TrickyT81

Hi all, I need to make an adjustment to the elastic strapping that connects the back and chest armour (see image). Looking at the image, you can see the back armour is dropping down my shoulder a little so I going to shorten the elastic that connects them. The elastic also has a tendency to slip off the edge of the flap completely (no matter how much I tighten) possibly because the back/chest pieces are a little too far apart. Just in case I make a mistake, I want to order some new elastic (it won’t hurt to have some spare) so wanted to check I get the right kind. I was looking at the below but please correct me if this is the wrong kind. The Bead Shop - Wide White Elastic Band | 38mm 6 metres | Stretch Webbing https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BCJWY81/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_HWBNYNDT90WN46WS9MHT Thanks, Tim Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Dan, That’s looking like a really nice build. I’ve ended up ordering a new set of ears because I feel I can do a lot better with the build. Luckily not been charged so I get another shot to get it the way I want. Because I got my helmet from RS it made sense to me to follow their tutorial but I’m assuming this doesn’t really matter? Thanks, Tim

Helpful as always, Glenn. I don’t think I’m far off. One of the reasons it’s taken me this long is the fact I’m doing it bit by bit. It’s hard to tell on the reference images I’ve been looking at and on your photos but am I correct in saying that the edge of the bottom part of the ear is likely to sit at a slight angle and not necessarily ‘flush’ with edge of the face/back plate?

Hi all, I’m currently near complete with the left ear. Before I sand anything down further, I wanted to check positioning and fitting. I’ve taped the ears in position to give you all the best idea. Couple of areas I wanted to check with you all… 1. Because of the ‘ridge’ created by the face/back plate overlap, the top of the ear rocks a little. Should I expect this? 2. The front of the bottom part of the ear doesn’t fully ‘sit’ under the cheek. Again, is this normal and likely to rectify when screwed in place? Thanks everyone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi everyone, First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends here of FISD. If there is one thing I’m thankful for is discovering this wonderful community of people The other thing I’m thankful for is Black Friday as I’ve managed to bag my build kit from RS at a really good discounted rate. So, once I get the helmet completed (just need to get passed the dreaded ears) then I’m ready to go with the next phase. Enjoy your day all.

Hi all, I have ANH hero armour and have been considering building Luke’s ammo belt complete with accessories (I am short for a stormtrooper so may as well embrace this while trooping). So a couple of questions: Does this affect my 501st approval and EIB status. Can anyone point me in the right direction on where I can source materials. Thanks, Tim

Ok, so I think this is looking better. The placement of the screws feels more in line with where the originals were and although I haven’t started the ears yet, they seem to fit more naturally into position than before at a quick glance. Without wanting to get too far ahead of myself, when I have done an initial placement of the ears, it doesn’t appear there will be enough space for the blue track lines. Is this something that tends to work itself out? As I say, it definitely feels like the face/back plate are in the correct position now so I’m assuming this is down to when the ears are correctly trimmed and in position? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks folks and I appreciate the useful responses I’ve never crafted anything before so it’s really beneficial to have such patient and helpful people to answer my many questions (and there will be many more haha). Hopefully those following my thread will find answers to questions that will help them with their own builds.

Hi Daniel, I should have been more specific. I meant the rivets that sit UNDER the ears but your suggestion helps. Just in your comment around not sticking to one particular photo, this is where I find the process a bit challenging. For example, the photo provided by Luca, the trim is right to the edge of the decal (correct me if I’m not using the right terminology) and in my photo it isn’t; it stops short. So in using different reference images there is a contradiction between them. My mind works very literally so if I see something that is from the film, like the photo on starwarshelmets.com, my thinking would be to recreate that. I do want to build to Centurion level so I’d be interested to know other opinions on this.

