CT 1977

Hey Glen, can you post a photo of your snap plates so I can have a good example of what I will need? Also, it looks like the of the kidney and butt plates where they join, have no return edge at all...am I seeing it accurately? Thanks.

Hi Richard, Bill Swann here and I'm beginning the work on my torso section and wanted to ask if you could give me a link to the "requirements.." section. I saw the diagram you posted below this post, and that's very helpful but I'd love to be able to refer to those requirements in the future. Thanks for your help and advise.

I got some work done this weekend on my bucket and torso armor. Mostly trimming on the armor but painting on the traps and tears. I feel like the tears are just about ready with the exception of the left tear that needs some black enhancement at the lower - forward area. Also feel like the teeth are close to complete so Glen (and/or anyone) could check it out and let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing what needs to be fixed or what is passable. Thanks.

thanks, Caleb but looks like its a race to see who will be slowest. So much going on and finding and making the time to work the armor is tough. I hope to make some progress today and I'll post photos.

Thanks, Glen. Yeah, I've been really focused on keeping them rounded and looking over the photos further up in this thread, seem to be okay but I'll take your word on that.

Hey Glen, Can you take a look the black on the tears and let me know your thoughts? Thanks.

After reading much of Caleb's post on his build I started trimming the torso pieces. Here is the kidney section from bottom showing the first rough cut. Now I'm just trying to figure out how much more should come off. This will basically be my technique going forward with the remainder of the pieces. This is different angles of the first rough cut. I'm open to comments, tips and suggestions.

First coat of gray for the traps. I took Caleb's advice and will be painting multiple light layers of paint till I have it covered. I took Glen's advice and bought some Frog tape as he said that this tape has a less porous adhesive and decreases the bleed through that comes with standard masking tape. Here I'm touching up the teeth.

I'm ready to get started on the gray paint but I wanted to get some more eyes on my tears just to make sure they're ready to go. The more I look it at, the more I see things that need fixing so, having a more experienced set of eyes would be really helpful.

Hey Caleb, thanks for this. it turns out my AVG Antivirus was blocking the website showing it was infected with a Trojan virus. I tried it on my iPad and was able to order it there. Again, great thread and very helpful...this is my go to thread now for painting my bucket! Swannee

Thanks, Glen. I ended up going to my iPad to try it that way and it worked...so I got my order placed. I felt like I could have made my own but this way will be faster and just as accurate, or maybe more so. Thanks, again.

it looks like my AVG antivirus is blocking the site as it shows that the site has been infected with a "Trojan" malware. The name of the virus is JS:CardStealer-FX[Trj}, so if there is another way to contact them like an email...if you have it, would be good and thanks again.

okay, so is that why everyone uses return edges...for strength? Thanks for the thread.

thanks for the link but I'm having a really difficult time with their website. I was able to get the template into shopping cart but the website crashes every time I try to check out. Do you happen to have their email address? I'm sure its something like person@trooperbay.com

I'm not quite sure what to do here as far how much to trim. Other videos and photos I've seen show what look like a return edge and they just trim till there's still a slight return edge. But on my armor the plastic on the other side of what looks like a trim line is a bit higher than the main part of the armor. Below I have lightly drawn a pencil like where it looks like its supposed to be trimmed but then, what of the return edge. Anyone with some helpful tips here?

Hey Caleb, great post and instructions! Thanks for taking the time to share. So, when I click on the link to the trooperbay.com, I get error messages. No matter which browser I use....is that site still up? I'm looking to find, buy, download, templates for traps and tears. Any recommendations or help would be greatly appreciated. Bill

Thanks, Glen...I see the tube stripe template but seem to missing the traps and tears, am I missing something?

Hey Glen, I was trying to find the page/section that has the tears and traps painting templates but can't find them again. Any chance you've got a link or know where I can find them? I'm good with either printing them down or buying them as long as they're approved. Thanks, bro!

Hello, I was trying to access the "for sale" section for 501st. Actually, I'm trying to find tears and traps templates and having a tough time finding them. I found them once but now I can't seem to navigate back to them. Below is a link to my profile. Really, if you could point me in the direction of approved templates, I'd be very grateful. I'm good with buying them or just printing from the approved template. Thanks! https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/profile/38239-ct-1977/

I'm thinking I've got the traps and tears done with black and ready to start with the gray but, Glen, take a look and let me know what you think. After I took the photos I looked at them to make sure they looked good and realized that the rear right trap needed some work. Its funny, it seemed good to my eye but after looking at the photo, I realized I had to go back and clean up some lines. So, the first photo is before, the second is the "after". Better photo, closer view.

Yeah, the reflections are skewing the view but as you noted in the tears a second coat and potentially a third will be needed. Thanks for the input.

one more coat on everything? If so, probably a third coat on the tears?

Touch up job...one more coat and that should do it. I'm thinking a little more touch up on the traps and a second coat on the tears (terminology is correct, right?) and should be ready for the gray.

yeah, I've always like the saying "you never make a mistake if you stay on the couch". Thanks, guys, I appreciate the encouragement.

Dude, that's exactly what I thinking...thanks for the confirmation with the marker idea!