Twosolitudes

Yeah, I was terrified of making a mistake while trimming my armour. Take your time, measure twice and cut once, after you’ve read a couple threads describing the step you’re working on.

That piece looks like part of what was trimmed away from my AP kit 2nd edit: Ah, just went back and read the previous postings to see where that piece came from (slicing the cod and moving it up), so my example is no help. Sorry.

Not sure if you’ve made your purchase yet, but another option for an E-11 is from QuestDesign: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/192791479/star-wars-stormtrooper-e-11-blaster-prop?ref=shop_home_feat_1 I'm pleased with mine.

Hillman makes pan-headed slotted screws, and I bought mine at Canadian Tire.

Thanks, it feels like it’s all starting to come together.

Buoyed by the 501st approval of @willeywonka I have been spurred to action. The last few weeks have seen some popper building and placement. After some touch-ups the vocoder looks ok. Tackling this detail stressed me out. The abdomen has been fastened to the kidney plate. It took a while, but I finally managed to figure out how to flatten the split rivets, using a screwdriver to wedge them open a touch, and then a large chisel to lever and press them down. The paint will need to be touched up. I found a suitable piece of leather to replace the holster stra And the holster is attached Completed the right side ab slot: Sanded down my small button plate to straighten out the edges. @CableGuy is this better?

Congrats!

Congrats on your BBB! Of all the possible things that can go wrong, this is the least of your worries. Take your time, read the other build threads, ask questions, and enjoy the journey.

This was an extremely productive weekend for my build. To line up the drop boxes I taped them into the desired position before marking off the spot for the rivet. Positioned perfectly Marking the rivet location Rivet set, and gluing the elastic for stability The angle of the photo makes them look misaligned, but they are indeed lined up well with the edge of the ammo belt. Next, I finally decided to try and paint the vocoder (a task I’ve been putting off). I wish I felt confident enough with my painting skills to freehand this, but I dont. Instead, I made my own template. After a few coats, I’ll leave this to dry overnight and we’ll see how this turned out. Finally, I took advantage of the decent weather to escape the dungeon and set up shop in the garage to cauterize and burn holes in snap bases: Starting to feel like the home stretch, with more tasks behind me than in front.

The button decals came with the AP kit. Not sure if Mark (ABS80) sells them separately offhand.

Thanks, my paint job was bothering me too so I switched to decals Edit: Just realized you were referring to the small rectangular button plate... I’ll sand that down to a straighter edge. Thanks for the tip! I’d rather get it right now before attaching it.

Drop boxes and buttons ready. I’ve noticed that in some threads 3/4” white elastic ribbon is used for attaching the drop boxes, while I have 1”. Does anyone see a problem with that? There’s nothing in the CRL pertaining to L2 or L3. Just checking before I start riveting things.

Like all the good ideas, I saw it in another build thread. I wish I had kept better track of all the threads I had learned from.

On to the belt... found the middle and marked which way was up on both the canvas belt and the ABS portion. Next I drilled the holes for joining the ABS pack to the canvas belt (no pic) Next, I marked off where the poppers would be placed on the Abdomen for both sides using this handy guide: Right side: Left side: When test placing the ABS belt portion over the torso, I noticed that even though the Left side was measured precisely, the snap wasn’t going to be underneath the ammo belt bump on that side, so I walked it over towards the centre until I could tell it would be where I wanted it. Next I drilled holes and placed snaps: Having placed the snaps on both sides, I wanted to then make sure that my belt snaps would line up, so I used the marker method to determine the location for them. Using a felt tip marker, I inked the snap a little: Then I lined up the belt where I wanted it and pressed it into the snaps, imprinting where I’d be placing my holes for the canvas belt snaps: After using a hole punch to prepare the belt for both snaps and rivets (for the ABS part), I placed said snaps and rivets. Next up will be adding drop boxes.

Attaching the ammo pack to the Right thigh. The TD was used as a template for the curved corner. test fit fit then drill some holes Paint the split rivets. In hindsight, this could have waited, as the paint ended up requiring a redo anyway.

Looks sharp! Great job on the build!

The last week or so have been dedicated to finishing my thighs and forearms. After some helpful and timely guidance (thanks Greg and Ben), I finished trimming the back of the thighs and set some inner and outer cover strips. I’ve especially become a huge fan of inner cover strips. Thighs are done (except for the ammo pack) Forearms are also done, return edges completely gone:

I really like your “slotted scrap ABS connection to keep everything lined up,” and I think I’ll do the same thing when I get to that step.

I cautiously move foreward, attaching a cover strip to the front of the left thigh, and an inner cover strip on the left forearm. I don’t think I’m going to hit my early May target for completion, but I’m not in a hurry... much rather get this done right.

Thanks, I’ve been taking my time on this, and I’m glad I did. Between you and Greg’s feedback, I think I managed to avoid messing up my thighs. Here’s to following the old saying: “Measure twice, collect advice, read every post ever written on this step, cut once.”

Very clear, thanks!

With shins slowly coming together, I continue to ignore the vocoder and set my sights on the thighs After a fitting, it looks to me that I need to trim and additional 35mm from the left thigh to have it fit, and that’s still leaving a comfy amount of space (I’ve been skipping leg-day a bit too frequently). Is that normal? although it’s marked on this piece, I’ll probably trim from the *outer* thigh armour half.

The time spent on armour build this week has been dedicated to a pitched battle between the sniper knee and myself. It took me several several hot baths before I was finally able to calm down enough to finish the job. (In the background you can see the Satin black paint waiting patiently by the vocoder it’s meant for) m What worked for me was using the tip I’ve picked up from most of the the other build threads where the left outer shin half is raised about 10mm when joining the two, and then using plenty of clamps and E6000 to hold the sniper plate in position. I’ve gleefully moved on to the rear cover strip and preparing the Velcro closure.

It’s a Good Friday for doing some work on the armour. Cut out and painted the button plates. Also prepping the shoulder bridges to be affixed to the breast plate. Think I might also add some reinforcement to the bridges; there was a good post on that. Shin cover strips are being applied. DHL tried to deliver my Imperial Boots yesterday when I was at work, so I’m guessing they’ll try again tomorrow after the holiday (Good Friday, which my wife just let me know is not a holiday in the US? Surprised me).

16 fyi: https://m.imgur.com/px3Ksz1?r