine with some trimming, though.

I do the painting outside and then I bring the stuff inside to dry. It smells a bit, but it works.

Hi, and welcome! If you're after 501st approval, I would go for an FX kit if you're on a budget.

They are not FX buttons, they are smaller buttons (same size as my AP buttons) painted with Humbrol glossy grey #5 and midnight blue #15.

Looking good! Don't forget to put your buttons on. If you want some more screen accurate buttons, you can go to your local yarn store and get some 13mm buttons and paint them with Humbrol glossy #5 grey and #15 midnight blue.

I'm 5'4'' and my AP fits me without trimming. I may have to trim the shins a bit if I want to be able to kneel down, but the rest is fine! My buttons are showing, and everything looks in proportion. With an AP you have lots of cutting to do, so you should have the patience to spend a couple of weeks in ABS dust. But in the end it's worth it! It looks so good compared to the FX. Also, if you think you need shimming for elite status, ask for some extra abs sheets in a matching colour when you buy your kit. It's hard to find the right shade later! The kit usually comes with some extra abs, but you'll use that making the ANH strips for you arm and leg pieces. Good luck! Btw, I have tried on an FX, and it's way too big for me.

I'll use the more time consuming method, whole grain crisp bread and water.

I'm really close, and will be applying for elite when my armour is approved.

My AP came with an elastic belt, so I sewed my own using white canvas.

You need to separate the butt piece and get some more screen accurate speakers. And better lenses.

Awww, I want some of those!

Yes, but some says that the E6000 is easier to clean off if you are unlucky enough to mess it up. I just wondered if I should wait with these pieces, I'm waiting for the E6000 in the mail, you know.

I'm going to glue the buttons to my belt, the ab plate buttons and the ANH strips, would E6000 be better for this than the abs weld? I think the weld might be a bit to messy? I've used that for glueing the arm and leg pieces together, but E6000 might be better for the rest? Or? Any advice on what glue to use where is most velcome!

The velcro just pops open, that's the problem. I was thinking about removing some of the return edge and shape the pieces a little bit, but to be honest I'm terrified to do so. It's the upper edge that is the problem, so the belt doesn't really help much there.

Any idea on how to secure the upper area? That still pops open even when the belt is on.

Good idea.

Btw, I think separating the butt piece will help a lot on the space between the pieces, as it is my butt that is keeping them apart.

Also, the belt keeps gliding upwards, because my butt is a bit bigger than my tummy. Any advice on that?

Very poor picture, it's not easy to take pics of yourself!

I'll try to take some pics in a sec, if the camera will cooperate.

Then why should they fall off now? The best of luck on your troop tomorrow!

I'm kind of small, and therefore there is no room for long elastic bands between my ab and back pieces. At the upper edge there is no room between them at all, and at the bottom there is about one inch. This is of course super when it comes to elite requirements, as my belt covers the tiny space between them, but when it comes to velcroing them together it's worse. Because I have no room for elastic bands, they pop apart when I move! How can I put them together without having this problem? I guess I could glue them together with leather between or something, but then it would be hard to get the armour in a suitcase, right? Any ideas, you brilliant people?

Wrong ideas are never good. My shoulder straps are still not shaped with the heat gun, so I have plenty of time to think about how to put them on. We used velcro on my lbf's straps, but they keep falling off. I guess we'll glue them all in the end.