DarthBiscuit

I took the last few days off, and spent it convincing myself to trim some more... I took an inch off from the top at the front of the thighs, then gradually curved it so the interior lowered a bit too, and blended into my old lines. I grinded and sanded them down. I think this will help raise them a little! I also trimmed a little from the V on the butt plate. Here's a before pic. Over the next few days I have some snaps to move and straps to adjust...

Thanks Andrew! I mostly went off the old CRL so I'll def mention/link it, but I added some from the new CRL (to make Lvl 2 and 3 easier )!

I submitted for Pre-Approval!! Will this work for an action shot? I already found a few fixes: - Adjust the back plate since it's slightly crooked in the pics - Adjust velcro to close greaves better - Raise bells so they're closer at the top - More glue to large ammo boxes, as their opposite sides are peeling up now - More snaps on bell/bicep elastic straps since one bicep popped off - Redo thigh straps since they loosen too easily - Elastic wraps to cover the thigh clips - Side plate foam so black doesn't transfer to the barrel So happy!!!

1. First/last name Dan Carrigan 2. Future Garrison/Squad/Outpost or local area Golden Gate Garrison 3. Armor maker Jimmiroquai 4. Helmet maker Jimmiroquai 5. Cloth belt maker N/A 6. Neck seal maker Jimmiroquai 7. Boot maker ImperialBoots 9. Blaster maker (if applicable N/A 10. Gasket maker (if applicable) Jimmiroquai 11. Height (optional) 5' 8" 12. Weight (optional) 150 13. TK type R1TK 14. Name(s) of any Trooper(s) who significantly helped with your build. gmrhodes13, TheRascalKing, ukswrath, 11b30b4 PHOTOS: 1. Front view (arms down) 2. Back view (arms down) 3. Left side (arms raised) 4. Right side (arms raised) 5. Ab plate close-up 6. Helmet close-up (front, left and right sides)

I used E6000 on both ends of the ammo belt to adhere it to the right thigh. I fitted the thighs first and the snaps seem to be in the correct place and they didn't seem to rotate much when I walked around! I used E6000 on the outer side for the sniper knee plate. Since the greaves are still 2 separate pieces, I didn't want to E6000 the whole thing on. Instead I used 2 pieces of velcro to hold the center and inner edge in place. Hopefully this works out! And that's everything! I had some more issues with my large outer ammo boxes peeling off the belt, so I used some CA glue and clamps to try again to hold them down. If that works, then I'm done! I'll probably give an extra day for curing and try on my FULL ARMOR on Sunday! If it's good, I'll get pics, and post for pre-approval!!!

I used E6000 to stick the snaps on thighs, along the side seam (per the CRL). When I try them on I'll decide if I need a "V" strap or a front strap. I also stuck snaps on the barrel and then prepped the straps and 1" clips. I gave in and E6000'd the TD to the belt. I wrapped tape around to hold it in place. Hopefully this works out, or I'll have to look into rivets...

I used E6000 to stick the coverstrips on the thighs yesterday. Clamps and magnets ftw! I peeled tape off the gray portions of the TD. The painting worked well, for the most part. Spots in the end caps peeled up a little, specifically in the left pictures below. I wrapped the thing in tape and sprayed in the end caps again. I know I should have sanded first, but the light at the end of the tunnel is too bright It looks pretty good now. I test fitted the thighs with its adjacent pieces. They're going to fit so much better since I trimmed them! I put squares of tape where I'll E6000 snaps inside. I'm going to try just a single strap on the outside first. If that doesn't hold properly (straight and centered), then I'll look into adding additional straps. I know gmrhodes13 pointed out a 2nd strap more forward on the side coming out at an angle (like a "V"). Are there other approvable strapping options? @TheRascalKing, Justin I think your pics showed a strap in the front (aligned with the coverstrip), is that in an acceptable spot?

Great progress man! Love seeing pics of your work! I'm glad you figured out Paul's shoulder brackets. I might need to switch out Jim's shoulder straps someday too... Do you really think your barrel is too high? The chest plate isn't covering too much of the front details. Maybe you just need to trim down the top of the barrel so the side plates cover it..? I'm about to strap my thighs on too! Are you using 2 (one in the front and one on the side)? Glad to hear about your tests. Fingers crossed your tests keep coming back negative!! Congrats on the engagement!

I pulled the clamps off the ammo boxes and taped them on, thanks @gmrhodes13! I put E6000 on the large boxes, laid the elastic down, spread some more, and clamped them on the belt. I cut some velcro and hung the drop boxes just under 1" (per the new CRL, but I can shift them if needed). I'm also very happy with how I cut the back belt since it comes up just short of the outer box, so it's hidden behind it! I sprayed satin inside and gloss outside of the thighs. My modified lower trim looks pretty good (they're both in this pic)!! I wish it were better, but it's the best I can get without filling the interior with something... I also sprayed gloss white on the coverstrips so the cut sides are painted. I'll probably flip them over and spray satin inside, so they're completely white.

