Ironmonk

Rough trimming continues... I've also finished trimmed and edge sanded the other parts I posted. Dremel and a sanding sponge made that simple but messy work. So far everything seems to be going well. I've found a combination of scoring/snapping and lexan scissors to be a good method. I'm concerned about fitting, especially the arms and legs. I want to get a subtle taper on those parts. Is the recommended process to trim the front of the parts to accommodate the standard cover strip width and then trim the back to create the fit? If so, then I'm assuming to trim the back I should tape it all up for a nice fit, mark a center line, and then trim the two sides to that line. Am I thinking about that correctly? For what it's worth, I'm more-or-less "standard Stormtrooper size" - 5'9" 155#.

Trimming forearms tonight and wondering about the return edge on the upper end nearest the elbow. Scrolling through the centurion submissions for AP kits it looks like most have very little or no return edge there. That seems like the right thing to do. Comments?

I first encountered the 501st Legion at WizWorld ComicCon Cleveland in 2016. The authenticity and accuracy of the costumes blew my mind! I could not fathom how someone could build such amazing, authentic costumes. It seemed out of my reach to accomplish something like that. Still, I had the bug and the more I learned about the 501st, particularly the charitable aspects of the organization, the more I wanted to try. Over the last couple months I've been doing the research, learning, making connections, and saving money. Then, the week of May the 4th, I placed my order with Mark from AP. My BBB arrived last week! I have nothing to compare it to, but the quality of Mark's kit seems very good to me. I'm glad I did the research and chose AP for my first foray into this hobby. I'm feeling equal parts excited about doing this and anxious about getting it right. Of course, I had to put the trimmed helmet together right away! I forgot the eyebrow trim in my excitement, but when I put it on I laughed out loud and felt like I was 12 again. What fun! I wandered around the house for the next 10 minutes quoting Star Wars lines to my family. The four year old thought it was the coolest thing ever. The teens (16 and 13) were less impressed. My wife just laughed and said, "whatever makes you happy." I've never built anything like this, but I've been a miniature figure painter, model builder, and DIY guy for decades. I'm taking the attitude this is a 1/1 scale model build and so far that's helping me overcome my anxiety about taking this on. I'm starting slow, learning how to work with ABS, and practicing patience. I've cut some of the simpler parts. They need sanded and final shaped but I've made a start. Encouragement, insight, and input is welcome and appreciated. I'm sure I'll get stuck here and there, especially with the sizing.