Btabc

No worries, Shawn! Hope this thread at least guides/points in the right direction! If you ever have questions ANYONE on the forums can help as well This is a great thread as well, have met with the thread OP and he's the one who sealed the deal with me becoming a 501st member: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/33175-an-ata-for-tampa-bay/ Great thread as well with LOTS of explanations, needless to say it's helped me a lot as well!

Wow I've been looking for a few photos of someone else's back thigh armor. I have the same gap along the lip and wondered if that would be acceptable! This helped me out!

Ok I wondered if it was just me that was finding the sniper knee a LITTLE bit tricky?! Haha How'd you fix this? Did you just build up the back and then glue that and the sides to the shin?

Welcome and I'm currently building a kit from Mark as well. You're more than welcome to follow my thread and ask about anything you might have questions about, as well as here (on the forums, friends and more experienced people than myself)! So far I haven't had to do much modifying to Marks kit and it's been relatively easy to work with! I do have to say that the strips he provides are a LOT thicker than the rest of the armor. Also, pay attention to them, one side of them is slightly darker than the other and if you go to add the darker side of the cover strip to your armor it looks like it's been out in the sun for a extended period of time. Just flip it over and you'll see it's the exact color as the armor! Also, mine arrived within a week in a half from the time I purchased it. The tracking was still showing it was supposed to be delivered several days LATER than when I got it, so fingers crossed for yours to come early as well!

Ok so here's another group of photos of my progress so far! My gloves arrived so of course, before gluing on the cover strips, I have to try/size them to make sure everything fits perfectly! Underside: Surprisingly enough it's nice and snug... I was thinking these would have to take a little dip in the lobster bath! Then I started in on measuring the cover strips for the biceps and forearms (minus one bicep... still have to finish that one): I liked the placement of these so I glued them down, but ran into a SLIGHT problem... having the two forearms and starting in on the cover strips I was left with no more clamps so I went out and bought another small bag for $14 and was able to work on the bicep as well: I kept noticing that the pieces of wood would slip slightly so I used the tap to hold them in place while I got the clamps on and replaced the blue tape with Gorilla Tape (Thank you, Jeff ). After everything dried I noticed that a lot of the E6000 started to seep out the edges of the bicep so I started rubbing it off, however it kept peeling off in pieces: so I used another piece of scrap plastic and got all of it off like a razor blade... without the worry of scratching/scoring it: After everything was finished I was left with the following results: It's also been brought to my attention that the left piece needs to have more of a rounded inside edge (around the 1 o'clock range) to help alleviate any stress that might build and possibly crack, so that's my next job

The only one I can find on Thingiverse is a base model that you can add to to make your own: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1591539 You'll see them under the "Thing Files" as well as the details, second page. Hope this helps!

Might I suggest a piece of small wood (like a yard steak) from Lowes to apply continuous pressure on the entire piece/joint? This is what I use as well: ----------- It's long enough to cover the entire piece while also being thin enough to fit under clamps with about two or three total? (probably best to add the blue painters tape on the areas where you'll be putting the pieces of wood) I have been given the suggestions of strong magnets, but went for this instead since it's already laying around my home. I've done the same here: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/41876-btabcs-stormtrooper-build/page-2#entry563179

Thank you for the suggestion, Jeff! I'll be following this to help me complete my thigh piece Update on my forearms: Found some old scrap wood as well as a wooden yard steak: https://www.lowes.com/pd/25-Pack-36-in-Wood-Landscape-Stakes/3388082 And: And once it finished (and unwrapped) I was left with the following result: it's getting closer to completion!!!!

Ok so after a few days of continuous work (shout out to Jeff) I was able to get a LOT of things completed!!!!!! Here are some images: First, I took off a few returns on the thighs (I have bigger leg muscles...) and was able to reduce the amount of space in the back by almost a third of a inch and tried the thigh piece on again with the ab/cod plate: So after this I decided to start gluing the back strip on. I've decided to start gluing the pieces that are Centurion level approved Yes there is still a "gap" in the middle, but I've got a smaller shim already started so I can fix this!!! After this I decided to start in on the biceps since I (again with HUGE thanks to Jeff) was able to see this up close and what needed to be trimmed off: Yes there is also a little bit of a larger gap on the sides, but this can be fixed by adjusting the the top portion of the bicep so it fits a little closer! I decided to test this out with the shoulder bell and ran it past another trooper...... ...... and he liked the result. I'm agreeing: It doesn't look too bad!!!! I still see a little bit of the return on the bottom of the bicep... I am going to be fixing that piece! So after leaving this taped up I decided to go and fix the forearms. I trimmed the returns off and fitted them while wearing my undersuit (I Scuba Dive and a dive skin was already handy! So I thought that this might be another alternative) and finally found the edges that needed to be trimmed. I cut them off and held them together, working on one side at a time: This turned out a lot better than I expected and after getting to this point... I was COMPLETELY excited to get more done... however in my garage I was seeing where the temp was around 96 so needless to say I had to call it quits or be forced to call the paramedic troopers for immediate assistance (although I hear they're really nice...)! The next day (Friday and Saturday): I spray painted a few of the plastic guns I got: And started to "weather" one of them as a tester (also painted the barrel more to get rid of the white under paint): I'm liking the way this looks so far! Still have to weather the other gun... but I love doing things with my hands and art is one of my hobbies! Next I started working on some back strips: Made the sad mistake of NOT measuring the width of what I had to work with and wound up making this WAY too wide... (I blame it on the heat.......) but hey, I fixed this later on. So of course I had to glue this thing down... I carried it around the house with me a little while doing work... got a little sidetracked lol: I waited a full 24 hours and removed the clamps to see what I had... needless to say that I had to do a bit more shaving on the side to get it to flare from the hand opening to the elbow: and turned it over and started again on the other side while starting in on the second forearm piece: *This is organized chaos* Now on a side note I've been starting to gather the things required for EIB and Centurion so I ordered some black chemical gloves from Wally World... and they got here on Friday!!!!! This is what I've got so far!!!! Until Next Time (soon for certain haha)...

