fragarock

It can be daunting but you just have to dive in and go. Slowly you'll gain the confidence needed and after you've built a few pieces you'll be just fine. Hand guards are a good place to start. Simple trimming and gluing. After that I'd work on the forearms then biceps. I have a very detailed build thread from several years ago. It was tailored to shorter folks and thr trimming needed to make a kit fit us better but the techniques are universal for anyone. Mine was also a RS stunt kit. Post questions and you'll get lots of good advice. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I'd order the belt from RS if they are willing to supply it at a reasonable cost. Get it and then evaluate if its close enough in color. Seems like it should be passable. If not, you could get away with painting that one piece rather than the original kit. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Wait, is this your original RS kit? Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Hi JC, I had the same problem. Ended up trimming off the top of the thighs and reducing all around the bottom and sides of the butt piece. Check out my thread, I have a whole section dedicated to this issue. Also, if you can, I suggest slightly reducing the diameter of your thighs, they look a little big, not huge, just a little. I'm 5'-5" about 140 lbs. so a similar size.

I thought that was a beer in your TD belt. That would have been bold. Looks great as expected. Hope you're doing well and GL on that troop. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Here are my photos for reference. How tall are you? Would be helpful to know when it comes to trimming pieces. The top of the kidney and top of the ab sides are to align. Looks like you need to reduce the height of the kidney. Since you'll have to cut it off from the butt piece, do the trimming on the bottom along that cut line. That cut line will be covered by the belt anyways an that way you maintain the return edge along the top of the kidney. This may force you to trim the sides of the ab so they align with the trimmed kidney. The key is to get the bottom of the butt and the cord aligned so that its comfortable when you walk and doesn't collide with your thigh pieces. Then look at how that placement looks in relation to the chest/ab interface. Meaning, are the buttons on the ab still visible? Is the ab too high or low? If too high, you may have to trim some more off. A lot depends on your height. I'm short so had to trim a lot. I trimmed off the top and bottom of the kidney to get it the right size. Also trimmed and repositioned the cod to move it up. And trimmed off the top of and sides of the ab. Sometimes you just gotta cut. The butt piece is pushed out in the photos due to my mannequin. Obviously not supposed to look like that. Are you local to the Detroit area? There are lots of us in the Great Lakes Garrison to help. I'm in Royal Oak. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

After reading your post I went back and looked at mine. I had to cut quite a bit off the bottom of my kidney piece. You may find you have to do the same. It's hard to tell until you get all brackets in and see the pieces hanging together. Keep up the good work, it can be scary at times but also very rewarding.

Give it another bath and try to straighten the edge that's curled. Do you have a heat iron? I suggest getting one, they're invaluable especially for us shorter troopers who need to cut and reform edges. I suggest reinforcing your bracket attachment areas as well with an extra strip of ABS. It will be worth the extra work. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I couldn't get my belt to snap either. The snaps from RS were misaligned and I didn't feel like messing with it. I just use some velcro to help hold it in place. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I like the organization and prep work to get all the tools in order before the build. Looks like you've done your research. I have an RS kit and it went together pretty easily. Good luck. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Sorry to hear about the missing parts. You should have received a bag with the hovi-mic tips and a bunch of screws and rivets as shown in this pic from my kit. Don't sweat it, you've got plenty to work on while RS send you the parts. Good luck and reach out to us with questions. We're all happy to help.

If you are really bothered by it, I have several ways to polish the scratches out. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

My snaps never held well either. I attached white velcro strips to help hold the belt in place. One in the front middle and one on each side of the ab piece. Once its wrapped around and tightened at the back, it's not coming off. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I think we can fix that. Let me know when you're around and I'll come over. Maybe this weekend. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I know the helmet can be daunting. I'm available to help even if you want me to build it for you. Let me know, I'm around the corner .....sort of. Just want you to get this kit done and get out there trooping. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk