Daetrin

Looks great! Don't forget to dry brush the pauldron & pouch to match.

Not to get too off track... I think part of the issue is that for us noobs there is a lot of conflicting information so it's hard to know what to believe at times. Also, there's the whole "we don't talk about x issue in case LFL is listening" bits where everyone seems to know but on one talks about it online, so it takes awhile to get information. What *is* helpful is - maybe it's just my perception - people being more open about makers, lineage, etc. than they were in the past. It certainly clears a lot of air, though it does seem that perhaps new information should be posted where everyone can enjoy the history lessons, rather than only having outdated and inaccurate information available. Just trying to think about what it was like when I first started and knew no one/nothing and Google was my only guide...

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/bingo275/fanstormsubmen.htm Somewhere on this site - can't remember the exact link.

While there's a good lineage site in the UK showing the "family tree", is there one for armor too, e.g. who derived from who?

Beautiful. I can't wait until my children are older and I can have time to such a project myself. Until then, it's inspiring to see someone who can to show what is possible. It's fantastic! Great job

Holy smokes - it's freakin' awesome! I've never been a fan of the MG-15, but the items that people are producing lately has totaly changed my mind. Can't wait to make one someday...

Nice - looks very natural!

Yeah, but you'd still stand out with your modified ab plate, different knee plate, lack of drop boxes, and lack of rear cannister, different decals, etc. Unless you have spares...

I used the gude on the Dented Helmet - http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/davin/replica_weathering.htm I was able to find the Woodlands paints at the local hobby store. Following the tutorial was surprisingly easy and also quite fun.

What he said This is basically what some vendors do when they sell you their armor with a "snap system" installed. For most of the ab/back parts I used larger pieces of scrap ABS than 1x1", especially where the armor curves, to get more surface area bonded. Smaller pieces didn't stick as well, but that may just be clumsy me and is not a problem for others. Also, make sure you have enough clamps. Don't ask how I know! :-p It's OK to build up to drilling when you're starting out. I was scared as heck too my first time. I think everyone is, though some take to it faster than others.

You may want to create a poll to avoid a huge number of replies. Personally I did not. No one except die hard sandy's seems to notice, and as long as I'm wearing FX I'm not sure it's worth the trouble.

I felt the same way when I got divorced. Papers were served to me on New Years Eve, 1999. It seemed the world was ending. Fast forward a few years, several girlfriends, and now I'm re-married with a beautiful daughter. In hindsight, losing her allowed me to find someone I was more compatible with long term. I know it's tough now, but my belief after these experiences is that when one door closes another opens, and to things and people that make you happier than what you had before. I'm very sorry for your loss, I know what you're going through.

I have a spare if you need one. Else, TK409 sells excellent seals on his site.

I used 1" PVC tubing + four elbows for my pack as I couldn't find a used ALICE frame within budget. ABS'd it together and spray painted it. I made the straps myself and - like others - used padding to prevent heavy scraping.

This is what I ended up doing for the back plate - had a spare bit of belt I was able to use. I'll redo the keyhole tomorrow based on feedback from the group and will ensure that the edges are straight this time

You can check out our journey: http://www.sandtrooper.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=644

Why are the 501st requirements so loose?

Dang, I need one too. Would you have one more?

Don't forget to weather your pauldron and pack, etc. to complete the look.

That works for the keyhole, but what about the ab plate itself? Take some pictures - I wasn't able to make the mod'd second top box work for the back plate so used part of my belt instead (which worked very well).

Holy smokes! Whoever said this was an easy mod...ugh it's been the hardest thing I've ever done to armor. Thankfully it will be my last mod to sandtrooper-dom. Well for those of us dremel-challenged, here are some pix of how bad it can look: Placing the plastic inside the cut-out. http://www.hoeffer.com/public/dsc02786.jpg Close-up of how ragged the edges are: http://www.hoeffer.com/public/dsc02787.jpg Keyhole: http://www.hoeffer.com/public/dsc02788.jpg OK, the keyhole pic is a bit blurry but man, making straight edges with a dremel is not as easy as it seemed. I'm trying to use sandpaper now to make it more even. Cleaning out the keyhold itself with a file has not been smooth either - one slip and it's back ot more evening. :-p Hopefully when it's all done the dirt will hide the mistakes. How the heck do you guys get such perfectly straight lines?

My feeling is that you should build the first one yourself. If you hate it or it gets damanged, then buy the second one. Ah, I struggled with this too. I guess it all depends on your situation. I really wanted to buy but didn't really see any good ones for sale. In the end I built one because I needed one sooner than later. I'm not a DIY kind of guy and had no spare parts laying around, so had to buy everything. Adding up the time it took to do all the work myself I figure I spent (including labor) at least $400, maybe even $500 on the pack, not to mention much bile from my spouse as to why I was sinking two vacation days and part of a weekend making the thing instead of spending time with the family. Ugh! Some guys are just really good at making things, have more free time, and have finished it much cheaper and faster than I did, e.g. for about $200 total time + labor. Wish I was one of them! That said I feel proud to wear my DIY pack with my fellow sandy's who DIY'd it too. Sort of a rite of passage if you will, and don't regret the decision to make it at all, though I admit I'd buy one next time if mine ever fails.

Being able to store stuff in there is brilliant! What did you use for the radio - looks good.

OK, this is the last thing I need to do to be MEPD compliant. Are there instructions for this somewhere with the dimensions / how-to, or does everyone just eyeball it? I only have one crack at this to get it right (duh!), so am a bit hesitant as you can well imagine...

Way to go Mike - it looks GREAT!!! Can't wait to see the whole suit!