TJisThatGuy Posted October 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 Your shins look good to me. I would remove those returns on the bottom before gluing them together, though. BTW, I had wonky scoring lines on my shins, too. The cover strip will hide any imperfections in the work. Thanks. I remember reading somewhere about removing the return edges on the shins and/or forearms. Couldn't remember if it was one or the other or both. I'll start here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) Here my attempt at getting the correct fit on my arms. I have pretty skinny arms considering my other dimensions. I took off the return edge on the wrist part of the forearms. This is as close as I could make the gap while still being able to fit my hand through. And here is the elbow side gap Are those acceptable? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited October 3, 2016 by TJisThatGuy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) I know those pictures aren't the best. But it's a little difficult to size, tape, and photograph all alone. I need a friend. Moving a little north, here's my best attempt at the biceps. Elbow side: Shoulder side: The shoulder sides seem perfect for me. Still just a bit of room when I flex. My question is, can I remove the return edge on the bicep elbow region? It's just a tad uncomfortable. Scraping and scratching. I'm sure that would be lessened by the wearing of the bodysuit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited October 3, 2016 by TJisThatGuy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 So I thought my ears were trimmed properly, or at least close enough. But nothing looks as good once you screw it in. I know it's easy enough to unscrew them and try again, but the right ear is getting pretty slim. So I ask, are these ear gaps acceptable? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoSc0ut[TK] Posted October 4, 2016 Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 So I thought my ears were trimmed properly, or at least close enough. But nothing looks as good once you screw it in. I know it's easy enough to unscrew them and try again, but the right ear is getting pretty slim. So I ask, are these ear gaps acceptable? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Your build is looking great so far! As far as the gaps, if you look at the many reference photos from original helmets there are far worse gaps. I think you are fine. Maybe some day you can revisit it and order a new set if it bothers you that much, but for now I say drive on! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket[TK] Posted October 4, 2016 Report Share Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) Your ear gaps look fine to me! Some of the TKs in the movies had really big ear gaps. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://tinyurl.com/hjxmm38'>http://tinyurl.com/hjxmm38</a><br> Regarding your bicep returns, I was told at an armor party to just remove them entirely. It all comes down to what you're comfortable with. Edited October 4, 2016 by Cricket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoSc0ut[TK] Posted October 5, 2016 Report Share Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) Found a good reference photo for you. Check these troopers out! Especially the second from the right. There you have it, you look screen accurate! *edit* Also notice the mix of "hero" and "stunt" helmets too! Edited October 5, 2016 by MoSc0ut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2016 Found a good reference photo for you. Check these troopers out! Especially the second from the right. There you have it, you look screen accurate! Wow. Awesome photo, thanks. Even has a Hero helmet thrown in there. You can almost see through that guys ears. So I think I'm all set. Definitely saving this picture. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoSc0ut[TK] Posted October 5, 2016 Report Share Posted October 5, 2016 If you want the higher res image PM me your email address. I use it as my background for my iPad! Jim - TK50899 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Shins outer cover strips are clamped magnetized and drying. Minus a few touches of paint for the vocoder and screw tops, and the mic tip installation, the helmet is all but done. I did have a slight mishap with the stripes on the left of the helmet. Didn't quite land a pencils width from the cheek. Should I bother fixing it? I have new decals coming anyhow since I jacked up one of the rear trapezoids. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoSc0ut[TK] Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Shins outer cover strips are clamped magnetized and drying. Minus a few touches of paint for the vocoder and screw tops, and the mic tip installation, the helmet is all but done. I did have a slight mishap with the stripes on the left of the helmet. Didn't quite land a pencils width from the cheek. Should I bother fixing it? I have new decals coming anyhow since I jacked up one of the rear trapezoids. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I hate to say it but that left one will probably need to be fixed. It'll probably be fine for basic approval but anything above that they take a closer look at it. I painted mine on and they turned out great. If you are feeling brave you can jump over to my build thread and see how I did mine. I wanted it to be as authentic as possible. Jim - TK50899 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 (edited) I hate to say it but that left one will probably need to be fixed. It'll probably be fine for basic approval but anything above that they take a closer look at it. I figured as much. I'll leave it for now until I get those other decals. Shouldn't be a difficult fix. Just peel it off and try again. I don't trust myself painting. As apparent by the decals, my hand isn't the steadiest. I'll take a peek at your build and see if I think I can manage it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited October 6, 2016 by TJisThatGuy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket[TK] Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Hey, if you want to have a go with painted stripes, you may want to consider a stencil and sponge-painting. It's really easy and takes not much time to do at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Hey, if you want to have a go with painted stripes, you may want to consider a stencil and sponge-painting. It's really easy and takes not much time to do at all. Wow. Looks great. And fairly simple assuming I have the patience to make the stencil. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket[TK] Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Oh! I bought my stencil from Trooperbay. I would never have the patience to actually make one myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Oh! I bought my stencil from Trooperbay. I would never have the patience to actually make one myself. Well, hot dog. I'll try with the decals again since they've already shipped. But, should I fail again, I'll try your way. I plan on replacing this helmet in the near future anyway. It being my first attempt, I was a tad sloppy in places. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoSc0ut[TK] Posted October 6, 2016 Report Share Posted October 6, 2016 Here's how I did mine. It's my version of connect the dots. This was super easy and although Trooper Bay makes awesome stuff, I personally, can't justify the $ for the stencil. More importantly I'm to impatient to wait for it to arrive! Jim - TK50899 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2016 Here's how I did mine. It's my version of connect the dots. This was super easy and although Trooper Bay makes awesome stuff, I personally, can't justify the $ for the stencil. More importantly I'm to impatient to wait for it to arrive! Jim - TK50899 It works. That's all that matters. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troopacoola[TK] Posted October 8, 2016 Report Share Posted October 8, 2016 Your build is looking great so far! As far as the gaps, if you look at the many reference photos from original helmets there are far worse gaps. I think you are fine. Maybe some day you can revisit it and order a new set if it bothers you that much, but for now I say drive on! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk This. They look fine to me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 So the right forearm is looking alright post trimming. I'm worried about the left one. Did I trim too much, or trim in the wrong spot? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troopacoola[TK] Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 I don't think this is uncommon. The cover strip will hide this. Marc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 I've seen it before, wasn't sure the cover strip could hide it entirely. Now that I've stepped away from it and seen it through the pictures it doesn't look nearly as bad. I think I was just panicking a little at first. Though I'm sure there's a great solution out there somewhere. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoSc0ut[TK] Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 Looks good but there is still a lot of return edge on the top there. You may want to trim a bit more of that off. As for the over lap that is normal. You iron it over with a hobby iron or in my case, just an old iron with an old cotton T-shirt wrapped over it, then trim it down to the proper return edge. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJisThatGuy Posted October 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 Looks good but there is still a lot of return edge on the top there. You may want to trim a bit more of that off. As for the over lap that is normal. You iron it over with a hobby iron or in my case, just an old iron with an old cotton T-shirt wrapped over it, then trim it down to the proper return edge. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk I thought only the wrist side return edge was to be removed. Can I take off the whole elbow side edge or should some remain? With no return edge there, it would be quite easy to fix. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troopacoola[TK] Posted October 9, 2016 Report Share Posted October 9, 2016 As far as I'm aware, there should be some return at the top. But, I know some do like to have a minimal one. Again, it's not a big deal as the cover strip will mask this anyway. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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