What’s the best way to drill out rivets? Last time I did this, it created a larger hole (see earlier post in my thread). One suggestion was to hold the rivet with pliers but this will be difficult when it comes to the ears. Sent from The Empire

Thanks for the comments so far. My feeling was to reposition the faceplate which I’m going to do. In regards to the trim length, I think this is where it may cause debate. I’m using this photo from starwarshelmets.com for reference. Note that when I positioned the ear, the gap doesn’t look as big. That being said, happy to hear what the general opinion is on this. Thanks. Sent from The Empire

Hi all, Would appreciate feedback on my progress so far before I move onto the ears. One thing I noticed was that the left side was further away from the tear compared to the right. That being said, before I placed the holes, I was lining up the contour of the eye to the indent of the decal of the cap which are in line. I know the helmets weren’t symmetrical but worth double checking with you all. Thanks in advance for your comments. Sent from The Empire

Thanks chaps. A bit of a daft mistake but all part of the process. At least it will be an area that will be covered. @joseph, will e6000 be fine for glueing down the scrap ABS? Also, I’m assuming I’ll glue this on top of the hole? Sent from The Empire

It was going so well…and then I had to remove a rivet. Basically as I started to drill out the rivet (I just needed to reposition the right side) and as I did this I didn’t notice the actual rivet was turning and making an even larger hole *sigh*. No panic though, at least it’s an area that will eventually be covered by the ear pieces. My initial thought was ABS paste but wanted to check if there were any other suggestions. Sent from The Empire

Not a problem. I have a troop this weekend so will get some photos to you then. I think one thing that you’ll need to consider is maintaining the overall shape of the rear thigh, as well as keeping this as even as possible on both the left and right. This was one of the reasons I didn’t do it myself in my case. Plenty of helping hands on here though to help you. Sent from The Empire

Hi Colin, they removed only a centimetre or so from the rear of the thigh (so as not to increase the gap too much as Joseph mentioned). The return edge was removed as a result but kept at the front. They did a great job.

Moving onto trimming down the eyes. From reference photos I’ve indicated where I think the trim line should be on each eye. What doesn’t come across is the ‘bump’ on the lower right eye, which I will ensure is there for accuracy. Please could you let me know if I have my trim lines in the right place. Thanks all. Sent from The Empire

Thanks guys. As I thought, makes sense to follow the video for the particular helmet. Already noted the position of the ears but thanks for reaffirming all the same. Here is a progress picture. Just it the process of filing out the teeth. I’d like to draw your attention to the second tooth from the left. It looks a little wider than the others after sanding down the recess area. Is this likely to be the helmet itself or have I made a mistake? Sent from The Empire

Hi all, I’ve started the helmet this weekend and so far done some basic trimming of the face/back plates (nothing worthy of progress photos yet). Before I head into the assembly part, I’ve looked at some of the build threads above which have been really useful. Equally useful are the video tutorials and wanted to ask which of these would be a good one to follow. RS helmet tutorials (in episodes) TK lid build Logic tells me to follow the RS tutorial (it is an RS lid afterall) but I do like the way TK uses magnets to hold the 2 parts in place while he adds the rivets. So my questions are: Will following different parts of the tutorials in each of the videos affect the build? (e.g. using magnets in TK’s method as opposed to the RS method) Is it better to just follow the RS tutorial as this is specific to the lid I’m building Thanks folks.

Got the mods done today and feels so much better. Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions with this.

So it begins… I picked up my Brown Box from RS this afternoon and can’t wait to get started. To ease me into the build, I’m going to start by cutting out the eyes and teeth. For this I was going to use craft knives and needle files. I’ll be sure to measure twice (or in my case probably 20 times) and cut once. Any advice for cutting the eyes and teeth to get me started? Thanks, Tim Sent from The Empire

Quick update on this. I’m picking up my ESB helmet from RS on Friday. While I’m there they’ve kindly offered to make the above adjustments (better them than me saying as they built it). Hopefully we can find a balance with how much to trim off without making the gap too large.

Troop #1 4/9/2021 - Darwen Rotary Club Family Fundraising Day. My induction troop and what a blast. Great fellow troopers, great weather, great people and all for great causes and charities. What a way to get started. Here is a selection of images from the day. I’m the short one (cue quote)… Sent from The Empire

Really helpful again, Joseph. Thanks [emoji106] Sent from The Empire

As always, super helpful. Thanks fellas. Here are a couple of images from my original approval photos which show how close the thigh armour is to the butt when they’re pulled right up. These inevitably overlap and click when I walk. Although moving them down is comfortable at first, I get the issues mentioned after longer periods of movement/wearing. Hopefully these photos will help further. Let me know if you need anymore. Sent from The Empire