steve12201

TD-8918 Requesting Deployment Name: Stephen Lentz 501st ID: TD-8918 Log in name: Steve12201 Garrison: Dune Sea Garrison E-mail: my70chevelless454@hotmail.com *Thank you Brak's Buddy for the SWEET photo shoot!***

Bad ***...and I second it. Looks much better now.

It does look better now. I would still consider shimming it though and try to get about 2 more inches up the thigh...especially the right piece. TM suits use strips to connect the halves of each part. I believe that the strips on the thighs are supposed to be 18-20 MM wide. You might be able to get away with spreading the pieces a little and adding strips to the outside of the armor to hide the space.

Tom has a good point too. Your problem might be more that the tubes are too tight in diameter because the photos of your tops already appear to be quite a bit more rounded/less pointy than the kit in my example. If this is the case, maybe your undersuit might be too thick/ baggy/ or not "form-fitting" . You might need underarmor that compresses your thighs so that you can get the thigh tubes up higher into your crotch area. If this is already tight, your going to have comfort issues as well. Unfortunately, I don't know much about shimming. Basically though, you would have to open the back of the thights without tearing the ABS and adding a strip of either contoured ABS or something else to give the tubes a larger diameter. One of the big guys in my garrison used white leather or vinyl in the back. He did it in such a way that it looks pretty good and you don't really notice it unless it wrinkles when he walks. I don't have any pics of it though. Either way, a little bit goes a long way. Mesaure often and check, check, and triple check.

OK....understand that this is the most "high-tech" photoshoping I have ever done....hope it works: Here is the area to trim: The red dotted line shows the path to trim. I would only do a quarter inch or so at a time and re-fit with your body suit on. The goal is to get the inner thigh part closer to your crotch while still being able to bend or set down without the high point pinching you. By trimming along the original shape of the piece, you retain the original look and it doesn't look weird when you are done. Does that help? PM sent.

What is on the fins in the close-up pictures just below the pics with the Wookiee in them. It looks like there are zip-ties or "hog-rings" holding the fins to the barrel. maybe they are just little pieces of wire to help hold them on?

Sweet! You got to love scotch. Rocko, make sure you don't let the mask sit too long after painting. I waited a few days and it dried up as hard as a rock and I couldn't get it off without tearing the stickers off with it. I had to paint my stripes over it.

Is there a valid complaint process in your country or would it fall on deaf ears? If there is a good process, I would file a complaint....But then again, I wouln't do anything that would make them want to press the criminal charges issue against you either. Just something to think about. Any attorneys that could help without costing lots of money?

If you are on a budget and pretty good at following lines, you could map out the cuts with a pencil and follow it with Aviator Tin Snips (Less than $20.00). Then sand the edges with sandpaper. I would trim a little at a time til you get to the "right" spot and then sand once. Make sure to do each leg as a stand alone piece as none of us are actually symmetrical. "Looking" even is completely different than "measuring" even. It is all about how it looks on YOU. In the end there should be only a few milimeters difference anyway. You could try the other thighs but I think matching the weathering would be more of a challenge....anyone else think of something better/easier?

OK, you got to get the thigh pieces higher so that your inner thighs are up close to the family jewels. I imagine that this means that the front of your thigh pieces jab into you when you try to walk or *Gasp* try to sit down. What I did was trim the top of the thighs down while trying to keep the same contour lines. That way I could pull the thigh pieces higher without all the pinching. This will also alleviate some of the issues with the sniper plate if I understand it right. Remember, these suits are all cut the same roughly and were sized around someone who must have been shaped strangely to boot. It took me a long time before I had the courage to cut the pieces, but it looks a lot better in the end when you do.....remember, just a little at a time! Good luck!

Good deal. I hear he is a nice guy and I think he is an honorary member here if I am not mistaken.

Very nice! I might have to try that with mine when it arrives... Did you make the add-ons yourself? Steve

Actually, someone already put the tube stickers on my helmet. I started to peel them off but had a helluva time doing it. Then I realized that I could use the stickers as a template to paint over. Turned out pretty good in the long run. It might work for you and you can still apply copious amounts of Johnny Walker Black/Coke. Steve

I have a tool I use to keep my hand steady when painting stripes, Johnny Walker Black and coke. Repeat as necessary for desired affect. Steve

No problemo. There is a world of difference between cops....I don't dare carry a badge if I am crossing into Mexico. It's a good way to get your throat cut. Steve

OK, I've read the threads and have also recently purchased an MG-34. I will be the "Yin" to Vadersf15t "Yang" as I went the Hyper-firm route where he purchased the Cushman model. I wil also report on the service that I have received and let everyone know how the deal went from start to finish. I figure it will help benefit everyone and possibly put this to rest. I posted Paypal payment for the gun last night Thursday 10/18/2007. Sunce I used my checking account, the payment must clear first. I am dealing with Lewis and he has responded to all of my emails in a timely manner. The weapon is said to be already formed as well as painted so there should be no "production" time. Lewis posted to me on this site that it is already boxed up and ready to be sent out. He also indicated that my PayPal payment is scheduled to clear on Tuesday and the gun will go out then. I opted for standard UPS delivery so California to Arizona should not take too long. Lewis stated that I should have weapon-in-hand prior to trooping Mill Avenue on Halloween. As a reference to all the troopers, I will post progress as I hear it so that everyone can make informed purchases in the future. Here is the link to the "deal" thread: http://www.mepd.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3277&highlight= Steve

Nice lid. I agree with Seth on the addition of sand-tones. Also, don't forget to get rid of the teardrop stripes if you want to be cannon. Steve

HMMMM Ebay item canceled. I would also like a set. Steve

Awesome! I know we have discussed mannequins in the past, but do you have info / photos on him? I'm thinking of a scratch build. Be proud of your work. That is one very nice rig. Steve

Man, It looks like camo paint....I say tear it apart, strip it, clean it, then dirty it, and lastly .....re-assemble it. You will have a better base then to judge what to do with it....and if you choose to sell it, you might get more $$$ for it. Good luck Steve

I just bought another 2 "Mini-Mikes" at Wal#$& . So when is the boss going to start autographs? BTW, Hey Mike...did they ever "reward" you for using your pic? Steve

That is very VERY good! Keep us up on your progress... Steve

Thank you for the update and good luck. As a police officer, I would have NEVER bothered you as you described...... Steve

Anybody from down under have an update? Steve

I'm looking for a good glue to use between the dow rod and the receiver. I tried E-6000 but it didn't work. It dries rubbery if it is too thick. I need something that will set up like a rock and not flex at all. Secondly, What should I use for a filler to fix all the bubbles and imperfections? I haven't worked with cast resin before. Steve12201