Sawanator

Many thanks. I have stickers, so will give that a shot.

For the Tube strips, are there any tricks to getting that lined up properly? It's one of the last things I have to do Also, to take the old ones off, is it just elbow grease?

I think I got it figured out. I saw the bolt inside and was able to wider the first ring so that it catches the bolt. and puts pressure on it. We'll see how it holds. Thanks for the offer to help. I'll keep working on things and, if it's ok, I'll keep posting things here as I gear up for level 3 approval.

I'll have to look up what that means? I don't see anything that it's supposed to latch onto. My sliding bolt doesn't move, and it appears to be a hollow tube all the way to the front of the blaster. I'm not sure if I can make Comic Con. Got a serious house reno starting, so not sure I can get away.

So, I've been tinkering here and there when I have time. I'm starting heating the butt plate to bend the button up a bit. I have no explanation why it hangs so low. That's just how it is, even with the strap done up. I will post new pictures next time I suit up. For the helmet, I've still got to address the tube strips, but I tried fixing the brow piece by the ears. For the blaster, I attempted the coil. I thought it was strange that it went in so far, then I realized it went right right to the end, and you can see if from the front. This can't be write, but I'm not sure how to stop the coil from sliding around. Would I glue it to the end cap? Not sure how I would get a blocked 1/2 way down. Thoughts?

I'm positive I can make these changes. I do have one question about the butt plate. My snap was definitely done up, so I'm not sure what to say about this. It's just how it sits on me. AM had that little extension on the butt plate, but I cut that off as I read in other threads it wasn't necessary, and it looked like it might be a good pinch point in a dangerous area, so I cut it off. Not sure there's much I can do about that. I use an elastic strap, I suppose I could switch to nylon and see if that make a difference. Any other thoughts or pics you would need me to send?

Matthew Sawa 13239 EIB Letter Chemi All done, sir. See you at the next level! https://www.whitearmor.net/eib/certificates/13239-eib.png

Thanks everyone! Sorry for the delayed post. I was checking my notifications daily to see if there were other improvements to make, but for some reason never saw that it was approved. Weird. Anyway, thank you for all the support and oversight of this process, so excited to join the ranks of you fine troopers. Given where life is taking me right now, I will probably step back from mods until I can research then deep dive into fixing things up. If have have questions/posts about touch ups regarding Centurion mods, would I continue posting here, start a new post, or continue on my original build thread? Thanks again.

Here are my boots that I've sanded down. Hope these are ok now.

Great tip. Thanks. I will try that. Thanks

Trying to figure out which way to go with this part. I'm not sure if I went to far on the right side (blue) and should build it back up, or if I should work on the left (yellow) to lower it a bit a just clean up the blue side into a straighter line.

Sorry, I've taken so long. I finally found black paint. Let me know about the vocoder. I started working on the grey from the gums. I will have to touch it up in some sections that now have rough edges, but please let me know if I've removed enough.

Welcome aboard I just finished my AM armor build a few weeks ago. AJ Hamler build definitely has good stuff. Dave also has some pretty good videos for key stages on his Facebook page as well. Definitely watched those a few times! I also found Pandatrooper videos helpful, and various other ones at different points in the build. The are some differences, especially in size, and that's where cross referencing with Dave's videos is key, and he's got some great tips for his armor, specifically. I'll follow along your build thread once you are up and running. Feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to share what I learned from my build experience any time.

For sure. I will fix those things and repost when it's time. Thanks for the tips on the boots. I didn't notice that. I will fix the gums and re-post that pic. So as luck would have it, I can't find my black paint. I bought it a few years ago, when I started. Went to Michaels and a few local hobby shops. Nobody is carrying the Testors 1747, and apparently Humbrol is on the naughty list in Canada, so it's hard to get replacements. Does anybody know if there is any other substitute paint brand I can use for the black on the vocoder?

Hi everyone, So excited to announce my TK number! I've always had a fascination with stormtroopers and that amazing outfit. Nobody believed this was actually a thing when I told them about it, and I seriously doubted if I could do it too, but here I am! I knew I wanted to do this build with someone, and I was lucky enough my good friend James, who also lives in the Toronto are, and for all intense and purposes is my twin (yes, we were even born on the same day), was thrilled to sign up with me. The journey started as a 40th birthday gift to myself. Originally, it was going to be a trip to Disney Star Wars with the family, but COVID got in the way that, and since I have plenty of time to research things, I stared searching for ways to buy/build a stuit and stumbled upon the FISD website, so here we are. James is really close to submitting as well. We are so excited to get out and start Trooping, especially charity work when it comes around. We are thrilled to be wearing Dark Side Dave's armor. Being so thick was tough to work with initially, but it fits us "huskier' troopers really well, and (as with all armor makers) looks amazing. Dave was always standing by to give a guiding hand, and I also want to send a huge shout out to all of those who helped us on our build thread, for giving us tips, and even picking us up when we thought all hope was lost and they we had either screwed up royally, or felt it was never going to pull together for us. We felt so welcomed into this community, and I have been raving about how supportive this group is. I can't wait to start paying it forward with other future troopers, and I can't wait to get out there and meet all of the amazing people Star Wars brings together. Almost as soon as I got approved, gmrhodes13 hooked me up with Nairy, who helped teach me how to make these awesome banners and play around with Photoshop, after he made my first banner for me!). Everyone just seems so generous. I wish more people could experience this. I'm honoured to be called Trooper with all of you. I've currently started my EIB submission and have the ultimate goal to make Centurion status. Once again, thanks to all for welcoming me and I look forward to seeing you out there. TK-13239 out

I've add the photos requested. I just realized I put the wrong paint on (it was too glossy). I'll have to redo the vocoder, but I can seem to find the right paint at home, so I may have to pick one up before I can re-post with cleaner lines (my apologies, I have shaky hands when it comes to fine motor things). The photo (outside shot) I added of the shoulder bridges, it that ok for submission?

I have made changes to the paint on the vocoder and removed the writing from the gloves and replaced those images in the original post. Please note, the angled shot where I tried to show my lens is the old vocoder paint job. The new paint job is in the head on shot. I also added a picture from earlier in the summer when I was trying things on. You can see the shoulder bridge over the back plate in that one. Hope this helps. Cheers, Matt

Wow, didn't notice that. Thanks. Should I retake that picture for submission?

Just did that. Should I fix things up the suggestions above first?

Ya, that really sucked. I was following the standard gaps then realized I needed to even it out for larger armor. Oops! I would still love to improve those plugs and really buff it out, but it's good enough for now. Lost a few pounds once I realized that mistake!

Thanks for the tips. I can do that easily! I wasn't sure what to do about the gloves, so definitely feedback I was looking for. Cheers.

TK-13239 Requesting ANH Stunt EIB Status Name: Matthew Sawa TK-13239 https://www.501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=37125 FISD: Sawanator Garrison: Canadian Height: 6’2” Weight: 225lbs Armor and helmet maker: Dave’s Darkside Depot Blaster maker: QuestDesignCanada Boot Maker: Custom boots made by Jasmine Martins. These boots were based of a pair of Crowprops that did not fit. I have a size 14 wide foot and I could not find a shoe maker. She did a pretty outstanding job IMO. Canvas Belt Maker: ImperialIssue Handguards: Justjoseph63 Holster and Neck Seal Maker: DarmansProps Here are my pictures for submission:

You are a wonderful person! I love it, thanks!

Already combed that one! Was so excited the first day I got approved, I was trying to soak everything in. Thanks again for all your help. It's so appreciated, all through this build. You, and all the other troopers who chime in, are awesome. Excited to start paying it forward.

Bing! Lightbulb finally went off! Lol I was so confused what the first link was (because I was only looking at the other links that took you to the 501st.com site). I get it now, sorry for being slow on the uptake. Access has been requested.