Darth Colejoy

Thanks heaps. That is one of the little things I haven't got to yet but will do next time I sit down. Thanks for the reference. Makes a lot more sense because the angles are weird tbh. I haven't got my gloves yet so waiting on them as well so I can make it sits well on those.

Tonight I was able to spend another couple of hours on some more things. Unfortunately I have run out of E6000 so waiting on another tube to arrive in the mail. Firstly I installed the ammo pack making it slightly off centre as per the CRL and ukswraths build on FISD. Which meant the legs are done: I then went on trimming and measuring the back of the biceps and forearms so they can be glued when it arrives. Firstly biceps: Then forearms: So next will be glue both of these arms parts and then the final step will be to paint the buttons and glue them onto the front. From there I will;l remove the plastic, clean up some of the cover strip overlap and angles, remove any excess glue and do a test fit. Hopefully by the end of next week I might be able to do the test fit and see if I can put in my first submission for approval. I am sure there are a couple of things I will need to fix up but happy with my first ever build so far. For inspiration tonight I had the bucket and The Force Awakens playing in the background... No matter how much I look at it I love looking at the TK Bucket!!

So worked over the weekend and have completed the back of the shins. They now have a cover strip as well as the velcro strapping to close them up. The strapping doesn't seem to allow the back cover strip to sit flush against the shin but it closes over and fits well with an undersuit and the TK boots on so I think it will be fine. Here is the back of the shins: I also took this opportunity to finish of the shins and add the sniper knee onto the left shin: Finally tonight I trimmed the back of the thighs and have glued the back cover strips on them: Once they are dried tomorrow night I will drill the hole and attached the ammo pack to the right thigh. Next will be to fit, trim and complete the back cover strips on the bicep and forearm. Then I will paint the buttons and glue them onto the front. Once that is done I will do a final fit and see how everything is going. I am still waiting for my official undersuit and gloves from Anovos so I get the feeling that could be the thing that holds me up. But my goal to be approved by May 4th could be on track...

So havent had the chance to do anything since the test fit with Haso so glad I finally got a few hours tonight. Got a lot done so very happy. First step was to trim the back of the shins according to the test fit, then gave them another quick fit to make sure they felt ok and then glued the back cover strips onto the outside half of the shin. Once the glueing is done I will put velcro on the inner part of the shin and also the cover strip. One thing I have noted is I will need to do the small cut out at the back for better walking as the top part of there back of both knees feels a little "tight"s o will make sure I give myself a little bit of room. I also took this opportunity to glue the sniper knee onto the left shin. It took a little bit of time to line this up but happy with the outcome. Finally I removed the return edge from the wrist end. I haven't removed the return edge from the elbow - and most likely will but my undercut hasn't arrived and I really want to feel what it will be like with that on. I have approximated the undersuit with similar clothing but want to make sure it is ok. I think I like the look of the return edge on the elbow end for that added depth. And the other good news from today was that my HyperFirm E-11 blaster arrived. It has been a 2 month saga getting it from the States due to Aus Post "losing" it at a warehouse - but it got through customs (phew! Thought it may get confiscated because it was a gun regardless that it is fully rubber and no moving parts) and arrived today for me to pick it up. It is very durable and can't wait to use in my first troop! I'll do the thighs and the ammo pack on sunday. Getting closer....

So completed a test fit of a the torso and also measured up the legs and arm pieces tonight. Thanks to sideshow for his help!. The torso fit: And with the bucket! Then with the leg fitting. There needs to be trimming of both the thighs and the shins. I will be taking about 5mm off the bottom of the shins first and then see how they both fit after doing the back cover strips. They didn't sit perfectly tonight because the overlap at the back often dug in and restricted movement. Very happy with how the test fit went and will be trimming and completing the back cover strips on the legs, then the arms. After that I will be doing some little touch ups - sniper knee, ammo pack, painting buttons and glueing them. Then close to try for some approval photos.

So I have waited over night for the cloth to glue and have the end results. Not convinced its good enough but not sure what I can do. Here are the end results. Would love some feedback.