I finally built up the courage to stuck E6000 on the ammo boxes and adhere them to the belt. I spaced them out while on the barrel, clamped the bottom, then removed the belt and clamped the top. I only have enough clamps to set 4 boxes today, so tomorrow I'll stick on the outer boxes with the drop elastic underneath. As they were curing, E6000 started seaping out the edges This happened before with the bicep halves and I made the mistake of wiping it up, peeling paint with it. Any suggestions for E6000 cleanup? I figured I'll wait until it cures and then try to cut it off, but I'd like to avoid damaging the paint. I took the Dremel sanding drum to the thighs to flatten out the bottom trim. I couldn't get it as flat as I'd want, since I sanded through the fiberglass into the resin, but I think it'll look fine once painted. I also had to putty since sanding the fiberglass opened up pinholes. I'll sand it tomorrow and then try spraying gloss white. I sprayed gloss white on the TD, which went alright. There are some runs, but it looks fine, for the most part. I'll sand a little in a few days and touchup some spots.

I peeled off the tape and taped off the gray parts. Then I wet sanded the overspray and it's ready for gloss white! Then, I gave in and cut up my thighs... There wasn't any point to waiting I guess. I pulled off the velcro, but it wasn't easy and I probably can't reuse it. I cut off the coverstrips and 1" from the other side. I had to trim the bottom a little and adjust the lower trim. Then I trimmed down the crotch so they might fit better with the cod. After I washed them I tried them on and they fit so much better! I might need to trim a bit more to fix the look of the underlapping side.

I test fitted the lower parts of my armor today! This was a first with the cod/butt and they felt great! I think the thighs might still be too tall I have the shins as low as they'll go on my boots. For the most part, walking seems good, but bending my knees to 90* bumps the greaves into the thighs. Bending my hips also pushes the thighs up into the cod. The width of the thighs might work out, but if I decide to cut down the height, then I'll probably cut off the cover strips and fix the width. Also, the spot I adhered the thigh snaps are too far back, so I'll move, or add new, snaps about where the tape is.

I got a lot done over the past few days! I figured I'd combine it into one post, since a lot was redoing stuff... I finished the trauma plate! Snapped it on the barrel elastic straps and stored it in my footlocker. I probably should've started the TD earlier in my process, since there's SO MUCH to it. I spread putty and then wet sanded it to 220. My buddy printed the painting pyramids for me! I wet sanded the ammo boxes since they had a lot of runs, some stuck cardboard (from resting them directly on boxes for painting), and a spot that wouldn't take paint. I sprayed them gloss white again and they're good! 2 more days and I'll E6000 (I think) them to the belt. Something I noticed (that I don't think anyone mentioned) is that the drop box elastic comes out from between the outermost ammo box and the belt. These pics show that the elastic is on top of the belt. So I'll probably E6000 the elastic to the box, and then E6000 it to the belt. The thighs have been a huge pain! I sanded the gray chunks of spray paint off and sprayed again. At one point the can started doing it again, but I stopped immediately so only 1 thighs got messed up. I wet sanded to 220 later and sprayed it again. I think they're finally done now! Tomorrow I'll stick velcro on the back and trim out some 1" webbing to hang (with a clip, wrapped in elastic, per the new CRL). Hopefully they fit alright, or I can add foam strips in some places, because I DON'T WANT TO cut off the cover strips! Today I somewhat taped off the white parts of the TD. I wasn't too worried with perfect taping, just with simplifying my future sanding. I then sprayed gloss gray and it went very well! In 2 days I'll tape the gray parts and then spray gloss white...

Jeff, I saw you posted that method and it looks amazing and clean! I just don't have the resources to pull something like that now haha! Thanks so much for the suggestion! Your builds and walkthroughs have been crazy helpful!

Sorry about that, Tapatalk kept giving errors.

Great! You had commented that it was changed, then commented that there's ongoing debate about it, so I wasn't sure.

I also laid out my ammo boxes with 1" webbing on the left and 2" elastic on the right. I think this helps show how 1" just doesn't look right...

@Sly11 and @gmrhodes13, I couldn't add anymore CRL stuff to the other thread, since it's closed. Andrew, I know you said the CRL would be unlocked for a few days, almost a week ago, but I noticed something else that I thought I'd point out. I still can't access 501st pages yet, but since I'm currently working on my R1TK, I've scrutinized the CRLs and images for several months to get mine right. Hopefully that gives some weight to my input. The CRL explains that the TD "has a...grey "D" shaped recessed on the right side...an oval greeble that protrudes from the control near the top left side." Those are switched and the greeble should be on the right and the "D" on the left (pictured in the below screen caps). Also, the CRL clarifies colors on the abdomen barrel. Specifically, it states that "the center front detail...there is a vertical column...with a recessed trapezoid at the top of the column. The rectangular inside bottom of the trapezoid is blue." Images I have seen look much darker than blue, at least light gray, possibly as dark as black.

