TheSwede[TK] Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 28 minutes ago, Lupus1202 said: 2.: Please don´t do it. In my opinion you take a piece af the rs spirit. +1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted June 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2018 Hey everyone, Did some more work on my kit recently. I'm just about done with the forearm/bicep connections. http:// I thought this would be hard, since I'm not that good with measurements, but it turned out to be pretty darn easy! All I have to do now is to glue the bicep/forearm connection to the insides of both forearms and attach the snap that will connect the whole arm to the shoulder strap. In addition, I measured and cut the plastic section of the belt, as well as the belt rivet covers. http:// http:// http:// Next, I glued the last cover strip on my right arm. While that was drying, I decided to do another test fit of everything. Man, RS does it good! I can't believe that the suit has turned out this nicely considering my novice level of costume building. http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// Next, I'll be painting the finer details of the helmet tears and traps, as well as assembling the belt and drop boxes, thighs, and shins. I won't be making any progress for a while until the 4th. I'll be on vacation in Europe starting tomorrow! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwede[TK] Posted June 20, 2018 Report Share Posted June 20, 2018 Have a great holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollowbodies[TK] Posted June 20, 2018 Report Share Posted June 20, 2018 (edited) Great job so far! And have a great time in Europe! See ya when you come back! Edited June 20, 2018 by hollowbodies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted July 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Hey troops, I'm back from my vacation and ready to get serious again. I returned a little while ago, and have been finishing up certain parts. I figured it was time to update this thread again with my progress. Before I left, I worked on the bicep/forearm connection. I am now happy to report that my arms are completely finished! Here are the completed arms (sorry for the bad lighting quality). http:// I had encountered a slight problem when finishing these up. I had left too little of a gap between my bicep and forearm, meaning that I could hardly bend my arm! Oops. A fellow Garrison mate said that if I have trouble saluting, then my arms are too close together. I was having a lot of difficulty bending my arm all the way! http:// http:// http:// So, after removing the elastic strap and taking off the excess E6000 glue on the strap with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol, I tried again. Hurrah! It worked! With the arms done, I went to try everything on, but then I noticed another problem, this one on my abdomen armor. http:// Gah! One of my bracket screws had cracked the plastic on my chest armor! I hastily posted a question on the Facebook group and got some replies on reinforcing the plastic where the bracket holes were, something I had thought I would not need to do. Oh well. I took apart the chest and used some of the thick cover strip material to reinforce the holes. I then decided I'd better reinforce all the brackets then, just to be absolutely sure that they wouldn't crack under stress. So I took apart my whole chest and worked for about an hour with my dad, laying down and gluing the cover strip reinforcers. http:// http:// http:// Here's a pic of my nearly completed bucket. All I need to do is add the pinstriping and vertical striping in some of the traps. I also removed most of the padding on the inside and made it much more efficient. Before, I had placed several FMA pads I had gotten off of Amazon inside, but with all the extra cushioning, the helmet eye lenses sat slightly above my eyes, making it difficult to see. The new interior doesn't gain any style points, but it's much better in terms of fit. http:// Here's the old padding. http:// And, here's the new version. http:// Last up with the bucket, besides the paint touch ups, are the electronics. I'm not too sure how to do it, but I have two battery operated fans that I purchased, also off of Amazon. Anyways, with all that sorted out, I got to work on the shins. Here is a test fit with everything I have completed so far. Does this look okay? (Please note that this was taken before I had completed the shoulder snaps on the shoulder bells.) http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// This is getting quite long, so I'll continue in the next post below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted July 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 My shins are nearly done, I just have to do the back closure and add the sniper knee plate to the left side. Here's what they look like. http:// The fronts look pretty good, but the backs are another story. Looks like I need to do use the hot water bath method! Dun dun dunnnnnn! Any tips on how to do this would be greatly appreciated. I'm fearful of melting the plastic or deforming the shinsbeyond repair. Or of burning myself on accident. http:// http:// After the shins, I'll move on to the thighs, which are already trimmed along the return edges. Then it's on to the belt. For the belt, being 56" long, I'll have to cut it in the middle and adjust it to my waist, then install the snaps. Not looking forward to that either. Other than that, I can see the light at the end of the Star Destroyer corridor! I can't believe I'm so close! Oh, and I also need to complete my DoopyDoos blaster kit. But there are a ton of threads that I can use for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CableGuy[Admin] Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Last up with the bucket, besides the paint touch ups, are the electronics. I'm not too sure how to do it, but I have two battery operated fans that I purchased, also off of Amazon. Anyways, with all that sorted out, I got to work on the shins. Here is a test fit with everything I have completed so far. Does this look okay? (Please note that this was taken before I had completed the shoulder snaps on the shoulder bells.) Hiya,Welcome back. :-)That’s coming along nicely. Getting the shoulders in place will really give you a feeling of trooperness. :-)Just a little thing. You might want to secure the brow a little. It’s appears to be sloping down to the left (when viewed from the front). The height of the brow is personal preference however keeping it nice a straight is a good option. Lower usually looks a little meaner and more like a Hero helmet, whereas a little higher is typical for ANH stunt. Stunt:HeroKeep up the good work. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted July 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 1 hour ago, CableGuy said: Hiya, Welcome back. :-) That’s coming along nicely. Getting the shoulders in place will really give you a feeling of trooperness. :-) Just a little thing. You might want to secure the brow a little. It’s appears to be sloping down to the left (when viewed from the front). The height of the brow is personal preference however keeping it nice a straight is a good option. Lower usually looks a little meaner and more like a Hero helmet, whereas a little higher is typical for ANH stunt. Stunt: Hero Keep up the good work. :-) Thanks, CableGuy! I had fiddled with the brow before, trying to find a good place for it. I think the crookedness gives it a certain charm, but I will definitely try moving it up to see how that looks. I've always liked the lower brow look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrmTRPR85[TK] Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 yea the crooked brow gives it a bit of a "do you smell what the TK is cooking" persona. Definitely straighten out the brow and give it the low intimidating look your making good progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CableGuy[Admin] Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Thanks, CableGuy! I had fiddled with the brow before, trying to find a good place for it. I think the crookedness gives it a certain charm, but I will definitely try moving it up to see how that looks. I've always liked the lower brow look. No worries. Some stunts had brows a little lower and many trooping troopers do. The stunt TK at the back of this shot has almost exactly what you have. The other 3 stunts are more stereotypically stunt. (Note the Hero lid front right with the low brow) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 Hey everyone, it's been another long while! I'm just about finished with my kit, which is a relief, but also a sort-of sadness. I liked working on it very much. Pictures will follow tomorrow. I finished up the helmet, save for the helmet fans on the insides, and my last things to do are the backs of the thighs , belt drop boxes, and blaster, plus the Aker amp system inside my chest armor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixim[TK] Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 (edited) Post up some updated pictures if you can! I would love to see it all done up and secured! Edited August 22, 2018 by trixim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) As promised, here are the pictures! I last left off with my shins. I'm happy to report that after three hot water soaks, my shins formed right up. http:// Then I added the cover strips and bra hooks. I installed three washers, one on each hole, to help prevent plastic tears. http:// Next, I moved on to the sniper knee plate. I cut along these lines, sanded it down, and clamped the crap out of it. I dented the plastic slightly due to my clamps not having rubber ends, but I managed to mostly fix this by letting the leg sit in the sun, with plastic clamps on the outer contours to flatten out the dents. http:// http:// After this, I moved on to the thighs, cutting and gluing front cover strips, as well as securing the ammo knee with split rivets, painted white. The backs of the thighs I'll have to cut, as they don't line up, but I'll save that for last. In addition to this, I worked on the belt, securing the plastic part to the canvas. I installed new snaps into my abdomen armor, as my belt from Trooperbay didn't have pre-installed snaps. http:// However, as I did this, one of the elastic pieces for my split rivet side closure decided to come out. http:// To fix this, I put metal eyelets I purchased from my local fabric store into the holes of all three elastic pieces (taking split rivets out and then putting them back in is a pain!) to prevent the split rivets from worming their way out again. I also added in a reinforcing strip. http:// Once this was accomplished, I snapped my belt on and did a test fit. My cousins were in from Utah that week, and my youngest one was thrilled to help me suit up and take some photos! I'm holding my thighs in all the pictures, as I don't have the backs or the connector straps done. http:// http:// http:// http:// Edited August 23, 2018 by WodiQuix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) One thing I noticed right off the bat was that my belt was positioned too low to my abdomen buttons. Not to worry! I set a new set of snaps directly below the old pair on the back of the belt, which worked out just fine! http:// Oh, and I almost forgot, I finished up the outside of the bucket. I used decals from Trooperbay. Here is the before picture of the back traps. http:// And here is the final result, with all traps painted and pinstriped. http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// Last things to do are to install helmet fans, finish up the blaster, and put the finishing touches on the thighs and belt, and then I'll be ready for pre-approval! Edited August 23, 2018 by WodiQuix 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CableGuy[Admin] Posted August 23, 2018 Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 Nice progress, Ian. Looks like approval won’t be far away. :-)Just out of interest, are the thighs finished and glued up yet? I only ask as the thighs look a little wide/large around the knee compared with the top of the shins. A little bit off the back should solve that. :-)Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 6 hours ago, CableGuy said: Nice progress, Ian. Looks like approval won’t be far away. :-) Just out of interest, are the thighs finished and glued up yet? I only ask as the thighs look a little wide/large around the knee compared with the top of the shins. A little bit off the back should solve that. :-) Dan Thanks! No the backs of the thighs are still unglued. I still need to trim the tops down so they are a continuous line. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 (edited) Hey all, I'm nearly done with my suit and ready to submit for pre-approval! The last thing on my list before submitting pictures (hopefully today!!) is to sew the thigh armor connector loops. http:// While getting approved, I'll also work more on my blaster, helmet fans, and the Aker amp connections inside my chest armor. Exciting times! I posted this on Facebook and got some helpful answers to my questions. OK, I used a pair of safety pins to make some loops in the thigh elastic and put everything (minus the boots) on for a test fit. I noticed several things: 1) My thighs, while in a good position, have a tendency to slightly slide up and down my legs. Is this normal, or should I put in some padding on the inside of the thighs? Padding was recommended 2) My sniper knee plate was getting stuck under my thigh armor, making it hard to bend my leg. I've already put spacers in the knee, but maybe the whole issue was that I had the back of the shins open and my boots off? Any ideas? Put padding on the backs of the thighs and front of the shins to push the sniper knee plate out. 3) My sides (ab and kidney) on both sides still don't line up. I'm not sure what else I can do, but I'd like them to sit flush with one another. Any suggestions? Shims, also pictures were requested (I'll first try the internal tab idea put out by pandatrooper and see if that works) 4) I sound extremely clunky when I walk, with all the armor crackling and creaking. Is this expected? A resounding YES! Some people recommended putting felt pieces on the backs of the drop boxes. I think I will do this. Edited August 29, 2018 by WodiQuix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 2 minutes ago, WodiQuix said: Hey all, I'm nearly done with my suit and ready to submit for pre-approval! The last thing on my list before submitting pictures (hopefully today!!) is to sew the thigh armor connector loops. http:// While getting approved, I'll also work more on my blaster, helmet fans, and the Aker amp connections inside my chest armor. Exciting times! I posted this on Facebook and got some helpful answers to my questions. OK, I used a pair of safety pins to make some loops in the thigh elastic and put everything (minus the boots) on for a test fit. I noticed several things: 1) My thighs, while in a good position, have a tendency to slightly slide up and down my legs. Is this normal, or should I put in some padding on the inside of the thighs? Padding was recommended 2) My sniper knee plate was getting stuck under my thigh armor, making it hard to bend my leg. I've already put spacers in the knee, but maybe the whole issue was that I had the back of the shins open and my boots off? Any ideas? Put padding on the backs of the thighs and front of the shins to push the sniper knee plate out. 3) My sides (ab and kidney) on both sides still don't line up. I'm not sure what else I can do, but I'd like them to sit flush with one another. Any suggestions? Shims, also pictures were requested (I'll first try the internal tab idea put out by pandatrooper and see if that works) 4) I sound extremely clunky when I walk, with all the armor crackling and creaking. Is this expected? A resounding YES! Some people recommended putting felt pieces on the backs of the drop boxes. I think I will do this. Clarification on question 2: My sniper knee plate was getting stuck under my armor when wanted to straighten my leg after taking a step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CableGuy[Admin] Posted August 29, 2018 Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 Clarification on question 2: My sniper knee plate was getting stuck under my armor when wanted to straighten my leg after taking a step. Hi IanAre your thighs raised as high as they’ll go? Do you have any pics with them on? I’m not sure we’ve seen pics since you glued them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2018 Just now, CableGuy said: Hi Ian Are your thighs raised as high as they’ll go? Do you have any pics with them on? I’m not sure we’ve seen pics since you glued them. I don't have pictures yet, but I'll hopefully get some up later today. The thighs are raised just enough so that there's a small gap between cod and thigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2018 Hey everyone! I'm ready to submit for pre-approval! Here are some of the pictures requested. I'll take some more later today. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this crazy and awesome journey! Going to finish up the blaster and suit electronics post-haste as well. http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwede[TK] Posted August 30, 2018 Report Share Posted August 30, 2018 Looking great and as I said on your Pre-Approval basic is a given I would advise to get a tighter top as the one you have is kind of wrinkling out between parts, elbow and shoulders, that would make you look even more awesome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WodiQuix[TK] Posted August 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2018 21 minutes ago, TheSwede said: Looking great and as I said on your Pre-Approval basic is a given I would advise to get a tighter top as the one you have is kind of wrinkling out between parts, elbow and shoulders, that would make you look even more awesome Yeah, I'm in the market for one. The one I have now is more of a thermal, which makes it much hotter underneath! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrmTRPR85[TK] Posted August 30, 2018 Report Share Posted August 30, 2018 8 minutes ago, WodiQuix said: Yeah, I'm in the market for one. The one I have now is more of a thermal, which makes it much hotter underneath! Go with Dr Skin on amazon. They are pretty inexpensive and are cooling. I did my pants and tops there, and I went up one size but makes me look silky smooth......in my armor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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