Matchstick

Well it’s been a while...life’s been super busy but I’m hoping to start having some more time to continue working. I’ve talked to my garrison and they suggested asking Armor Master about some larger thighs since I was having issues with those in particular.

I’ve been meaning to get ahold of my GML, I’ll have to figure that out here soon. In the mean time I mocked up what a couple of you were suggesting with my current cover strips. as you can see it widens at the top, (I have a 1 inch cover strip at the back) I have no idea if that would be acceptable and honestly something in me doesn’t like it... However it does allow the thighs to come up higher. Thoughts on this spacing? On a side note, I have not been able to bend my knees at a 90 with any of these set ups because the bottoms bite into my leg. Is that a sign of them still being too low or is that just how the armor restricts movement?

That helps a lot, because I want to try to keep the outside strip as close as I can for screen accuracy. Thanks @MaskedVengeance!

Thank you! I’ll take a look at that thread. And yes at this point I’m thinking a larger cover strip in the front would help, I just don’t want to go to big and make it look weird. I’ll have to start experimenting with different sizes. thanks again for the help!

Alright I seem to be having some major issues when it comes to my thighs. Currently I have the standard 23mm cover strip in the front. my issue comes when I try to put it on. I end up with a huge gap in the back of the thigh. and even with that large gap I still don’t think the thighs are high enough up. What do you guys all think? I’m at a loss other then making the back strips huge. Is there a particular thread I should be looking at? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you @TKSpartan! I’m glad you think I can just use larger cover strips, I was pretty worried I’d trimmed too much off. I’ll have to be more careful when trimming my thighs. I am removing all return edges from the top of the thighs but Is it recommended that the return edges on the bottom of the thighs be removed? Would that help with how the knees sit?

Here’s me wearing them... its not perfect, the tape wasn’t wanting to hold well but I think it’s pretty obvious that they are to tight...which it weird because I don’t think I’ve got overly large calves.

Hey everyone! I’m in need of some help. I’m at the point of trimming and fitting up my shins and up until this point I thought I understood which was right and which was left but I’m not so sure anymore. Could you guys look it over and see if I’m right or wrong? I have these set up as if I was wearing them. Hopefully there’s enough contrast to see the detail. I can get rid of that big gap in the back of the left shin by holding it together but that’s how it rests naturally for some reason. Also what size cover strip do you recommend? Because I followed what trooperbay recommendation in his video and they are pretty snug on me now, I might have to use a larger cover strip in the back. Overall I’m pretty confused and I’m really hoping I haven’t messed anything up In other, better, news my 2 piece body glove came in today, I got the exact kind recommend so thanks to those of you who recommended those to me (makes me wish I was a bit more fit however lol they do tend to show everything) I also got my neck seal from DarmansProps on Etsy and it fits perfectly.

Thanks for the clarification and suggestions on the body glove!

Hey everyone! I have got all my arm pieces trimmed and dry fit and I’ve got a question or two before I move on. Here’s where I’m at now The forearm: no return edges on either side. and here’s it on my arm with my gloves. No big gap so I’m happy with that. The biceps. My question with this they seem to chafe on the inside of my arm when I reach back slightly. In the return edge 101 thread it’s suggested to trim along that pencil line (it’s faint but it’s there). Before I trim anything I just want to make sure I’m reading it correctly. Lastly I know this picture is useless when it come to deciding size or spacing but 10 year old me would have loved it but this leads me to my last question, I should probably go ahead and get an under suit soon because I’ll need that to actually fit the armor correct? Does anyone have a under suit they love? Thanks for reading! And if you see anything that I should fix before I start to glue stuff let me know!

Alright I believe I have all the return edges off the arms where it’s needed. I left the hump, but other then that the edges are gone. For my forearms I removed all the edges around the wrist opening. As well as around the inside of the arm. however I did leave a small amount of edge around the outside upper section. As far as I see there’s no issue with that being there all the way up to Centurion? On to what I’m embarrassed about, while trimming with the dremel blade it slipped and nicked the outside. it’s only about a 1/8 of an inch long, and I don’t t think it’s actually a problem,(someone please correct me if I’m wrong) but it’s embarrassing If I’m not wrong the next step on the arms is to assemble the biceps...

I’ve been very roughly trimming the flashing off the pieces, and I’m preparing to tackle the return edges. I have all the arm and leg pieces roughed out. As advised I’m starting with the biceps. I’ve been going through @justjoseph63 return edges 101. How are these looking when it comes to return edges? (on a side note I can’t wait till my lager cutting mat gets here) I just want to make sure I’m on the right path before cutting, the return edges in that little “box” like area get removed as well correct? (Basically following that pencil line) I’ve been following Trooperbay’s videos on his site as a guide. He seems to be more in favor of leaving about an 1/8 of an inch of return edges on the armor he’s making in the video, which obviously for the most part I won’t be doing, and he’s also making a sandy but for the most part I think I’m pretty safe using it as a guide. Has anyone more experienced then me watched those videos? And if so is there anything I should watch for? That’s all I have for tonight. Hopefully I get those and the forearms knocked out tomorrow after work!

