Thumper

I agree with spray painting it but I'm not sure there is a watercolor version of spray paint. Since it also seems to be hit or miss, the best thing may be to just have it painted bright orange and accept that it will take some work to get it back to its original beauty. Better to have to do some extra work on the receiving end than to not receive it at all.

I was trying to figure out why you set the pictures to this song ... then did a double take at the first line. I have to admit I didn't get it until the music started. Great laugh .. and great pics. Now we need you to complete the armor and get your TK ID.

I haven't noticed the need for one. Bucket stays on well enough with out it. Plus I think it would be just one more thing to have to manipulate under the helmet.

Amen to that brother. Might want to take the time now to finish any costume projects you have in the works. Money just seems to flow out the window with kids. There's always something new to buy them. Of course, it gives you an excuse to be a kid again yourself. Congratulations!

If you have the helmet, cut out the sections of the helmet that have the clips integrated into their construction. (Can't take credit for that though. MikeTK1536 came up with that one.)

The auto trim you can use for your brow is the Styleguard Automotive Body Moulding S33216 Trapazoid. I found it at a local Pep Boys over a year ago. Unfortunately I don't have any more. At the time I bought it, you get enough to do 7 or 8 helmets for something like $20. I sold off the rest on here so if you can find the stuff there might be someone else willing to buy some of your extra. It looks much better than the FX foam and holds great in all weather.

The FX instructions actually use velcro to hold the detonator on but I believe the strips were included because it (sort of) gives the appearance of the metal clips that were actually holding the detonator to the belt in ANH. Its just as easy to pick up a set of banker clips at your local office store. Drill or glue them to the detonator and use that to attach it to the belt. No stickers necessary.

Phil ... sorry brother. I assumed that since you were trying to close the gap, you were trying to close it completely. I guess you are just trying to hold the front and back of the two pieces together? As has been pointed out, its not a 501st requirement but it certainly helps with the stability of the two pieces. You've obviously gotten a lot of good ideas; let us know how it turns out.

The point is to close the gap. I used extra sheets of ABS I bought at the hobby store and used velcro on each side so they were easy to place and remove and I could cut and adjust the sheets to a size that would accommodate my ever expanding frame. Personally, I would use something that is large enough to velcro or snap in so that it offers some flexibility but still looks good (the canvass sounds like a great idea). Its all about making it look good and as comfortable to wear as possible.

Have a blast! It was my first convention since I was in high school (which was a LONG time ago ... no pun intended) and the ECG really made everyone who came up feel at home. The 501st mixer the ECG set up was the best.

Very Normal for this group Nate. It gets even worse when you start trooping and you see how much fun you can have in costume. You start coming up with a "need" for all the different costumes (birthday parties, special events, something to wear while you squire, convention modifications, etc...) It never ends. Of course, asking that question here is a bit like asking a drug dealer if you should continue doing drugs.

Another great idea Terry. Nothing better than seeing the armor in person. That being said, I think Alex brings up a good point.....not just for himself and what he needs but generically on the 501st website. He will certainly benefit from finding his way here. I just think it would be helpful to tell people there are specific places to look and get advice as to the quality of their costume and then specifically tell people to seek out their local garrisons and the detachment boards for assistance. Its been my experience that even the most dedicated person needs a little direction from time to time. It may sometimes seem like an obvious thing but maybe not. I know I didn't contact my local garrison until after I completed the costume. Fortunately I found my way here for the construction phase and benefitted from plenty of advice. I and every one here want to see everyone interested do the same and more.

I think rivets have been sufficiently covered..... As for screws and washers, I have them holding my belt pieces on to the ab plate so I can take it apart more easily for transport. The screws were from a white electrical outlet cover (white screws to match the white armor). Not sure of the specific size but I just went from the electrical aisle at my Home Depot with the cover to the hardware aisle and matched up what I needed.

I haven't had to travel by air with my TK so the problem hasn't come up. I have this case from The Container Store: ----------- Its fairly study, is quite a bit larger so it will hold the helmet, and lockable. You could use it to fly, but you will most surely get charged for an oversized piece of luggage. That being said, carry-on for the helmet would be the way to go if you used the Wal-Mart case. There were helmet bags being sold at one time on the Legion board or you might be able to pick up a flight helmet bag.

Actually ...... what might be a good idea is to put a notice on the "Join the Legion" link, that specifically directs prospective members to the sign up on the Detachment board for the costume they are interested in. It can state that the CRL is a work in progress but each detachment is aware of the specific requirements that determine if a costume is suitable. It might avoid having people buy something and then discovering its going to take a lot of work to repair or modify.

The Wal-Mart case James mentioned above I use for my TB armor/helmet. I can get my TK armor in it, without the helmet. And it has wheels. Definitely need wheels. That being said, I flew with my TB armor/helmet and it survived without a problem. I use a TSA approved luggage lock for added security. Plus, you can always ask TSA to do a hand check of your luggage. I did this because after taking an hour to carefully configure the pieces to fit without being crushed, I didn't want someone hastily throwing the pieces back in the bin. Didn't seem to be a problem but I would allow extra time. All it takes is a busy airport and you could be standing there a while.

Good advice Brad. This hobby is not only trooping in the armor, its all the fun stuff you get to learn while you are building yours. Are you going to make mistakes...yea, maybe. I've learned a lot from the mistakes, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of completing it yourself.

The full FX kit comes with the hardware but I don't think it matters for size so long as you aren't trying to use something akin to an eyeglass screw (really tiny) or a 1" bolt (really large) For my FX belt, I used screws from a wall switch plate. You can buy the switch plate and then use the screws while you're in the hardware store to find nuts that will work. Plus you have the added advantage that the screws are white. I have one screw on each side and I use regular nuts, that way I can disassemble the belt for transport. Also, measure the thickness of the belt/ab plate assembly before you go shopping. Some of the switch plate screws can be too short. You definitely will need something at least 1/2 inch long.

Alex, I attached the front belt and two side strips of ABS belt material (one each side) that came with my FX to the Ab Plate with a screw and nut. I used extra long replacement screws for a white wall switch plate, so the heads are white. Any screw would work; it doesnt take any effort to color the heads. The front belt overlaps the ABS strip on each side and the screw goes in the front of the belt, through the ABS strip, and then through the Ab plate. I have the thermal detonator attached with screws to one of the pieces of the ABS strip. Velcro is on each strip to connect them together. I also have a small strip of velcro on my kidney plate to connect to a corresponding strip of velcro on one of the ABS strips to help hold the whole thing in place on the armor. I was lucky and two ABS strips worked nice to complete the belt but you can always trim them down if you are skinny and have a lot of overlap in the back. I thought I had a photo to sharebut no luck so, I hope the above helps and makes sense.

I find it very appropriate seeing that at this point, no one had any idea that Luke and Leia were brother and sister.

Try ordering this one if you can't find it in the store. Its the one I (and I'm sure others) use. I bought one for my TB build less than a month ago. --------

Oh, brother....he just did.

Good to see you're doing better brother. Take it easy and enjoy the new lease on life.

We're all here for you both and praying for the best possible results. Stay strong brother!

Hey Nathan, Haven't had much of a chance to read through this since your first postings after the accident but its good to see you are healing. Keep up the positive attitude about what lies ahead.