JAFO

It has been a while. Progress has been happening in the background and it's time to share a rather lengthy update. Thanks to some fantastic 'Winter' weather I've been able to stay true to the old adage of "Make armour while the sun shines" ... or something like that First up, I got around to sanding the interior of the kit. Being fibreglass it's essential to take time to smooth it down and make it safer for handling. As always, safety was of the 'First Order'. After a good sanding with 240 grit it was time for a wash down and dry in the sun. In the meantime, more decals arrived and I continued to pimp the road case. Thanks to Aston Martin Hall we had a fantastic Armour Party where we managed to achieve quite a bit. My first task of the day was shaping the chest vent. Using reference material I blocked the 'cut zone' and used an X-Acto blasé to make repeated straight cuts until the desired shape was achieved. With some sanding to finish I was happy with the end result. Next up I took the opportunity to install the aluminium aerator that I received from Vader Painter Studios. A really impressive CNC'd piece of aluminium that is miles better than the plastic piece installed in the Standard Line Anovos bucket. I used Apoxie Sculpt to mount the aerator. The Armour Party also provided the ideal opportunity to get some test fitting completed. Much fun was has... Things shaped up very nicely... And my codpiece came under a lot of scrutiny...

The weird tab was used to secure the aerator - along with a little CA glue I reckon. I held the inside of the helmet (the piece where the aerator sits) then just gently twisted the aerator back and forth. It popped off easily after a few turns. FYU, the screw supplied with the VPS aerator is not long enough to do the job. I just used some Apoxie Sculpt. I'm sure other welds would work as well. Just make sure you can use with ABS!

Some do larger sizes. Some claim to be accurate but, actually, still require work. What is your short list?

Hi Bryan Here are a few other reference shots. Two from the movie, one from behind the scenes... ----------------- http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160804/90e0292e9d621657d9d4617d80927038.png Whilst not obvious in every stormtrooper shot they are definitely there when you look close enough. Perhaps some thin abs/styrene shapes inset in the groove would work.

Here's a screenshot for you. Look around 24mins in to the movie after Finn appears after crash landing. Don't look too closely though otherwise you see how his biceps are actually Velcro'd on the inside seam![emoji16]

As I see it, you've got the exposed magnet on one side of the ab, and then there's the white painted magnet on top of the HIPS stack. The exposed magnet sits inside the recess and the layers of HIPS make it easier to separate the magnets.

Hi Esther. Sorry to hear this. You were making such great progress. Message sent.

Are you doing a Jimmi build?

Nice job Esther. I'm on to the vent this weekend, and then the pinhole searching and sanding begins [emoji3]

You're on fire Vince! Keep it coming [emoji16]

You're on fire Vince! Keep it coming [emoji106]

Thanks Jordan! Delighted you love the belt kit. Your kit is looking sharp [emoji16]

Great update!

So whilst I've been prepping to start my build I've been thinking about how I will transport my kit once finished. Well, I found the answer... This is an BHX Expandable hard case (75cm) by American Tourister (Samsonite's 'home brand', if you will). It's a fantastic case and, even better, it was a fantastic price - I got 50% off the usual retail of AU$329.00!!! I bought on eBay from Myer (think Macys in the U.S.). I was looking at wheeled cargo boxes but having spent many years lugging them around whilst scuba diving I figured this was a great solution. Does the kit fit inside? Sure does! It was actually inside the case when photographed. Sure it's a bit of a jigsaw puzzle but it works. Plenty of room for soft parts. Bucket will be carried separately in a lined 'bucket bag' that I already have. As you can see I've started the case personalisation process. Having drilled the chest pills on my armour I put my spare TB Decals to good use! I have a few other decals en route to pimp this up even more. I'll share more pics when complete.

New 10% OFF coupon...SDCC2016. Ends 24 July. Does not work with Purchase Plan Option.

How many snaps have you gone through so far Vince?

Having drilled the pills, etc I'm on to sanding the insides next. Waiting on some kind weather.

There is a common phrase I see time and time again in almost every build thread I have visited. In fact, it's more of an apology, and it goes something like this... "Owing to work/life/family/weather I haven't had a chance to do much work". I will make this statement now to make up for my lack of recent posts but will never make it again. Anyway, here are some small updates... My first task after receiving Jim's kit was a little test cutting. I decided the bicep pill holes were a good starting place. I took a small drill bit and using the Dremel I popped in a few holes. Then opened up the holes further with a Dremel Tooth Carbide Cutter before using the Grinding Stone to take it back further. It worked really well. I've yet to finish the pills by smoothing the edges with a needle file before sanding. Feeling confident with the material I then opted for more Dremel action - this time on the chest pill holes. The Dremel Structured Tooth Carbide Cutter just eats up this armour. Loves it! Once again, though the holes are cut I just need to file and stand. Finally (for now) I turned my attention to the belt boxes. Going for a little more accuracy I decided to cut down the centre belt boxes so I could put black 'rubber' behind then. Using a reinforced Dremel blade made light work cutting through. Just a good sanding and straightening are needed now. Here are the pics of the work so far...

Looking sharp [emoji16]

Exciting times Matt! [emoji16]

Actually....strike that thought. The kit isn't the Phasma. We've got one in Tassie but that's about it.

Q ... we have a member of First Order Troopers Australia in WA with a Jimmi kit. Perhaps we could work something out and get the kit in front of you.

Sounds awesome but sadly it won't be any good for those of us in certain parts of Australia. It'll never make it through customs [emoji30]

If you go to Germain's thread you'll find all the gardener sizes listed. It's also in the PDF build doc.

Sorry [emoji15]