Baron

What did you get exactly? I wear under armor.

I would advise against painting it to re-weather it. The condition it is in now is fine, remember, aside from weathering to make it look weathered, the natural "weathering" you already have will only heighten what you do to it further. Re-painting it to muck it up again is redundant, and more time consuming. If you use the Epoxy appliance paint, I use that stuff to, but not on my Sandy, you have to leave it alone for 5-7 days for it to fully cure. Just a lot of extra work you don't need to do a Sandy, IMO.... Baron

Looking at your picture, your weathering does not look bad. Personally, I wouldn't spray anything on it. I weathered mine with FolkArt acrylic paint over the original ABS. There is a few guys here who make quality pauldrons. It also looks like your thighs could come up a bit. Would really help if you had more pictures with more angles so we can see how it all looks. Baron

I personally cant imagine kitting up without my pack. IT makes me feel nekkid! May as well stay shiny But as was said before, it is a choice. You don't have to like them like we do Baron

Part of the weathering when I did mine was work it a little to give it a little more of a curve. But it will soften some on it's own.

There are a handful of things you need to do to convert, helmet is the biggest as you already mentioned, but very do-able

It's OK that it is FX, they convert to Sandy's pretty well and the price was right But you are correct, the helmet would not clear. Yours looks good. I would suggest cutting the kidney plate and making it separate, that is how it should be. But in your picture it does look like your back plate is riding high. I would not be worried about a return edge. I know some of the CRL's were recently changed here, you might want to have a look at them here: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=13770 Yes, the little rivet in the bottom right corner of the center ab square. Super easy mod. Do you have any more detailed pictures? Baron

The armor looks AM or FX. Looks like your whole ab piece could come up higher, that would raise your thighs to as they seem to right on top of you shins, makes it harder to walk or move. You have one too many ab buttons, should be three. And you will need the rivet in the middle square section also. I don't have a picture handy to show you. You should get 501st basic approval with little issue, but P.O. here will need some changes, but nothing too big Good luck dude!!!! Baron

I liked the movie a lot, especially after seeing it a second time. I was able to pay more attention to detail and things being said except just being in awe of a new movie! I HIGHLY recommend seeing it in IAMX 3D. Really gives it a depth, not just a bunch of crap being thrown in your face. I would give it a 8/10. There were a few things I kinda had issue with, but after watching it the second time, I am pretty sure those things will be explained in the next one or two... And poor Phasma........

I am a little biased, but I highly recommend the MTK kit. That is what I have and I am happy. However, pretty much any kit you get will cost you a bundle to have shipped down under!!!

Enjoy dude! I was one of the lucky few who was invited to the red Carpet World Premeiere. You are all in for a real treat!!!! Cant wait to talk to everyone about it!!! Baron

Congrats and enjoy dude! I am 27 years married with my wife currently, it can be done!!!! All the best brother! Baron

Looking pretty good, but there are a number of things. The pack needs the most work. While it doesn't look bad, it is not accurate, though it is a great effort! I would get Gordons cistern for sure. There are a few guys who sell Sonix radio faceplates. I sell the knob kits, but I think those guys have knob kits for their faces to. Your belt is also too low, but that is an easy fix. And getting a pouch for the left shoulder to. And your hand guards look rigid, should be soft. Anyway, looks pretty good, just need some changes Good luck dude!!!! Baron

I would be interested in helping out here, although I am not SWAT and likely will never go that route. But I have noticed the amount of PO submissions and have commented and messaged a number of these folk to help them shore some things up that I have noticed. Perhaps we can also have a team for PO that can help out as well. I have the luxury of being online most of the day usually anyway. Just an out loud thought here to your already great idea Baron

Digging the weathering dude, good luck!!!

Looking good and the changes you mentioned means you are on track. Aside from lifting your belt a bit, you will also need to replace the sniper knee plate as well. It looks like you are well on your way dude! Good luck, take your time and have fun!!! Baron

Dude, that looks a lot better and much more natural. the different shades really round out that you have been out in the desert or sand looking for droids!!! I would advise against any clear coat. Most clear coats will either add a shine to it, or make it look dull. Neither of which you want. I weathered mine over a year ago, still looks great and does have rub spots where it has kinda come off, but that is normal "wear and tear" and also looks more natural in my opinion. I can also pull those parts out and re-weather a little if I wanted. I am not a fan of making things that I cannot relatively easily change later without a lot of extra work or repair afterwards. That is one reason I would never clear coat my armor. I rarely use rivets when I can use nut and bolts. My helmet is not riveted, I can easily take it all apart. My pack is all nuts and bolts and I can take it all apart easy also without drilling anything. I prefer to keep my options open With all that being said, excellent work dude! Whi8le you are obviously free to use whatever color or method to achieve the results YOU want, here are the 4 colors I used. I think your helmet could use some light touches of a lighter shade. Again, excellent work bro! Looking forward to seeing the full kit Baron

Looking good man, good luck!

Congrats man! Hope you guys have a great day with many more to follow.

Looks great man, Good luck!!!!

Hey man, your build is looking good so far. Here are a few things: Pretty much everything Nick said. Your chest piece could be a little higher, and it will make you look a little taller. You are also missing the three buttons next to the ab part, but we will just assume you have not put it on yet. I think your weathering looks great! I would add another color or two to even it out though. Probably go on the lighter side of color to add a little more "sandy" or "dusty" look to it, otherwise looks great. The biceps do look a little big. Do you have much room in them? It also kinda looks like you left a lot of return edge on the bottom of your shoulder bells. trimming some of that down will get them closer to your biceps and not make them stick out quite as far. A lot of people use "whopper poppers" (I do) to attach them to the elastic strap. You could shorten the strap in the bells to bring them in closer to, as previously mentioned. Great looking kit. Your almost there!!! Baron

Welcome to the sandbox Keith!!! Aside from the tools The Trooper mentioned, I would start reading as much as you can!!!! There are tons of build threads for both armor and the pack. And weathering threads to Good luck and have fun!!! Baron

Great weathering man! Good luck!!!! Baron

Then that is the one I would use for sure Baron

Your one picture looks great! Follow the instructions from ShadowFax821 and get a photobucket account. Super easy. Good luck! Baron