I spray painted the ammo boxes white today, satin on the drop box backs, and gloss everywhere else. After a few coats on the back, I waited 30 minutes and flipped them over. They were still a little sticky. This setup didn't work too well, I should've figured out how to make a bunch of toothpick stands. They have quite a few imperfections that I'll have to touch up, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles... I also wet sanded the putty off the trauma plate with 220. I'll spray gloss white tomorrow and it should be good! Some gentle filing, and the putty still fell into the TD. My buddy had some Bondo fiberglass filler so I mixed some and spread it. After 15 minutes of curing I sanded with 220 and it seems to be holding up! I'm sure it'll take a little putty to blend it smooth, but at least there's no hole! I think I've talked myself into using E6000 to attached the ammo boxes and TD to the belt, unless anyone is opposed. E6000 will allow me to move them around until they're perfect and I can clamp them at both ends. Drilling holes for rivets or screws/nuts won't allow shifting if they don't line up perfectly in the first shot. Velcro and magnetic sheets won't be thin enough to lay flush, and could possibly bump/fall off. I have a few days before I'm worried about it, so I'm fully open to input!

Maybe I'll consider E6000 as my backup, since it'll be just as permanent as rivets (unless the paint rips off).

I shook up a new can of gloss white and started spraying the thighs, but sadly, it came out all clumpy and discolored at first. I finished spraying and they mostly look alright, but the front of the first thigh is going to need some sanding and another coat I also lightly filed some putty, but one hole collapsed in again. I put more putty, and tried to squish some inside to support the back. Hopefully this will work out...I don't know how else to fix it short of buying more resin and filling the inside... A little bit of putty in the trauma plate's pinholes. Wet sanded the ammo boxes to 220. They ready for gloss white tomorrow. I had some extra time, so I thought I'd practice riveting. I drilled 3/16" holes into 2 pieces I trimmed from the belt. The rivets I'm using are only 1/4" long, about the thickness of 2 sheets of fiberglass, so they just aren't longer enough to grip outside the 2nd sheet. I found some 3/16"x1/2" rivets online that might work, but I'm waiting for confirmation on their grip range. If I don't use rivets (and I'm not going to do t-nuts since I'd have to cut into them) what are my other options to attach the ammo boxes and TD? Will E6000 be sufficient? Velcro will be too thick so they won't sit flush, same if I got adhesive magnetic sheets.

I finally got to strap my forearms and greaves!! Each forearm has elastic straps velcro'd on. This is working pretty well at keeping the sides together while also giving a little stretch to don. I can slide them on, then put my gloves on, and slide them down a little to cover the wrists. The forearms rotate a little with my wrist, so I'll probably stick some foam padding near the elbow to hold them in place (but I'll wait to do a proper fitting first). I figure a small patch of velcro on my sleeves could help, but they might just rotate too. Any suggestions to stop the forearms from rotating? I used the same method on my shins, but just have a strip of hard velcro and 2 patches of soft on the calves. This lets me open the greaves clamshell without cracking (so far), so I can slip in my leg and press together those 2 velcro'd spots. I ran out of time and couldn't fully don my armor but my gloss white arrived so I can finish the thighs (hopefully) tomorrow! Then a few days and I'll fit them with the greaves and everything else.

I had to go a little thick with putty in spots to fill the holes. Hopefully I can gently file it down tomorrow... And just a little bit for putty filling on the ammo boxes. I'm really looking forward to adding velcro and elastic straps to the greaves and forearms tomorrow!! I'll have to wait 1 more day before I stick stuff on the thighs though...

I started figuring out how I want my forearms and greaves to close, but I noticed the edges and interior had some sanded putty and fiberglass epoxy showing, so I sprayed some satin white inside. Now I have to wait a few more days before I'd be comfortable sticking velcro on there... The shins will clamshell with elastic in the front and velcro down the back. I trimmed some elastic strips for the forearms that I'll velcro in. They'll stay completely closed and hopefully expand enough to get my hands through. I noticed some spots around the edges of the thighs too, so I also sprayed satin white. They're ready for a final exterior coat of gloss white when it gets delivered! Then, of course, I wet sanded! 220 on the ammo boxes. Just a few spots that need more putty. And 220 on the TD. I also had to file some of the grooves and ended up poking through! Jim's TD is so finely detailed it's amazing, but some spots are terribly thin. I'll putty those areas and file them again more gently.

A little wet sanding to 220 and the thighs are ready for another coat of gloss white! Except, I finished my last can spraying the trauma plate. I ordered more gloss white (again!) a few days ago, but it won't be here until later this week. The thighs, greaves, and forearms used so much of the 2 cans I just got. Hopefully 2 more will be enough! I also primed the ammo boxes: front, back, and sides of them all except the drop boxes (not the backs).