I did see that, I hope everything works out for you and your family and you can get back to building but real life comes first. So my first question involves my helmet, specifically the back section. Looking at other pictures it seems as if the traps are well defined and indented into the helmet. Mine are indented but not very deep and not very well defined. I know it’s a bit hard to tell due to the shininess but they definitely are not very well defined. My question being is this just how some helmet molds are or is this a bad pull? Thanks for any information!

Left side, thank you! I’ll update my list. And I’ll have plenty of questions! I can’t stress how much of a help your thread has already been @MaskedVengeance it’s a wealth of good information. As an add on to my previous post I received my gloves and flexible hand guards as well as the centurion hardware kit from @justjoseph63 I also got my boots from IB last week. I’m glad I ordered a full size up because they fit perfectly.

Big updates! Today was BBB day! It’s very exciting and I’m also feeling a bit overwhelmed, there’s so much information to take in. My first step i think should be to label all pieces right or left. After looking through @MaskedVengeance wonderful build thread I think I have everything labeled but I’d love to have my work checked. The shoulder bells: From what I can tell the “swoosh” should angle forward. The bicep: “Thumb print” on the right? Lower Arm: On to the legs. Thighs: Calf Hopefully these pictures are clear enough to determine the correct side, any help would be greatly appreciated! What’s everyone suggestions on what pieces to start trimming return edges? I’ve heard biceps are something good to start with. Since I’m building for EIB status I will be removing all return edges as shown in @justjoseph63 return edge 101 post. Thanks for reading, I can’t wait to get started!

Got my first bits of soft parts coming! The 421 boots from IB and the glove/flexible hand guards from Joseph. I have a feeling that IB will be a while but I should have the gloves soon, I’m very excited

Thanks for linking Joseph’s hand guards in there, I found that a while ago but lost it I’ll probably get a set of them with the gloves as well.

I’m going through your build thread now, it’s incredibly helpful! I see you talking about gloves. I want to go for EIB right off the bat and possibly Centurion. I know I’ll need rubber chemical glove but from what I’m reading it seems many apply with the correct gloves but then switch to the more comfortable leather gloves for most troops. There’s nothing against that is there? Because leather gloves just sound so much more comfortable then the rubber ones.

My feet tend to be on the wider side...I should probably go the full size up then. Thank you all!

While I wait for armor and slowly gather material I’ve come across Imperial Boots as what everyone seems to recommend for TK boots. Their shop opens this week and I’m planning on getting on their order list. I believe it’s recommended to order a size up and get some gel inserts, is that correct?

Thank you! That list is very helpful. I’m going through and compiling lists of stuff I need

Hey guys quick question. While I’m waiting on my armor to show up I am going though Mikes videos on armor assembly on his website. While watching the video on the shins he says that some people use Velcro on the backs of the shins but that isn’t the screen accurate method and the correct method is using clips and eyelets. Since I would like to go for Expert Infantry off the bat should I plan on using the clip/eyelet method? I can’t seem to find if they are called out in the CRLs for level 2. I am just trying to get a list together of the stuff I need. Thank you!

Hello everyone my name is Echota I’m from the Dayton area in Ohio. I’ve been lurking on the forum off and on for about 4 years now. I recently had the opportunity to purchase a set of MTK (aka trooperbay) armor. I’m on the taller side, about 6’3” but I’m not bulky so after talking with the builder, Mark, and with a few very helpful members here on the forums I came to the conclusion that I should be able to make this kit fit me. So I have a set of TK armor on the way! I’ve very excited Like I said I’ve been on and off here for about 4 years but I’m trying to get back up to speed and not get overwhelmed. Mark says his armor is best considered ANH style so that’s the way I’ll be going. So I am shooting for an ANH stunt set of armor. I have a lot of questions so be prepared for that Thanks if you made it all the way through the wall of text and I can’t wait to get started!

Thanks for the reassurances everyone! I was really hoping that this would work out and it’s looking like it will. I’ll be asking a million and one questions and taking my time on everything I end up doing

Hello everyone! My name is Echota and I’m from the Cincinnati/ Dayton region of Ohio. I’m an Official member of the MMCC but I started my Star Wars obsession forever ago by first wanting to be part of the 501st as a TK. So I’ve been lurking for years but never had the opportunity to join up. That is until I unexpectedly got the opportunity to purchase a set of MTK armor from trooperbay. So now I’m taking the plunge once again and this time I’m gonna become an official member! I’ve always had a great experience with the 501st and can’t wait to start building.