Big day today! I borrowed a drill and was able to work through the torso pieces and drill holes for all the snaps, rivets and various strapping parts on the torso as well as the TD. First up was to put the snaps on the chest plate ready for the belt to connect. First marking the holes. I went with fellow white armour builder UKWraith's build rather than the Anovos supplied instructions. The Anovos instructions puts the belt exactly centre whereas the screen belts are just slightly off centre. The first thing was to measure and drill the holes: Next up was putting the two male snaps at the bottom of the codpiece of the buttock plate and also the rivet for the codpiece on the front: Next up was the TD. To drill the holes and attach the clamps. I chose the 3.5mm drill but which is what the Anovos instructions suggested. Measured the holes and drilled them out. Unfortunately the instructions were wrong and the holes are the same size as the screws supplied so I will need to replace the screws with ones that are slightly bigger. The ones supplied by Anovos are not fully screen accurate anyway because they are phillips head and the ones should be pan-head and slightly rounded top. I will go to bunnings tomorrow and see if I can find some. Next up was the rivets for the right size of the chest plate and abdomen/kidney. I used UKWraith's measurements again because the Anovos ones are not really screen accurate. I measured 10mm in from the sides and then about 10mm in from top and bottom and then the centre was simply measured as half the distance. I then did this on both sides and made sure they aligned properly. From there I then used the supplied strapping from Anovos. I punched holes 10mm from the end and then 20mm apart. Three straps where prepared and then attached using the supplied rivets: Next step was the male snap in the upper right of the chest plate: Here is the chest plate and abdomen with all of the rivets and strapping and snaps completed: The final element worked on today was the supplied Anovos belt. The problem with the belt is that it has 4 chicago screws that hold up the holster. The CRL clearly says that it can be only 2 screws. So I could buy a new belt but thought I would try this first. I have used UKWraith's instructions again to try and make a patch for the belt holes that will be created by removing the extra screws. First step was to remove the screws, cut the extra leather strap: Next up I removed a small velcro patch that will be at the back of the belt and covered up when the belt is actually fitted. From the section where I removed the velcro I cut a small section of cloth that I will be using to glue over the holes: Here are the patches that I will be using to cover up the holes: Then I had sewed the Velcro patch back on. Once again this section will actually be covered up when the belt is fully fitted on: Next step was to cut small patches to put over the holes and then add some glue. I have used the E6000 which I read can be used for fabric. If the glue does;t hold successfully I will remove it and buy a specific fabric glue tomorrow. I have then put the belt between two pieces of wood and clamped to try and make it mesh together and look as good as I can. Overall a pretty successful day. Everything with the legs, arms and torso is now complete for a fitting. I will do that later this week and then rim the backs of the arms & legs ready for glueing of the back cover strips. I will then velcro the back of the shins. After which I will add the sniper knee and ammo belt. Getting closer...

Thanks heaps for the feedback K-Man. Will look at that for the cover strips and return edges! What did you mean about the front and wrist edges? Do you have a photo that you could show me?

So I spent the rest of the day preparing for the Armour Party tomorrow. After I re-glued the thighs I moved onto the TD. I sanded the ends and was able to get the caps on without having to go through the hot water bath treatment. So with the caps on I also glued the cover plate so that I can drill the hols for the clips tomorrow. Once the TD was done I sanded and prepped the shoulder bells and than had guards: After these I moved onto the torso pieces. Firstly I gave them a double sanding. Once with the thick/harsh sandpaper to get rid of any harsh edges or bumps. Then once again with the fine sandpaper to give it a nice edge. They don't look 100% yet because the cover plastic is still on and that is a little frayed at the end but once I am ready I will remove that and then give it a final sanding again. Once the drilling and everything has been done. So as well as sanding the torso pieces I also prepped for a basic fitting of the torso tomorrow. So I glued the shoulder straps, glued the snaps that came mounted not he abs plate (this is for the thigh pieces to eventually be hooked to) and then put on the velcro strapping inside the chest, abs, kidney and back plates. This will allow me to do a fitting tomorrow. Here are the inside of the torso pieces: So that meant I have done everything I can until I do a fit of the arms & legs, as well as thew torso. And then drill the holes needed for the various snaps, rivets and TD clips. I will drill and fit tomorrow and then be able to work on this early next week while I am still on holidays. Box is packed ready for armour party tomorrow: So I feel the build is coming along quite nicely. Unfortunately my blaster is still lost somewhere and Australia Post are being less than helpful. I am worried that my build will be done and I won't have my blaster ANOVOS should be sending the soft parts - undersuit and gloves in the next week ready for me to start those proper testing fittings.

