LordOfFairies Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 OK, so after months of waiting...My BiG BOX day came!!! i received it last week and started building it yesterday starting with the left forearm. waiting outside my room... parts everywhere... first mock up now before i go gluing anything, is this looking ok? i measured the strip to 5/8 and the sides to where the strip goes i measured to 5/16. But something feels off to me... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kredal[TK] Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Measure the sections under the strip again, preferably where they're touching... It looks like your cuts are bowed out in the middle, so you end up with way more than 5/16th on either side. It looks like the issue is mostly on the bottom/inside half. At the wrist, it has a straight cut, and then a major curving outward. Clean up that edge, make it straight, and then cover it again with the cover strip, and I bet it'll look better. (: Also, have you removed the return edge on the wrist end? Do that before gluing the arm together completely, so you make it small enough that your hand just barely fits through. You might be able to make the corrections on the opposite side, I'm not sure with ATA. Someone who has built that kit should be able to tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordOfFairies Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 i did remove the return edge on the wrist section, and i kinda removed the return on the top of the forearm, is that ok? return edge on wrist should i cut more? top of forearm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 If your forearms allow it, the molded ridge that the cover strip sits on should be as wide as the cover strip itself. You can take alittle more out of the inside curve of the forearms if it helps it fit more comfortably. There is no need for a return edge as you have left. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordOfFairies Posted August 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 ok so after fiddling with it a bit more i think i got it to where i like it, i cut the strip to 15mm and this is just a test strip before i glue one on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne Trooper[501st] Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Flip that cover strip over so that little gouge isn't showing. There's still a lot of ridge line showing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordOfFairies Posted August 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Does anyone know which is the right bicep and left bicep? i am sure the one on the top is for the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fokker210[TK] Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I believe the notched bicep on the bottom is the right and the "flared" one you have pictured at the top is the left bicep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesnarles Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) I think that's correct. Put them up to your arms while in the position of holding a blaster (righty) and it kinda makes more sense. Not sure if that was intentional but it helped me discern between lots of the L and R pieces. That's why I prefer the shoulder bells' curve forward, to match that iconic aggressive stance rather than at full attention or relaxing Edited August 21, 2015 by charlesnarles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Beautiful ATA BTW. My favorite of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) Also, as other's have mentioned it's best to remove enough return edge so it aligns with the cover strip edge. 15mm is the cover strip width for the arms. Edit: Disregard the red arrow, just align the red lines with the cover strip Edit, edit, 15 for the arms, don't know what I was thinking, my bad Edited August 28, 2015 by ukswrath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haribon72[TK] Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) Found your build site. You're well underway. Good *emperor voice* Here are my suggestions ... a road map that I wish I had from my own build. This worked for Jay and another builder i'm helping. This gets first timers comfortable with ABS plastic and the thought process. Be clear minded, take deep breaths, and think to yourself that you're making the first TK back in 1977. Remember, this is suppose to be fun! =) 1. Start making snap buttons Make about 24 of them (four double snaps and twenty single snaps). This will get your comfortable cutting plastic, making holes, and button making. You will have excess snaps and makes good spares for future troops because sometimes they will come apart (depending on your glue). I've seen it happen. 2. Start making black straps with buttons. I would start with eight straps (about six inches long with one button only). You will install the other buttons later as you go. This is too get your comfortable with cutting straps, making holes and measuring. Later on, you can make the straps longer and make custom lengths. It helps to fold each side for the botton area and sew it. I'm not sure which strapping method you will choose, but there are velcro straps method and strapping brackets like this . . . http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/20859-accurate-anh-stormtrooper-strapping-brackets-v-20-now-available/ 3. Start building the center core of the armor first (abs, back, chest, cod, and kidney). Build these portions before the arms and legs. Once the center is done and fits well, it will guide you to the arm and leg armor. 4. Legs At this point, you can start with the thighs and lower leg armor. Cut, trim, painters tape, and get the best look and then glue when you're comfortable. You can always fine tune trimming later on when you have the entire armor on. 5. Arms Start with the biceps first, then the forearms, and finally the shoulder bells. 6. Belt and Holster This step is like the finishing touch to the center core. 7. While waiting for things to set, cure, and dry - Work on your blaster, gloves, detonator, and boots. 8. Fine tuning the armor Put everything on and walk around (no helmet). Find all your discomfort spots and trim as needed. 9. Take pictures of yourself and study them during your free time. I learned to study my own pictures and make changes along the way. Remember, when you're trooping ... we have to look and feel awesome when the public sees you. 10. After the blood, sweat, and tears... you should be able to work on the helmet now with no problem. Always know that, the public always sees the bucket first and this should be your best work! Now, this is "not" the official way to build an armor kit, but just something I share with my new friends because I don't anyone to get frustrated like I did. I was mostly on my own until my cousins supported me. After I got approved, I didn't stop learning. I learned more about costuming from other non-Star Wars cosplayers, seamstresses, model prop makers, Mandolorians, and guys from the Dented Helmet. The suggested steps seem to have a pattern of success in my own opinion. Okay.... that's all for now. And again, there are local members in the Salinas area. PM me for details. Edited August 28, 2015 by Haribon72 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukswrath[Staff] Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Now, this is "not" the official way to build an armor kit, but just something I share with my new friends ..... Except CRL requirements I didn't know there was the "official way" to build armor lol. As Walter stated take your time and enjoy the ride. We're here to help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordOfFairies Posted October 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2015 (edited) well after 2 months of silence i finally uploaded what has been done during that time. NOW to my current dilema: THE EARS.... i am trying mixing and matching between the ears and what i am look at right now right ear no.1 right ear no.2 i kinda messed up because i accidentally cut both right ears at the same time thinking one was right and one was left. I am hoping i can get the right to look as good as the left side. Once i get the helmet squared away i will clean up the armor a bit more then get to strapping. Edited October 18, 2015 by LordOfFairies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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