FN1313

I just finished my DDD kit and it’s fantastic. Now just need to find time to make the basic mods I need to get EIB and Centurion. Having a newborn slowed me down, but shouldn’t be too rough. I recommend if you aren’t thinking so, working toward centurion as his kits are pretty solid for getting there. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Even having researched I know each build at first tends to overwhelm me, but usually my first action is to inventory the pieces I have in the kit and then decide which part to start on. Once I get that then it’s pretty much on rails until completion. Looking forward to your progress. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yeah, definitely trim the overhang, but I’d recommend not trimming any more than that until you get further along and can do more proper sizing and then trim for fitting if needed. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Paint work is looking great. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Welcome to the ranks! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Depending on fit too you may find you choose to trim a bit more off the top to fit better, but yeah trim the points and see how things fit before you do that. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nylon is doable, but as Glen mentioned it has no give. Elastic really helps there in making it easier to stretch and work with. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For me. It was definitely more space and more clamps. I was slower to build because I could only glue and clamp so much at a time due to those limitations and I didn’t have space to lay out all my armor at once to work with so it was piece by piece. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your marks look decent, but I’d go less on those and more on feel of how you move in them. You want some gap but not as much so I’d do as Glen mentioned with little bits at a time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your marks look decent, but I’d go less on those and more on feel of how you move in them. You want some gap but not as much so I’d do as Glen mentioned with little bits at a time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your marks look decent, but I’d go less on those and more on feel of how you move in them. You want some gap but not as much so I’d do as Glen mentioned with little bits at a time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice helmet work thus far! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oil method is definitely worth a shot. As mentioned stay away from paint thinners, but I’ve usually done wet sanding with 1500 grit or higher very carefully and then smooth buff and polish. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some recommendations I have. You may want to trim the upper return edge off your thighs to avoid armor bite. It can be no fun. Depending on your height and such you may also need to trim down the thighs a bit. Again this depends a lot on fittings. I’d also highly recommend against attaching thighs to the inner side of abdomen armor for strapping as this can cause the weight of the thighs and such to tug down on your armor leading to discomfort and potentially even unwanted fitting issues. What I and many have done is get a nylon belt and then use strong elastic loops to slide the belt through and hold thighs up via a belt separate from the armor. Some even add heavy duty suspenders too. Here’s my example. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So far as I’m aware the riser for the holster isn’t necessary with DN kits. At least the ones I’ve seen submitted in my garrison it’s not been something I’ve noted as needing adjustment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Tim, First to answer your question. I’d say the height of shins matters and you’ll want them fairly equal, but I’d also in a sense treat them separate. The big thing I mean here is don’t necessarily measure one and then measure the other off it. Definitely size them up to your proportions. Some people surprisingly don’t have the same length of both legs. That being said as you size things remember for shins, trim from the bottom up and not top down (when making them shorter) and thighs trim from top down not bottom up. Second thing, you may need to do some shimming of the armor You can see an extreme example of shimming thighs here https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/47405-thigh-super-shimming-opinions/ It seems a little daunting and takes some work, but it’s not too bad actually and a great process for learning how to work with ABS paste which is also how you can fix cracks later. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome back! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Progress is looking great. Sorry I’ve been slower to respond but looks like others have been doing so. All good questions and progress. Keep it up! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another thing I’m noticing that has me questioning actual screen suits is the amount of return edge in spaces we know the original suits didn’t have them. Such as the forearms and shoulder bells. Looks more like a replica kit put together for show and tell without exactly the same accuracy. Still look like great replica props, but yeah I doubt the authenticity. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Of course I’m assuming you’ve marked 10mm for on the return edge. If it’s 10mm from the other edge though than that’s right. It just needs to be 10mm from whatever the hard edge will be. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’d say it depends on if you plan on further trimming along this edge (marked in red) If you do plan to trim that off, then I think your marks are good. If not then you’d probably need to move them to 10mm from the actual edge of the plastic. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I just have a heavy duty nylon belt from Amazon and then for extra support bought a set of heavy duty suspenders to help hold things up. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGZ5PLS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello Santana, Lots of information on these forums, but don’t feel too overwhelmed the links provided previously are excellent at getting you going. Whatever you do be sure to research the armors and vendors that are vetted before just buying anything online. There are definitely reasons these resources exist to help make the process easier for everyone. Looking forward to your decision and progress! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Looking good. Luckily the adjustments if needed after wearing aren’t too hard. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sorry for your rough experience with them and the owner. I’ve myself had some scary situations with vendors before too. Not this vendor, but I did have one where the vendor’s business partner attempted to swindle my payment and force the vendor to build a costume for me that he wasn’t paid for. All in all it was a nightmare that I’m glad PayPal backed my purchase to dispute. The sad reality is even in the communities it’s good to be well aware of sketchy actions and transactions from vendors because a vetted vendor can make mistakes or go bad, which is why you see the thread with information about vendors and it’s regularly given attention with changes in the world of vendors. The biggest thing that I see is stormtrooper-costumes/Jedi-robe offer costumes that just won’t get approved without major mods and most people who buy from them are just unaware of the nature of screen accurate costumes and the FISD. If I was to echo this to anyone reading who interacts with users that are curious about buying costumes. The best things I’d say is have them get in contact with GMLs/Detachments before they make any purchases, Sure it may be appealing and all to go through the first google website to pop up, but a little wait to research and ask questions saves a lot of frustration and money. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk