Alk3fan

Hey hey! After stressing about it and putting it off, I finally started trimming this weekend. I’ve got a rough trim of the abs, glutes, and kidney. Like some of you warned, after doing some general test fits it seems like I might have too big of a gap between the abs and kidney (too much blue milk and jet juice.) While I’m certainly a ways off from gluing yet, curious if someone could point me in the direction for instructions on adding shim (shimming?) to the kidney or abs. I’m concerned about matching color and molding too. I’m shooting for L3 for fun but will not be heart broken if I fall short. I’m a little discouraged between the sold out helmet and now the gaps, but reap what you sow. Or trim and glue more 😂 Set backs never stopped the Empire!

@TheRascalKing Well that’s not the news I’m looking for! While disappointing, I’ve got plenty of work to keep me busy until I can find one. Thanks for the heads up 👍🏻

I thought I was going to wait 2 months for armor - my BBB has arrived just short of a week! I would love to continue the conversation at my build thread (wow how exciting to say) Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and knowledge sharing!

Hi Gang! After some warm introductions here in the forums and attending my first armor party, I answered the Empire's call. I've received my very first BBB from Denuo Novo to be an ANH Stunt Stormtrooper. I'm really excited and feeling more confident than I expected I would. Just trying to focus on one section at a time. I have some orders pending some various materials (some of which I think I'll need to verify the accuracy of with you fine folks). But in the meantime here is a break down of my plan: Kit: Acceptance: Striving for Centurion - but happy to be accepted at any level Helmet: Denuo Novo when back in stock Armor: Denuo Novo Neck Seal: To order from DarmansProps Undersuit: Ordered cheaper amazon shirt and pant options for sizing during armor build. May upgrade as needed Belt: To make or order from Imperial Issue Gloves (w/flex plates): JustJoseph63 or Trooper Bay Boots: Ordered with KeepTrooping - not yet arrived E-11: May order from Nolapropworks Electronics (haven't done much research yet) Speakers: I'd sort of like to have working helmet tips with the option to connect to a chest speaker for noisy events. Aker 10 watt? ICOMM? Hearing Assistance: Is this necessary? nice to have? Fans: all of them plz Travel Crate (haven't done much research yet) Compact enough to fit in a hatchback Current Questions What now?? (will look at Tony's Thread) Is the holster from Denuo Novo accurate for acceptance? The large button plate seems a bit more warped around the base than I would expect. Does this matter too much as it's mostly a shell piece on the torso? I've added pic's below Excited and looking forward to building this with the community here. Thank you for contributing to this journey!

Thanks @justjoseph63 I’ve heard that belt is pretty flimsy and I was referred to the same vendor. Looks like they’ll be getting my business once my armor is further along. You don’t happen to know where I should look for gloves do you? I know you pointed me to your shop for the flexible pieces (likely take you up on that too). A few weeks ago I had the fortune of meeting @TheRascalKing and a few others with this kit. It looked great and looking forward to leaning on the group for advice and confidence boosts. I still think it’s funny I was expecting this shipment to take months, allowing me to financially recover, hit the gym a little, and collect materials. It’s coming on Monday lol ahh

@R2Chris thanks for the encouragement! Great idea about making a PDF, absolutely going to do that. @gmrhodes13 Thanks for the supply thread! I absolutely need to start stocking up on materials. I think that panic is already setting in! I'm going to continue to absorb as much as I can and likely ask many questions before any cutting happens. @TheRascalKing Yooo I absolutely took your advice! I had my eye out for a convention sale, then applied my newsletter discount code. The double points I earned purchasing the armor during the convention will allow me to get a discount on the helmet when it's in stock. Wizard! @Sly11 thanks so much for the comment. This is a wild endeavor I can't quite believe I've actually officially taken on. I'm shocked to see that I already received a shipment notice for the armor. I expected this to take weeks. I've got so much more to learn and gather before I'm ready to truly start, but I can't say thanks enough to everyone taking time to chime in. Once that BBB arrives I'll shift the conversation to a build thread. Thanks all!

