husky68

Looking good Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can join the Japanese Garrison forum before you are approved. We also have a build section to get help from our Local members you might find helpful. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Practice with scraps to get comfortable with hot bath timing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some put tape over the cover strips to cover the glue. I just dip in boiling water a few second and pull out. Should let the glue cure for 48 or 72 hours before hot bath. Rushing glue will mean having to do it all over again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You will need to clamp them down hard to get them to line up. Then hot bath them to adjust the shape and reduce the stress in abs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mobile tool boxes are popular, Husky and the likes you will find many posts for them. I use a hockey bag which is usually big enough. I've seen suitcase of all kinds being used as well.

Credits sent

Welcome future trooper. The AP kit is very nice and builds into a great set of armor. Certainly taking your time is always a good idea and starting with lots of research before cutting or gluing saves a lot of time in the long run. If I may suggest, best place to start is the biceps. They are relatively easy and depending on dimensions will be under the shoulder bells which covers up any mistakes with your first time cuts. Once you finish a few cuts you will feel more comfortable and the nerves will settle. Usual words of wisdom, "It is a marathon, not a sprint" and "measure twice cut once." Many here will answer questions so post lots of pictures and don't be afraid to ask for advice.

Looks great, wish my bucket could look like that but then my head would never fit inside.

Congrats Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Best of luck, looks sharp. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For cover strips I used metal ruler and box cutter to score/snap. Leaving a tiny extra for sanding. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks good, reminded me that I should blacken the inside of my bucket.

My bad, didn't see this was Hero. Sorry.

For lvl 2 you need the ears to have three screws and four bumps. You might be able to buy some new ears and swap them out. Best of luck.

For the belt first make sure the length is correct. Right over left in back and not extending too far. Check some of the walk through threads for snap placement. You want belt slightly over ab button panel and centered. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is no standard for the grey used for the TD. With the end caps, button panel and proper positioning there will only be a small amount of grey visible. So your paint should be fine. The ab buttons are more visible do you might want to clean them up. Thin layers of paint and clean up edges can make them sharper. Some people use a stencil or other type of guide. Mine are stickers so I took easy way out. As long as some of button is not painted, leaving even slight ridge, you will be fine. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Size was an issue for most of my build so I appreciate the consideration. I would like to say thanks to justjoseph63, Sha Sha and all the other members of FISD whom have been there to answer questions and provide advice along this journey.

Return edges can look great but add rigidity to the plastic which can lead to stress fractures and cracks. Best to clean up that line. Check this thread on return edges.

I've looked at the belt and the left side seemed fine but the right needed to be moved over more than possible. So I cut a piece out so the elastic would stretch further to the end and align the drop box.

I should have also thanked you for the quick review. To get the boxes that tiny bit closer I will have to make a cut out a chunk or fold the elastic between the belt and the abs because the rivet/screw that holds the two together gets in the way of the elastic. I'll then need to reposition and add glue.

The picture does look close but it's really a case of, "so close but yet so far" because my shoulders are just too wide for these bells. They already put strain on the shoulder strap which I try to reduce by pulled the chest/back down to tighten it as much as possible. Any shorter and I am sure the strap underneath will be visible under the abs strap. I'll try again with a shorter strap but honestly I think it will require the purchase of new bells from a different maker which might give a color difference.

Missing pictures from first post. Including various angles and lighting for the panel buttons because for AP sets with the stickers it is always something of contention with applications. I have seen and if needed will try to provide reference shots that show similar button size used.

Name = Robert BTK ID = 77712Garrison/Squad = Japanese GarrisonForum Name = Husky68 Armor = Authentic Props Helmet = Authentic Props Blaster= 3D printed Optional Height = 5' 10" Weight = 96kg Boots = Imperial Boots Ammo belt = Authentic Props Canvas belt = Authentic Props Holster = Authentic Props Hand Plates = latex, Authentic Props Electronics = iComm, UKSWrath Amp, UKSWrath Hovi Tips Neck Seal = Trooperbay Link to EIB:

Congratulations Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk