DrMatt

Just got accepted! TK-14337 http://501st.com/members/displaymemberdetails.php?userID=49108

It is done! Took a year, but I did it!

Been away on vacation for two weeks... no more comments! Once I address these issues, what's the next step?

GREAT catch! I totally forgot the retention snaps... and, yes, the knee and thighs are going to be much better. Thanks!

Yeah... I'm going to add some straps to the bottom on the pant legs so it's much less baggy.

Corrupted files! Thanks for the catch... Should be fixed now.

This will be the second completed build in the word (the other is the one is what the CRL is based on). Thanks for the feedback!

That's strange. They all show up for me... If anyone else has issues, let me know!

Just submitted my pre-approval. Here's hoping...

This is my first build. Worked on this with Level 3 in mind for quality. Hope it works… Mandatory Information Costume = Imperial Armored Commando Costume CRL Link = https://databank.501st.com/databank/Costuming:Imperial-Armored-Commando Name = Matt G TKID = None yet. First application Forum Name = DrMatt Legion Profile = https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/profile/42934-drmatt/ Garrison/Squad = Golden Gate Garrison Armor = Self build, PLA+ print Helmet = Self build, PLA+ print Optional Information Height = 6ft 3in, or 190cm Weight = 205lbs, or 93kg Flightsuit = Keep Trooping Boots = Crowprops Build Thread = Full Front Full Back Full Left Full Right With A Rifle

Redone shins... Done! One piece so they don't break (using Francois' files). I'll have to add straps to the bottom of the pant legs to keep it from bunching up, but that, my friends, is the last big piece done. Just some placements and velcro-ing to do for the small pieces on to the flight suit, but... essentially... I'm complete! I'm going to want test-fit all of this together, but... if I have to do anything for 501st acceptance, I want to do it all at once. Is it Sly11 that I need to start to connect with?

I've added a rank pad to the files that you can print out that makes it easier to paint. In the GA files, it's going to be a pain in the an impolite person to make the chest pieces flat and smooth (the upper "diamond" and the lower rectangle). I liked the Big Fred file that separates these pieces (and it makes it easier to paint). I have two pieces for my chest piece... The front part... and the back park (duh!). The back plate attaches below the collar. You'll see in the CRL where Francois' seam is. The one worry I had was the weight of the jetpack attached to this piece will rely on the holding power of that hinge. Also... be sure to leave enough inner "diameter" of the chest piece for the abs to fit.

Finished the chest... finally! Of course, I forgot to add the white rectangle in the lower gray part, but that's sitting on my workbench. Just need to glue it on. Test fit with flight suit and abs... Fits really well! It's actually kind of comforting with the abs (like a cool hug). Noticed that there's NOT much ability to move around. Now I know why most actors are so rigid :-D Unfortunately, have to redo the shins since, during fit test, discovered the shins didn't fit over the shoes when the seam in the shins split bad. Note: If you are gluing pieces together, reinforce the seam somehow! No worries... used Francios' shin design to reprint as a one-piece shin.

Super excited. What I think is the most difficult part of this build... my abs are done! Thanks to Francois' molding skills (and a little luck that his mold fit my body). I added suspenders to hold the weight on my shoulders as well as keep it at the proper height. SO close now!

Gauntlets done. I'm STILL struggling on how to secure the two halves together. These and the shins... Pins.. magnets... velcro? UGH!

Hey, all, As I'm wrapping up my build, I'm trying to engineer the latching system for the gauntlets and shins. I'm an ex-engineer, so I've got that hat on... I'm SURE the 501st has builders who have found the most effective system to latch two halves of armor together. Any leads on what works well? I've been considering neo-magnets, but they can be difficult to separate. I've found the pin/hinge STLs and are my current favorite. I was also thinking of buckle latches. Or... a combination of some of these. I was also thinking of designing my own latch that combines the quick-connect of magnets with a pin/hinge for easy release. Also, location is what I'm considering. Seems like the length of the shins would require four - two at the top and two at the bottom. I'm wondering if the gauntlet is short enough where I can get away with just two in the center. Thanks for brainstorming with me...

Now that it's warm enough to paint properly (learning process: mis-matched temps causes spray paint problems Ugh!), I've continued on my journey. Big part completed: jetpack! I'm really happy with the result. Also completed thigh plates. Everything else is pretty much complete with the armor, but have some touchups to do... biggest piece to complete (but close) is chest. Then I need to figure out how the hell I'm going to connect the leg and gauntlets together. I'm going between magnets, printed hinges, velcro, latches... My engineering mind is still working on a good enough solution... any hints? Soft parts! I'm THRILLED with flight suit I got from Keep Trooping. It fits like a glove! I also got shoes from Crowprops - also quality! Then... I'm getting the abs from Francois. Can't wait to put it all together. I had a belt custom made by someone on Etsy (LaraansArmory). It turned out perfect and now adding the boxes. Onward! Here are some pictures:

Done!

I'll just put this right here... As I've said, I want to contribute to the group. If this belongs elsewhere, I'll post it there. I'm on a quest to shoot for screen quality of my build. Oh... and I really like nice sharp painted edges and perfection, so I made a rank insignia STL with all the painted parts extracted. It makes painting this quite easy! The final product will fit Big Fred's armor... but I'm sure it could fit GA's set as well. Enjoy! Here's the link to the STLs: http://www.kivaspirit.org/ImperialCommando/ImperialCommandoRankInsert.zip

Just started to offer my 3D prints on Etsy. Should have a pistol out soon, but here's the blaster. Please to enjoy! https://galacticprintcrafts.etsy.com/listing/1852623131

Installed the eye shield... I used the Hobart 770580 Face Shield Replacement Lens. I printed out just the eye holes so that I could make a template of just the holes. It worked fine, but left holes because of the janky cuts. Instead, I just make a rectangle to lay flat behind the holes. I debated on how I would attach to the inside. I considered glue and velcro. I really wanted to be able to replace the lens if I had to, but I wasn't tied to it. I landed on using chicago screws (I had them from another leather project) and epoxying the screws to the bucket. First I punched holes using a leather hole punch that made some nice holes that fit my screws in the locations that fit. The first lesson I learned... don't use the lens itself as a template. It's WAY too stiff. I needed the screw to stay put while the epoxy cured. Instead, I used a thin piece of cardboard and punched holes where I had punched the holes in the lens and then used the cardboard as a template where the screws would be. Worked out really well! Also, another lesson, let the epoxy cure for a LONG time before trying on the lens. One of my screws popped off because it wasn't cured well enough. Ugh. Also, the screws are a bit tall, so, if you're doing this, get the shortest ones you can. I'll probably have to add a thick washer to make sure the lens doesn't lift. Now... on to the other internals... Here's the result:

I really wanted to do the bucket right. Even though this is my first time, it turned out pretty good. The outside is done.. now it's time to work on the insides (especially since we've traveled outside of painting weather). FINAL:

Sanded... painted... sanded... painted... Now it's smooth and white and ready for gloss. This process is NOT good for a perfectionist. I'm really shooting for 501st acceptance, so every little blemish or ANYTHING is meticulously removed. Lots of time...

Yup! Made sure of that... Thanks!

Thanks for the info. I've found that painting on a thinned coat of glazing spot putty works well for me for the lines. Then, for the deeper grooves some straight-from-the-tube glazing putty. It's a process!