We have the armour party tomorrow which I am very much looking forward to. I am doing a few little things today to try and get the most out of the armour party. There will be a few updates on here throughout the day. First thing was I completed the forearms and bicep front cover strips: Then I realised that I had incorrectly done the over strips on the thighs. I had made the cover strip go all the way to the bottom join. The cover strip should stop above the raised section at the bottom. So on one of the thighs I was able to remove cover strip and cut this section, The other one has required the complete removal of the cover strip and re-glueing. Which has now taken place: I have also glued the should straps onto the chest plate: Next steps for today is the put the end caps and plate onto the Thermal Detonator, then put on the velcro strapping for the torso parts. My plan for the armour party is complete two things: 1. Basic test fit of the leg, arms and torso pieces so that trimming of arms/legs can be done (not necessarily at the armour party), the gluing of cover strips/velcro strips can be completed. Then complete the strapping for the torso parts 2. Drill all required holes in parts as I don't have a drill. I will look to drill holes for the TD, chest plate, back plate Another update coming soon of work on the TD and the strapping later today

So had an hour home tonight before a rehearsal (and before my trip to Adelaide where I won't be able to touch my armour for over a week ). I installed the helmet fans that I received from Q! All ready now just to get some rechargeable AA batteries for when I do my first troop.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure they are aligned correctly.

So the first glueing of cover strips went well and after removing the clamps and magnets this morning and doing a quick test fit the pieces are holding together well. Will need to sand and trim the cover strips a little but I am happy with my first pieces. The 2 shins and thighs are done! With the feeling of success I moved to do the 3rd thigh piece and the two forearm pieces. Now I only have the two biceps pieces left to glue for the front cover strips and I will be ready for the armour party in early April. My plan to have all the front cover strips done so that I can be properly fitted and do the final back strips - both glued and with velcro for the legs at the armour party seems like a reality.

Thanks for the advice guys! I agree about doing the front cover strips first and have started that process. So have started glueing the font cover strips. The plan is to have all the front strips glued for the armour party so I can then get help with measuring and trimming the backs of all the legs and arm pieces c The first were the shins: Found it a little tricky but got it clamped, magnets and set. Will wait until Monday to take it off and try it on. Also had enough magnets for a third piece so did one of the thighs as well.

So I did a trial dry fitting of the leg and armour pieces to see how they looked and get an indication of how they sit and too see if there were any major concerns of lengths of parts. Left Shin: Right Shin: Both shins: Left Thigh: Both Thighs: Left Bicep: Left Forearm: Right Bicep & Forearm: All Leg & Arm parts dry fitted: Front Back So a couple of things from this fitting. First - I will clean up the front connections on all the parts and then glue the front cover strips before doing another fitting. They were not clean for this fitting but just wanted to see how it would feel and get an idea of how much might need to come off and if I had any concerns. Second - Everything seemed to feel ok except for two parts. The left shin - but a few people pointed out on the cadet fb group that I might have been wearing these a little high and I should push them down onto the top of the boots which I didn't. That will alleviate the problem if it sitting on my knee and being a bit uncomfortable. Third - The thigh piece are the only parts that I am concerned about the length. Not sure if I should glue the cover strips of those yet or whether they do need to be trimmed a little. Which might be a bit daunting because I will need to trim but try and retain the shape. Would love to get some feedback on anything that is picked up and I should note before I start to glue front cover strips. The plan is to have the cover strips on the front of all of these pieces in preparation for the Arnour Party where I can then get some help to fit, measure, mark and maybe even trim those parts. Once these parts are done I will move onto the body parts.

Finally found some time today and was able to finish trimming. The parts were the 4 shins pieces: Then I also completed the foam inserts in my bucket by adding an extra piece at the forehead section: When the helmet fans arrive early next week I'll glue/velcro them in and then the bucket will be complete

Have continued a little bit of trimming but has been crazy busy and haven't had time for much. Have trimmed shoulder bells and also the thigh pieces. I also finally got to get some foam to replace the basic hard hat liner that came with the anovos helmet. I removed the helmet and then using double sided velcro I attached the pieces of foam into the bucket. I still need to add a little bit of more foam the forehead area and have bicycle helmet pads to use in that area. Just waiting on my helmet fans from Q ro arrive (which will be early next week) and then my bucket will be ready. Have also purchased the AKER speaker, a headphone splitter (for iPhone) and am using the TK Voice app that was created by a member of FISD. Am trialling this instead of the iComm. Very happy with he bucket. Might have to re-glue the mesh around the frown but checking which glue to use first.

Update - did some more trimming on the weekend and completed the trimming of all the torso parts: Will try and finish some trimming tonight and see how I got with the shoulder bells and maybe get onto the leg parts...

So some more trimming has happened over the last few days and will try and complete the torso pieces and possibly the shoulder bells today. First the chest plate: Then the ab / cod plate: Then just trimmed the button plates and the shoulder straps: These are all pre-sanding and will be cleaned up when the fit has been done. Enjoying the build even tho this is really all pre-assembly. Never undertaken anything like this and I call myself a anti-handyman so this is out of the comfort zone but amazing what you can do when there is a desire and passion to complete something.

