CoatHanger

Okay! So this little divot won't ding me?

Sorry, I took a much needed break from armor building. But, I’ve had my first troop as TK 18131 and now I’m ready to make some modifications! First,@Cricket, here is the pic of my kidney/butt connection with the armor on. In the second pic, months ago (without asking FISD, I know, shameful), I put some ABS paste to try to fill in the mini notch. So the question remains—- fill the notch? Cut the butt? Or say goodbye to higher level approval chances?? First, question— so this is my first time to wear armor for extended periods (not just sizing)— does everyone feel sorta “clunky” and uncoordinated? Or is that just me? Next— looking at some pics from the con... 1– Left shin. I have a stirrup, and it’s still twisting! Gotta fix that! 2– Thighs, particularly left thigh. Remember, how I shimmed my thighs. I’ve lost weight since then (now at 53lbs total), and my thighs are way too big. I’ve stuffed them with foam, but I’m so unhappy with how they look, fit, walk, etc. They just feel huge. And do this wonky sideways thing. Ugh. I’m obviously not gonna gain the weight back, so may need to look at new thighs... 3– Also with the thighs, definitely going to have to cut some mobility room in the back. Had to climb stairs and that was a feat. 4– Gonna sucks it up and shorten the forearms. And tackle my fear of recreating return edges. 5– A handful of other small tweaks. But looks like I’ve got about another month before my next troop. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Need some ideas. Tweaking toward Centurion, and this is my major dilemma. How I trimmed the ab/kidney has left this. So, CRL states “Cut-out notches at the bottom of right and left sides of the Kidney Armor are optional. If present, each notch is approximately 22 mm tall and the back of the notch ideally is aligned with the front edges of the Posterior Armor plate..” So should I... A, fill in this spot with ABS paste and just go “no notch” route; or B, trim the butt plate back so I can make this a complete 22mm kidney notch? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have to tell on myself— those are the AP supplied decals. I didn’t trust myself. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! It was definitely a long road! But worth it!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! Proud to serve the Empire! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!! I feel like I have so much stuff to tweak before EIB Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!! I’m equally proud of both! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! And thanks again for the great armor! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TK 18131 requesting 501st access. https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=28610 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!! And thank you for all your help! I’m going to keep working and tweaking to try to reach Centurion. (Still not 100% happy about my back gap or forearms and still don’t know what to do about that pesky kidney notch.) And then— kiddo armor!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I used 1/4” Chicago screws to attach plastic ammo pack to my canvas belt. (I personally put the screw side toward the armor in case I ever *needed* to remove it I could, since the other side has that button cover.) I thought about Velcro, but after reading several threads, I went with snaps (5/32” hole drilled in plastic, a loose solder iron hole in the canvas belt). Mostly to avoid Velcro wardrobe malfunctions and to keep the belt as flush to the armor as possible. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Approved! (Only about 8 hour wait from submission to approval!) TK-18131 reporting for duty!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One of the awesome parts about being in a small garrison? Besides essentially knowing all your fellow troopers?? Submitting your approval photos, getting GML approval, and 501st approval in the same day! TK-18131 reporting for duty! A pic with the other TK I built (now 9 months old) while building my armor. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And to continue marching onward and upward... Was reviewing my submission photos and this cover strip was driving me crazy. It kinda worked out perfectly though. I remember glueing this in the first place and being frustrated by a slight curvature in the thigh armor. To fix, I just separated the upper two thirds of the coverstrip (yay E6000!), and reglued that portion to fit the bend. I’m very happy with it now. I have also added foam in the back of my left thigh (near knee crease) to help with the sniper plate issue. If you’ll notice, I already had some foam in the thighs due to a sizing issue (shimmed them and then lost weight). Foam is a lifesaver. I opted to glue velcro to my foam so it’ll be removable and replaceable if it gets permanently squished or nasty sweaty. I attempted wrapping the foam pieces in packing tape as I’d read somewhere on a thread, but then every time I moved I sounded like I was sitting down on my grandmother’s plastic covered couch. Didn’t think that sound was part of the CRL. I also added another small strapping to help keep the edge of my butt plate from wanting to flare. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great ideas! Does it make sense to do a piece at the front left shin (to push out) and a piece at the back of the left thigh (to pull in)? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s my plan. To keep improving until I can get Centurion. We will be keeping our “workshop” set up while my husband finishes his R1 DeathTrooper, so I’ll keep making adjustments most nights! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ll add that to my list of things to improve upon! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just switched them all to Direct Link. For some reason from my Tapatalk the HTML image works better, but from computer its Direct Link. Can't ever seem to get it right the first time.

So, I have requested pre-approval. I know this is a marathon, and I know I still have lots of small things that I need to tweak, but I am at the point in the journey where I need to sprint. After over a year of working, I'm itching to finally have a TK ID. So, any who follow me here, head on over to put in your two cents. PS-- I already know I need to figure out how to fix that sniper knee plate. It's wanting to tuck under my thigh. Suggestions?

Name: Lindsey Turner Garrison: Mississippi Rancor Raiders Armor Maker: AP Helmet: AP Cloth Belt: AP Neck Seal: Darman Boots: Imperial Boots Blaster: Hyperfirm Height: 5'5" Weight: 160lbs TK Type: ANH Stunt Huge thanks to all that have helped me through this very long journey, specifically my husband (future R1 DeathTrooper), Cricket (the guru of all things short), Pretzel, Ukswrath, Commander Gree, JenEcho, TheSwede, lucnak, and CableGuy. I hope I've made you all proud. Thank you all for your feedback.

Hoping to have some “full kit” (yes, with pants on!) pics in the morning. I know you are all waiting with baited breath.. I did water bathe the shoulder straps. I think they look much better. Also, I attached my thigh ammo belt (sorry, no picture). But, due to a previous error, I only had 1 split rivet left. So I used one split rivet, and one double cap rivet... will this need to be corrected before L3? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks awesome!! I have nothing to add because I am still at the "it's a stormtrooper! yippee!!" stage, but all the above advice seems legit. Hope you get your TK ID soon!