LOL I'm going to have to edit my list now and have "Initial Approval, EIB, and Centurion" added as sub-levels to #2!!!! As for the shins I will be sure to hold off on that, but for the backs of the knees it's for the thighs, I do not have much movement at all with the thighs as they currently are. Now, with the shins, I do not see too many problems with those

Thanks, David! As do I! You were a HUGE help yesterday! I was stumped on a few things, but thanks to you and showing me photos, I was able to see exactly what it was that I was aiming for! I tried the left thigh just in case again this morning and the adjustments that I made are amazing and I can actually "move"... going to be trimming the back of the knees out! So far, my 3 stage process is almost complete Stage 1: Cut out and fit the parts (Finishing Helmet last) Stage 2: Glue and snaps (followed with/by photos for approval) -2A - Entry Level Approval -2B - EIB Approval -2C - Centurion Approval Stage 3: Troop!

Thank you very much, Tony! I've been working some more on this and will be uploading the photos soon... hopefully within the next few days!

What I have so far One below I still have a few edges to trim up, but I wanted to wait for the very end! Below: My box so far of the items that I've got to the point of where they SHOULD be fine for when I get ready to snap together: Below: Just the few things I've got left to do... the ones that are sitting inside the tub NEED to be trimmed. Ones wrapped in tape are ones I am going to trim away the returns slowly and then start adding the cover strips and inside strips Below: No return on the forearms!!! Thanks for the tip, Jeff! Also, this is the right size to fit around my forearm with some room so it's not too tight

You're not spoiling my plans at all! I like to have input and suggestions!!! I actually went out to Lowes and got myself a sanding wedge (forget what it's called), but it's similar to what you've recommended!!! Also, I've fixed the ab and will be uploading pics shortly! Great seeing you at the AP as well, learned a lot and it made it easier for me to continue on with my build after coming to a "roadblock". Thank you very much I've fixed it and will be uploading pics shortly!

So after yet another day (only a few hours of being able to work on my armor) I at least was able to clean up the abdominal piece: And then start in on the left shin piece... and thank Darth Vader that Mark labeled the pieces with a "L" & a "R"!!!! So made a initial cut with the least intimidating part: Of course after I finished the one part of the shin, I moved onto the next part: After doing this I have a lot of rough lines, but I've decided to break out the dremel and get some more bits so I can get a faster sanding job and then finish up with my smooth sanding paper. But so far it's a start

Hey after seeing your armor up and close, I decided to go ahead and start mine! I'm also glad that it arrived earlier than expected!!!!! I thought it was longer than 2 weeks ago that I saw yours haha. I look forward to the AP and I'll be sure to let you know if there's anything you can help with, but please let me know likewise! Thank you very much!

Legoland... I have not been to yet! However, gotta admit that it's nice to be able to do things like these! I'm definitely gonna have to join y'all now!

Thank you for the suggestions! As all I'm doing right now is just cutting/trimming/fitting everything to myself I shouldn't require much, but I'll keep that in mind! That's my goal, Centurion! I felt the same way that it's easier to make it the highest level possibly now than it would be later. I also look forward to trooping with y'all in the MST! Thank you for the invite, I look forward to it

Thank you!

once I get home I'll be doing more! Thank you, Joseph! I have signed up with TBS (Same name as here) and WILL be making it to the AP this Sunday . Jeff (wingnut) has been helping me a lot and giving TONS of pointers so I have to take my hat (or helmet) off to him as well! Thank you very much, I look forward to sharing more

*NOTICE* No images yet... I've tried uploading pics, but keeps telling me that imgur is not a allowed file extension?! Will be uploading soon... Fixed *EDIT* Adding a color indicator for what I've got completed and what I don't: I have 3 initial stages that I'm aiming for: Stage 1: Cut out and fit the parts (Finishing Helmet last) - This part is finished!!!! Stage 2: Glue and snaps (followed with/by photos for approval) -2A - Entry Level Approval - Basic Approval Achieved!!!! (I have all the "requirements for EIB and Centurion, but have not started the approval process yet) -2B - EIB Approval - not started -2C - Centurion Approval - not started Stage 3: Troop! So I ordered my kit last week from AP (Thank you Mark) and it arrived today! Even though the tracking STILL says it's out to be shipped... tomorrow lol. I was notified that there was a "big" box at my door and so when I got home there was a BIG box: Was not expecting that when I walked through my front door lol. I took everything out and started making sure it's all there... even though I might have overlooked one thing in my excitement... (sorry Mark).... it is I looked at what I had and was a little nervous at what I would start on. I debated on the shins, helmet, forearms and so on until I settled on the abdominal/cod plate: That was my practice cut... found out that I have to keep a constant pressure to make sure my scoring marks don't slip! I MIGHT have shed a little blood on this one... but makes it all that more special to me So I made the last two (or several dozen final cuts) and came out with a base line for this: Still have a few lines to clean up, but I always like giving myself some extra room on the sides so I don't make too many mistakes. It can always be sanded down

I use imgur (I've got my album there hidden so no one else can see them unless I post the direct link, and has the BB Code listed there for you) and FB for my "image hosting" needs. Although, the list that Preston provides is a great one! However... I have to admit that I stopped using flickr. Only used it for a school project (I wasn't impressed) and had random strangers commenting on things?! (tried photobucket and did not like it)