So have begun the trimming. Have done the first rough trimming of both the forearms and the biceps on both sides. They are no trimmed along the cut lines and ready for fitting. I will be doing all of ht trimming first before any measuring and fitting of pieces. But the plan is to trim each section so they are ready to fit. Forearms: Biceps before trimming: Biceps trimmed: So the trimming the arms parts are done. They need a good sand but will wait and fit them first before doing a sand otherwise I'll make them look nice and have to trim again anyway. Next up will be the shoulder blades and then I'll move onto the body pieces. Hopefully they will be done sometime this week. After that first forearm I felt a lot more confident and it took me half the time. The first forearm I did a small trim, then another and then a final trim as was worried. But that was actually hard than just trimming along the cut line from the beggining as the natural groove actually helps the blade move along. I'm a bit nervous about the body parts as the won't be covered by cover strips and will need to be a bit more careful but willl trim them with more care and at the lower edge of the cut line so I can sand back if necessary.

Here's the obligatory helmet on selfie.... So my build will very much follow the build of Ukwrath from Whitearmor who seems like the King of the Anovos build. Even though I have been frustrated in waiting for my BBB I have had the ability to watch many builds going ahead and learn some pitfalls. I will very much be trimming and building using the same steps as Ukwrath however I am going to use the supplied strapping initially and then with the help of hpmy fellow TAG and Knightfall members I might look to upgrade the strapping system. Also have decided I will remove the system inside the bucket as tried to get it to feel comfortable tonight and really didn't like it. I will be inserting helmet pads instead as have tried a couple of other buckets with lads and it feels more comfortable. Warmer yes but will insert a couple of fans as well as the headset system while I do the insides. I started trimming this evening and worked on the forearms. Did my first rough trim and now that the first one is out of the way and I didn't rip it apart feeling a lot more confident.

So the day has finally arrived! The BBB was delivered to work today and despite the irony that it was 2 days late for the Armour Party I was super excited. Had to wait all day to get it home and crack the box open. The bad news is that the box was a little dented on the side (probably from the fact it got passed through about 4 different warehouses to get to me) and so my poster is a little bent Everything is there and ready to start trimming! There's been a lot of talk about the bucket - but I really love the sharp edges. I think it looks imposing. Here's a few close up shots: Now to look at adjusting the bucket so my head doesn't swim around and take the obligatory shot with a star wars t-shirt on...

Hey Scott - using a forwarding service so getting it shipped to an address in the states from Hyperfirm and then further shipped to Aus from there.

And my first piece of equipment that arrived was my TK Boots. So excited to pick them up today. Here they are in all their glory!

Hi All, So I joined years ago thinking I would eventually get into the 501st and fulfil my lifelong dream of building a stormtrooper armour. Well about 5 years later I finally did it with the help of the great pricing of Anovos. Have joined up with my local Garrison (shout out to the Terror Australis Garrison members and specifically my fellow Victorian Nightfall squadron members) and have spent many hours chatting amongst the new recruits, cadets and full 501st members. I have a build thread over there that will be my main updated (with everything) which I'll then bring over here. If you want to follow there here is the link: http://forum.501tag.com/index.php/topic/15842-anh-stunt-tk-build/ So my planning and research has led me to the following: 1. Armour - went with the Anovos armour as it fit my price point and wa excited to see what they would produce. This is currently at a warehouse in Portland awaiting movement to another warehouse in Oregon so it can be shipped to Australia (what us Aussies have to do to ship things!) 2. Boots - went straight to the top for these and with all the comments on here couldn't pass up TK Boots, Have been ordered and they arrived... TODAY! Hence the start of this post as I have my very first piece of armour gear. 3. E-11 - have gone of the Hyperfirm E-11. Has been ordered and awaits production and shipping 4. Voice system - have gone for the Aker 10W amp and was going to purchase an iComm until I saw some of th great work being done by fellow members on here and have signed up to beta test TK Voice. Here's the link for that thread if you are interested: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/32270-tkvoice-for-ios-development-annoucement/ 5. Strapping System - still up in the air on this. Was thinking of trying the in-house Anovos system first as I am a complete noob and just want to see and then may look to completely upgrade to a snap system which I have seen some diagrams of and think it might be the best option. Will keep you posted on decisions there. So my planning is done, the research is continuing (and a big shout out to UKWraith whose build I am following religiously) and my parts are slowly arriving. Can't wait to get into it and meet many of you throughout the world on some amazing trips within he 501st!