I'm happy to share after lots of great suggestions, I ended up opting for a Denuo Novo. The helmet is currently out of stock but I'm on the notification to hopefully snag one on the next batch. While I wait for quite a while for the BBB to arrive, I'm curious what I can be working on in the meantime? I'm doing to be my best to start following some of the guides to acquire some of the basic tools and materials. Any other suggestions? very excited!

Happy Saturday gang. Hope everyone is doing well. I'm trying to learn a bit more about the Denuo Novo kit. Couple questions: - I see that it's 3d scanned from an original. Does this version eliminate the warts on the helmet? - Are the straps and mounts that are included helpful or do I need to replace them? - Are the included instructions helpful? - I think I was told the belt will need upgrading? - Besides under armor suit, shoes (purchased), neck piece, electronics (fans, voice changer, hearing assistance) blaster and potentially belt... are there any additional pieces/expenses I should expect with this kit? (flexible hand armor?) Thanks as always!

@DohF4 - thanks so much for the thorough breakdown. Really glad they fit so well for you! I ended up ordering the 12’s before I saw your comment, so we’ll see how it goes. I wanted to take a moment and thank @TheRascalKing and any others that might have been at the OC armor party yesterday. I was amazed at the warm welcome I experienced here in the forums but feeling it first hand with a bunch of strangers in person was really special. Thank you for all the good vibes and knowledge sharing. I’m more eager than ever to determine my kit and get trooping. Hope to catch up and meet more of you fine folk soon!

Hope those of you in the states have a safe and happy 4th. I saw that KeepTrooping is currently open for shoes. Was curious if anyone here had any particularly thoughts regarding? My research says to get a size larger. I’m typically 10.5 in boot and 11 in sneaker. It seems like 12 should be the way to go knowing I can add inserts but I do love to feel more form fitting feeling. Anyone have additional suggestions for the latest batch? Thanks for the help!

I've really appreciated everyone taking time to welcome me and share advice about getting started. It's made the process a lot more accessible and put my mind more at ease to see how many people are willing to help. I'm really eager to get into a suit, but for the time being I'm going to continuing researching. @TheRascalKing and @Oztrooper thanks for reaching out regarding the SCG for OC, CA! I'm stoked to hear of the armor party coming up. I've reached out to one of the reps via the FB and I hope to attend in a few weeks. I'd love to see some kits in person and get more visual understanding of the process before I commit to DIY or commission. Regardless of attending the party or not, I'm sure I'll reach out for advice one of these days. Thank you! I hope to follow up here shortly with news on a kit so I can transition to a build thread :) Thanks again to everyone - I've really enjoyed the advice and kindness!

I spent another night trying to find the right kit for me. At the moment it’s really fun to get lost in the forums but I’m scared that will change if I DIY. Despite small experience prop making, I’m concerned on BBB day I’ll just be too overwhelmed to know where to begin. However I’m feeling more encouraged to consider that option after chatting with you fine troopers. I’m going to continue to look into AM a bit more. Despite being 6’1, I’m not particularly big. It might be a good option.

Thanks for the insight! I heard TM was good for taller people. And someone I know recently got a TM kit and seems to really enjoy it. I have the confidence I could build my own. I'm just thoroughly intimidated by the process and not sure how much time I want to spend stressing out about sizes and cutting lol. Maybe I need to focus on a piece at a time instead of trying to get a clear picture of all of it at once. I've also since reached out to AM for their options as well. Maybe it would be safer to opt for a maker known for supporting taller troopers. Back to the forums and hopefully will make a decision soon.

Hi folks! I've been lurking around the forums over the last month and finally reaching out to say hello. I love the idea of joining a community in which I can have some particular fun volunteering and hopefully make some people smile along the way. But also who doesn't want to wear some Star Wars armor? Despite the time in the forums, I'm still feeling pretty overwhelmed by the amount of information available. I've tried to narrow down my focus to finding a good kit. I've been leaning toward purchasing AP. While I sense the majority of people here would recommend building my own, I feel a little shame admitting I'm currently leaning toward a full built with the expectation to make some adjustments. I'm on the taller side of the kit at 6'1, but I'm still leaning that direction. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Looking forward to chatting and trooping!