lucnak

So I still have a few things to do on my build. I have to add the D-ring to my Hyperfirm E-11, fix a snap panel in my ab, reinforce my sniper knee (cracked during a troop), use some ABS paste to fix some scratches/knife slips, switch my right tab to a double tab and properly attach my fans in my helmet. I was really set on getting Centurion, but now I'm not in a rush. I will probably only submit my apps for EIB and Centurion next winter when I'm trooping less. I have done 6 troops so far and I'm having a really great time! I will continue to post in this thread as I work here and there, but none of these issues are priorities for now. The main things I've gotten since my last posts are my Aker amp (from eBay) and my fans. The fans are definitely a must now that the summer heat is on and the mic and amp are just a bit more fun. Worth the 35 bucks for sure. iComm can wait for now.

You may need to use some foam in your thighs/shins to keep the sniper plate from locking in and to keep your ammo pack from getting hit by your shin. You're getting there!

My way worked out well and I'm not even using any elastic or snaps to hold everything together, however, I created two tabs on the rivet side and one large tab on the other. The side with two tabs holds tight and the one with one doesn't hold as tight since there is some wiggle room at the top. I may add an elastic near the top or change it out to a double tab eventually.

Making good progress! I used velcro where my drop boxes meet my belt to keep them from travelling. Not sure if you were planning on doing the same. It also makes the length of the elastic more forgiving since you can bring the boxes up a little so that they are touching the belt even if you made the elastic a bit long (which was the case for me).

Yes, it's worked quite well for me! Still need to switch my right side to a double-tab system, but I'm not in a rush! Busy with family life and trooping! In the end, no one notices this stuff when you're out there! I realize now that I was obsessing over stuff that, looking at the big picture, wasn't quite that important. I would like to get Centurion-approved, but have felt less rushed about it after trooping!

Yeah you just need to dip a vertical strip from the butt plate to bend. Good luck! P.s.: Learn to cook and that could change that single status! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just took a large pot and filled it near the top. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Wear gloves! Something to protect your hands from the heat. You want to put just the section where the plate curves from the flat back part and leave that in for 20-30 seconds. After that, take it out and start bending, not too hard. Run under cold water after and it should hold its shape.

I had some of that butt plate flare too. Hot water bath fixed that right up! The key is to only heat where you want to bend and leave the rest out of the heat! Looking good.

Congrats!

Agreed with Kalani on that one. Another point and this is just if you go for EIB or Centurion, but your TD clips look like they are a bit short on the curved part. I believe the control panel should be more on the top of the tubs, versus on the top/side. Not sure how to describe it. If you look at it from the side, the centre of the panel should be aorund 12 o'clock. Yours looks more like it's around 2 or 3 o'clock.

Yeah your kidney plate looks crooked which made your butt plate crooked, I think. You might just need to tighten a strap or two.

Congrats!

See the thread about EIB and Centurion. There are two levels above basic approval for stormtroopers. Specific details in the CRL.

My helmet was actually pretty thin where the mic tips go and they just popped through with a bit of force. Not sure if your helmet might be the same. I had a piece of scrap ABS I was testing drill bits and rivets/screws for sizing.

Regarding cutting those straight lines, I would clamp my metal ruler and then use that to cut along. Just a suggestion for technique.

Hmm...I don't know about cutting down thighs that much...someone else will need to chime in. Not sure how changing the angle of the edges might affect the fit.

Hi there, good luck with the build! Drop box depth is 15mm. Not sure if you continued to trim those down after your photos, but it looks like you left a little more on there.

Hi Matlock! I suggest you create a build thread and introduce yourself on the CCG forum! You'll get more help on where to buy some supplies/tools there. Good luck! Will follow your thread. Don't be afraid to ask any questions along the way!

Feels good to get it all on for the first time, right?! Some tips: As you're mentioned, your sniper knee looks like it can lock into your thigh and putting some foam in the front of the left shin and in the back of the right thigh will help with that. Your butt plate looks like it's flaring out a bit on the sides. I had the same thing. Hot water bath will help you bring that right in. In your first forward photo, your left shoulder bell edge looks odd - I am guessing it's cloth from your undersuit. That might mean that you should get a tighter undershirt. I think you should bring the chest plate down a bit - in some of your photos, it looks like it about to pop over your ab plate. The elastics in your shoulder bells look like they could be tighter. They're sticking out at the bottom a bit more à la RotJ. Your helmet looks a bit crooked in your first photo. I'm still struggling to get mine to look just right. Foam can help here too or you might just have been wearing it a little crooked. Your dropboxes can be closer to your belt, though you're good for basic approval. This may sound like a lot of criticism, but it's all to help you look your best!

Oh okay, I've seen those more commonly referred to as cut-outs, IIRC. Yes, pretty common. Wait till everything is on before you do that though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I was gonna use clips and someone in my garrison recommended I just go with velcro. easy install! Tip: hook size facing out. I put the hook side facing in and it gets caught on my undersuit sometimes, which is annoying.

The cover strips on the back of your thighs should be visibly smaller than the ones on the backs of your shins. So I would recommend you go with 20mm and keep the backs of your shins at 25mm. Not sure what kind of slots you're referring to. Not sure that I've seen anything like that that rings a bell.

Gonna let someone with more painting experience reply to you on this one. Not sure how to advise you! You could potentially order new buttons and have those in the meantime for basic approval, hoping that it's okay, and then replace them once you get your new plates?

Might be the angle and all, but it looks like your shoulder bridges might not be level? Regarding the tab system that I used, I found out after a bit that using a two-tab system is better than one large tab. The two tabs keeps everything straight. The single tab, held closed by only the belt (which is what I did), tends to slide out a little at the top. I'll be replacing mine eventually so that it stays nice and tight at all times.

Ah gotcha. Well I would perhaps suggest you bend the sides in a bit so they don't stick out as much. Since this is not a vetted armour maker from the list in the Getting the Started forum, you may need to make some modifications. Do you know anyone else who is approved in this armour? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk