ECOLI

Wow, This topic got some really good response. Thanks guys, I will have to double check the local Joannes for some of this elastic. Also the strapping methods you guys are using look pretty durable how does it hold up to the wear and tear?

Hey Guys, I just got a new kit but need some strapping any recommendations and where I can get it. Thanks.

Ok so thanks to a fellow trooper I was able to finally pick up some black tubing, with the right end caps. Thanks Quartermaster I appreciate it. My next task is attaching it to the pack frame. Does any measurement exist for where to put the radar dish, i.e. 6" from the end cap? or the detonator panel ??

Hey that worked great thanks for the replies, also since I am getting near the end I did a test fit last night and my rear end is poking out, it looks pretty funny Anyway does does anyone have a remedy or possible cause I think my groin snap is too tight pulling it way forward but I am not sure...Any tips would be great.

Hey Guys, Does anyone have some good ideas on how to attach the sniper plate? I have been brainstorming some ideas and wanted to see what everyone else has done. Thanks.

You know I have heard that too and for the life of me I know I have seen Lowes carry the stuff, I will have to go back and double check maybe they were out of it.

I can get some posted, probably this weekend when I have some time to work on the armor.

The issue I am having is with the Kidney plate and the back plate. I have an AM kit and am trying to trim it down to fit but am having trouble, any recommendations or good tutorials would be. I am having particular problems with getting the kidney and back plate to fit my back.Do most have to trim the kidney plate some? Luckily I think the only trimming left to do after I knock this out is the quads and minor mods on the legs then off to dirtying up the suit a bit. Thanks.-

Hey Guys, Thanks, I have not looked super hard for the black ABS but I do know the local Lowes and Home Depot do not carry it. I have not checked ACE or some other places yet. I just wanted to make sure I have the dimensions right...

Hey Guys, Quick question about the mortar tube, I am having problems finding the black ABS pipe and was going to use the left over parts from my AM kit. What diameter pipe are you guys using. I found 2.5" white pvc although it is a little big for the end caps I can sand them down a bit to make it fit. I wanted to make sure that was the right size???? Length of tube 29" X width of tube 2.5"?????

That is actually a pretty good idea thanks for the tweaking the right one feels really good in place but the left may need a little more trimming come to think about it. I am excited to finish these pieces off an move to the legs. After seeing how it goes together with the forearms I feel ready to tackle the legs with some confidence. I agree those forearms were pretty tough to get right. I am glad I had you guys to give pointers. Cut once after measuring a hundred times.HAHAHA

Hey, Sorry about the confusion I am use to dealing with actual medieval armor. Yes the shoulder bell to me looks pretty close without any trimming so I am not going to touch it. The next step is to close the biceps and put the trimmings on all pieces.

Hey guys so after some deliberation some trial and error I was able to figure out I can get my hand through them both if I trimmed the edge and sanded it just a bit. Now it fits like a dream and both sides are secured together. The right and left are now finished except for the outer strip I wanted to make them match the biceps so I will cut and put those together before I move on the outer strips. Hold on pics are coming sandman I agree with you these had to be the most challenging so far the biceps took half the time to measure correctly and after one cut on each side Voila!!! Any smaller and the biceps will not go around me. I threw the gauntlets in to show how they went together pretty well too. Still need to make the outer strips. Oh one thing I had to do was trim that return edge on the biceps it was so severe it was cutting into my skin Another pic of the bicep One concern of mine was I was going to have to take some off the pauldron to make the bicep look accurate. I was afraid because the last return edges that I did were a little off and I wanted these to look good. However, after putting the pauldron over the trimmed bicep I think it looks pretty spot on. So I may not change anything, I have looked at pics and they seem to vary depending on trooper but a good reference was to land the end of the pauldron midway on the bicep. I think it did ok what do you guys think?

Hey guys, I want to say thanks for the help it is coming along pretty well. I used both your ideas and trimmed off both sides a bit to better make it fit. Then after I get everything looking good I realized my hands will not fit if I permanantly close them with no gap...How do you guys get around that I have an idea but...

Ok so I had some free time and here are a couple of photos I am almost thinking two to three squares out of mine <_< i bent my arm so you can see the pinch point. A little better focus My best guess on where I need to cut to get this piece to fit my arm.

If you need more assistance, please just post. And also, references shared by Tigui and Dan will be a lot of help. Check them out if you haven't yet. Saludos That is most helpful thank you, also just to let you know it was not to late, I have not touched that part of the armor. That was a fitting photo of the AM kit straight out the box. The only things I have adjusted size wise is the hand plates, way too big out of the box and am currently working the gauntlets and arms. Need to trim some of the forearm pieces, it is a little long for good movement. I hope to post some photos when I get some time to work them I guess the issue I am having is how to trim the gauntlets they need to lose one to two squares to actually fit right and I am not sure how to go about this. I basically am afraid to lose the "look" I can show photos prob tonight. Oh and my but plate is just uber tucked under the back plate, wild looking huh.

Hey just an update I have finished up my gloves for the hand guards and just need to glue the snap plates them. Still have not done anything with the gauntlets but will probably tonight or tomorrow and will post some photos. Oh another question is there a criteria or set pieces that have a "return edge" from what sources I have found or read the originals did not have them???

Sandman, Did you have to trim off the gauntlet to get the same size. I am afraid I will lose the look if I cut them to size?? I can show photos if you need them.

Thanks Sandman, Yeah I know exactly what you mean I have alot to cut off I have trimmed down the gauntlets and will post some pictures let you guys take a look. I am trying to go slow and steady but it seems I learn something with every piece i.e. how to cut, where to cut, etc. It is going to be fun but it will take some time. I have been trying to keep in mind free movement. I will use your advice throughout this project and see how it comes out. I needed to write down everything I need to do but you beat me to it.

You know I have read on the dented helmet an estimated cost for a decent Fett runs somewhere around 2k-3k depending I am sure on how much you can actually do yourself. Again, this was another member asking. However, I have seen some photos of the end product and if he is a true Fett fan like myself, they look superb.

Ok so here is the start of something: Me sizing up The back So I have started working with the gauntlets and the hands first. The AM kit it pretty large but with plenty to play with. I had to trim the hand pieces to fit my hands otherwise they made mine look ridiculous. I just made a guess to cut off based of my hand size. Cut, then attempted to give a return edge with a heat sealing iron. Before. sorry little washed out After: Since this is my first go at any of this I would have to say not bad...But, some newbie errors due to the odd shape of the hand shields and the amount I had to trim the return edge was pretty hard to get real clean looking. Overall, with some more sanding and a little polish, I am happy with it. that return edge is hard to get with the odd size and the angles of the hand piece After some cleaning up a side by side next to the right one you can see I almost took a half inch all the way around. Next I will be working on the right hand guard and the gauntlets, more to come.

Thanks Guys I will throw some pics up later tonight I hope. I put everything on and I def have some trimming but it looks pretty simple in theory. Is there a general feeling on how big hand guards will be I want to start with the ones from the AM kit, maybe trim a bit. Eventually going to do rubber etc. But they look huge on me I will show photos.

I have wondered why the use of the seam are you guys doubling those up with velcro? Mine will probably need some velcro to open and get in and out of. I will show as many pics as possible.

My first question in the general make up of the kit is do you guys recommend the strips versus trimming the pieces to fit together via the preformed seams? It looks like the trimming may be so severe I will have to add strips. Oh been following along with Pandatroopers tutorial.

Ok, So after a long wait. Still waiting on an AP kit I thought I would try my luck at an AM light kit. I will have some photos and any help/suggestions/critiques are more than welcome. I will try and post pics as it comes along. Since this is my first go at this I will be littered with questions/concerns. I will test fit everything over the next few nights and hopefully get some pics up for some help. From what I have gathered I really like this kits durability it is some heavy duty ABS. However, I will def need to trim quite a bit to get it to fit my neanderthal 5'9" 160 lb fram.