Poseidon

You don't want them riding in the crook of your elbow, or it will impede movement and give you armour bites. I would size it so the bottom of the bicep is ~1 inch or so away from crook of your elbow, or whatever won't terrible impeded your movement. Look at a bunch of pictures to get a feel for it. Keep in mind before you chop anything that stormtrooper armour isn't meant to be built for mobility.

I’m not. Pan head Phillips head x_x. I know, I know. It’s on the list.

How big a cover strip? There is a stickied thread where someone used plastic to extend their thighs for a pretty big fix. If its fixable with a wider coverstrip, maybe it isn't so big to worry about. Have you taped them up and worn them yet? Pictures would be helpful.

If I had any advice it would be do your research now while you wait for your party. I would download all the Billgrams pictures, as well as some detail shots and have them with your kit so you can reference them as you go. Figure out what you want to accomplish at your armour party. You won't be able to build your kit in one go, so know what parts you think you will need help on. If this is your first build, I would highly recommend using E6000, as you can undo some stuff if need be. CA glue is much less forgiving. Also, practice scoring and breaking on scrap plastic before you attempt it on your armour. It makes life a lot easier when you are trimming, but that first time is scary. Working on my armour when I first got it was nerve-wracking when I got it, because I was terrified that I would mess it up. Don't get nervous, the research will help you be more confident. Take your time, and ask questions if need be. Use the forums and go through all the stickied threads. You'll do great!

Dude, I gotta say, that is a CRISP paint job on the helmet, you are looking sharp. I did notice some small things though. It looks like your cloth belt isn't centered on your plastic waist belt, it like the plastic part is riding a little high on the cloth. Conversely, the plastic part is riding a little low under the ab buttons. That should be fairly easy to fix. Your hovi-mic tips could use a little bit of weathering too, I am pretty sure they are supposed to be white around the front edges. Other than that, I think you should have no issues. Good luck!

Happy Life Day everyone! That is, if you celebrate that sort of thing.

If you decide to shim, make sure you use the E6000, so its removable. I think you have some work ahead of you before you get that far.

Original is clear. I would go original as its not terribly hard to remove, and the white glue may not match the white of your armour.

Looks sharp!

Yeah dude, I highly recommend E6000 as well. Its easy enough to pick up at big box stores like WalMart or Michaels, so its not hard to find. It takes at least a day to cure, but you would be amazed at how strong it is. The added benefit is that it forces you to take your time moving on the next piece as you can't just clamp and go. Those first cuts and glue being nerve wracking is normal. My armour stayed in its BBB for almost a year and a half because every time I started to work on it, I would worry if I was wrecking it and wasting all my money. I didn't even start scoring and breaking the flash off of my armour until way later, and I wish I had started with it. I did the bulk of my trimming with Lexan scissors. It would have saved me a lot of time if I hadn't been so nervous.

I use one of the little pieces left over from trimming. One shaped like a triangle so it has a point. I think you can get a silicone eraser from a hobby store that can help too.

Awesome job!

When you don't vote, the Rebels win. Don't let the Empire down! (I voted.)

Freshly approved, already submitted my EIB application, and scheduled my first troop! Even found some droids!

General Information Name: Tom Harvey FISD Name: RanchRelaxo Poseidon Legion ID#: 52811 (http://501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=26438) Garrison: Garrison Titan Mandatory Information Armor Maker: Troopermaster Helmet Maker: Troopermaster Blaster Type: E-11, Unknown maker, it was a gift. Resin cast Additional Information Height: 5' 9" Weight: 165 lbs Boots: TK Boots Canvas Belt: Self made Hand Plates: Trooperbay Neck Seal: Self made Holster: Trooperbay Centurion Level Rivets: Trooperbay Build Thread: Full Body Armour Details Helmet Details Blaster Details Accessory Details Additional Shots *Better pic showing reduced arm bell gap, based upon starsaber25's comment

Welcome! I use imgur to host my files, and I think it resizes them for me. It looks like you need to take more material off. The holes aren't supposed to be round , they have straight lines. Check out these pics for some idea

Requesting 501st Access TK ID : 52811 Garrison Titan https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=26438

I got most of my extra stuff from Trooperbay. You can make some of your stuff as well, like the neck seal, soft belt, and holster, if you are handy enough.

Looks like you are on the ball brother. Are you trying for EIB? I am still working on my first kit so I am not an expert, but it looks like your gloves would only work for level 1 cert. If that is what you are going for, then cheers. Also, I got my plastic clamps and my rare earth magnets from Home Depot on the cheap, and you can never have enough magnets, trust me. Also put some masking tape on your list and a good flexible metal ruler. I think I use those two things the most during my build. Looking forward to more updates.

Well deserved. Congratulations on all your hard work paying off!

Test fit the second. I added snaps to my garters to hold my thighs in place, and fixed my drop boxes in place on my soft belt. Here is a better shot. No thermal detonator on, as I am still gluing the fuzzy size velcro on it so it doesn't scratch up my armour. Also of note, my drop boxes are now fixed in place on the soft belt so they don't move. My hand is holding it out of the way when it is in the resting position. I still need to paint the rivets on my thigh, touch up my buttons, add elastic to the shoulder straps, rivet my holster strap in place to hold the E-11 down...a few other things I am sure.

Lens time. I took a lot of pictures, but suffice to say, I learned a few ways to NOT install bubble lenses in a helmet I decided to go with the clip method instead Made six of these bad boys, got too in the groove before I remembered to stop and take a picture. I rounded all the edges because having sharp stuff near my eyes seems like an extraordinarily poor decision, even for me. No real inbetween shots to speak of, but here is the final product Three clips, per eye, padded out the helm and added some screen. You can't tell, but I painted the screen black. Took a shot of my S edging too, so I won't have to undo it later. I also too the opportunity to thin out some of the lines around the traps and tears Quality control.

Painting time! I cheated and used stickers for the tube stripes. Next time I think I will just get the templates.

Dude, I am super scared, no joke. How much do you charge for replacement ears?

My dudes, let me tell you about the most frustrating, least rewarding (in my opinion in this moment) part of my build. The ears. Holy Crap. I watched videos, looked at tons of threads and reference pictures, took my time. It was not fun, nor easy. I felt like a barber trying to even out someones haircut until the guy ended up bald. Enough bellyaching. Picture time. Sketch out the ears. Look ma, three bumps! I started with the left first Cut, fit, wiggle, sand, test, repeat ad naseum. Eventually I got there. I am not super happy with it. I know gaps are normal, and screen accurate...still, I tried my hardest. Now the right ear. Oh that right ear. Here is my first effort. No bueno, even by my untrained eye. Lets try that again. Fortunately, TrooperMaster put two sets of ears in my box. Round 2 The word here I would use is 'better' than the first. Not really happy with it, but I think it looks ok...if only just But it isn't terrible and from 10 feet away, it pretty much disappears. Next up painting. Maybe some tool dip.