How should this fit before gluing?

[bigtrev503]

I was wondering of there was a rule of thumb about how much space there should be between my body and the armor. I am 5 10 and 160 pounds. My ATA is kind of roomy all over on the initial test fit. How do I fix this?

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

make sure it's comfortable and you can run, and dance in it.

[gazmosis[501st]]

You are on the thin side..........take a little off the sides of both the ab plate and kidney to close up the clamshell. Biceps can be made fairly small. Forearms you will probably need to pad the inside to keep them snug and free from shifting too much. But like Vern said, you want to be comfortable and be able to move in any condition. You will be dancing, gettin' down, jogging, walking long distances, high fiving, squatting (for pics with the little ones) Test fits are a must.

[bigtrev503]

I want to acheive that iconic look of the fit. I know each one of those suits were custom fitted to the wearers back in the day.

 

At the same time, I'm sure they didn't have much mobility.

 

I suppose it'll be a balance of good fit and mobility.

 

So, you and supertrooper have both advised against attempting to cut the forearms down. Should I only cut the thighs down, and pad the rest?

[troopermaster]

So, you and supertrooper have both advised against attempting to cut the forearms down.

 

Tape them together using the overlap method as they are designed to be assembled and see how they fit. If you think you can remove the overlap on the backs then go for it. Same for the shins and thighs. Biceps have no overlap front or back so if you have the room inside and can remove the overlap, I say remove it all and go for the butt joining method.

 

Just remember to leave the raised edge on the fronts of the thighs, shins and forearms so you can use the butt joining method.

[Potty Meister]

make sure it's comfortable and you can run, and dance in it.

 

LOL I'll remember this. I have almost the exact same build

[bigtrev503]

Tape them together using the overlap method as they are designed to be assembled and see how they fit. If you think you can remove the overlap on the backs then go for it. Same for the shins and thighs. Biceps have no overlap front or back so if you have the room inside and can remove the overlap, I say remove it all and go for the butt joining method.

 

Just remember to leave the raised edge on the fronts of the thighs, shins and forearms so you can use the butt joining method.

 

I have been building this using the butt-join method all over... is that wrong? It is still big even after butt joining.

[Locitus[Admin]]

 

 

I have been building this using the butt-join method all over... is that wrong? It is still big even after butt joining.

If it's still too big then remove what you need off the back while leaving the front untouched.

[bigtrev503]

If it's still too big then remove what you need off the back while leaving the front untouched.

 

Are you referring to just one specific area i.e: the arms, legs, or main body? Or the whole thing?

 

I'm itchin' to start gluing things together and strapping

[Locitus[Admin]]

Are you referring to just one specific area i.e: the arms, legs, or main body? Or the whole thing?

 

I'm itchin' to start gluing things together and strapping

Mainly arms and legs. The torso should ideally be kept intact if you can.

[bigtrev503]

Mainly arms and legs. The torso should ideally be kept intact if you can.

 

But IF I had to cut from the torso, should I cut from the kidney plate? Because it seems to be just a half inch or so bigger on both sides of the butt plate. Is that normal?

 

 

EDIT: I have ordered my belt today and will do further test fitting of the torso when it arrives. In the mantime I will worry about getting the arms glued and the TD assembled.

Edited May 16, 2012 by bigtrev503

[Locitus[Admin]]

If anything, cutting the kindey plate is the least you need to worry about to make it all look good. The other parts may require more modding to make up for the extra trimming. So if the kindey is all you need to trim then great!

[bigtrev503]

Yeah, I'm looking at the screen grabs and it seems a little loose all over, but the torso seems to fit well. It's an endless struggle, I know.

 

I wonder what the original sizing process was like for the movie in '77

[Locitus[Admin]]

Yeah, I'm looking at the screen grabs and it seems a little loose all over, but the torso seems to fit well. It's an endless struggle, I know.

 

I wonder what the original sizing process was like for the movie in '77

If the suit fits, the part is yours. If not, get out.

[troopermaster]

If the suit fits, the part is yours. If not, get out.

 

As harsh as it sounds, that could be said to a lot of guys on here.

 

The armour was designed to fit a certain sized person and anyone who doesn't fit the bill is looking to do minor or major sugery to their kits in order to make it fit depending on their body size. I read a lot on here about sizing problems and it's kind of like complaining your original cast Vader parts don't fit you when you are 5' 5" tall.

 

If you really look closely at ANH and ESB Stormtroopers in the movies you will see that there are a wide range of different sized actors wearing the armour. Some wear it better than others. You can see that a lot of guys are drowning in their armour since it was all built the same. I think that replica armour should be build how it was intended too because when you start to change anything you change to original look.

 

So, the moral of the story is that if you do not fit the bill you can expect a lot of work if you want to wear Stormtrooper armour that is not designed to fit you.

[Locitus[Admin]]

As harsh as it sounds, that could be said to a lot of guys on here.

 

The armour was designed to fit a certain sized person and anyone who doesn't fit the bill is looking to do minor or major sugery to their kits in order to make it fit depending on their body size. I read a lot on here about sizing problems and it's kind of like complaining your original cast Vader parts don't fit you when you are 5' 5" tall.

 

If you really look closely at ANH and ESB Stormtroopers in the movies you will see that there are a wide range of different sized actors wearing the armour. Some wear it better than others. You can see that a lot of guys are drowning in their armour since it was all built the same. I think that replica armour should be build how it was intended too because when you start to change anything you change to original look.

 

So, the moral of the story is that if you do not fit the bill you can expect a lot of work if you want to wear Stormtrooper armour that is not designed to fit you.

Agreed!

 

It's like how Ben Burtt got to test the Supertrooper/Boba Fett prototype suit he said in an interview, "I just fit the suit".

[bigtrev503]

Exactly! I thought I was the perfect size. Now, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm thinking too much. Should I post pictures here in this thread once I have everything taped up and ask opinions first?

[troopermaster]

Yes, do that.

 

It's better to ask questions before you go hacking away at your kit.

[bigtrev503]

Here is my build thread. The arm test fit pics are at the bottom of the first post

 

 

http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19562